Hold AFMA Commonwealth fishing permit
Commercial fishing in Commonwealth waters requires a permit + observance of quotas.
Who must comply
Holders of Commonwealth fishing concessions (statutory fishing rights, permits and quota), the boats nominated to them, and skippers responsible for fishing operations, who must be registered as authorised agents where they are not the concession holder.
What triggers it
Commercial fishing in a Commonwealth-managed fishery, including the Australian Fishing Zone and high seas fisheries managed under international arrangements, or nominating a boat to a Commonwealth concession.
When due
Concession held before fishing and conditions complied with for each season. VMS on at all times. Logsheets completed during the trip and original logsheets returned to AFMA within 3 calendar days of the trip ending (with the catch disposal record in quota fisheries). E-logs required for operators fishing 50 or more days in the current or previous season, those with electronic monitoring, and line fishers in the Eastern and Western Tuna and Billfish fisheries.
Evidence required
Current concessions and the fishery's general or SFR conditions; boat nominations; VMS type-approval and any Temporary Switch Off approvals; logbooks or e-logs and retained duplicate logsheets; catch disposal records; quota holdings and reconciliation records; observer placement records; authorised agent registrations.
Max penalty
Failure to have a working VMS is an offence. Compliance with concession conditions, logbook, observer and quota requirements is monitored through AFMA's domestic compliance program, satellite monitoring of fishing boats and compliance inspections
Summary
Commercial fishing in Commonwealth-managed fisheries is authorised by Commonwealth fishing concessions (statutory fishing rights, fishing permits and quota) issued by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. AFMA publishes the concession holders and the general and SFR conditions for each fishery, from the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery and Northern Prawn Fishery to the tuna, sub-Antarctic and Torres Strait fisheries, and sets a total allowable catch for each quota species each season. Concession conditions carry the operational monitoring duties. A type-approved vessel monitoring system (VMS) must be fitted and working on every boat nominated to a Commonwealth concession at all times, even in port or when fishing under a state permit, and may be switched off only with AFMA's prior written approval. Logbooks are required in all Commonwealth fisheries, operators must carry an AFMA observer when requested, and quota fisheries are subject to within-season quota reconciliation.
Enforced by
Source legislation
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Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with AFMA Commonwealth fishing permit?
- Holders of Commonwealth fishing concessions (statutory fishing rights, permits and quota), the boats nominated to them, and skippers responsible for fishing operations, who must be registered as authorised agents where they are not the concession holder.
- What triggers AFMA Commonwealth fishing permit?
- Commercial fishing in a Commonwealth-managed fishery, including the Australian Fishing Zone and high seas fisheries managed under international arrangements, or nominating a boat to a Commonwealth concession.
- When is AFMA Commonwealth fishing permit due?
- Concession held before fishing and conditions complied with for each season. VMS on at all times. Logsheets completed during the trip and original logsheets returned to AFMA within 3 calendar days of the trip ending (with the catch disposal record in quota fisheries). E-logs required for operators fishing 50 or more days in the current or previous season, those with electronic monitoring, and line fishers in the Eastern and Western Tuna and Billfish fisheries.
- What is the maximum penalty for AFMA Commonwealth fishing permit?
- Failure to have a working VMS is an offence. Compliance with concession conditions, logbook, observer and quota requirements is monitored through AFMA's domestic compliance program, satellite monitoring of fishing boats and compliance inspections
- What evidence is required for AFMA Commonwealth fishing permit?
- Current concessions and the fishery's general or SFR conditions; boat nominations; VMS type-approval and any Temporary Switch Off approvals; logbooks or e-logs and retained duplicate logsheets; catch disposal records; quota holdings and reconciliation records; observer placement records; authorised agent registrations.
Source: https://www.afma.gov.au/commercial-fishers/resources/concession-holders-and-sfr-conditions. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.