2016 SoE Marine Chapter - Case Study - Commonwealth commercial fisheries

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Case Study "Commonwealth commercial fisheries". The full Case Study, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Case Study are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FOCUS OF THE CASE STUDY Management of commercial fisheries is shared between the Commonwealth, states and the Northern Territory. In general, the Australian Government, through the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), is responsible for commercial fishing beyond three nautical miles from the coast. Some Commonwealth fisheries target fish stocks that extend into the high seas and the Exclusive Economic Zones of other countries. These are jointly managed with other countries through conventions and agreements. Key commercial stocks in Commonwealth fisheries are managed under the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy (HSP). The HSP requires an evidence–based approach to setting sustainable catch levels to ensure stocks are maintained at ecologically sustainable levels and within this context, maximise economic returns to the Australian community. The Australian Government aims to implement an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, which considers fisheries’ interactions with, and impacts on, bycatch species, habitats, communities and ecosystems. Bycatch species are managed under the Commonwealth Policy on Fisheries Bycatch (BCP) and in line with Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) requirements. The BCP aims to reduce bycatch and improve protection for vulnerable species; this is implemented through a risk management framework.

PRESSURES/ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE The 2013 HSP review found the policy and guidelines improved the management of Commonwealth fisheries. The HSP is one of only a few comprehensive policies implemented to direct the development of harvest strategies across fisheries.

DATA STREAM(S) USED IN CASE STUDY Fishery status reports data, 1992 to 2014 covering all Commonwealth fisheries (as described in Patterson et al 2015). The status assessments are underpinned by AFMA’s fishery catch and effort data and the data used in individual fish stock assessments.