Approximately 150 international delegates met in Adelaide, Australia for the fifth Commission Meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO).
The occasion aimed to provide an opportunity to engage with delegations to discuss the continued management of the SPRFMO fisheries resources.
Anne Ruston, assistant minister for agriculture and water resources, said: “Australia works to ensure that our domestic fisheries management practices support the principles of economic development and environmental sustainability.”
She added: “Our commitment to establishing and maintaining responsible domestic fishing practices and policy also extends to our participation in international forums where we hope to achieve similar outcomes for those shared fishing resources.”
The meeting will focus on improving the management and reporting in this fishery for the benefit of all Members in the industry.
Australia is aiming to co-sponsor a proposal with Chile and New Zealand to improve vessel monitoring system requirements which will aim to act a key tool for combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Minister Ruston concluded: “There has been a significant reduction in this illegal fishing activity in the Southern Ocean and other areas where a concerted effort has been made to combat offending vessels.
“The government is committed to combatting illegal fishing and I am delighted that this issue is receiving increasing global attention and action.”
