An audit of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has found some parts of its operations are only partially effective.
Auditor-General, Grant Hehir said the AFMA was involved in the management of 16 fisheries located between three and 200 nautical miles from the Australian coast.
The audit found AFMA’s governance arrangements were only partly appropriate.
“Performance measures contained in the AFMA’s corporate plan do not provide a clear assessment against its purpose, and incorrect reporting has been identified,” Mr Hehir said.
“An ecological risk assessment framework has been established, but re-assessments have not been completed in accordance with the framework,” he said.
“The AFMA has not pursued a proposal to establish an economic risk assessment framework.”
However, an appropriate risk-based compliance and enforcement framework to promote compliance with fisheries management regulations had been established.
“Individual fisheries management arrangements are partly effective,” Mr Hehir said.
“Plans and strategies implemented under Commonwealth policy have not been reviewed in a timely manner,” he said.
“Maximising net economic returns based on scientific modelling has not progressed.”
Mr Hehir said conflict of interest arrangements for commissioners and committees were managed appropriately, although administration of staff conflict-of-interest declarations was not effective.
The audit found that public reporting on key commercial fish stock was extensive, but aggregate pricing data collected from industry was not being reported.
“AFMA has implemented largely effective compliance and enforcement processes,” Mr Hehir said.
“Compliance activities are informed by a structured risk assessment process,” he said.
“Detection, prevention and enforcement activities are largely effective.
“Guidance material and reporting could be improved.”
The audit made nine recommendations, all of which were agreed by the AFMA.
The Auditor-General’s report can be accessed online at this PS News link and a 67-page PDF version at this link.
The audit team was Jennifer Myles, Chirag Pathak, Aden Pulford and Michael White.
