Fish and Fish Products

A primary objective of the AQIS Fish Exports Program is to provide operational services, policy and technical advice to the export seafood industry to assist in maintaining international market access. The provision of trained audit and inspection staff supports this objective. The Fish Exports Program manages and facilitates exports according to legislation, most important of which are the Export Control Act 1982, the Export Control (Prescribed Goods—General) Order 2005 and the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Orders 2005. 

In order to prepare fish and fish products for export, land based establishments and vessels which undertake processing, as defined in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Orders 2005, are required to be registered with AQIS as per the Export Control (Prescribed Goods—General) Order 2005. It is a condition of registration that the establishment has an AQIS approved food safety management system in place, called an Approved Arrangement (AA), which meets the requirements of the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Orders 2005.

An AA is a fully documented system which encompasses management commitment, good manufacturing practices, process control and through chain traceability.

The AA will:

• enhance your food safety management system to meet importing country requirements and better align with imported country requirements
  
  
• be flexible and easy to upgrade/change to meet changing overseas requirements
  
  
• assist in meeting new domestic requirements
  
  
• provide customised training material for new and existing staff

The AA ensures the integrity of products and documentation which is essential for AQIS to be able to issue export permits and certification. 

If you require further information on the Fish Exports Program, please contact your local food inspector.