Harvest Strategy Policy

In September 2007 the Australian Government released the ‘Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines’. The then minister subsequently required the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to implement harvest strategies in all relevant Commonwealth fisheries by January 2008.

What is the Harvest Strategy Policy?

The harvest strategy policy and associated implementation guidelines aim to ensure that key commercial fish species are managed for long–term biological sustainability and economic profitability. It also seeks to provide the fishing industry with a more certain operating environment.

The harvest strategy policy provides a framework that allows a strategic, science–based approach to setting total allowable catch levels in all Commonwealth fisheries on a fishery by fishery basis. The implementation guidelines provide practical advice on how to interpret and apply the harvest strategy policy to Australia’s fisheries and contain details of the science behind the fisheries management decisions.

• Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy, Policy and Guidelines – September 2007 PDF [526 KB]

Review of the Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines

On Wednesday 28 March 2012, Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, announced the review of the harvest strategy policy.

A discussion paper was released for the review of the harvest strategy policy for six weeks of public consultation from 9 November 2012 to 21 December 2012. Eleven submissions were received on the review from a range of stakeholders. 

The public consultation period for the Review of the Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines closed on 21 December 2012.