South East Management Advisory Committee

The South East Management Advisory Committee is the overarching committee that provides management advice to AFMA for the following fisheries: • Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (including the Gillnet Hook and Trap Sector, the South Eastern Trawl Sector and the Great Australian Bight fishery) • Small Pelagic Fishery • Southern Squid Jig Fishery SEMAC provides management advice to the AFMA Commission and AFMA management on efficient and cost-effective fisheries management, and provides an avenue for consultation between industry, policy, conservation, state and territory governments, recreational and research fields. MACs are a major source of advice to AFMA, reflecting the experience and expertise of the range of stakeholders with interest in the fishery or fisheries covered by the MAC. MACs play a vital role in helping AFMA to fulfil its legislative functions and effectively pursue its objectives by acting as the main advisory body and link between AFMA and those with an interest in the fishery. MACs also provide advice to AFMA on a variety of issues including fisheries management arrangements, research, compliance and management costs. In general, MACs provide a forum where issues relating to a fishery are discussed, problems identified, and possible solutions developed. The outcomes of these deliberations determine the recommendations that the MAC will make to the AFMA Commission. MACs are made up of members from commercial industry, fisheries management, the scientific community, the recreational fishing sector, the environment/conservation sector and, in some instances, the state governments.