Sub-Antarctic Fisheries Management Advisory Committee

The Sub-Antarctic Fisheries Management Advisory Committee (South MAC) is the principle advisory body for providing the AFMA Commission advice on the management of the Commonwealth 's Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Fishery and Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery. This includes consideration of the outcomes and implications for Australian fishers from the meetings of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR XXXI). Management Advisory Committees (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. Generally, 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. A typical MAC consists of an independent chairperson, an AFMA member, a research member, a recreational fishing member, up to four industry members and an environment/conservation member. Each MAC has an executive officer responsible to the chairperson. Members are generally appointed for terms of up to three years.