The MAFF is a diver-based, hand-harvest fishery collecting a diverse suite of marine fish species for use in either private or public aquaria. Operating since the 1970s, the MAFF supports around 40 commercial licenses and operates along the east coast of Queensland within the bounds of the Offshore Constitutional Settlement – an area of more than 530,000 km2.
Operators are permitted to collect fish and invertebrates in all areas that are not closed through Queensland or Commonwealth marine parks zoning. The fishery area also comprises five Special Management Areas that can only be accessed by holders of specially endorsed licenses.
Effort in the fishery is restricted by the number of active divers allowed per license, diving safety limits and environmental factors such as weather and water turbidity. The total number of fish and invertebrate specimens collected in the MAFF in 2009 was around 162,000 individuals.
Download:
Aquarium Fishery Annual Status Report
Aquarium Fishery Assessment
Aquarium Fishery Ecological Risk Assessment
Aquarium Fishery Performance Measurement System
Aquarium Fishery Sustainability Assessment