The IMO has agreed that marking requirements should be developed for commercial fishing gear.
New global marking requirements
The IMO agreed that new marking requirements should be flexible so that countries can adopt rules that reflect their situation but still meet international regulations. We refer to this approach to as a 'goal-based' measure.
Why is the IMO developing marking requirements?
The requirements aim to:
- discourage the discharge of fishing gear
- encourage reporting of lost or discharged fishing gear
- support safe retrieval.
Reducing the volume of lost fishing gear will help protect our marine environment.
Australia's position
The Australian Government supports actions to reduce the discharge of fishing gear. The government is working in the IMO to promote new gear marking regulations that:
- are reasonable in scope and application
- do not place an unnecessary burden on industry
- do not duplicate existing measures
- apply sensible thresholds for the types of fishing gear, operations and ships included
- are flexible and align with current Australian and international rules, including existing arrangements in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).
We want to know what you think about the proposed requirements. Learn about the consultation process or contact imoenvironment@amsa.gov.au to find out when and how to give feedback.