A national study of crime in the Australian fishing industry

The Australian aquaculture and fisheries industry is worth over $2 billion annually, and supports numerous communities across the country. This report presents the results of research, funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, that sought to investigate the extent of illegal activity in Australia's fishing industry and the threat posed by more organised criminal activity. It includes results from a review of legislation, national consultations, a national survey of fisheries officers and an analysis of prosecution data. The report concludes with recommendations relating to legislative changes, increased resources, intelligence sharing between relevant agencies, and specialist skills training for fisheries officers.