The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) says that a plan to put independent observers on some tuna boats will help ensure sustainable catch levels in the future.
The authority's general manager of fisheries, Les Roberts, was responding to criticism of the plan by Australia’s East Coast Tuna Boat Owners Association, which says observers are unnecessary.
Roberts says the introduction of observers on fishing boats is one aspect of a comprehensive management plan being developed by the authority to help safeguard tuna fishing on the east coast.
He says prior to the draft plan being released, AFMA had consulted widely with the industry.
Roberts says accurate information is vital for the future of the industry.
"Data collection is absolutely fundamental to fisheries management. We need to know the impact on target stocks and the broader marine ecosystem and we need to have the data validated, collected and verified so we know exactly what we're dealing with and what responses we should take," he said.