The fisheries quota system

This inquiry lapsed at the end of the 46th Parliament. On 4 August 2022, the Senate agreed to the committee's recommendation that this inquiry be re-adopted in the 47th Parliament. 

This is an archived webpage that is no longer updated.


On 7 December 2020, the Senate moved that the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 24 June 2021.

On 13 May 2021, the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 20 October 2021.

On 20 October 2021, the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 17 March 2022

On 4 March 2022, the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 20 October 2022.

The fisheries quota system and examining whether the current ‘managed microeconomic system’ established around a set of individual transferable quotas results in good fishing practice, with particular reference to:

  1. good fishing practice that is ecologically sustainable with an economic dynamic that produces good community outcomes;
  2. how the current quota system affects community fishers;
  3. whether the current system disempowers small fishers and benefits large interest groups;
  4. the enforceability of ecological value on the current system, and the current system's relationship to the health of the fisheries;
  5. whether the current system results in good fishing practice that is ecologically sustainable and economically dynamic, and produces good community outcomes; and
  6. any other related matters.

Submissions closed on 12 March 2021.

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3511
rrat.sen@aph.gov.au