Feedback on observer changes extended to 31 January 2026
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has advised it is extending its deadline for feedback on its proposed new rules for vessels to carry fishery observers.
Fisheries management agencies sometimes place observers on commercial fishing vessels to monitor operations and undertake research, and the new rules support compliance with safety and certification requirements.
AMSA considers observers to be ‘special personnel’ as defined in Part B (General Requirements) of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV).
Under the new rules, AMSA proposes that before an observer is allowed on board, you must:
- check that the total number of people on board, including the observer, will not exceed the maximum number of people allowed (under the certificate of survey, certificate of operation, Exemption 02, Exemption 40 or specific exemption permit)
- confirm you will still have appropriate crewing numbers, bearing in mind that you cannot replace appropriate crew with an observer.
- ensure the table on the vessel’s certificate of survey or approval allows for the carriage of ‘special personnel’ and that this number is not exceeded (see ‘transitional period’ note below).
- Existing vessels that do not hold a Certificate of Survey, or non-survey permit, must not exceed the maximum number of persons permitted on the vessel.
Note: Transitional period
AMSA is aware that many fishing vessels may not currently have a survey certificate, or other certificate/permit, that allows ‘special personnel’ on board.
AMSA is providing a ‘transitional period’ to allow industry time to update their vessel survey certificates or permits as follows:
- Certificate of survey holders: if your certificate does not permit the carriage of special personnel, you will need to apply to include special personnel numbers when the certificate is next due for renewal.
- Exemption 02 or Exemption 40 holders: if your approval does not permit the carriage of special personnel, you will need to apply to vary the approval to include special personnel numbers before 30 June 2030. You can apply to vary an approval by submitting an AMSA form 579 (Exemption 02) or AMSA form 523 (Exemption 40).
In the meantime, you may continue to carry fishery observers provided all other requirements outlined in the guidance material are met. This includes ensuring that the maximum number of people that the vessel is certified to carry is not exceeded.
Operators will also need to check their vessel is safe to carry an observer.
- Have you conducted a risk assessment to make sure it is safe to allow an observer on board?
- Did the risk assessment consider the maximum number of persons that the vessel is certified to carry? (See vessel certification requirements below)
- Is your safety management system (SMS) up to date and does it cover observers?
- Have you considered how the carriage of an observer may impact the safe loading of equipment and cargo?
- Is all required safety equipment on board and in working order?
- Have you inducted and trained the observer and recorded this in your SMS?
- Have you recorded an observer’s presence on board in the vessel’s logbook?
Please direct feedback to David de Silva, A/g Senior Director, Domestic Maritime Policy & Regulation at [email protected]. Please send a copy of your response to this address [LINK: [email protected]}