The Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) is defined as follows in the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (FMA) (including the amendments to that Act made by the Maritime Legislation Amendment Act 1994). Australian Fishing Zone means: The waters adjacent to Australia within the outer limits of the exclusive economic zone; and The waters adjacent to each external territory within the outer limits of the exclusive economic zone; but does not include: Coastal waters of, or waters within the limits of, a State or internal Territory; or Waters that are 'excepted waters' The outer limit of the AFZ is the same as the outer limit of the EEZ other than in places where the 'excepted waters' Proclamation in Gazette No.S52 of 14 February 1992 remains relevant (see paragraph (d) of the definition). The 'excepted waters' Proclamation remains relevant in two areas - in the Torres Strait and in the waters adjacent to the Australian Antarctic Territory (Parts 5 and 6 of the 1992 Proclamation). The other parts of the 1992 'excepted waters' Proclamation have been rendered redundant by the Proclamation of the outer limits of the EEZ which entered into force on 1 August 1994. They have been rendered redundant because they largely cover the same lines as are used in the 1994 EEZ Proclamation.
