The purpose of the Fisheries Act 1996 is to help you use fisheries resources in a way that is sustainable. You need to know what sustainable means: it is about making sure fisheries resources are available for future generations and not harming the aquatic environment. The Act also aims to help people use fisheries resources to improve their social, economic, and cultural well-being. The Act talks about utilisation of fisheries resources, which means conserving, using, enhancing, and developing these resources. This helps you provide for your social, economic, and cultural well-being. The goal is to make sure you can use fisheries resources while keeping the environment safe. The Act wants to make sure you can use fisheries resources now and in the future. It also wants to avoid harming the aquatic environment when you fish. This way, you can use fisheries resources to help you and your community thrive.