The results of a two and a half hour collection of marine debris. Photo: Paul Back

Earlier this year, AFMA sought suggestions on the possible source of pieces of green twine – around 400 mm in length – that have been washing up on Macquarie Island over a period of years. It appears as though part of the puzzle may have been solved!

Recently two AFMA Fisheries Officers boarded a South Korean longliner that was fishing for Toothfish in the Southern Ocean. During the inspection they noticed that the vessel attached the hooks to the mainline using short lengths of green poly rope, which is different from the usual Spanish long line system or auto line systems. On-board there were thousands of short lengths of pre-cut twine ready for use as well as those that were attached to the mainline.  It is suspected that other fleets may be using similar material.

Macquarie Island and a number of other sub-Antarctic Islands are in the path of the circumpolar current which concentrates marine debris. For example, there have been reports of similar material washing up in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands over many years.

There were reports of an illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) long line fishing vessel that sank at Kerguelen Island in the Southern Ocean east of Macquarie Island. So it is possible that the green string could be washing ashore from this vessel, or any other vessel passing through the commonly fished Toothfish grounds to the west of Heard and McDonald Islands.

AFMA received many responses and suggestions and we thank all of those who took the time to respond.

For more information please contact Peter Neave, Manager Antarctic Fisheries on 02 6225 5302 or email peter.neave@afma.gov.au.

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Following consultation with SPF advisory committees and the AFMA Commission, AFMA have allowed the trial of jigging for small pelagic fish species until 1 May 2014.

AFMA will evaluate the information gained throughout the trial and may introduce longer term arrangements if the method is demonstrated as a sustainable and economic method for harvesting small pelagic species.

Any operator wishing to use jigging in the SPF will need to hold quota for the target species and must also carry an AFMA observer to monitor the operation during the trial period.

Jigging is used to target small pelagic species in fisheries worldwide. It is also commonly used in association with purse seine or mid-water trawl fishing to confirm the species and size of fish in a school.

Jig-caught fish can also potentially attract a higher market price due to the superior quality of the fish caught this way and expand the market opportunities for species such as Blue Mackerel.
Do you have other similar innovative ideas for any fishery that could improve efficiency and cost effectiveness of fishing operations? If so, AFMA would love to hear from you!

For further information please contact Kylie Tonon, SPF Management Officer on 02 6225 5373 or kylie.tonon@afma.gov.au.

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AFMA is preparing for its third ‘Operation VMS crackdown’ to make sure Commonwealth fishers are abiding by the rules for sustainable fishing.

During June, following the success of similar campaigns, a zero tolerance approach will be taken to non-compliance with VMS requirements, in particular to have a working VMS.

Any boat with a VMS unit that stops reporting during the crackdown will be ordered to stop fishing immediately and be sent back to port until AFMA is satisfied that the boat’s monitoring system is working and being used responsibly.

If any fishers are found to be operating illegally they may be fined and prosecuted. Since 2007 it has been mandatory for all Commonwealth fishing boats to have the monitoring systems in place. This system allows AFMA to track fishing boats by GPS and satellite in real time.

VMS is an essential tool for the sustainable management of Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries as it helps police closed areas, in turn ensuring healthy fish stocks and protecting the rights of fishing operators.

Australia has the third largest fishing zone in the world and with this technology AFMA is able to track and monitor every one of the Australia Commonwealth fishing boats in any part of the fishing zone and even on the high seas.

For more information please contact Tod Spencer, Senior Manager National Compliance Strategy on (02) 6225 5312 or tod.spencer@afma.gov.au.

Read more on the VMS crackdown - http://www.afma.gov.au/2013/04/about-electronic-monitoring-and-information-disclosure/

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From left: Michael Harte (World Wildlife Fund), Kerry Smith (AFMA), Alexia Wellbelove (Humane Society International), Brett Cleary (Game Fishing Association Australia), James Findlay (AFMA), Alan Hansard (Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation), Martin Exel (Commonwealth Fisheries Association).

On 18 April 2013, AFMA hosted the inaugural AFMA Stakeholder Forum in Canberra.  The panel of five fishery stakeholders representing the Humane Society International, World Wildlife Fund, Commonwealth Fisheries Association, Game Fishers Association Australia and Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation came together to give their views on the future direction of AFMA.  Each panel member delivered a short presentation on their priorities and strategies for AFMA.

They were asked to present on three key areas:

1. their highest priorities in relation to fisheries over the next 12-24 months;
2. what AFMA can do more or less of to improve outcomes for fishers, the community, and the marine environment; and
3. what can AFMA do for their organisation.

The session was followed by a panel discussion where members of the audience – which included members from various government agencies – were invited to ask questions.

The panel presented some diverse views on the future of Australia’s fisheries management.

The recreational sector saw value in increased government engagement and wanted to secure recreational fishing rights in recognition of their stewardship of fishery resources.

The non-government environmental organisations wanted AFMA to consult with more transparency and accountability.
The industry representative talked about the need to secure fisheries access rights and reduce the regulatory burden on industry.

There were also many common themes expressed including collaboration across all sectors to achieve greater outcomes and wanting recognition for what each sector can contribute.

The forum provided an opportunity for audience members to hear what stakeholders would like to see in the future of fisheries management in Australia and for panel members to forge relationships and to build networks.

For more information please contact Kerry Smith, Senior Manager Foreign Compliance on 02 6225 5334 or email kerry.smith@afma.gov.au.

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Fisheries Officers Jamie Cox and Luke Hansen inspecting the offload of tropical snapper during a recent unload inspection.

Early last year, AFMA entered into two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Northern Territory (NT) Government to supply compliance services.

The MOUs are the first of their kind in the NT and draw on AFMA’s extensive offshore fisheries compliance expertise and vessel monitoring capacity. The MOUs provide a cost-effective solution to offshore compliance, which allows the NT Water Police Section to focus its compliance activities on inshore commercial and recreational fisheries.

Executive Director NT Fisheries, Mr Ian Curnow said “The MOU for the supply of fisheries compliance services between AFMA and the NT Police Fire and Emergency Services and the NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries in relation to the NT’s offshore snapper fisheries is working extremely effectively”.

AFMA Senior Fisheries Officer Gavin Lovelock said “Since taking on compliance services on behalf of the NT Government we have developed a good working relationship with stakeholders operating within the two sectors.  Compliance levels have been good and operators have engaged proactively with compliance officers to work through any issues”.

For more information please contact Gavin Lovelock Darwin Foreign Compliance Operations (08) 8943 0380 or gavin.lovelock@afma.gov.au.

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AFMA Observer Officer Chris Burns travelled to Viňa del Mar in Chile to participate in the 7th International Fisheries Observer & Monitoring Conference. The forum proved an invaluable opportunity to share ideas on the direction of fisheries monitoring with experts in the field from around the world.

A recurring theme at the conference was the increasing role of e-monitoring in a number of fisheries around the world to collect some data previously gathered by on-board observers. Delegates to the conference agreed that the success of any monitoring program, including e-monitoring or observer programs, depends on understanding both the capabilities and limitations of different approaches and having very clear goals and objectives.

Participants also discussed ways to increase the safety of observers at sea, how to achieve a balance between cost and data quality and how data provided by industry can be used in seafood traceability and fisheries certification.

The conference also highlighted the important role scientific observers play in fisheries research, resource management and the need to carefully balance cost, speed, and accuracy in managing these programs.

For more information please contact Chris Burns, AFMA Observer Program Officer on 02 6225 5506 or email chris.burns@afma.gov.au.

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Surveillance flights have confirmed that fishers have been complying with measures to prevent seabirds from interacting with their fishing gear.

AFMA’s National Compliance team conducts a biennial risk assessment to identify compliance risks across Commonwealth Fisheries. One of the risks identified in the 2011 assessment was the failure to report, and failure to deploy mitigation devices to prevent, interactions with threatened, endangered or prohibited species.

AFMA has been working closely with the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) to ensure that boats in the Commonwealth Trawl Sector are complying with the requirements of their Seabird Management Plans. The surveillance flights are conducted to ensure that trawl boats have their ‘pinkies’ or buoys deployed to prevent seabirds from interacting with their fishing gear.

Commonwealth Trawl Sector boat Moira Elizabeth with seabird scaring devices deployed correctly at the stern of the boat.

In February and March, DSEWPaC and AFMA conducted 5 surveillance flights over areas around Tasmania frequently fished by Commonwealth trawl boats.  Sixteen Commonwealth trawl boats were observed during these flights and no offences or breaches relating to deployment of seabird mitigation devices were detected.

All boats in the Commonwealth Trawl sector are required to have seabird mitigation devices deployed when actively fishing.
For more information please contact Glen Salmon A/g Senior Manager Compliance Operations on (02) 6225 5395 or glen.salmon@afma.gov.au.

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Sticker versions of the calendar are also available and have been distributed to most AFMA concession holders.

For an additional copy of the calendar sticker or if you missed out, please contact AFMA Communications on (02) 6225 5555 or communications@afma.gov.au while stocks last.

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E-monitoring uses sensors and cameras to monitor and record information on fishing activity. Once analysed this information contributes to a database which also includes information from observer, logbook and other programs. When no-longer required, the e-monitoring footage is deleted.

AFMA retains ownership of the data including the footage and protects this information according to AFMA policy and Commonwealth legislation requirements. AFMA may be required to disclose e-monitoring and other information where it is necessary to perform its functions under legislation or required by law such as under freedom of information provisions. AFMA cannot disclose any information unless authorised or required by law.  In certain circumstances information collected by AFMA may be exempt from legal disclosure on a number of grounds.

E-monitoring has great potential to contribute to AFMA’s data needs and reduce the costs of data collection to industry. E-monitoring can also assist industry to reassure seafood consumers that their seafood comes from a well-managed, sustainable source. AFMA will continue to protect sensitive commercial and personal information consistent with policy and legislation requirements.

Further information on e-monitoring and freedom of information can be found in AFMA’s guide to Freedom of Information arrangements.

For more information please contact Josh Davis, Electronic Monitoring Project Officer, on 02 6225 5339 or email josh.davis@afma.gov.au.

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Senior Fisheries Officer Mick Munn inspecting commercial longline on board the Taiwanese commercial vessel.

Senior AFMA Fisheries Officer Mick Munn took part in a joint operation to patrol the exclusive economic zone and the adjacent high seas surrounding Solomon Islands and the Vanuatu group of islands.

Operation SOLVAN is a regional maritime surveillance operation aimed at ensuring that fishing vessels in the area are fishing legally. The fishery in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean is diverse, ranging from small scale to large scale operations and is vitally important to Pacific Island countries such as the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Tuna fishing in Pacific Island countries has a rich cultural heritage, is an important source of income and represents a significant renewable resource in the region. During

Operation SOLVAN, two patrol boats ‘Lata’ and ‘Tukoro’ left from the ports of Honiara/Solomon Island and Port Villa/Vanuatu. A total of five Taiwanese and Chinese commercial Longline vessels were boarded, all of which were found to be compliant. These vessels were targeting Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, and had byproduct of Marlin, Swordfish, Mackerel and Shark.

The participation of an AFMA officer in operation SOLVAN provided a valuable development opportunity for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu counterparts to gain exposure to AFMA’s standard operating procedures. The Maritime Surveillance Adviser in the Solomon Islands and in Vanuatu expressed their appreciation and requested that AFMA participate in further joint patrols.

AFMA regularly engages in regional surveillance operations onboard United States Coastguard, French Navy vessels and Pacific Island country patrol boats to help protect tuna stocks and provide capacity building opportunities.

Contact officer Cindy Bravos Manager International Compliance Operations on 08 8943 0355 or cindy.bravos@afma.gov.au.

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To address the risk of the fish being taken in the ETBF without quota, every year AFMA restricts access to certain areas through the introduction of core and buffer zones in the ETBF. The location and timing of these zones is determined by analysing information from a variety of sources, including sea surface temperatures, landing data, observer and Vessel Monitoring System data, moon phase, advice from industry, and the SBT habitat preference model produced by CSIRO.

To fish in areas of the ETBF where SBT are likely to be caught, operators are required to have a minimum amount of SBT quota and observer coverage.

SBT management zones in 2013 have changed, and it is the obligation of ETBF operators to know the current management arrangements. This includes the location of the zones and the entry requirements that fishers must comply with.

The Core and Buffer Zones will commence following the first reported capture of a SBT off the South East Coast. If no SBT catches are reported by early June, AFMA will review available information and implement the Core and Buffer Zones on midnight 18 June 2013, prior to the June full moon.  This has traditionally been a time when SBT begin to move up the east coast.

For more information please contact Steve Auld, Manager Tropical Tuna Fisheries on 02 6225 5306 or steve.auld@afma.gov.au.

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In the letter, AFMA raised concerns regarding the false and misleading claims made in the article; specifically ‘The Advertiser won an appeal’ presumably after ‘The information Commissioner ruled that AFMA had no grounds to block the release of still images of the dead and dying sea lions’  and a  ‘12 month battle with the Government’.

•  AFMA received confirmation from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) on 17 May 2013 that no such decision, nor ruling, was ever made by it on this matter.
• The “appeal” to the OAIC was withdrawn in April after AFMA supplied still images within 30 days of receiving an amended request.
• Following AFMA’s previous refusal to grant access under Freedom of Information to commercially-confidential video footage, AFMA did not hear anything on this matter for 6 months.  This is does not align with the claims in the article that there was “a 12 month battle”.
• AFMA remains committed to protecting sea lions and ensuring fishing has a minimal impact on the marine environment.

Prior to sending the letter, AFMA attempted to contact the Adelaide Advertiser senior editorial team on 16 and 17 May 2013 to discuss the inaccuracies in the article, but to date the editorial staff have not responded. AFMA has requested that the article be retracted and an apology made to AFMA.Confirmation from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner that no decision was made on the release of stil sea lion images

Confirmation from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner that no decision was made on the release of stil sea lion images

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Title: Developing better measures for School Shark abundance.

Need: The FRDC funded School Shark workshop noted concern that the current School Shark stock assessment based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is not representative of current stocks due to fishers actively avoiding School Shark. This has led to uncertainty with current abundance estimates and recovery timeframes. The workshop recognised the urgent need for alternative data sources for School Shark assessments and the requirement for a revised index of abundance. The outcomes of the project will have flow-on implications for the management of other companion species in instances where one species tends to dominate the other in terms of abundance. This issue has been identified as a very high priority by the resource assessment group and the management advisory committee. A project would need to ensure that previous research is built on and avoid duplication.

Planned outcomes:

• Alternative data sources for the stock assessment process
• Stable and reliable estimate of abundance for School Shark
• Implementation of the new measures in the management of the species
• Implementation of the new measures in the management of other companion species in instances where one of the species is more abundant than the other.

Instructions to applicants:

• Applications are to be submitted by 15 June 2013 using the FishNET system on the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) website. No applications will be considered after the closing date. Please notify programs@frdc.com.au when you have finalised the EOI, stating that it relates to the ComFRAB invitation to submit an application.
• When completing the application on FishNET select ComFRAB as the reviewer.
• In developing an EOI we strongly encourage you to consult with the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Fishery to effectively align the objectives of the EOI with the needs and expected outcomes of the fishery.

If you have any questions or need more information please contact the ComFRAB Secretariat on (02) 6225 5432 or email Research.Secretary@afma.gov.au

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Q: Why has AFMA released still frame images from electronic monitoring systems to the media?

AFMA received a request for video footage of sea lion interactions from the Adelaide Advertiser under Freedom of Information Laws. AFMA is respectful of the privacy of fishers when camera systems are used and in order to protect the privacy of fishers involved has agreed to release edited still footage to ensure individuals and boats involved in the interactions cannot be identified.

Q: When were the images released?

The images were sent to the Adelaide Advertiser by post on 18 April 2013.

Q: What do the images portray?

The 64 still images represent 10 sea lion interactions reported between July 2011 and March 2012. All sea lion interactions have been previously publically reported under requirements of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. There have been no further sea lion interactions reported in the fishery since March 2012.

Q: What has AFMA been doing to stop sea lions interacting with gillnets?

In 2010 AFMA implemented gillnet fishing closures around sea lion colonies off South Australia closing an area of 6,300 square kilometres.  These closures were increased in size covering 18,500 square kilometres in 2011 providing increased protection for Australian sea lions.  In 2012 further sea lion interactions triggered larger gillnet fishing closures and AFMA closures now total an area of approximately 102,000 square kilometres (an area much bigger than the size of Tasmania) to fishing. There have been no sea lion deaths since March 2012 and this is confirmed by monitoring every trip, either with video cameras or an AFMA observer on board. AFMA’s quick intervention, and the cooperation of the fishing industry, has provided urgent and comprehensive protection for sea lions.

Q: What is the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy and how do the closures work?

In July 2010, AFMA implemented the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy for South Australian waters under Commonwealth jurisdiction. This included introducing closures around sea lion colonies as well as establishing larger areas that would be closed if a certain number (trigger) of sea lions deaths occurred. The total trigger limit across all management zones is 15 sea lion deaths within the 12 month fishing season. This trigger limit is broken down into several zones, as outlined in the map of the fishery (current from 15 May). If the trigger limit for an individual zone in exceeded then the zone is closed to gillnet fishing. If the total limit across all zones is exceeded then all waters off South Australian under Commonwealth jurisdiction will be closed to gillnet fishing. Smaller zone closures have proven so successful that AFMA hasn’t needed to close all zones. The Sea Lion Management Strategy is reviewed regularly by AFMA’s Marine Mammal Working Group, which comprises marine mammal experts, industry and conservation representatives and government officials.

Q: Will the closures be permanent?

AFMA will continue to consult with stakeholders, industry members and advisory groups on the development of longer term solutions.

AFMA also works very hard to balance competing priorities; to limit the impact of fishing operations on the environment but still enable fishing business to be viable and to meet the needs of Australian seafood consumers.

Q: How does AFMA know if sea lions are being caught by fishers?

The Gillnet, Hook and Trap (GHAT) sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery is subject to 10% on-board observer coverage. When fishers are in South Australian waters under Commonwealth jurisdiction, they must have electronic monitoring systems or on-board observers at all times. This includes the Australian Sea Lion management zone. All interactions with sea lions must be reported to AFMA.

Q: Is electronic monitoring a useful fisheries management tool?

Electronic monitoring of fishing operations with camera systems has been highly successful at increasing our knowledge of the impacts of fishing on protected and endangered species. This helps AFMA manage Commonwealth fisheries more effectively.

Q: Why wasn’t all information released under freedom of information?

AFMA collects a variety of data including personal and business information in undertaking its functions.  AFMA may only disclose the information it collects if authorised by law.  The Privacy Act 1992 governs how AFMA may use and disclose the personal information it collects. In addition to the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act 1982 states that material does not need to be disclosed if it would involve the unreasonable disclosure of personal or commercially information. Under this act, commercially valuable information held by AFMA is considered exempt from disclosure.

Read about AFMA’s good work on limiting sea lion deaths

Read the letter AFMA has written to the Adelaide Advertiser to clarify some of the points raised in the article of 13 May 2013.

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This is confirmed by monitoring on every gillnet trip, either with video cameras or an Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) observer on board and is an excellent result for sea lion populations and the fishing industry.

AFMA acted quickly to close an area of 6,300 square kilometers in 2010 after a scientific study indicated there were  unreported sea lion deaths  occurring each year due to gillnet fishing.

AFMA implemented more extensive closures following sea lion interactions in the shark fishery in early 2012, taking the total area closed to fishing to approximately 102,000 square kilometers, an area much bigger than the size of Tasmania. There have been no reported deaths since that time.

AFMA’s quick intervention and the cooperation of the fishing industry, has provided urgent and comprehensive protection for sea lions, with marine mammal expert Associate Professor Simon Goldsworthy saying that this sets a benchmark for other fisheries.

“Globally, this is now seen as an important case study,” Associate Professor Goldsworthy said.

AFMA acting CEO, Mr Peter Venslovas, said that this confirmed that consumers could be confident in buying Australian seafood knowing that effective management arrangements are in place to protect sea lions.

“AFMA works very hard to limit the impact of fishing operations on the environment but still enable fishing business to be viable and to meet the needs of Australian seafood consumers” he said.

AFMA has implemented ongoing gillnet fishing closures around all sea lion breeding colonies and has added two additional closures around newly identified breeding colonies from 1 May 2013. These closures form part of the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy developed by marine mammal experts, industry and conservation representatives and government officials.

Shark fishers have also been participating in a trial using hooks instead of gillnets as these pose much less risk to sea lions.  The trial will be completed later in 2013.

The fishing industry is working with AFMA on future management arrangements for the fishery to further reduce the impact of fishing on marine mammals.

Electronic monitoring is sometimes used in place of observers to record catch data, including interaction with protected species. AFMA is bound by certain obligations to protect the identity of fishers and commercially sensitive information and must observe these requirements when determining what information can be released.

Contact: Rebecca Atkins, AFMA Communications 02 6225 5541 or 0447 942 840 or rebecca.atkins@afma.gov.au.

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