AFMA determines total allowable catches for toothfish, which are set
to protect the target fish stocks and species that depend upon them.
Access to the Fishery is limited and strict operating conditions are imposed
to minimise negative effects on the environment, including effects on
non-target species.
The ecosystem based management model used by the Commission for the Conservation
of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has been adopted for all
Australia’s Antarctic fisheries, including the Macquarie Island
Toothfish Fishery. Management of these fisheries has been directed at addressing
target species sustainability, bycatch issues and the predator/prey relationships
between the target and bycatch species (including mammals and seabirds).
CCAMLR develops internationally agreed management measures for the sub-Antarctic
and Antarctic regions, including waters covering the HIMI Fishery. AFMA
requires that fisheries in waters adjacent to the CCAMLR area, which includes
Macquarie Island, are managed in a complementary manner to the Conservation
Measures requirements, and has a number of measures incorporated that
exceed the CCAMLR requirements.
In July 2007 the AFMA Board approved for a period three years, subject to annual review, a demersal longline trial in the Macquarie Ridge sector of the Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery. A range of best practice mitigations measures to avoid the incidental capture of seabirds were adopted including, no offal discharge, night setting and having a limited season. Strict limits were placed on the catch of seabirds depending on the particular circumstances surrounding the seabird populations of Macquarie Island. species, The trial proceeded in August 2007 with no seabirds being taken. |
