Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sectors

Review of automatic longlining in the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Fishery

In March 2004, AFMA undertook a review of automatic longlining in the Scalefish Hook/Shark Hook/Gillnet/Fish Trap/Inside 3nm Sectors (previously known as the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Fishery). The attached report provides background on the sector, identifies key issues involved in the automatic longline method of fishing and outlines a proposed management approach. The AFMA Board requested the report be made available to all stakeholders in the Sector for comment and advice.

Auto longlining is a similar process to demersal longlining except that some of the functions are automated, allowing operators to set and haul a greater number of hooks by a single vessel. AFMA has approved the Mustad and the Best Fishing Gear (BFG) automatic longline systems for use in the Scalefish Hook/Shark Hook/Gillnet/Fish Trap/Inside 3nm Sectors (GHT Sectors), subject to specific conditions, which apply to each system.

AFMA has granted 15 fishing permits authorising the use of auto longlining gear. The AFMA Board has placed a moratorium on issuing any further auto longlining fishing permits until the outcome of a review of these arrangements is completed towards the end of 2003.

Consistent with the provisions of the Threat Abatement Plan for the Incidental Catch (or bycatch) of Seabirds During Oceanic Longline Fishing Operations (the TAP), AFMA’s primary objective is to ensure the seabird bycatch in longline fisheries is below 0.05 birds per one thousand hooks. To ensure the rate of incidental capture of seabirds remains under the rate prescribed in the TAP all operators permitted to use auto longlining equipment in the GHTF are subject to specific conditions. These are:

• an upper limit of 15,000 hooks
• operators must install a bird scaring tori line (as per AFMA’s specifications) on their fishing vessel
• for Mustad gear - 25% observer coverage applies for the first commercial trip and every 4th trip after that (paid for by the operator)
• for BFG gear - 33% observer coverage applies until at least 500,000 hook sets have been observed and an acceptably low bird interaction is proven. If the number of seabird interactions exceeds that specified in the TAP, AFMA will immediately review the use of this equipment. If after 500,000 hook sets AFMA is satisfied that seabird interaction is at a similar level to the Mustad system, observer requirements will be reduced to 25% of trips
• all operators with automatic baiting equipment must observe and comply with Fisheries Management Regulation 2001 (No. 1), Schedule 1 Amendments Part 12 Incidental Catch of Seabird Division 3 Discharge of Offal Regulation Numbers 75, 76 and 77
• all operators who use automatic baiting equipment must record the details of any interaction with seabirds in the GNO1A Logbook
• all vessels must be fitted with an AFMA approved vessel monitoring system
• automatic longliners are also restricted to fishing in waters deeper than 183m (100 fathoms).

Page last updated 15 July, 2005