| Issue: Total catches of non-target fish species |
Strategy (1): Develop, monitor and review catch limits for non-target fish species to ensure catches are within sustainable limits |
Performance Indicator (output): |
Actions taken for output |
Output achieved (y/n) and date |
- Observers continue to collect data on bycatch species
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- Observers have continued to collect data on bycatch species
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- AFMA and observers provide observer data, biological data and shot by shot information to AAD/CSIRO for use in annual stock assessments
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- All data provided to AAD and CSIRO for incorporation in stock assessments
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- yes - all data provided to researchers at the end of each trip
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- AAD undertakes annual assessments for bycatch species
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- AAD/CSIRO undertook annual assessments for bycatch species
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- considered by CCAMLR at 11/07 meeting
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- SARAG and SouthMAC, and where relevant CCAMLR, annually review limits for non-target fish species.
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- The catches taken in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been within agreed catch limits, and new limits set for 2008.
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- new limits set by CCAMLR at 11/07 meeting
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Desired outcome: Catches of non-target fish species are within sustainable limits |
Outcome achieved?- Yes - catches of non-target species remained within agreed limits and new catch limits set for the 2007/08 season which commenced on 1 December 2007. |
Strategy (2): Minimise the bycatch of non-target fish species, including sharks, skates and rays |
Performance Indicator (output): |
Actions taken for output |
Output achieved (y/n) and date |
- Observers continue to collect data on bycatch species
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- Observers have continued to collect data on bycatch species
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- AFMA/AAD implements tagging programs for some bycatch species
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- Tagging protocols implemented for skates and rays for trawl and longline vessels
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- yes - in place for trawl and longline trips
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- Observers and industry monitors and reports on any modifications to fishing gear or fish targeting practices
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- Information on fishing practices to be collected at annual stock assessment workshop in September each year
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- issue discussed at September 07 workshop and information provided to AAD
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- AFMA/SARAG monitors bycatch against agreed trigger levels to ensure limits are not exceeded
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- AFMA/SARAG continued to monitor bycatch against agreed trigger levels to ensure limits were not exceeded.
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- yes - trigger levels monitored after each trip and limits not exceeded.
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- SouthMAC/AFMA considers and implements, as necessary, management measures to minimise bycatch species in high density areas
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- Move-on provisions apply where bycatch exceeds certain agreed levels.
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Desired outcome: Bycatch of non-target fish species, including sharks, skates and rays, is maintained at or below existing levels and within agreed limits |
Outcome achieved? – Yes - bycatch of non-target fish species, including sharks, skates and rays, was maintained at or below existing levels and within agreed limits. |
Issue: Incidental take of seabirds and marine mammals |
Strategy (3) : Evaluate any fishing impacts on seabirds and marine mammals |
Performance Indicator (output): |
Actions taken for output |
Output achieved (y/n) and date |
- Observers continue to collect data and report on seabird and marine mammal interactions
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- Observers have continued to collect data on seabird and marine mammal interactions
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- AAD curates biological samples at the end of each trip
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- Samples taken and provided to AAD
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- yes - at the end of each trip
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- AFMA reports on seabird and marine mammal interactions within agreed timeframes
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- Two seabirds died as a result of interactions with trawl fishing gear in the 2006/07 season and none in the 2007/08 season to date.
- One seabird died as a result of interactions with collisions with a crew member in the HIMI Fishery in the 2007/08 season to date.
- One Antarctic fur seal has died in longline operations during the 2007/08 season to date. One Antarctic fur seal died in trawl operations and one elephant seal died in longline operations in 2006/07.
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- yes - all reports made within timeframes
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- AFMA/SARAG monitors level of interactions and assess measures as necessary
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- Sub-group of SARAG to consider levels of seabird interactions in the trawl fishery
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- initial meeting held and no further action taken.
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- AFMA/SouthMAC monitors the effectiveness of mitigation measures during the longline fishing trial
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- Trial now completed with no seabirds taken in the HIMI Fishery and longlining is now an approved fishing method in the HIMI Fishery.
- Longline trial commenced in the Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery (MITF) in August 2007 and no seabird interactions. The AFMA Board has approved the continuation of the trial into a second year.
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- trial complete longlining as an approved fishing method
- Board approved MITF longline trial
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- AFMA ensures seabird limits are not exceeded
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- Seabird limits were not exceeded
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- AAD/AFMA reports to CCAMLR on the effectiveness of longline mitigation measures
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- AAD/AFMA reported to CCAMLR on the effectiveness of longline mitigation measures
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- provided to CCAMLR at 11/07 meeting
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- AFMA/AAD reports to the Department of the Environment and Heritage on the line weighting trial
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- Successful use of integrated weight lines has resulted in longline season being extended at HIMI and high seas fisheries
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- provided to CCAMLR which resulted in new Conservation Measures
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- AFMA provides input to the Seabird Threat Abatement Plan and the Seal Recovery Plan
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- Officers attended meetings to report on success of mitigation measures in Antarctic fisheries and development of revised TAP.
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- yes – input provided and endorsed
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Desired outcome: Fishing impacts on seabirds and marine mammals are minimised through the adoption of effective mitigation measures |
Outcome achieved? – Yes - fishing impacts on seabirds and marine mammals have been evaluated by SARAG and are minimised through the adoption of effective mitigation measures. |
Strategy (4): Develop mitigation measures to minimise seabird and marine mammal catches in the longline fishery |
Performance Indicator (output): |
Actions taken for output |
Output achieved (y/n) and date |
- Observers continue to collect data and report on seabird and marine mammal interactions in the longline fishery
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- Observers have continued to collect data on seabird and marine mammal interactions
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- Observers collect data and report on the effectiveness of mitigation measures
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- Observers continued to collect data and report on the effectiveness of mitigation measures
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- Industry develops and trials new mitigation measures, where appropriate
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- ‘Janas’ continues to operate in 2007/08 with a brickle curtain (developed by Petuna Sealord Pty Ltd) which has been endorsed by CCAMLR.
- No additional measures were tested
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- yes – no seabirds killed in longline operations
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- AFMA/SouthMAC reports on the outcome of the longline trial
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- Board endorsed report at August 2005 meeting and agreed for it to be sent to the Environment Minister seeking to have longlining become an approved fishing method at HIMI.
- Board approved a longline trial in the MITF subject to strict environmental standards and bycatch limits on seabirds.
- ‘Austral Leader 2’ has commenced longline fishing in the HIMI Fishery in the 2007/08 season. No seabird interactions have been reported.
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- completed - longlining is now an approved fishing method at HIMI
- first year of trial in MITF successful with no seabird interactions
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- AFMA and relevant experts investigate the capture of elephant seals in the longline fishery, as appropriate.
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- Nine elephant seals captured since the start of longline operations and information provided to experts. No outcome from this process
- No elephant seals have been killed in the 2007/08 season to date. One elephant seal was killed in the 2006/07 season.
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- yes - report provided at time of capture
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Desired outcome: Mitigation measures developed are practical and effective in minimising the incidental take of seabirds and marine mammal in longline operations. |
Outcome achieved? – Yes - mitigation measures developed to date are practical and effective in minimising the incidental take of seabirds and marine mammals in longline operations |
Strategy (5): Develop mitigation measures to minimise seabird and marine mammal catches in the trawl fishery |
Performance Indicator (output): |
Actions taken for output |
Output achieved (y/n) and date |
- Observers continue to collect data and report on seabird and marine mammal interactions in the trawl fishery
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- Industry is voluntarily trialling additional mitigation measures, drawing on research in other fisheries
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- AFMA/SARAG/SouthMAC annually reviews levels of interactions
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- Sub-group of SARAG to consider levels of seabird interactions in the trawl fishery
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- initial meeting held and issue to be discussed further
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- AFMA/SARAG/SouthMAC examines the adoption of new mitigation measures for trawl fishing, as appropriate
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- Use of additional measures was discussed at SARAG and the approach adopted by industry was endorsed
- Seal excluder devices are being trialled on the trawler ‘Southern Champion’.
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- yes-new conditions placed on SFRs to address issue in midwater trawl operations
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Desired outcome: Mitigation measures developed are practical and effective in minimising the incidental take of seabirds and marine mammals in trawl operations. |
Outcome achieved? – Yes - mitigation measures developed to date are practical and effective in minimising the incidental take of seabirds and marine mammals in trawl operations |
Issue: Ecological impacts of fishing operations on habitats in the fisheries |
Strategy (6): Assess the benthic/ecological impacts of fishing on habitats |
Performance Indicator (output): |
Actions taken for output |
Output achieved (y/n) and date |
- AFMA prepares a report on the deleterious effects of longlining on the benthos
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- Board endorsed report at August 2005 meeting and agreed for it to be sent to the Environment Minister to have longlining become an approved fishing method at HIMI.
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- completed - report submitted and supported by the Environment Minister
- Longlining is now an approved fishing method at HIMI
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Desired outcome: Marine Protected Areas are implemented which are representative areas for benthic habitat |
Outcome achieved? – Yes – longlining has been approved as a fishing method in the HIMI Fishery following support from the Environment Minister. An assessment is being undertaken to determine the conservation and fishery values of the Conservation Zones, which may result in an expansion of the Marine Protected Areas.
FRDC has funded a 5 year project on the ‘Demersal fishing interactions with marine benthos in the Australian EEZ of the Southern Ocean’ which will develop cameras mounted on the various fishing gears to determine benthic impacts. Successful trials of the camera equipment were undertaken in the HIMI Fishery in 2007, and will continue in 2008. |
