Changes in the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery to Protect Dolphins

22 September 2011

Changes are being made to management arrangements for the Gillnet, Hook and Trap (GHAT) sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery to provide better protection to dolphins. Click on the links below for further information or see the Q and As on this page.

Questions and Answers

Q. Why are changes being made in the fishery?

Recent reports of interactions with dolphins in the gillnet fishery have increased significantly over the past 12 months.  There have been 49 interactions with dolphins reported from September 2010 to September 2011, which is far greater than in previous years.

In response to this increase in dolphin interactions AFMA has:

  • closed an area representing approximately 27,239 square km to the use of gillnet where the majority of dolphin interactions have occurred;
  • implemented a dolphin observation zone adjacent to the dolphin gillnet closure that will require all gillnet vessels to have 100 per cent coverage by independent scientific observers or cameras;
  • required 10 per cent observer coverage for gillnet fishing elsewhere in the fishery; and
  • allowed some fishers currently able to use gillnets to use hooks off South Australia, including in the area closed to gillnets.

Q. Is this new closure in addition to the closures in place to protect Australian Sea Lions?

Yes the new closure to protect dolphins, known as the Dolphin Gillnet Closure, is in addition to the Australian Sea Lion (ASL) closures but there is some overlap with the existing ASL closures. Details of the ASL closures can be found here.

Q. How many new dolphin closures are there?

There is one new area closure to afford better protection to dolphins, the Dolphin Gillnet Closure, and creation of a new Dolphin Observation Zone where increased observer coverage will be required. The total closure to the use of gillnets covers the area of over 27,000 square kilometres (Map of the areas closed to gillnetting).

The Dolphin Observation Zone is adjacent to the Dolphin Gillnet closure where there will be a requirement if using gillnets to have 100 per cent observer coverage, either independent scientific observers or electronic monitoring via cameras. Information on AFMA’s electronic monitoring program can be found here.

Q. How will AFMA respond to ongoing dolphin deaths in the Gillnet Fishery?

AFMA will take the necessary regulatory and non regulatory measures to protect dolphins. These may include closing further areas to gillnet fishing that have a high level of dolphin interaction, prohibiting the setting of gillnets while dolphins are in an area and imposing conditions that require fishers to cease fishing following an interaction with a dolphin.

Q. Why is additional observer coverage required?

Interactions with threatened species can be both rare and random. Independent observer data collected since mid 2010 has shown that some fishers are underreporting the level of interactions with threatened, endangered and protected species such as dolphins. However the existing data is not sufficient to indicate the exact scale of interaction and additional data is required.

Q. Are you continuing the increased observer coverage requirement for gillnet and hook fishing outside the Dolphin and ASL closures?

Yes, under the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy, AFMA has become aware of significant discrepancies between independent observer data and data from fishing logbooks provided by gillnet vessels out of South Australia. At this stage the level of compliance with reporting requirements elsewhere in the fishery is less well understood and additional observer coverage will provide increased confidence in data used to manage the fishery.

For shark hook fishing in the Gillnet Hook and Trap Fishery, and for gillnet fishing in the Gillnet Hook and Trap Fishery outside the Dolphin Gillnet Closure, the Dolphin observation Zone and the Australian Sea Lion Management Zone, 10 per cent independent observer coverage will continue to be required. This is to improve the availability and quality of data on species interactions which will underpin future management arrangements.

Q. Will AFMA allow the use of electronic monitoring by cameras instead of observers in the Dolphin Observation Zone?

Yes, operators will be able to use AFMA approved electronic monitoring equipment to meet the 100 per cent observer requirements when fishing using gillnets in the Dolphin Observation Zone.

Boats wishing to use electronic monitoring equipment in place of observers in the dolphin observation zone should contact AFMA for information on how to source and install the camera equipment.  AFMA will need to certify any electronic monitoring installation as meeting AFMA’s monitoring requirements, before a system can be used in the dolphin observation zone.

Electronic monitoring equipment, installations and the ongoing maintenance costs, (including analysis) will need to be paid for by concession holders. Operators should note that the cost of electronic monitoring equipment will offset the cost of paying for observer coverage to meet the 100 per cent observer requirement.

Further information on electronic monitoring can be found here.

Q. Who will be able to convert to using hook methods for shark fishing in the Dolphin closures?

Gillnet fishers who can demonstrate a significant level of effort during the period May 2009 to June 2011 will be able to use approved hook methods for the period of the temporary order.

Q. How many hooks can be used under these new arrangements?

Within South Australian coastal waters hook numbers will be limited to 400. In Commonwealth waters inside the dolphin closure there is no limit on hook numbers. Auto –Longlining methods are not allowed to be used at this stage.

Q. Why can’t these changes be made using regular fisheries management approaches?

AFMA has become more concerned with gillnet fishery interactions and dolphins in recent weeks as the cumulative mortality has become apparent in a particular area of the gillnet fishery. A Temporary Order is required to immediately put in place measures to address these concerns.

Pursuing measures through AFMA’s usual consultation arrangements may have resulted in accelerated activity in the fishery designed to preempt these measures.

Q. How long will the Temporary Order stay in place?

A Temporary Order under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 can remain in place for a maximum of six months from the time it is made.

Q. How will AFMA deal with these issues in the longer term?

AFMA will work with the fishing industry and the South East Management Advisory Committee which includes conservation representatives to put in place longer term management arrangements under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and the relevant fishery management plan prior to the expiry of the Temporary Order.

Q. How will AFMA ensure compliance with these measures?

A fishing vessel carrying gillnet fishing gear will be prohibited from fishing in the Dolphin Observation Zone unless an observer is on board or the vessel has a functioning electronic camera system. All fishing vessels must also have a functioning Vessel Monitoring System.

Should a gillnet fishery vessel not comply with these arrangements it will be required to return to port.

Q. How will the Temporary Order provisions be applied to vessels which are at sea on 23 September?

AFMA does not intend pursuing compliance action with respect to observer requirements under the temporary order for vessels which are at sea at the time the order comes into effect (23 September 2011) but will require operators to meet the observer requirements before commencing their next trip.  Vessels at sea at the time the order comes into effect will however, need to comply with the fishing restrictions immediately.  This may require vessels to move from their current locations within the area subject to the new Temporary Order prior to the Order coming into effect.

Q. Can I transit through the new dolphin closures?

Vessels are allowed to transit the closure in line with the requirements of the AFMA Navigation Regulations.

Q. What is being done to protect dolphins from gillnet fishing in other parts of the gillnet fishery?

AFMA will continue to monitor gillnet fishing in waters off Victoria and Tasmania through 10 per cent observer coverage. Gillnet fishers are also developing a code of conduct to ensure gillnet interactions with dolphins and other threatened, endangered and protected species are minimised.

Q. What can I do if I become aware of illegal fishing activity?

Contact the free AFMA 1800 CRIMFISH number  (1800 274 634) or report any such suspected activity on line at www.afma.gov.au.