Seabird management plans

Seabird mitigation device

Seabird management plans for SESSF vessels will need to incorporate physical mitigation measures such as warp deflectors. Photo: Mike Gerner, AFMA

27 September 2011

From 1 November 2011, seabird management plans (SMPs) will be mandatory for all otter board trawl vessels in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF).

AFMA staff will meet with boat masters and concession holders before 1 November 2011 to ensure there is an AFMA approved seabird management plan for each vessel. As part of this requirement, all existing seabird management plans will need to be updated and approved to ensure they provide adequate protection for seabirds. The seabird management plan for each vessel will incorporate both AFMA approved physical mitigation measures and requirements to manage the discharge of biological material.

All vessels will be required to deploy at least one AFMA approved physical mitigation device when fishing gear is in the water. These devices include warp scarers, bird bafflers, paired streamer lines and warp deflectors (see above photo).

An assessment of the effectiveness of seabird management plans will be undertaken by AFMA following implementation from 1 November 2011.  Should the assessment show that the SMPs are not effective in preventing seabird interactions AFMA will introduce zero discharge of biological material while fishing gear is in the water.

All concession holders in the South East and Great Australian Bight trawl sectors are encouraged to contact AFMA as soon as possible to ensure they have an AFMA approved seabird management plan in place by 31 October. Any fishing vessels that do not have an AFMA approved seabird management plan in place by 31 October will not be authorised to continue fishing.

For more information, please contact Steve Shanks, Manager, Bycatch and Discard Program, on 02 6225 5410 or steve.shanks@afma.gov.au or Mike Gerner, Senior Management Officer, on 02 6225 5379 or 02 6225 5555 or mike.gerner@afma.gov.au.