Highlights of the Observer Program

Observers were employed to accompany foreign fishing vessels to monitor compliance with licensing arrangements and access agreements, collect data on all species caught, detail gear and techniques used aboard the fishing vessels, and collect data useful to other agencies responsible for assessing the general marine environment and ecology.

AFMA provided observer coverage for the foreign and joint venture longline fleet in Australian waters with observers spending more than 800 days at sea covering a total of about 40 cruises including Commonwealth Independent States (formerly USSR) deepwater trawl joint ventures.

AFMA observers provided real time monitoring of marine pollution and marine mammal interaction and supported specific research programs by CSIRO, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and State fisheries agencies.

The Observer Program covered approximately 1800 sea days on commercial vessels.

The coverage included approximately 10% of the Japanese tuna longline effort and 100% of foreign trawl operations in the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ).

The Program included monitoring tuna longline, deepwater trawl, prawn trawling operations and two special projects related to high seas monitoring of Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) and deepwater trawl fishing vessels adjacent to the AFZ by the former Soviet Union.

The program initiated liaison with regional Observer Programs in the South Pacific

Observers were placed aboard foreign tuna longline vessels.

Observer coverage provided for Japanese longline vessels participating in the trilaterally organised Real Time Monitoring Program (RTMP).

Observer work played a critical role in developing stock assessments for the SBT Fishery, as well as supporting research in the yellowfin tuna fisheries and others associated with longline tuna operations.

Information collected by observers was primarily responsible for identifying a potential new fishery for pelagic fish off Tasmania, developing seabird and shark bycatch mitigation measures, documenting marine pollution compliance and recording new techniques being introduced by foreign vessels.

The Programs objectives and methods of operation were subject to an open review

AFZ observer coverage was approximately 9.84% of the overall actual fishing effort, against a target of 10%.

Observer data was used extensively in the stock assessment process for the valuable SBT.

Observer data and information also contributed to the identification and development of the new Ray’s Bream bycatch fishery off Tasmania.

The following levels of observer coverage were achieved:

• 14.7% for the Tasmanian SBT season, 10% for the East Coast Tuna season,
       5.7% for the West Coast Tuna season and 100% for the Antarctic Trawl Fishery.
• Observer participation in the RTMP, increased by one additional high seas trip.
• 2 South Atlantic Ocean trips consisting of 75 Observer sea days.
• 3 South East Indian Ocean trips consisting of 175 Observer sea days.
• Observer participation in joint CSIRO and QDPI comparative longline fishing survey.

Observers were placed on Japanese longline vessels operating inside the AFZ, factory trawlers fishing in the Macquarie Island Developmental Fishery & Heard Island and McDonalds Island Exploratory Fishery and in specified areas of the South East Trawl Fishery.

An Observer was placed on board a New Zealand vessel operating within the CCAMLR area.

Collection of biological samples for the Tuna Boat Owners tuna farm research program.

Performed hook monitoring in Area E of the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery for CSIRO.

The program provided observers on Japanese longline vessels operating inside the AFZ, factory trawlers fishing in the Macquarie Island Developmental Fishery, the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery and in developing areas related to the South East Trawl Fishery, such as regions off the west coast of Tasmania and the South Tasman Rise.

AFMA undertook an internal review of Observer Program costs, including an examination of cost recovery arrangements.

The Observer Program produced a text searchable CD-ROM containing cruise reports of Japanese longline fishing over several years.

The Observer Program provided observers for factory trawlers fishing in the sub-Antarctic fisheries, blue grenadier and developing fisheries.

The Observer Program was restructured following a review by external consultants

AFMA put the Observer Program function to a comprehensive two-stage competitive tendering process. This process found no compelling reason to outsource the Observer Program function and, as a result, AFMA has continued to perform this function in house. In addition to the tendering process, lower charge out rates for observers were achieved through further streamlining of the Observer Program during the year.

AFMA observers undertook 520 seas days. An international observer undertook a further 66 days at sea in CCAMLR regions.

The Observer Program provided observers on cruises to the Antarctic ice shelf, Heard Island and Macquarie Island, west coast of Tasmania for factory trawlers fishing for blue grenadier in the South East Trawl Fishery, outer island territories of Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Norfolk Island, east coast of Tasmania (pair trawling for Jack Mackerel) and high seas where fishing was undertaken by Australian flagged vessels.

The Observer Program was restructured into two major components – an observer coordination component and a service provider component. This facilitated a more focussed cost-effective delivery of observer functions.

The Program provided information for a total of 1163 observed fishing days, nearly double that provided in the previous year.

Observer deployments were maintained in the seabird Threat Abatement Plan in the longline fisheries, sub-Antarctic fisheries. Under this Plan, observers monitored seabird bycatch, interactions, and success of mitigation measures and incidence of other bycatch species. The coverage was around 9% of vessels fishing south of 30°S. Significantly, this was the first time AFMA deployed observers on Australian domestic longline vessels.

Key ongoing observer deployments were maintained in the sub-Antarctic fisheries where 100% coverage is required.

New projects focused on fur seal interactions with squid jig fishing in Bass Strait and observation of new pair trawl fishing activities for jack mackerel off eastern Tasmania.

The Program delivered observer services for Australian flagged high seas fishing in the Indian Ocean.

A new manual and set of data collection forms and protocols were developed for experimental hook fishing in the Antarctic. New manuals were also completed for an underwater bait-setting chute trial and a double tori-pole line weighting trial in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery. Both of these trials were designed to mitigate seabird bycatch under the seabird Threat Abatement Plan (TAP).

The manuals were developed in conjunction with industry, fisheries managers and researchers to ensure that relevant data was obtained.

The Observer Program provided information for a total of 1667 observed fishing days, a 43% increase compared to that provided last year and continuing an upward trend in recent years.

A new project focused on monitoring catches as a part of a fixed-station survey in the Southern Shark Fishery. Data collected was to be used for stock assessments but after two replicates the survey was cancelled due to the high cost of vessel charters.

The Program delivered observer services for Australian flagged high seas fishing in the Indian Ocean. There was also the opportunistic collection of data in the high seas area of the Lord Howe Rise and the Norfolk Ridge.

Purse seine vessels fishing for SBT were observed for the first time in 2003. This project met targets and addressed some of Australia’s data obligations to the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.

Observer deployment increased in 2004-2005. This was driven mainly by management’s need for data to address gaps highlighted through strategic assessments, bycatch action plans and the ecological risk assessments process. Work continued on updating the observer database to include additional historical observer data.

Observer deployment increased in 2004-2005. This was driven mainly by management’s need for data to address gaps highlighted through strategic assessments, bycatch action plans and the ecological risk assessments process. Work continued on updating the observer database to include additional historical observer data.

An observer workshop for AFMA observers was held in Hobart in May 2005. The workshop was an opportunity for researchers, observers and management to review data collection methods and practices across a number of fisheries and projects with the aim of improving data quality, collection strategies and communication between key stakeholders. The workshop had an ecosystem based fishery management focus providing observers with training in relevant data collecting strategies to facilitate effective and efficient collection of relevant data. In addition, participants were provided with Occupational Health and Safety training and conflict resolution.

Observer deployment increased again in 2005–2006. Once more, this was driven mainly by management’s ongoing need for data to address gaps highlighted through strategic assessments, bycatch action plans and the ecological risk assessments process. The Observer Program also accessed significant National Heritage Trust grants which funded some observer coverage in many of the smaller, lower value Commonwealth fisheries that had had little or no observer coverage until now.

Observer deployments were delivered in 18 fisheries or fishery sectors. The 2005 Ministerial Direction added impetus for higher levels of observer coverage by stipulating the need for ‘enhancing the monitoring of fishing activity’. Work also continued on updating the observer database to enter historical observer data.