Design And Implementation Of An Australian National Bycatch Report: Phase 1 - Scoping
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$44,541.20
Summary
The purposes of this project are: To design and implement a national bycatch report system, facilitated by the FRDC, that meets the current and foreseeable medium term future needs of all Australian fisheries management agencies, including for reporting within jurisdictions and internationally. - To ensure that this report system is initially feasible using available information, but that it is also scalable to be able to
Over the past decade, increasing awareness or internatio ....The purposes of this project are: To design and implement a national bycatch report system, facilitated by the FRDC, that meets the current and foreseeable medium term future needs of all Australian fisheries management agencies, including for reporting within jurisdictions and internationally. - To ensure that this report system is initially feasible using available information, but that it is also scalable to be able to
Over the past decade, increasing awareness or international efforts on the need for protection of certain vulnerable species groups, such as seabirds, marine mammals and turtles, has already resulted in numerous plans of action, fisheries management plans, increased monitoring and development of mitigation measures to reduce impacts on these species. This project would pull together the reporting requirements under all of these individual initiatives to provide guidance on reporting across all Australian fisheries.
There are existing Australian requirements for bycatch and protected species interaction reporting driven by environmental legislation, such as the reporting requirements for species listed or nominated for listing, or requiring export approval, under the Commonwealth EPBC Act. The emphasis on requirements for improved reporting of bycatch and discards under policies such as the revised Commonwealth Bycatch Policy (DAWR 2017), and increased government and public expectation for improved reporting on broader aspects of fisheries environmental responsibility, has increased the need for regular reporting on bycatch.
Most regional fisheries management organisations, including those of which Australia is a member or cooperating party (the Commission for Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna - CCSBT, the West and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission - WCPFC, the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation - SPRFMO and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission - IOTC) have requirements to mitigate risks to specified protected species groups, and to report on interactions with such species. Increasingly, other governments (such as the United States and European Union) are also requiring fish imports to meet requirements relating to risk reduction for bycatch and protected species.
Objectives: 1. To identify and summarise international requirements for reporting on bycatch and discards for Australian fisheries, to inform design of a bycatch reporting process to meet these requirements. 2. To identify and describe key factors guiding and constraining Australian regional bycatch reporting including: jurisdictional legislation; other jurisdictional requirements for bycatch reporting; bycatch data and information availability; and other limitations or constraints on bycatch reporting. Read moreRead less
Effects Of Trawling Subprogram: Assessment Of Bycatch In The Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$97,770.00
Summary
The GAB Management Advisory Committee (GABMAC) and the GAB Industry Association (GABIA) have raised concerns that they do not have the data necessary to assess the GABTF's compliance with ESD principles. If the core objectives of The National Policy on Fisheries Bycatch are to be implemented for the GABTF, there is an essential need for baseline data on bycatch to be gathered. Once this information is available, they will be able to determine if bycatch levels are acceptable or if there are par ....The GAB Management Advisory Committee (GABMAC) and the GAB Industry Association (GABIA) have raised concerns that they do not have the data necessary to assess the GABTF's compliance with ESD principles. If the core objectives of The National Policy on Fisheries Bycatch are to be implemented for the GABTF, there is an essential need for baseline data on bycatch to be gathered. Once this information is available, they will be able to determine if bycatch levels are acceptable or if there are particular times or regions in which the bycatch levels in the GABTF are deemed too high. When a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the bycatch issue in the GABTF is established, it will be then possible to investigate the most appropriate ways of reducing the levels of bycatch. Objectives: 1. Design an onboard sampling strategy which will provide a representative sample of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the total catch composition (retained and discarded) in the GABTF. 2. Undertake onboard sampling of commercial vessels and collect basic biological data (size, growth, age, maturity etc.) on the important species caught in the GABTF. 3. Based on the data collected during this project, provide Industry, the GABMAC and stock assessment scientists with information on GABTF species biology and bycatch composition appropriate to their specific needs. 4. Investigate the potential for Environment Australia to fund data collection from commercial vessels working within the GAB Marine Park which can be used in conjunction with or comparison to the CSIRO research cruise. (To be negotiated) Read moreRead less
Effects Of Trawling Subprogram: Maximising Yield And Reducing Discards In The South East Trawl Fishery Through Gear Development And Evaluation - FRDC Secretariat File
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$29,352.12
Summary
Objectives: 1. To review current bycatch in the SE fishery. 2. To develop a program of R&D to mitigate bycatch in the SE fishery.
Bycatch Solutions: A Handbook For Fishers In Non-trawl Fisheries "communications File"
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$11,392.00
Summary
Dealing with bycatch is a high priority for industry, government and many interested stakeholders. It may not be necessary to research and develop new solutions in every fishery if existing approaches can be adapted by fishers (Refer Objectives 1 & 2 Section B4). This project will provide information to fishers in non-trawl fisheries on the options for handling bycatch problems used by fishers in comparable fisheries in Australia and overseas (Refer Objective 3 Section B9).
F ....
Dealing with bycatch is a high priority for industry, government and many interested stakeholders. It may not be necessary to research and develop new solutions in every fishery if existing approaches can be adapted by fishers (Refer Objectives 1 & 2 Section B4). This project will provide information to fishers in non-trawl fisheries on the options for handling bycatch problems used by fishers in comparable fisheries in Australia and overseas (Refer Objective 3 Section B9).
Further bycatch reduction work is needed for non trawl-net based fisheries, trap fisheries and various line fisheries. In the case of the Commonwealth fisheries there is now a policy driver for the preparation of bycatch plans. Many of the state managed fisheries are facing similar issues and bycatch control will have to be addressed through fishery management plans (Refer Objectives 4 & 5 Section B4).
Some of the solutions documented may be adaptable with few changes. Others may require more substantial changes, either to gear or to management arrangements. In the case of the latter, the identification of specific assessments needed will assist the prioritisation of future research and development funds (Refer Objective 6 Section B6).
The handbook we have proposed will bring together in an easy-to-use form all the existing available information on bycatch reduction methods in non trawl fisheries. Access to information and ideas in the handbook will asist in increasing the rate of progress towards ecologcally sustainable fisheries Objectives: 1. To document existing mechanisms used to control bycatch in Australia non trawl fisheries 2. To document existing mechanisms used to control bycatch in comparable fisheries overseas 3. To provide information to fishers about the options for controlling bycatch in their (non-trawl) fishery. 4. To provide information to fishery and environmental managers and the public on existing mechanisms used by the industry for controling bycatch. 5. To provide information to fishery and environmental managers and the public on potential options for controlling bycatch. 6. To provide guidance to industry and fishery managers about R&D priorities with regard to bycatch control options on an individual fishery basis. Read moreRead less
Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) To Reduce The Incidental Catch Of Cuttlefish In The Spencer Gulf Prawn Trawl Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$71,000.00
Summary
The Giant Cuttlefish population in Spencer Gulf is the largest in the world and is highly valued by local residents, the tourism industry and the recreational diving sector. But surveys over the last 13 years has indicated that the northern population has, and continues to, decline markedly - leading to major public consternation.
The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery is known as one of the best managed trawl fisheries in the world and is permitted to only land three species, the western kin ....The Giant Cuttlefish population in Spencer Gulf is the largest in the world and is highly valued by local residents, the tourism industry and the recreational diving sector. But surveys over the last 13 years has indicated that the northern population has, and continues to, decline markedly - leading to major public consternation.
The Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery is known as one of the best managed trawl fisheries in the world and is permitted to only land three species, the western king prawn, bugs and southern calamari
A recent SARDI study correlated the observed decline in Cuttlefish abundances with a range of potential factors including: water temperature, weather, pollution (including those from increased shipping activities), predators, prey, habitats, diseases, fishing pressure and tourism. Of these, rainfall was the only factor found to correlate inversely with peak cuttlefish abundance. The study noted the incidental capture of Giant Cuttlefish in the Prawn Fishery but found no clear association between the decline in cuttlefish and fishing intensity. The study noted a positive correlation between trawl effort and the size of the cuttlefish population but this relationship is counter-intuitive and is likely to be coincidental. The evidence therefore does not support an assertion that the recent decline in the abundance of Giant Cuttlefish in northern Spencer Gulf has been caused by prawn trawling or any other forms of fishing.
Nevertheless, due to the low population numbers, all sources of potential mortality of cuttlefish, including that from prawn trawl bycatch, need to be minimized urgently and carefully managed. This project is focused on an attempt to reduce the bycatch of cuttlefish in this fishery using modifications to the trawls used (termed ‘bycatch reduction devices’ or ‘BRDs’). If successful, such BRDs should be suitable for use in locations and at times where cuttlefish bycatches are significant.
Objectives: 1. To test four grid-based designs to determine the best way forward in developing a BRD for this fishery that excludes cuttlefish and crabs, yet does not reduce prawn catch by any more than approx 6% and has a negligible variation in the grade composition of prawns. Read moreRead less
Can Sawfish Bycatch Within The NPF Be Mitigated Using An Electric Field?
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$113,468.11
Summary
The Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) is the largest Australian prawn fishery and the most valuable Commonwealth managed fishery. Annual gross value of production of the fishery was valued at $115.2 million in 2014. In recent decades, the incidental take of bycatch species has become an important issue in trawl fisheries worldwide. Impacts of fishing activities on the marine environment, including bycatch interactions are heavily scrutinised by organisations assessing the sustainability of fisheries ....The Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) is the largest Australian prawn fishery and the most valuable Commonwealth managed fishery. Annual gross value of production of the fishery was valued at $115.2 million in 2014. In recent decades, the incidental take of bycatch species has become an important issue in trawl fisheries worldwide. Impacts of fishing activities on the marine environment, including bycatch interactions are heavily scrutinised by organisations assessing the sustainability of fisheries such as the MSC. Various Threatened, Endangered and Protected (TEP) species are still regularly caught by the fishery, including sawfishes. All four sawfish species caught within the NPF are listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I and the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) Appendices I & II. Within Australia, three species are listed as Vulnerable, and all four species are listed as Migratory on the EPBC Act 1999.
Sawfishes are among the most threatened family of marine fishes and the most threatened family of cartilaginous fishes (Dulvy et al 2014). Incidental capture, particularly in trawls and gillnets, is the primary threat to sawfishes (Harrison and Duly 2014). Based on a risk assessment of the bycatch species in the NPF, all sawfishes have been identified as ‘at risk’ to trawling and least likely to be sustainable from prawn trawl fishing. A bycatch sustainability assessment also showed little change in catches of sawfishes as a result of the introduction of TEDs into the commercial fleet. The threatened status of sawfishes, vulnerability to fisheries, ongoing catches, and the inefficiency of current bycatch reduction devices to reduce sawfish bycatch suggest an urgent need for the development of new bycatch reduction devices to minimise interactions with fishing gear. This will also have the benefit of improving crew safety on the vessels as the removal of sawfish entangled in the nets is quite dangerous.
Objectives: 1. Assess whether sawfish behaviourally respond to electric fields as measured by reaction from a stationary position 2. Compare sawfish behavioural response across three fields of different characteristics Read moreRead less
Launch - "A Guide To Bycatch Reduction In Australian Prawn Trawl Fisheries"
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$18,601.61
Summary
Add Text Objectives: 1. Report on the impact of trawling on other marine life and develop a database of accesible literature for other Australian Research organisations.
Construction And Evaluation Of An Underwater Setting Device To Prevent Accidental Capture Of Seabirds On Tuna Longliners
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$91,596.00
Summary
Population declines have been identified for six albatross species, and fisheries related mortality has been implicated in these declines.From the fishers perspective, each time a bait is removed by a seabird, or a seabird is caught on a hook, the chance of catching a fish is reduced.Accidental capture of seabirds is a deleterious event from both the seabird and the fishers perspective and it is in every body’s interest to find more effective solutions to this problem Objectives: ....Population declines have been identified for six albatross species, and fisheries related mortality has been implicated in these declines.From the fishers perspective, each time a bait is removed by a seabird, or a seabird is caught on a hook, the chance of catching a fish is reduced.Accidental capture of seabirds is a deleterious event from both the seabird and the fishers perspective and it is in every body’s interest to find more effective solutions to this problem Objectives: 1. To redesign and construct an improved capsule setting device which is capable of achieving a 5 second cycle setting time at a setting depth of 3m, and is safe for crew to use in all conditions. 2. To determine the effectiveness of the capsule setting device in preventing seabirds from taking bait during setting. 3. To evaluate the impact of the capsule setting device on catch of target species 4. To define optimum installation configuration and deployment strategy of capsule setting device in relation to the influence of propeller and hull turbulence. Read moreRead less
Development Of Dry Pelletised Barramundi Food From Catfish By-product
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$98,640.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To provide a fish food that replicates nutritional and physical characteristics of a commercial barramundi feed from locally available sources 2. To trial the local product for one growing season and calculate its cost/benefit compared with the commercial feed 3. To remove an environmental problem caused by the 7 tonne of by-product from catfish filleting and 6 tonne of unusable by-catch which are currently dumped