Tactical Research Fund: Effectiveness of larger mesh size in reducing the capture of juvenile target species in select NSW ocean beach seine operations

Funded Activity Summary

This application is an industry initiative aimed at reducing the incidental bycatch of juvenile target species encountered in ocean deployed beach seines. This project will not only empower industry members with instilled confidence in their gear, but also assist in addressing the potential conflict between the two user groups.

There is genuine concern regarding the capture of significant proportions of juveniles whilst targeting migratory schools of bream, tarwhine and luderick predominantly; when using currently legislated beach seine net specifications.

A beach seine net can be divided into three 3 main sections: anterior wings, posterior wings and the bunt/codend. Current legislation prescribes a maximum mesh size of 86, 65 and 65mm respectively for these sections.

Recently, (Wooden, unpublished) investigated the use of alternate net configurations and the use of morphological data in ocean and estuary deployed beach seines. In brief the study indicated:
(i) Current configurations of NSW beach seines are inappropriate for maximizing size selectivity for nearly
all retained species,
(ii) Morphological data can be used to predict and trial appropriate mesh sizes to reduce
bycatch and
(iii) No significant physical or physiological damages resulted from juvenile bream escaping from a
modified beach seine with a mesh size of 102mm (in simulated laboratory experiments).

Anecdotal information from numerous sources on landings of juveniles in conventional beach seine gears, identifies the need for further research on certain gear components of the ocean beach seine fishery. Proposed investigations (beach seine net constructed entirely of 102mm mesh) aim to further improve size selectivity and eliminate the unwanted capture of juvenile target species.

The research proposed in this application clearly relates to the vision of the fishery and directly addresses many objectives listed under Goal 1 & Goal 2 of the FMS and addresses FRDC’s high priorities responding to strategic challenge 1.


Objectives:
1. 1. To examine and quantify the effectiveness of larger than prescribed mesh size in reducing the capture of juveniles in ocean beach seine operations targeting ground-fish species.
2. 2. Provision of information that support management decisions for the long term benefit of the resource and users.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 31-03-2008

End Date: 02-12-2008

Funding Scheme: Funding Scheme not available

Funding Amount: $32,805.00

Funder: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

There are no FoR codes available for this funding activity

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Bycatch | Compliance | Fishing Gear | Fishing Technology | Mortality

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