Publications
Prepared by
Biodiversity Group Environment Australia in consultation with the Threat Abatement Team
Environment Australia, 1998
ISBN 0 642 21420 4
The term of this Threat Abatement Plan is 5 years. The objective of this Plan is to significantly reduce the by-catch of seabirds during oceanic longline operations in the Australian Fishing Zone at current fishing levels. This will be achieved by implementing currently available mitigation techniques, providing for development of new techniques, educating fishers and the public and collecting information to improve our knowledge of seabird longline interactions.
The criterion for measuring success of the plan in achieving this objective will be:
The 0.05 by-catch level was chosen to reflect the ability of currently available mitigation measures to reduce seabird by-catch. In evaluating the implications of the by-catch composition, consideration will be given to the conservation status of the seabird species concerned. This catch rate represents a reduction of up to 90% in the AFZ. It has been calculated based on reductions thought to be achievable with the use of known by-catch mitigation methods, and on the fishing levels in place at 1997. If fishing levels increase significantly, it will be necessary to review the by-catch target of 0.05 birds per thousand hooks.
To achieve the threat abatement objective and meet the criterion, action is prescribed by this plan in three key areas:
Specific objectives, criteria and actions in each of these areas are detailed below and outlined in Appendix A. It should be noted that there are no mitigation measures prescribed for demersal fisheries at this stage; only quantification of the level of seabird by-catch followed by development of appropriate mitigation measures where necessary for these fisheries. This is because there is no data on the level of seabird by-catch occurring in these fisheries in the AFZ.
Ensure that measures which are known to be effective in mitigating seabird by-catch are required by appropriate legislative frameworks for use in pelagic longline fishing operations in the AFZ.
AFMA and DPIE will require domestic and foreign pelagic longline fishers respectively to adopt one of three options on an annual basis when setting all or part of a longline south of 30° S in the AFZ.
Mitigation measures relating to use of bird scaring lines and offal discharge apply to all options.
All options will require monitoring by an approved observer program (described in Objective 8, Action 3 & 4).
There is no restriction on fishers using mitigation measures from other options in addition to those required by their chosen option. For example a fisher may choose to weight lines and set at night. At any time the fisher must adhere to the minimum standards prescribed in their nominated option.
It should be noted that, due to the difficulty of implementing some mitigation measures on smaller boats (those under 20m), flexibility will be built into the regulations enacted under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 to allow fishers to apply for variations on the prescribed measures.
All baits will be set at night. In order to meet the requirements under this action line setting activity must not commence until 60 minutes after sunset and must cease 60 minutes before dawn.
No costs to the Commonwealth have been identified against this action. The costs to a significant number of fishers will be large. This includes fishers who currently are only able to fish opportunistically when the weather is suitable; fishers who set 2-3 times per day with smaller numbers of hooks for efficiency or boat capacity reasons; and fishers operating in short darkness areas/periods such as southern Tasmania in summer.
All vessels fishing during the day will:
Operators should note that day setting operations will require a higher level of observer coverage.
No costs to the Commonwealth have been identified against this action. There will be a cost for fishers in equipping their vessels with thawing apparatus and line weights.
Vessels which can demonstrate a technique of setting and hauling longlines which does not make the hooks/baits available to seabirds can be issued with a permit to operate without any of the restrictions in Options 1 and 2 above. These fishers may also be exempt from compliance with Actions 2, 3 and 4.
Bird Scaring Lines.
Fisheries Management Regulation 19A prescribes use of a bird scaring line by pelagic longline fishers south of 30°S in the AFZ.
AFMA will make recommendations to the Minister for Resources and Energy that the Regulation be amended to require all pelagic longline vessels operating in the AFZ to carry a bird scaring line of approved design north of 30°S and use where necessary.
No costs to the Commonwealth have been identified against this action. There will be a cost for fishers in operating north of 30°S equipping their vessels with a bird scaring line. Fishers operating south of 30°S are already required to be equipped with and use bird scaring lines and bird lines.
DPIE will, through international agreements for access to fish stocks in the AFZ, continue to apply Fisheries Regulation 19A to all foreign pelagic longline vessels operating in the AFZ.
No costs have been identified against this action as DPIE is able to conduct the activity as part of its established negotiations relating to access agreements.
Offal Discharge. AFMA will prepare recommendations to the Minister for Resources and Energy that regulations be made to ensure that all foreign and domestic longline vessels operating in the Australian Fishing Zone retain all offal during line setting or hauling and discharge it when not line setting or hauling. Offal is defined for the purposes of this plan as including all dead and discarded catch and fish by-catch with a total length of less than 50cm and all by-products of processing on board the vessel. Live fish and other live by-catch can be discarded during the haul.
No costs to the Commonwealth have been identified against this action. There will be a cost for fishers in fitting their vessels with offal storage and handling equipment.
Encourage voluntary use of measures which are known to be effective in mitigating seabird by-catch.
Fishers operating pelagic longline vessels in the AFZ should adopt a Code of Practice which requires voluntary adoption of seabird by-catch mitigation measures in addition to the mandatory measures. These measures should include:
No costs to the Commonwealth have been identified against this action. There will be a cost for fishers in establishing the Code of Practice and adoption of measures which require fishers to purchase equipment.
Encourage and provide for development of new mitigation measures and refinement of existing measures.
The Commonwealth and relevant agencies will make funds available for cooperative research into development of new mitigation measures and refinement of existing measures.
| Estimated Cost of Action (x$1000) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|
AFMA*
|
50
|
50
|
50
|
50
|
50
|
|
ESP/NHT Funds
|
50
|
50
|
50
|
50
|
50
|
|
FRDC**
|
|||||
*subject to continued Bilateral Access Agreements
**potential source for approved research proposals
Commonwealth agencies will collaborate in setting research priorities in consultation with stakeholders.
No additional costs to the Commonwealth have been identified against this action. Agencies involved in consultation will fund their officers from existing operating budgets.
AFMA will ensure that regulations provide for scientific permits for development and experimental testing of new measures and refined existing measures, and that the permits include appropriate evaluation. The testing must take place under the following guidelines:
Costs of this action cannot be accurately determined as they are driven by the demand for experimental testing of mitigation measures. The principal cost will be in providing observation of experimental trials. Costs will be determined by AFMA on a case by case basis.
Environment Australia will review and promote appropriate incentives and funding sources for research and development.
This action will involve Environment Australia gathering information on potential funding sources, including those mentioned in Action 1, and ensuring that parties involved in mitigation measure development are informed of the process of applying for funding.
No additional costs to the Commonwealth have been identified against this action. Environment Australia will fund officers from operating budgets to implement this action.