Australia - Revised Draft Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Sea Turtle Mitigation Plan - WCPFC-2009-IP16

The purpose of this document is to fulfil Australia’s obligations under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) CMM-2008-03 with regards to the need to implement a plan designed to reduce the interaction rate of turtles in pelagic longline fish eries which target broadbill swordfish. In an Australian context, the fishery to which this measure has the most relevance is the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery. This document will be reviewed in 5 years or at such times as: The criterion stipulated in this document is exceeded; The WCPFC review the CMM relevant to sea turtles; or The characteristics of the fishery change and warrant a review.