Bycatch mitigation approaches in Australia’s eastern tuna and billfish fishery: Seabirds, turtles, marine mammals, sharks, and non-target fish,

Citation
Stobutzki I, Lawrence E, Bensley N, Norris W (2006) Bycatch mitigation approaches in Australia’s eastern tuna and billfish fishery: Seabirds, turtles, marine mammals, sharks, and non-target fish,. WCPFC, Manila, Philippines
Abstract

Australia's Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF) is predominantly a pelagic, longline fishery targeting tuna and billfish species. Aside from the target species the fishery catches a range of fish and shark species, some of which are retained (byproduct) and some discarded (bycatch). The fishery also interacts with seabird, marine turtle and marine mammal species. In moves towards ensuring ecologically sustainable development the ETBF has put in place a range of bycatch mitigation measures. These include overarching measures covering several bycatch groups and specific measures for particular bycatch groups. Bycatch species such as seabirds, marine turtles, marine mammals and some sharks are protected species in Australia. Therefore fisheries cannot retain these species and must report all interactions. Fisheries are also required to demonstrate they are taking all reasonable steps to avoid interactions with and mortality of protected species.

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has developed a Bycatch Action Plan for Tuna and Billfish Longline Fisheries which specifies actions to ensure the impacts of the fishery's bycatch on the ecosystem are sustainable. The ETBF industry has also developed an Industry Code of Practice for Responsible Fishing which specifies principles and standards of behaviour and includes voluntary bycatch mitigation measures and handling and release guidelines for bycatch.

This paper provides an overview of the bycatch mitigation measures currently in place in the ETBF. The paper includes:
an overview of the relevant legislation and policy;
the current fishery monitoring methods;
summaries of current catch rates and mitigation measures for seabirds, marine turtles, marine mammals, sharks and other non-target fish species.