News

May 6, 2011

AFMA Update

Under a temporary order that came into effect on 1 May 2011, the existing area closed to gillnet fishing in the Gillnet, Hook and Trap (GHAT) sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery was increased to protect sea lion colonies.

Further changes to management arrangements under the temporary order will mean that sea lions, dolphins and some shark species will be better protected and interactions more accurately monitored. Measures have also been put in place to reduce seabird interactions.

AFMA made the changes in response to recently collected data and additional research that indicates additional fishing closures are needed and improvements are required in the reporting of interactions with threatened, endangered and protected species, including sea lions.

Under the temporary order, all gillnet fishing vessels operating in an area off South Australia are required to have either an AFMA observer and/or a camera system on board the vessel before commencing fishing. In addition, vessels fishing in the rest of the fishery outside of the sea lion management zone in South Australia will be subject to 10 per cent observer coverage.

The use of shark hooks by some gillnet operators has been allowed in some parts of the fishery for the life of the temporary order, to reduce gillnetting effort near sea lion colonies while allowing fishing to continue.

AFMA will work closely with industry and other stakeholders over coming months to develop longer term management arrangements for the fishery following the end of the temporary order.

You can read about the changes at www.afma.gov.au/managing-our-fisheries/fisheries-a-to-z-index/southern-and-eastern-scalefish-and-shark-fishery/notices-and-announcements/changes-in-the-gillnet-hook-and-trap-sector-of-the-southern-and-eastern-scalefish-and-shark-fishery/.

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