A trial of electronic monitoring has commenced in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF).
Commercial fishers from the ETBF are working together with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to test the system to assess if e-monitoring technologies can potentially replace (or enhance) current data collection practices, reducing the need for observers to be placed on board fishing vessels.
Participating ETBF fisher from Mooloolaba, Gary Heilmann, said the trial is an excellent opportunity to assess the benefits of e-monitoring technologies and their uses in the fishery.
“The possible benefits to industry include reductions in overall management costs, critical for the long term economic sustainability of the fishing industry.
“Better quality and reliable data will also help provide a greater confidence that ecologically sustainable catches and fishing practices are being maintained,' he said.
The e-monitoring project is funded by AFMA and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government.
