The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has introduced new seabird protections for scalefish auto longline boats in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery.

All boats must now be able to achieve a line sink rate of at least of 0.3 of a metre per second. This is world’s best practice which ensures hooks are out of reach of seabirds quickly and reducing the risk of bycatch.

AFMA approved Vessel Seabird Mitigation Plans must also be on the boats at all times. Each plan is tailored to the boat’s individual requirements, outlining practices for offal discharge, mitigation measures for setting and hauling, and seabird handling practices in the event of a live seabird being caught.

In addition, the boats must have an electronic monitoring (camera) system to record any seabird bycatch and ensure that the measures adopted by the boat are effective in keeping bycatch below the rate specified in the updated Seabird Threat Abatement Plan 2014.

To stay below the rate, fishers can use the best bycatch reduction devices available for their fishing operations including new technology such as laser deterrents which are already being trialled.

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