A new line weighting study in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery has shown a reduced risk to seabird capture with no influence on fish catch rate.
To stop birds from trying to eat the bait from the hooks of a longline fishing vessel, and getting caught and dragged under the water, the ‘Lumo’ weighting system hooks sink faster, reducing the risk of seabirds taking the bait.
The study was completed in collaboration with the Australian Antarctic Division and the tuna fishing industry.
The new weights also have other benefits, including improved crew safety, easier deployment, fewer line tangles, and they are quicker to build and are also easier for fisheries officers to inspect.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) says that the new line weighting method is an exciting development in the tuna fishing industry and shows Australia’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards. The new weights are now commercially available and tuna fishers are beginning to use them in normal commercial fishing operations.
