Mid-water trawlers in the Small Pelagic Fishery will only be allowed to fish during daytime hours as part of more restrictive measures put in place by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).

The night time fishing ban will apply to mid-water trawl vessels fishing in the SPF. As further protection and to provide incentive for operators to make operational changes to reduce risks, AFMA has said that six month fishing bans will be imposed in management zones if any dolphin mortalities occur in the relevant zone.

The additional measures are in response to further dolphin and fur seal mortalities on the Geelong Star’s second fishing trip in the fishery.

“AFMA is extremely disappointed that these additional dolphin and seal mortalities have occurred,” AFMA’s CEO Dr James Findlay said. “Eight dolphin deaths in two trips are unacceptable.”

The Geelong Star will not be allowed to return to fishing in the SPF until AFMA is satisfied that all reasonable steps are in place to minimise further marine mammal mortalities.

The Geelong Star has had no dolphin mortalities during daytime fishing, consequently, a night time fishing ban is a mandatory requirement of the vessel’s operations in in the SPF for the foreseeable future.

Before its third fishing trip, AFMA is also requiring Seafish Tasmania to have electronic monitoring (e-monitoring) installed on the Geelong Star, and in addition to e-monitoring, two AFMA officers will remain onboard to closely observe the vessel’s operations.

The Geelong Star will also be trialling additional measures to improve its current marine mammal excluder devices.

AFMA’s strict new measures for the fishing conditions are expected to be finalised by the end of the week and there will be no fishing until the vessel is compliant with the new measures.

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