AFMA fisheries officers will be targeting operators in the Northern Prawn Fishery during October. Fisheries Officers will be conducting inspections both at sea and in port.
With the tiger prawn season in full swing AFMA are taking the opportunity to remind concession holders of their obligations to ensure their skippers complete log books and submit them on time.
During October fisheries officers will be particularly focusing on:
- ensuring by-catch devices are deployed and in line with gear regulations
- ensuring turtle excluder devices fitted are at the correct angle with floats in the correct position.
Turtle excluder devices are used to help turtles swim out of fishing nets if they are accidently caught. Without these devices, turtles getting caught in the net cannot reach the surface to breathe and may drown. The use of these devices is mandatory in the Northern Prawn and Torres Strait Prawn fisheries.
It is the responsibility of AFMA to monitor all concession holders for compliance with the regulations. AFMA promotes voluntary compliance, but can target those who do not want to comply.
Non-compliance with the regulations could result in a boat either being directed to return to port or to remain in port or may even lead to fishing concessions being suspended with a significant loss of revenue.
Current condition and closure information can be found in the 2015 Northern Prawn Fishery Directions and Closures booklet.