During August AFMA compliance officers will target logbook accuracy.
In most fisheries, logbooks completed by skippers are the most important information used for fisheries management decisions, including setting total allowable catch limits. Each fishery has a different, carefully designed logbook to collect the necessary information. Generally logbooks contain information about how much fish is caught, where and when it was caught and the type and amount of fishing gear used to catch it. This information is then analysed in detail by scientists to determine the status of fish stocks and work out how much catch is sustainable.
Unfortunately not everyone completes their logbooks accurately.
Some fishers don’t want people to know where they are fishing because they are worried someone might find their fishing spot. But, because all boats are required to have a vessel monitoring system on when fishing, AFMA can see where they are at all times.
Marking off quota species as non-quota species in the logbook so the catch doesn’t come off their quota is another way some fishers are breaching their fishing concession conditions.
Some fishers do not report discards (fish that is thrown back). By doing this, the impacts of fishing on fish stocks are under-estimated impacting on the science. Talk to your observer if you want to know more about the impacts of incorrectly reporting discards.
Partially completing logbooks is also a problem, all fields must be completed before submitting your logbook.
What these fishers may not know though is by lying, or not fully completing, their logbook reports they are hurting themselves and their fellow fishers in the long run! Incorrectly reported data affects stock assessments and is illegal. Those who are caught face fines, suspension and/or prosecution. But even worse, this inaccurate reporting can mean quota limits for the following years are reduced = less quota = less fishing = less money! This affects all fishers, even those doing the right thing.
AFMA compliance officers will be targeting logbooks that incorrectly document:
- fishing trip dates not recorded, or recorded incorrectly
- shot locations not aligning with vessel monitoring system or electronic monitoring system data
- discards not recorded
- species incorrectly recorded
- bycatch or TEP Interactions not recorded
Make sure you and your crew fill out your logbooks correctly.
Help us make sure our fish stocks are protected for the future by reporting any illegal and suspicious fishing activities you see via CRIMFISH