The Commonwealth Fisheries Marine Mammal Working Group was recently established to provide advice to AFMA on interactions with marine mammals that occur in Commonwealth fisheries. This advice can include identification and assessment of marine mammal bycatch issues, the development and review of marine mammal mitigation strategies and the development of fishery and vessel specific mitigation arrangements.
The group consists of marine mammal scientists, an industry expert, a conservation member, a recreational fishing science expert, AFMA, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Department of the Environment and Energy and an independent chair. All members come with considerable marine mammal experience and/or expertise.
At their first meeting, on 24 November 2016, members discussed the expansion of the Dolphin Strategy in the Coorong Zone of the Gillnet Hook and Trap Fishery to the rest of the fishery, and what types of information could be used to best facilitate this.
The group also discussed methods of reducing seal bycatch in trawl fisheries, and determining what data could be used to balance the potential impacts on industry while lowering interaction rates.
A key function of the group will be to assist AFMA in developing a series of bycatch sub-strategies for protected groups such as dolphins, seals and seabirds.
The next meeting for the group will be in March 2017.
AFMA remains committed to continuous improvement in reducing and minimising protected species interactions, and looks forward to continuing to work with the marine mammal working group to improve Commonwealth fisheries management.
For more information on the various scientific and advisory committees which provide advice to AFMA, please see afma.gov.au.