The Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) banana prawn season kicked off on April 1 in the Gulf of Carpentaria and off the coast of Northern Territory.
Over the last few weeks the Northern Prawn Fishery Industry Pty Ltd has conducted preseason briefings with trawler skippers in Cairns, Karumba and Darwin to ensure there is full understanding of management rules in the fishery.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) fisheries officers attended these briefings to remind operators of the importance of adhering to concession conditions and NPF Directions. They also carried out fishing gear inspections to ensure the gear complies with the required specifications.
Important changes have been made to turtle excluder devices (TED) specifications for the 2017 season. These changes were discussed with industry and operators in 2016 and are necessary to ensure the NPF uses the most effective equipment available to protect threatened and endangered species and other non-target wildlife. The updates also ensure that export approval to the United States of America is maintained.
Operators must ensure the netting or flaps that cover the escape opening of the TED complies with NPF Direction 174. Appropriate floatation must also be used at the escape opening of the net to ensure the escape opening is not blocked.
AFMA wishes the fleet a safe and prosperous fishing season.
Further information regarding TEDs and other regulations associated with the NPF are available in the Northern Prawn Fishery Directions and Closures 2017 booklet on afma.gov.au.