Vessel Management Plans Small Pelagic Fishery 24 March 2015

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au What is a Vessel Management Plan? Boat-specific plan to minimise the risk of interactions with protected species Contains both recommendations and mandatory measures to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to minimise its impact on the marine environment Management plans are currently used in several Commonwealth fisheries for seabirds and dolphins

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au SPF Draft Vessel Management Plan All mid-water trawl vessels in the SPF must have an approved VMP before they start fishing The draft VMP addresses detailed management and operational procedures The draft VMP has been developed in consultation with government, scientists, state governments and industry Expert Panel advice considered

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Key contents: Seabirds Marine mammals Reporting requirements Move-on rules

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Seabirds Key measures: The vessel must deploy either Tori Lines or Bird Bafflers when fishing Must not discharge offal while fishing Mitigation measures have been discussed with seabird experts including ACAP

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Marine mammals Key measures: The vessel must use a marine mammal excluder device approved by AFMA Move-on rules for dolphin sightings Spatial closures around ASL colonies and dolphin zones Handling practices and offal management

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au A top opening excluder device with hood (which retains dead animals and reduces fish loss) Mouth of net Cover Kite and float Escape opening Codend Flexible grid

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Assessment of excluder devices AFMA has developed performance criteria to assess and approve the excluder device prior to fishing Two key criteria: 1.The excluder device allows marine mammals to exit the net 2.The excluder device retains dead or incapacitated marine mammals Rules in place which trigger re-assessment of the device AFMA will review the performance of the excluder device annually

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Underwater cameras and on board observers will be used to verify the performance of the excluder device

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Role of observers AFMA observers will be on board the vessel at all times for at least the first 12 months Observer roles: –collection of independent boat activity and catch data –monitoring compliance of the boat with its fishing concession and VMP –providing daily updates to AFMA

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Reporting requirements

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Move-on rules To distribute fishing effort across the fishery Green boxes: Catch limit of 16% of quota spp. over a 30 day period Blue boxes: Catch limit of 4% of quota spp. over a 30 day period If limit is exceeded, box is closed for 30 days

Efficient & sustainable management of Commonwealth fish resources afma.gov.au Questions?