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Fisheries Bycatch
The term bycatch refers to all non-targeted catch, including by-product, discards and gear interactions. By-product refers to the unintended catch that may be kept or sold by the fisher. Discards refer to the product that is returned to the sea. Gear interactions refer to all species and habitat affected by the fishing gear. For gear interactions to occur, the affected species or habitat does not necessary have to reach the deck of the fishing vessel. The gear includes hooks, fishing lines, nets, traps and fishing vessels. Over time, the handling and treatment of species may change from being discarded to being by-product to targeted, and vice versa, depending upon, among other things, consumer demand, markets and new technology.
Regardless of whether a species is kept, discarded or interacts with fishing gear, the objectives of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 state that there is a need for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to have regard for the impact of fishing activities on non-target species and the long term sustainability of the marine environment. A range of mechanisms exist to manage some types of catch, and particular arrangements are in place to manage the take of commercial species, whether targeted or by-product.
Bycatch is managed in the Torres Strait under the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984. This Act allows the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to make a legislative instrument. In May 2008 the Minister created Fisheries Management Notice No. 82 to require the use of bycatch reduction devices within the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery. More information is found at the Protected Zone Joint Authority website
The development of the national and Commonwealth bycatch policies demonstrates a commitment by the Australian Government to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This is accomplished through bycatch reduction, improved protection for vulnerable/threatened species and minimising adverse impacts of fishing on the marine environment. These policies are listed below:
Fisheries Bycatch
Seals and Fishing
- The National Strategy to Address Interactions Between Humans and Seals: Fisheries, Aquaculture and Tourism
- South East Trawl Fisheries Seal Bycatch Guidelines
Seabirds and Fishing
- National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Australia's Longline Fisheries
- Threat Abatement Plan for the Incidental Catch (or by-catch) of Seabirds During Oceanic Longline Fishing Operations
Sharks and Fishing
- National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (Shark-plan)
- Shark-plan implementation and review committee (SIRC)
Turtles and Fishing