Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01562:body:0:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01562
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 15742–18707

new actions needed to abate the listed key threatening process of incidental catch (or bycatch) of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations in a feasible, effective and efficient way. The plan binds the Commonwealth and its agencies in responding to the impact of longline fishing activities on seabirds, and identifies the research, management and other actions needed to reduce the impacts of this key threatening process on affected seabird species. The plan will be reviewed within five years.

Threat abatement plans
Under s 270A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) the Commonwealth Government develops threat abatement plans; implements the actions under these plans that are its direct responsibility; and facilitates the implementation of actions where other groups share the implementation responsibilities (e.g. fishers, states and territories). Part 13 of the EPBC Act describes the process, content and consultation required when making or varying a threat abatement plan. The legislation requires the Government to implement the plans to the extent to which they apply in areas under Commonwealth control and responsibility. In addition, government agencies must not take any actions that contravene a threat abatement plan. Where a plan applies outside Commonwealth areas in states or territories, the Commonwealth must seek the cooperation of the affected jurisdiction, with a view to jointly implementing the threat abatement plan.

Background
Oceanic longline fishing is a method used to target pelagic and demersal fish species. This method involves setting one or more single mainlines containing many individual hooks on branch lines. The mainline can either be anchored or drifting. It can be oriented vertically or horizontally in the water column, and can vary considerably in length and number of hooks. Longline fishing includes using any configuration of a pelagic or drifting longline, demersal longline, trotline, or dropline (AAD 2005). Longline fishing occurs in almost all Australian waters today. The adverse impact of longline fishing activities on seabirds was not fully realised until the 1980s when seabird bycatch was first reported and then documented (e.g. Brothers 1991; Morant et al, 1983; Tomkins 1985; Weimerskirch & Jouventin 1987).
The incidental catch (or bycatch) of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations was listed by the then Minister as a key threatening process on 24 July 1995. Under Commonwealth legislation, now the EPBC Act, an initial threat abatement plan was prepared and approved by the then Minister in 1998. Following review after five years a second plan was approved by the then Minister in 2006. A review of that plan was undertaken in 2011 with a variation released in 2014. This Threat Abatement Plan for the incidental catch (or bycatch) of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations (2018) replaces the plan made