Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01562:body:0:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01562
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 24108–27219

state the objective to be achieved (EPBC Act s 271(2)(a)). The ultimate aim of this threat abatement plan is to achieve a zero bycatch of seabirds, especially threatened albatross and petrel species, in all longline fisheries. However, using currently available mitigation methods, this aim may not be realistic in the short-term, although it is expected that improved and emerging mitigation measures will mean near-zero bycatch is feasible within the life of this plan. Therefore, the objective of this threat abatement plan is to seek to further reduce the seabird bycatch and bycatch rate during oceanic longline fishing operations in the Australian Fishing Zone.
As many seabird species have large distributional ranges, actions by Australia alone are unlikely to be sufficient to prevent any decline in some populations. Accordingly, Commonwealth Government agencies will pursue, in additional to domestic actions under this threat abatement plan, the global adoption of bycatch and other threat mitigation strategies through international conservation and fisheries management forums.
The objective of this threat abatement plan is to be achieved through six key actions:
   1. Mitigation – effective measures will continue to be applied, both through legislative frameworks and fishing practices, to avoid seabird bycatch or minimise seabird bycatch and bycatch rates, recognising the importance of other factors such as safety, practicality and the characteristics of the fishery.
   2. Education – results from data analysis will continue to be communicated throughout the community, stakeholder groups and international forums, and programs will continue or be established to provide information and education to longline operators.
   3. International initiatives – advocacy in international conservation and fisheries management forums in support of global adoption of seabird bycatch mitigation measures across the range of affected seabird species including trigger and other limits, and effective bycatch and other threat mitigation methods that are complementary with those outlined in this threat abatement plan.
   4. Research and Development and Uptake – continued support of research into developing and reviewing the efficiency, effectiveness and uptake of new and improved mitigation measures.
   5. Innovation – innovation in 'bird friendly' fishing measures and devices will continue to be encouraged.
   6. Data collection and analysis – data will be collected and analysed to assess the performance of this threat abatement plan including mitigation measures and to improve knowledge of seabird-longline interactions and the conservation status of seabirds.

Actions to achieve the objective
Threat abatement plans must specify actions needed to achieve the objective(s) (EPBC Act s 271(2)(c)). This threat abatement plan requires that government agencies identified below implement the following actions. The EPBC Act also requires that all government agencies act in a manner that is consistent with and does not undermine the provisions of this plan.

Mitigation actions
  1. AFMA