Table 2: Progress in implementation of conditions and recommendations made in the previous assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery Part 13 Condition Progress Recommended Action Taking into account: the results of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation project 2005/053 on reducing the impact of Queensland's trawl fisheries on sea snakes; Fisheries Queensland's evaluation of the use of appropriate bycatch reduction devices by fishers targeting red spot king prawns; and any other relevant expert information, by 1 June 2013, Fisheries Queensland to implement mandatory measures to mitigate the impacts of fishing on sea snakes in the East Otter Trawl Fishery. the 2010 assessment of the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery, Fisheries Queensland has completed a two year extension project, FRDC Project 2008/101, Extension of Fisheries Research and Development Corporation funded research results on improved bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) to the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery, which has facilitated a significant reduction (over 60 per cent) in fishery bycatch through the use of effective bycatch reduction devices. As part of this extension work, square mesh codend and fisheye bycatch reduction devices were distributed to industry. Around 75 per cent of fishers participated in the bycatch reduction device and extension program and the majority of fishers are currently using these particular bycatch reduction devices. The extension program report recommended mandatory use of effective square mesh codend bycatch reduction devices in the scallop sector and fisheye bycatch reduction devices in the red spot king prawn sector. Proposals to implement this recommendation are currently under consideration as part of the trawl plan review. Fisheries Queensland has made progress on this condition through progressing the trawl plan review and rigorous extension work. The Department recognises that significant efforts have been made to minimise the capture of sea snakes, and acknowledges that an efficient way of implementing mandatory measures to protect sea snakes would be through the trawl plan review. The Department considers that this condition should be continued as the trawl plan review has not yet been finalised and mandatory measures to mitigate the impacts of fishing on sea snakes have not yet been made. The Department considers that a new Part 13 accreditation for the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery specify a similar condition (see Part 13 Condition, Table 4).
Recommendation Progress Recommended Action Recommendation 1 Fisheries Queensland to: continue to take action to improve protected species reporting by fishers in the East Otter Trawl Fishery; and take into account: best estimates of protected species underreporting; and best estimates of incidental fishing mortality at capture and post release mortality of sea snakes in all risk assessments and take appropriate action to address any unacceptable risks. Fisheries Queensland has continued to industry awareness of fisher’s responsibilities for reporting Species of Conservation Interest (SOCI) interactions. Fisheries Queensland has produced a series of educational videos on safe handling of aquatic animals to reduce injuries to SOCI and fishers. The Fisheries Observer Program has been discontinued since 2010. Historical validation of SOCI logbook data may be possible once analysis for the 2010 Fisheries Observer Program data has been completed. Fisheries Queensland has advised that the results from FRDC project 2005/053 Reducing the impact of Queensland’s trawl fisheries on protected sea snakes were considered in the ecological risk assessments for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area and the fishery area south of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Department of the Environment considers that there are ongoing aspects of this recommendation. Since the Fishery Observer Program has been discontinued and there appears to be discrepancies between logbook reports and independent research reports (see issues text for Recommendation 1 in Table 4) the Department considers that further improvements in protected species reporting are warranted. Furthermore, as an ecological risk assessment for the fishery area south of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is still being finalised, the Department considers that appropriate action will be required to address any unacceptable risks identified. The Department recommends that these actions be continued (see Part 13 Condition, Recommendation 1 and Recommendation 3, Table 4) Recommendation Progress Recommended Action
Recommendation 7 Fisheries Queensland to: continue to develop and implement measures to reduce bycatch in the East Otter Trawl Fishery; and develop a performance measure aimed at reducing bycatch levels in the fishery. The two year FRDC Project No. 2008/101: Extension of Fisheries Research and Development Corporation funded research results on improved bycatch reduction devices to the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery was completed in 2011. This project has facilitated a reduction in fishery bycatch rates through the use of more effective turtle exclusion devices and bycatch reduction devices. Additionally, Fisheries Queensland has advised that development of a performance measure aimed at reducing bycatch levels in the fishery will be considered in the light of mandating the use of highly effective bycatch reduction devices as part of the trawl plan review. Although progress has been made on the recommendation, bycatch rates in the fishery remain high. While the Department acknowledges that recent extension programs have resulted in lower bycatch rates, it still considers that continued efforts should be made to minimise bycatch rates. The Department considers that an effective way to continue these improvements would be to include a performance measure aimed at reducing bycatch rates levels into the fishery’s management arrangements. The Department recommends that this action be continued (see Recommendation 4, 4).