Table 2: Progress in implementing the previous conditions and recommendations for the Small Pelagic Fishery Condition Progress Recommended Action November 2012 A new mid water trawl vessel, FV Geelong Star, The Department of the Environment commenced fishing operations in the Small Pelagic considers that this condition has been met Part 13, Condition 1: Fishery on 2 April 2015. An AFMA-approved vessel and is ongoing. Prior to fishing, mid water trawl management plan was finalised prior to the start of The Department recommends that this vessels must have in place fishing activities and continues to be updated to condition be continued (see Part 13 effective mitigation approaches and minimise interactions with protected species. Condition A, 4). devices, to satisfy the Australian All mid water trawl vessels are now required to have an Fisheries Management Authority AFMA-approved vessel management plan to minimise (AFMA), to minimise interactions interactions with dolphins, seals and seabirds. with dolphins, seals and seabirds. November 2012 AFMA has advised that the baseline observer coverage The Department of the Environment in the Pelagic Fishery is: considers that this condition has been met Part 13, Condition 2: and is ongoing. 10 per cent of days fished in the fishery for the The Australian Fisheries purse seine method; and The Department recommends that this Management Authority requires condition be continued (see Part 13 that at least one observer be 20 per cent of days fished in the fishery for the mid Condition B, 4). deployed on each new mid water water trawl method. trawl vessel for the first 10 fishing New that enter the fishery are required to have trips with additional observer observers for the first five trips for purse seine boats coverage or other monitoring and the first 10 trips for mid water trawl boats. implemented as appropriate, The Geelong Star is required to an AFMA observer following scientific assessment of for the first 12 months and then on at least 20 per cent the SPF. of trips thereafter. The Geelong Star is also required to
Table 2: Progress in implementing the previous conditions and recommendations for the Small Pelagic Fishery Condition Progress Recommended Action November 2012 Part 13, Condition 1: Prior to fishing, mid water trawl vessels must have in place effective mitigation approaches and devices, to satisfy the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), to minimise interactions with dolphins, seals and seabirds. A new mid water trawl vessel, FV Geelong Star, commenced fishing operations in the Small Pelagic Fishery on 2 April 2015. An AFMA-approved vessel management plan was finalised prior to the start of fishing activities and continues to be updated to minimise interactions with protected species. All mid water trawl vessels are now required to have an AFMA-approved vessel management plan to minimise interactions with dolphins, seals and seabirds. The Department of the Environment considers that this condition has been met and is ongoing. The Department recommends that this condition be continued (see Part 13 Condition A, 4). November 2012 Part 13, Condition 2: The Australian Fisheries Management Authority requires that at least one observer be deployed on each new mid water trawl vessel for the first 10 fishing trips with additional observer coverage or other monitoring implemented as appropriate, following scientific assessment of the SPF. AFMA has advised that the baseline observer coverage in the Pelagic Fishery is: 10 per cent of days fished in the fishery for the purse seine method; and 20 per cent of days fished in the fishery for the mid water trawl method. New that enter the fishery are required to have observers for the first five trips for purse seine boats and the first 10 trips for mid water trawl boats. The Geelong Star is required to an AFMA observer for the first 12 months and then on at least 20 per cent of trips thereafter. The Geelong Star is also required to The Department of the Environment considers that this condition has been met and is ongoing. The Department recommends that this condition be continued (see Part 13 Condition B, 4).
small-pelagic-fishery-assessment-oct2015.docx