Operation type Level of Date # species # species identified as assessment assessed being at high risk Purse seine ERA Level 2 2007 235 108 PSA ERA Level 2 2010 108 29 PSA Residual – Risk ERA Level 3 2010 93* 0* SAFE Assessment Mid-water trawl ERA Level 2 2007 237 26 PSA ERA Level 2 2010 26 8 PSA Residual – Risk ERA Level 3 2010 98* 0* SAFE Assessment *The ERA 3 SAFE assessment was for teleosts and chondrichthyans only. Bycatch and Discarding Workplan AFMA implemented Bycatch and Discard Workplans in 2009 and 2011 that specified measures to at reduce the risk of interaction between SPF gear and TEP species. The was reviewed by the SPFRAG in SPF Bycatch and Discard Workplan 2011-13 October 2013. The review noted that all action items in the 2011-13 Workplan had been progressed, however low levels of fishing effort prevented the full completion or implementation of some items. The action items were incorporated into a new workplan developed for 2014-15. The SPF Bycatch and Discarding Workplan is available at: . Vessel Management (VMPs) The accreditation for the SPF under Part 13 of the EPBC Act requires mid-water trawl boats to use effective mitigation approaches and devices to minimise interactions with dolphins, seals and seabirds. AFMA supports this requirement through VMPs designed for all mid-water trawl boats operating in the SPF. Conditions on SPF fishing concessions were amended to require all mid-water trawl vessels to have an AFMA-approved VMP before commencing fishing on 1 May 2013. VMPs are developed by AFMA in consultation with industry and set out individually tailored mitigation measures for each boat to minimise seabird, seal and dolphin interactions. Measures include using an AFMA-approved seal exclusion device to reduce seal interactions and avoiding the discharge of biological waste from boats to reduce seabird, seal and dolphin attraction. VMPs also outline the reporting requirements of any interactions with a listed or protected species. The existing VMP in the SPF outlines regional catch limits for the vessel and rules to ensure that effort is distributed across the fishery. Regional catch limits are applied to enable the collection of representative data across the fishery, and minimise any potential risk of localised stock depletion.
Operation type Level of assessment Date # species assessed # species identified as being at high risk Purse seine ERA Level 2 PSA 2007 235 108 ERA Level 2 PSA – Residual Risk 2010 108 29 ERA Level 3 SAFE Assessment 2010 93* 0* Mid-water trawl ERA Level 2 PSA 2007 237 26 ERA Level 2 PSA – Residual Risk 2010 26 8 ERA Level 3 SAFE Assessment 2010 98* 0* *The ERA 3 SAFE assessment was for teleosts and chondrichthyans only. Bycatch and Discarding Workplan AFMA implemented Bycatch and Discard Workplans in 2009 and 2011 that specified measures to at reduce the risk of interaction between SPF gear and TEP species. The SPF Bycatch and Discard Workplan 2011-13 was reviewed by the SPFRAG in October 2013. The review noted that all action items in the 2011-13 Workplan had been progressed, however low levels of fishing effort prevented the full completion or implementation of some items. The action items were incorporated into a new workplan developed for 2014-15. The SPF Bycatch and Discarding Workplan is available at: . Vessel Management (VMPs) The accreditation for the SPF under Part 13 of the EPBC Act requires mid-water trawl boats to use effective mitigation approaches and devices to minimise interactions with dolphins, seals and seabirds. AFMA supports this requirement through VMPs designed for all mid-water trawl boats operating in the SPF. Conditions on SPF fishing concessions were amended to require all mid-water trawl vessels to have an AFMA-approved VMP before commencing fishing on 1 May 2013. VMPs are developed by AFMA in consultation with industry and set out individually tailored mitigation measures for each boat to minimise seabird, seal and dolphin interactions. Measures include using an AFMA-approved seal exclusion device to reduce seal interactions and avoiding the discharge of biological waste from boats to reduce seabird, seal and dolphin attraction. VMPs also outline the reporting requirements of any interactions with a listed or protected species. The existing VMP in the SPF outlines regional catch limits for the vessel and rules to ensure that effort is distributed across the fishery. Regional catch limits are applied to enable the collection of representative data across the fishery, and minimise any potential risk of localised stock depletion.
small-pelagics-assessment-2015.docx