East Coast whale entanglement mitigation

NSW commercial fish trap and spanner crab fishers are working with OceanWatch to reduce interactions between commercial fishing gear and Australia’s growing east coast Humpback Whale population.

Over the past three months, OceanWatch, with advice from NSW DPI Fisheries, has developed a gear survey. This will assess common fishing gear used in commercial fish trap and spanner crab fisheries to help identify any relationships between whale entanglement and fishing gear used in these fisheries.

OceanWatch has helped commercial fish trap and spanner crab fishers obtain permits to trial modified fishing gear. Permit holders are authorized to remove ropes and floats from the water to reduce the potential of entanglement with migratory whales, using techniques such as grappling and galvanic time release (GTR) to retrieve gear. These results are reported quarterly.

Additionally, 300 coils of 8mm and 40 coils of 7mm A grade negatively buoyant sink rope (NBR) is available for interested fishers to trial. NBR minimises slack rope in the water, which is helps reduce the potential for whale entanglement and its use is encouraged under the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery Code of Conduct.

Endorsed Ocean Trap and Line fishers who want to discuss the project or register interest in the trials (including required reporting) can contact Michael Wooden at OceanWatch michael@oceanwatch.org.au; 0422 618 248.

This project builds on the initial stages of the East Coast Whale Entanglement Mitigation project. It is funded by the Commonwealth and managed by the Professional Fisher’s Association (PFA).

The PFA supports this project and provide in kind contributions to benefit the commercial fishing industry. The project is also partially funded by the NSW Government under the Marine Estate Management Strategy.

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