Ocean Trawl Fishery observer survey

This program will help to inform key knowledge gaps around threats to protected and threatened species from NSW commercial fisheries.

What’s involved:

Scientific observers collect and analyse data gathered during commercial fishing operations. Current commercial fisheries involved include:

• Estuary General Fishery (EG)
• Ocean Trap and Line Fishery (OTL)

13 NSW OTL commercial fishers are testing new technology in day-to-day operations to assist a study investigating how to reduce whale entanglements in fishing gear.

DPI researchers are examining the impact of commercial fishing on all marine animals including threatened and protected species.

These projects will:

• address key knowledge gaps on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine wildlife
• give stakeholders greater scientific evidence to inform measures to support sustainable fishing
• test implementation of new technology.

• NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)

• NSW Commercial fishers
• Department of Planning and Environment - Environment, Energy and Science
• Professional Fishermen’s Association
• Oceanwatch Australia

• East Coast Whale Entanglement Mitigation Program Workshop final report
• NSW Estuary General Fishery Assessment 2017
• Summary of previous OTL observer program (PDF, 4007 KB)
• Assessment of the NSW Ocean Trap and Line Fishery