AFMA release annual report for 2014/15

Extracted from AFMA’s Annual Report 2011/15

The South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association has enjoyed a long and productive working relationship with AFMA. The Association represents the interests of over 35 fishers working in the South East Trawl sector of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, providing fresh local seafood for the people of Melbourne and Sydney.

The South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association is running a number of industry led projects aimed at reducing the impacts of the fishery on the marine environment. To aid the association in these projects, we have for the first time appointed one of our fisheries management officers, Andrew Trappett, as a liaison officer at the association’s office in the fishing port of Lakes Entrance, Victoria. Lakes Entrance is one of the busiest ports for Commonwealth commercial fishing boats in Australia.

Andrew has been working closely with industry members and using this experience to help design and implement two innovative online learning programs for trawl fishers on fisheries management and marine parks. Andrew has also been helping to conduct at-sea trials of new methods to further reduce seabird bycatch on trawlers.

Commonwealth fishers in Lakes Entrance have been really appreciative of AFMA maintaining an ongoing presence in the port. Expect to see and hear more from Andrew in the new year.