2nd generation seabird management
South East Trawl vessels managing offal to reduce their attractiveness to seabirds but also use pinkies (buoys) to physically deflect seabirds away from warps (cables used to tow nets). Both are part of what is known as a Seabird Management Plan (SMP). Operating to an approved SMP is now a condition on the fishing permit […]
Trawl crew up-skill for the environment
Funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, SETFIA, in partnership with Fishwell Consulting and the South East Australian Maritime Education Centre has run a nationally accredited training course called Improved Environmental Work Practices. The courses were run in early 2011. A steering committee including a representative from the Australian Marine Conservation Society set the […]
New technology aims to save seals
A new project aims to reduce seal interactions by shortening trawl fishing nets. SETFIA has established a project steering committee with representatives from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), SETFIA, Fishwell Consulting and the Phillip Island Nature Parks. The project is supported by AFMA through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative […]
Trawl fishermen win training award
SETFIA and the South East Maritime Education Centre (SEAMEC) have won the Seafood Industry Victoria’s Seafood Industry Training Award for 2011. The award is recognition of the Improved Environmental Operations course completed by 82 South East Trawl fishermen. The award was presented to Richard Owen, SEAMEC’s General Manager and Simon Boag, SETFIA’s CEO by Victoria’s […]
Seabird management plans
SETFIA has supported the progression of an additional condition to the trawl fishing license. The new condition states that all trawl vessels must have, and work to, an approved seabird management plan (SMP). This new condition is effective from November 1 2012 this year. From that time South East Trawl vessels must work to approved […]
CO2 emissions already lowered
Diesel costs for the South East Trawl fleet are in the order of 20-25% of total operating costs. Diesel prices have been rising steadily for some years and as such the industry has been strongly incentivised to reduce fuel use for some time. An FRDC report about alternate fuels for fishing vessels found that although […]
Seals safe this grenadier season
Seals are attracted to fishing vessels by the promise of an easy feed, they often chase fish in trawl nets. Unfortunately, some seals become disorientated in trawls and drown. Freezer vessels are boats that freeze fish at sea rather than bring fish home fresh. Around half of the South East Trawl blue grenadier catch is […]
What’s a WTO?
The EPBC Act (1999) states that in order to export fish a fishery must be accredited. This can take the form of an exemption or a Wildlife Trade Operation (“WTO”). A WTO is made through an instrument signed by the Minister for the Environment. The Minister can grant a WTO for up to three years […]
Aerial surveillance
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) regularly runs surveillance flights over trawl vessels to ensure that vessels were complying with their seabird management plans (SMP’s). In May 2012 two vessels were ordered back to port. The Association fully supports seabird management plans and will continue to work with member and non-member vessels to ensure they […]
Seafood contributes to Australia’s food security
Fears of a food crisis and violence were re-ignited internationally in August 2010 when the worst drought in 100 years destroyed a third of Russia’s grain crop, prompting the government to ban wheat exports. This move to protect domestic supplies and keep prices low encouraged the Ukraine and Kazakhstan to follow suit. Subsequently, typhoons hit […]