Robert Ferguson
DEH - Sustainable Fisheries Section

Email sustainablefisheries@deh.gov.au

OCEAN TRAP AND LINE FISHERY

Dear Mr Ferguson

Our Association urges the government to require a Species Impact Statement for the effects of this fishery on the Grey Nurse Shark and to implement sanctuary zones around known habitat areas of this shark species. Waters off our coast have several important habitat zones for this species.

Sharks of all kinds are slow reproducers and many species are already under great threat from illegal fishing for shark fin. Even southern species are being harvested in what appears to be excessive numbers, especially when the recreational catch is taken into account. It is also important to consider the recreational catch when determining what catch limits should be put on other fish species such as snapper. It is essential that the trap and line fishery does not make the pressure on these fish unsustainable.

We would also like to see a concerted effort to reduce debris from these commercial operations. Given the relatively small number of fishers in this industry the proportion of debris that they generate is considerable and is very harmful to many non-target marine species.

Some long line fishers are making an effort to reduce their impact on seabirds. This should be a requirement of the trap and line fishery as well.

Jenny Edwards
Secretary