Technologies to reduce seal-fisheries interactions and mortalities

Authors:

Stewardson, C.L. and M.W. Cawthorn

Year:

2004

Journal/Publisher Name:

pp. 81-95 (+ Appendix pp. 96-99), In Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Bureau of Rural Sciences: Final Report of the Special SESSFEAG Meeting: Reducing Seal Interactions and Mortalities in the South East Trawl Fishery, 20-21 November 2003, Can

http://affashop.gov.au/PdfFiles/13234_discussion_paper_bycatch_tecnnologies.pdf

Acoustic Harassment Devices were not found to be effective in deterring New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) from mid-water trawls in the New Zealand hoki fishery. Sea Lion Escape Devices are undergoing testing in New Zealand??˙s hoki trawl fishery (for fur seals) and the squid trawl fishery (for Hookers??˙s sea lion). Preliminary results indicate squid and fish loss via the escape hatch was minimal; in the hoki fishery, fish loss was confined to fast swimming species, including jack mackerel and warehou.
Field Studies:

Location	Fishing gear	Reduction technique	Bycatch species	Effect on bycatch species	Catch	Effect on target catch	Type
New Zealand	Trawls	Acoustic harassment devices	Pinnipeds	Did not deter fur seals	Hoki		In the wild
New Zealand	Trawls	Excluder devices	Pinnipeds		Hoki	Preliminary tests indicate minimial loss	In the wild