Mitigation of incidental mortality of Australian sea lions in the west coast rock lobster fishery

Authors
Campbell, R.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Draft SLED report for RLIAC
Volume (Issue #)
https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00155
Summary

Pot-gear modifications or sea lion exclusion devices (SLEDs) were tested in the Australian West Coast rock lobster pot fishery to reduce bycatch of Australian sea lion pups and juveniles. Although low levels of interactions in this preliminary study make testing the efficacy of the gear modification difficult, early tests indicate the SLEDs do not reduce rock lobster catch in shallow water. In deep water, redneck-batten and redneck-bolt pots reduced lobster catches but in fingerneck-bolt pots, there was no significant difference in catch from normal pots. Pot-gear modifications are mandatory in this fishery.