The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and the Commonwealth fishing industry are working together to better protect seabirds. In this connection they have urged Australian trawlers to operate under Seabird Management Plans to minimize the risk to seabirds from fishing activities. AFMA said that the plans reduce the attractiveness of fishing boats to birds looking for food and seek to eliminate the risk of entanglement for birds that follow the boats.
Dr James Findlay, Chief Executive Officer, AFMA, said that they want to zero injuries and mortalities of seabirds in trawl fisheries. Simon Boag, Chief Executive Officer, South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association, informed that fishermen have a long history of caring for seabirds – it’s taboo to hurt one. He added that the vast majority of their fleet already has voluntary seabird management plans in place and 82 of our skippers have also completed formally accredited training to improve their environmental awareness and performance.
Marcia Valente, member of GABIA said “We want people to know that the Great Australian Bight Industry Association (GABIA) fishermen care for the environment and are stewards of the sea. She told that the Seabird Management Plans require fishers to minimise the amount of fish processing waste near fishing gear and use devices that protect seabirds from entanglement.
