Australia needs to update its Benthic Fishing Impact Assessment (BFIA, https://www.apsoi.org/bf-impact) for the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA), to protect the interests of the members of the Southern Ocean IPA (SO-IPA) with respect to fishing by other nations on the population of Heard Island Patagonian toothfish that extends into the SIOFA Area on William's Ridge. According to the rules of SIOFA, the BFIA must be updated in order for Australia to be permitted to fish this area. Austral Fisheries, as part of this project, will also take the opportunity to further update the BFIA so that the company can be permitted to fish with traps to target lobster (e.g. Jasus paulensis and Palinurus delagoae) in the SIOFA Area. This work entails an updated estimation of the Australian fishing footprint and the risk of direct impacts by planned bottom fishing on VMEs.
The proponents have consulted with AFMA and the Department of Agriculture, and both agencies agree that this project is a priority for delivering the Australian Government Toothfish Strategy.
This EoI meets the objectives of the SO-IPA :
4.1.a: ensuring the Australian Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic fisheries are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis;
4.1.b: investing in targeted RD&E activities that address the following issues:
i: Sustainable development of the fishery and industry;
ii. Security of resource access and property rights;
viii. Australian participation/involvement with international arrangements for resources conservation and management;
ix. Improved biological and ecological understanding of the main target fish species; and
xi. Identify areas of the Australian Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic fisheries where innovation can make significant positive impacts (e.g. new assessment methods).
It also meets the SO-IPA Strategic RD&E investment priority areas:
2. Spatial stock structure and movement dynamics for key species;
5. Assess and determine a wide range of ecological impacts;
11. Improving efficiencies in assessment methodologies and fisheries management taking into account both national and international aspects of the Kerguelen Plateau region;
12. Scope the research, exploration and development of new fisheries.
Final report
- A small amount of fishing effort which had not been included in the original footprint presented to SIOFA (Williams et al. 2011; Delegation of Australia 2018); and
- Updated bathymetric data for the entire SIOFA area.
In addition, an assessment was conducted of Australia’s intention to undertake fishing using integrated weight longline to target Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) on William’s Ridge, according to SIOFA CMM 2019/05, and potting for Spiny Lobsters (Palinurus spp. and Jasus paulensis) within its historical fishing footprint from 2020/21.
The status and impact of the proposed longline and potting activities on target species (Patagonian Toothfish and Spiny Lobsters), bycatch species and VMEs was assessed. The report recommends monitoring of target, bycatch and VME species, including the collection of biological data and deployment of cameras on longlines and pots, and mitigation measures such as pot limits and move-on rules to avoid high bycatch and VME interaction rates.
Based on the current monitoring, mitigation and management arrangements, including effort limitation under CMM 2019/05 and those recommended here, the residual risk of the proposed Australian fishing activities in the SIOFA area causing or contributing to Significant Adverse Impacts (SAI) to stocks of Patagonian Toothfish, Spiny Lobsters, associated bycatch species or VME was considered to be low.
