Although each year millions of dollars are spent observing bycatch and assessing bycatch mitigation across Australian Commonwealth fisheries, there currently is no comprehensive analysis of observer data. For example, AFMA’s observer section compiles reports on seabird Threat Abatement Programs (TAP) containing summaries for numbers of birds caught, effort, and catch rates. While these statistics satisfy TAP reporting requirements, they nonetheless lack analysis of variation in catch rates over time, space, and among vessels. Hence understanding of why mitigation methods may or may not be working is hampered, ultimately to the detriment of industry. Also, recent analyses of observer data [1] have demonstrated a potential for predictive models based on fishing methods and oceanographic conditions to support management strategies minimising discard mortality and bycatch. Unfortunately such analyses are beyond the current scope of AFMA’s observer section, and a need exists for managers to receive and respond to information coming from observer programs in a timely manner. The need for streamlined analyses of observer data is not limited to bycatch issues alone, but extends to various management and research areas including ecological risk assessments for judging ecological sustainability, and stock assessments requiring observer data to develop calibrated analyses of standardized catch per unit effort.

A second major driver for the proposed work lies in the observation that while most fishery stakeholders agree on the need for observer programs, disagreement exists on appropriate levels of observer effort. NGO’s cite literature from within the NGO community [2] that coverage levels exceeding 50% are required to rigorously estimate bycatch, while the fishing industry argues that the capacity to pay limits what is possible. Clearly this isn’t a case of “one-size-fits-all”, and decisions on levels of observer coverage need to be framed against an array of what will sometimes be competing management objectives. We contend that this debate will benefit from a more rigorous statistical approach. Ultimately, managers require an adaptive approach that is both practical and transparent to the trade-offs involved.

This proposal addresses the needs outlined above by developing analytical and adaptive frameworks to infuse analyses of AFMA observer data into areas critical to Australian fisheries management, and supporting effective apportionment of observer effort.

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[1] Dambacher, J.M., T.A. Patterson, J.S. Gunn, and T.I. Carter. 2003. Southern bluefin tuna by-catch in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery. Confidential Final Report-Project No. R00/1126. CSIRO Marine Research. Hobart.

[2] Babcock, E.A., E.K. Pikitch, and C.G. Hudson. 2003. How much observer coverage is enough to adequately estimate bycatch? Oceana, Washington DC, http://www.oceana.org/uploads/BabcockPikitchGray2003FinalReport.pdf.