SeaNet Western Australia
New to the SeaNet team, Jay Shoesmith, is presently generating and looking for new project ideas on issues such as:
- Bycatch reduction;
- Minimizing the spread of introduced marine pests;
- Abating interactions with Threatened Endangered and Protected species (TEPs);
- Devising fishery specific Environmental Management Systems and Codes of Practice;
- Promoting positive environmental actions taken by Western Australian commercial fishers;
- Community engagement; and
- Building links with researchers.
For more information Jay can be contacted on 0401838436 or jay@oceanwatch.org.au
Current Projects:
Mitigating bycatch in the Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Fishery
Trials are soon to commence investigating the effectiveness of using electromagnetic devices to reduce bycatch in the Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Fishery (KGBF). Fishermen plan to conduct spatial and temporal fishing comparisons over a KGBF fishing season, quantifying a reduction in interactions with unwanted species. The type of deterrent used has proved to be effective in the WA abalone fishery, when attached to tuna sea-cages in South Australia and when attached to cod ends in the Queensland Northern Prawn Fishery. Whilst this technology has yet to be trailed in a set net fishery the potential benefits are positive given previous successes.
As a result of initiating a baseline study, professional fishermen are able to develop a risk based management plan.
The subsequent implementation of a code of practice outlining best fishing practices will provide a measure of effectiveness with respect to voluntary management arrangements and highlight the sustainability of this fishery.
South Coast Estuarine Fishery Bycatch Initiative
The professional fishermen of the South Coast Estuarine Fishery (SCEF) approached the WA SeaNet Extension Officer, expressing concerns regarding a bycatch issue in their fishery.Â
During normal fishing operations undersized fish are occasionally gilled in the nets. Estuarine species are quite resilient often surviving interactions with fishing gear and are subsequently released by fishermen. However, fishing activities attract pelicans which prey upon the released fish before they have the opportunity to escape.
The SeaNet Extension Officer in collaboration with members from the South Coast Estuarine Fishery have developed a bycatch reduction device (BRD) called the Fishute which has been successfully trialled in the fishery, allowing undersized fish to be released below the waterline, offering protection from predation by pelicans.
The BRD design is essentially a concertina style ‘Shute’ that attaches to the side of the vessel and extends below the waterline. The terminal end of the device is weighted to ensure it remains submerged and plastic discs mimicking pelican eyes are attached to act as a deterrent.
Undersize fish are placed into the Fishute and travel below the water line where they’re protected by the mesh of the Fishute. Once the fish become orientated they swim downwards and avoid predation. The Fishute provides fishermen with the ability to release undersized fish back to the water safely and avoid detection by seabirds such as pelicans.
Quantifying the Population Structure of the Flesh-footed Shearwater colony of Breaksea Island, Albany.
During March and April Flesh-footed Shearwaters are known to interact with the South Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery (SCPSMF), because Shearwaters breed on nearby islands, seabird interaction are an inherent part of the fishery.
The professional fishermen of the SCPSMF have been working with the Conservation Council of WA, the West Australian Fishing Industry Council and SeaNet to develop a comprehensive by-catch 
management strategy to reduce and prevent the incidental catch of seabirds.
More recently fishermen have undertaken a long-term study of Flesh-footed Shearwaters breeding in King George Sound to better understand the magnitude of local populations, and the impact of by-catch upon them. Whilst there are any number of factors external to the fishery that affect seabird populations fishermen are keen to ensure that the impact of by-catch is not detrimental to the survival of local colonies.
Thanks to the support from the professional fishermen, researcher Chris Powell and volunteers a mark/recapture study was initiated on Breaksea Island. To date over 500 shearwaters have been banded, weighed, measured and released at the point of capture.
The tremendous initiative exhibited by the professional fishermen of the SCPSMF has allowed researchers to establish plots and transects identifying shearwater breeding territory and estimate of population structure of Shearwaters on Breaksea Island. The project has also fostered partnerships between agencies and local community groups.
Previous Projects:
- The Southern and Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery Industry Code of Practice for Responsible Fishing
- EMS/ESD Brochure for the Commercial Seafood Industry
- Western Rock Lobster Code of Practice for Reducing Whale Entanglements
- Western Rock Lobster Code of Practice for Reducing Whale Entanglements DVD
- Marine Debris: Cleanups complete – Dirk Hartog Island (DHI) (DOF and Minister for Fisheries Reward and recognition Program Community Stewardship Award) DHI 2007 planned revisit with award cash prize, Corronation – Bowes River 06, Cape to Cape 06,
- South Coast Purse Seine Managed fishery: Code of Practice – Deck Manual for dealing with protected species interactions, Operational Code
- IDU Project – Protected species in the SCPSMF
- Lake Argyle Trap Development project
SeaNet Western Australia is proudly hosted by the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) and supported by Western Australia Department of Fisheries.
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