The Southern and Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery Industry Code of Practice for Responsible Fishing

Ocean Watch Australia Ltd and the SeaNet environmental extension service have developed an Industry Code of Practice for the Southern and Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (SWTBF) in conjunction with the Western Australian Pelagic Longline Association (WAPLA). A species identification and handling guide has also been produced to accompany the Code. It is a formal response to the requirements placed on industry in both the By-catch Action Plan (BAP), and the Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) for seabirds. The Code of Practice sets out the principles and standards of behaviour for responsible fishing in the SWTBF. It is a demonstration of this fishery's long term commitment to ensuring the SWTBF is fished in a sustainable manner.

The Code of Practice is to be distributed with the assistance of AFMA through their logbook program. The main document is designed to be kept in the wheelhouse while the species identification and handling guides are printed on waterproof paper and have been designed to be able to stand deck conditions.

The Code has been designed to be implemented, not just distributed. In order to ensure it's credibility, industry members will be contacted to determine the up-take of the Code. The monitoring of the code will be conducted under an agreed process and industry members are asked to cooperate with any such survey.

A Code of Practice is a 'living document' that will be updated and altered as fishing practices and regulatory standards evolve in the industry. The code will remain current until 2005 when a review will be conducted to make appropriate changes. This Code is voluntary, however, parts of the Code have been taken from laws or regulations.

The SWTBF at a Glance

The SWTBF is a multi species and multi method fishery targeting tuna and tuna like species. The Southern and Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (SWTBF) encompasses the combined areas of the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (WTBF) and the Southern Tuna & Billfish Fishery (STBF). Currently there are 124 permits employing a variety of methods to target tuna and billfish including longline, purse seine and minor line depending on their specific permit entitlements.

Industry Development

• 900% increase in catch over 5 years (371t to 3,322t),
• 1200% increase in effort over 5 years (500k to 6,174k hooks),
• Australia's largest swordfish fishery (2,135t in 2001),
• SWTBF GVP on the order of $50 million in 2002.

Extent of the Fishery

• The WTBF extends westward from Cape York Peninsula (142°30'E) off Queensland to 34°S off the west coast of Western Australia, seaward of the 200m isobath.
• The STBF extends eastward from 34°S off the west coast of WA, across the Great Australian Bight to 141°E at the South Australian/Victorian border.

Target Species

• Species taken in the WTBF include; yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, broadbill swordfish and to a lesser extent albacore tuna, skipjack tuna and longtail tuna.
• Species taken in the STBF include; bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna and, to a lesser extent, albacore tuna.