There is general agreement between government, environment groups, researchers and various industry groups that interactions between users of the marine environment and large marine animals are already a problem, and that interactions are likely to increase as populations of marine mammals recover and industries further develop. There is considerable public concern about such interactions, both nationally and internationally, as recent incidents have demonstrated. There is a growing interest from consumers in buying “clean and green” seafood, and in “ecotourism”. The problems have been well documented; however, there has been less focus on solutions. The most effective way to deal with the problems is to summarise existing information, identify the most pressing issues (including scientific, conservation and industry perspectives), and determine the status of efforts to resolve these issues. The next step is to select key issues to workshop. The workshop is needed to develop solutions and suggest policies which will prevent interactions from occurring in the first place if possible, and minimise harm. Where interactions cannot be prevented, innovative technologies should be identified that may minimise impact. The discussion paper will inform the workshop. Both the discussion paper and the workshop are expected to provide data for the development of appropriate government policies.

The need for this project was identified through the ESD/EA Risk Assessment workshops held for the Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf trawl fisheries in May and October 2001. Research is required to provide baseline data on biodiversity on and off the trawl habitats in Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf to allow an assessment of the effects of trawling on bycatch and to set up reference sites for long-term monitoring of the environmental impact of trawling. The study will examine seasonal variation in biodiversity and efficiency in capture of bycatch species to provide a rigorous scientific basis for determining references sites in other fisheries. Understanding seasonal variability will allow the selection of the appropriate timing of long-term monitoring. Depletion experiments will ensure that bycatch catch per unit effort is related to actual abundance. The sampling undertaken in Shark Bay will cover both prawn and scallop ESD requirements to enable similar reference sites to be established in all WA trawl fisheries. Bycatch issues in the Shark Bay and Exmouth fisheries were identified as a moderate risk through an Ecological Risk Assessment workshop. There is a need for a better understanding of the faunal composition and habitat preferences of bycatch species in both trawled and untrawled areas will aid in determining the most appropriate level of risk to bycatch species. This may allow management strategies to be developed to ameliorate any detrimental impacts on those species that are found to be highly vulnerable to trawl impacts. This information will also enable the Department of Fisheries and industry to effectively respond to information required by Environment Australia on the risk level, objectives, performance indicators and management responses for each issue in order to continue to provide quality and highly valued seafood to both export and local markets. It will also provide a basis to answer queries from conservation and community groups.