Measures of the value of commercial fishing, such as gross value of production (GVP) and net economic returns, are available for the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF). However, there is little information on the value of the same tuna and billfish stocks to recreational fishers and the value of gamefishing to the wider community. This information is becoming increasingly important to fishery management and policy that must consider the interests of all resource users. In particular, fishery policy and management must take into account economic and social values to resource users and the wider community.

The need for socioeconomic research is supported by Recfish Australia and the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC). The list of national recreational fisheries research priorities described in the Recfish Research Business Plan identifies social, health and economic benefits of recreational fishing as the first priority. FRDC recognised that there is limited knowledge of social effects on the fishing industry, including the recreational fishing sector, by setting up a Social Sciences Research Co-ordination Program.

Stakeholders constantly pressure the industry and government to prevent the indiscriminate deaths of seabirds & turtles in long-line fishing. Failure to solve this problem has resulted in fisheries closures , restrictions, operational and productivity impacts.

The tuna fishing industry still needs a seabird & turtle mitigation system that is proven to be simple, cost effective, and commercially available.

National plans of action and legislation require fishing to reduce and minimize impacts on threatened, endangered and protected species.

Historically new mitigation measures have required scientific testing, to show effectiveness, before implementation by agencies or acceptance by fishing industries.

Successful Smart Hook technology and working prototypes have progressed the Smart Hook System to a point where it needs to be tested biologically, in the commercial fishing & marine environment using scientific methods to provide creditable evidence of its effectiveness to stakeholders.

This project seeks to address some of the research priority needs of the ET&BF fishery including;

Research Priority 4

Assessment of the impact and/or reliance of the ETBF on the related pelagic ecosystem, including;

• development and evaluation of mitigation measures to reduce impacts, such as spatial closures and gear modifications and/or restrictions.

The following specific project has also been identified as having a High Priority for the delivery of key management information needs over the next 1-3 years in the ET&BF fishery.

• Development and evaluation of by-catch mitigation and discard minimization measures in the ETBF.