Bycatch and discard issues remain a serious problem in the management of trawl fisheries around the world. The EU is currently investigating a revised fisheries policy to minimize/ban discards to minimise environmental impacts and to account for all fishing mortality within catch estimates. Many discarded fish are dead or die soon after being returned to the sea - a practice seen as wasteful and a potentially negative ecological impact.
Despite improved bycatch reduction introduced over the last decade, many Australian trawl fisheries continue to discard more than is retained. Despite discard rates for the main target species of the GABTS (Deepwater Flathead, Bight Redfish, Orange Roughy and Western Gemfish) being very low (<2% for DWF, BRF and OR and <10% for WGF), the bycatch of “other species” accounts for up to 50% of the total catch being discarded. GABIA and GABRAG have identified the potential of the GAB Trawl Sector to move towards becoming a ‘zero discards’ fishery. Although this may be the ultimate goal, they sought for this project to explore the maximum potential for bycatch utilisation through development of markets for human consumption of certain species and the potential conversion of all other bycatch species fish silage for use in food supplements, animal feed, nutraceuticals or fertilisers).
GABTF tralwers operate with low economic returns. Apart from the potential value of bycatch utilisation to increase their profitibility, it may also create additional market access for the fishery through demonstrated socially responsible fishing practices. An assessment of the feasibility of such an approach in the GAB Trawl fishery would represent a useful exploration of the potential of such an approach in other Australian trawl fisheries.
Final report
Fisheries bycatch reduction and utilisation is an important topic in the western world in both policy and research developments. At an international level, the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries directs management agencies and fisheries to reduce discards through development and implementation of technologies and operational methods, including reducing post-harvest losses and waste and improving the use of bycatch to the extent that this is consistent with responsible fisheries management practices. Australian management agencies and fisheries also seek to minimise bycatch in line with international guidelines, and specific domestic policies, objectives and community expectations.
Bycatch issues can be addressed by fishers (targeting practices), the supply chain (increased utilization) and by consumers (wider purchasing habits). There are a range of issues associated with these strategies, which may impact on the portfolio of approaches to minimise wastage. Here, we examine options to utilise fish that are currently discarded to both decrease wastage and increase profitability of the Great Australian Bight Trawl Sector (GABTS).
