FED:Gillnet fishing bans to be extended in SA

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2011
FED:Gillnet fishing bans to be extended in SA

CANBERRA, April 27 AAP - Gillnet fishing bans are to be expanded off the South Australian
coast in a move to protect Australia's threatened species, particularly sea lions.

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority on Wednesday said it would extend existing
closures of gillnet fishing around 31 sea lion colonies from May 1.

It brings the total area of closures around 48 sea lion colonies off South Australia
to 18,500 square kilometres.

The authority said recent data showed a need to get tougher on management arrangements
to better protect animals like dolphins, seabirds and some shark species.

Under the changes, gillnet vessels operating in the open areas off South Australia
will also be monitored at all times by independent scientific observers and cameras.

It will allow for more accurate information on how fishers interact with, or impact
on, animal species.

Monitoring will also be increased to 10 per cent for other areas of the Gillnet, Hook
and Trap (GHAT) Sector beyond South Australia.

The federal government is providing $300,000 to install cameras on up to 10 vessels.

The authority's chief executive James Findlay said he understood the changes would
affect some gillnet fishing operators.

He has put in place a temporary order which will allow experienced gillnet fishers
to be allowed to use hook fishing methods instead.

AAP cj/ajw

KEYWORD: MARINE

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