Sampling bycatch in the Moreton Bay Prawn Trawl Fishery

We are doing the first dedicated bycatch sampling in Moreton Bay trawls in 20 years—and the first independent data collection since Bycatch Reduction Devices became mandatory—aiming to collect empirical data on current fishing practices and bycatch composition

A key aim is to foster collaboration among commercial fishers, industry representatives, researchers, and managers. By doing so, the project aims to raise awareness about problematic bycatch species (e.g., sea snakes, sharks, rays) and gain insights into when, where, and why they are prevalent. The project also seeks to identify and document existing bycatch reduction strategies employed by fishers, such as innovative configurations of Bycatch Reduction Devices and other nuanced and unrecorded operational tactics that could further reduce interactions with threatened or protected species.

Managent of Moreton Bay presents challenges due to its unique ecology, high population density, and diverse stakeholders. Bottom trawl gear type can produce severe environmental impacts, including damage to the seabed and high rates of bycatch (non-target and discarded catch), sometimes as high as five times the volume of landed catch. This can include species of conservation concern such as rays, sharks, sawfish, and sea snakes. Bycatch is a financial, environmental, and social problem; it reduces the efficiency of the fishing operations, threatens biodiversity, and creates a negative public perception of the fishery.

Historically, “silver bullet” solutions to bycatch problems that are implemented across the industry have yielded limited success, largely due to the distinct bycatch profiles and variable fishing practices in different trawl regions. For instance, anecdotal evidence suggests the Moreton Bay catch profile significantly differs from that of larger vessels operating outside the bay. For instance, there are likely more small stingrays caught inside the bay compared to larger individuals in deeper water. Unfortunately, dedicated bycatch surveys are scarce, leaving a gap in understanding of the evolving ecology of Moreton Bay and the characteristics of the trawl fishery.