Factory trawler banned after albatross deaths

The controversial factory fishing ship Geelong Star has been subjected to a short-lived ban from fishing — again — following the death of a higher than expected number of endangered albatross from its last fishing trip in the Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF).

Following advice from seabird experts, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has now mandated additional mitigation measures that the Geelong Star must follow to reduce the risk of seabird interactions. These are now in place as part of the vessel management plan and the Geelong Star has recommenced fishing in the SPF.

After investigating the recent albatross mortalities, AFMA has implemented conditions specifically related to the use of the ‘net sonde cable’ (also known as the third wire).

Based on advice from seabird experts on world’s best practice mitigation for the net sonde cable, the amount of wire that is in the air has now been significantly reduced. The remaining length of wire that is in the air must have highly visible ‘tori lines’ (also known as streamer lines) either side of the cable. These measures are in addition to all existing seabird mitigation measures in place.

AFMA also requires the vessel to stop fishing immediately if a single seabird is killed by the net sonde cable until AFMA has reviewed how the interaction occurred.

AFMA’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nick Rayns said that the Authority will continue to monitor the fishing operations of the Geelong Star with onboard observers and electronic monitoring to ensure that all conditions are being complied with.

"All fishing poses risks that can sometimes lead to the unintentional harm to protected species," Dr Rayns said. "However, good fisheries management needs effective measures in place to minimise interactions with protected species.

"AFMA will continue to monitor the operations of the Geelong Star and work with Seafish Tasmania to minimise future interactions with protected species."

GEELONG STAR SHAME
Unfortunately, AFMA's management of this cowboy factory ship appears to be purely reactionary. The deaths of the listed vulnerable shy albatross, a seabird that mates for life, follow fishing bans on the factory trawler after shocking dolphin and seal deaths last year.

The deaths and by-catch have caused great angst among environmental, science and fishing groups, with public sentiment firmly against the factory ship.

As we revealed previously, the Geelong Star was formerly the Dutch-managed

"AFMA has investigated the likely cause of the albatross mortalities and is working with the vessel operator and seabird experts to minimise any future albatross interactions.

"AFMA must be satisfied with the additional mitigation measures before fishing can recommence.

"An AFMA observer and an electronic monitoring system will continue to monitor the vessel’s fishing operations, providing 24/7 monitoring coverage for the vessel."

The albatross deaths follow unfortunate mammal killings of dolphins and seals, fishing near recreational boats before fishing tournaments, and targeted fishing along the popular NSW Far South Coast.

The latest seabird deaths add to the public's already poor perception of the factory ship, with social-media campaigns and MPs calling on the ship, which has brought Geelong's name into disrepute, to be banned from Australian waters for good.

Last year, Seafish Tasmania pleaded guilty to a number of serious pollution breaches in Tasmania and one marine scientist resigned from an advisory board for the small pelagic fishery due to what she considered undue influence from Seafish's Gerry Green after other advisory board members sold their fisheries shares to him.

Renamed the Geelong Star, the Dutch-managed factory ship was approved by the Abbott Government to catch 7.5 per cent or 16.5 million kilos of small pelagic fish on a large swathe of the Eastern Seaboard. As it now floats, the Geelong Star may well be the most hated ship in Australian Waters since World War II.