Reducing the capture of juvenile bream, luderick and sea mullet in NSW beach seine fisheries

Abstract

A two year field and laboratory based research project was undertaken to examine the NSW beach seine fisheries and provide solutions to reduce the capture and subsequent mortality of juvenile yellowfin bream ('Acanthopagrus australis'), luderick ('Girella tricuspidata') and sea mullet ('Mugil cephalus'). Experiments between November 2004 and August 2006, provided information on the (i) morphological relationships of key target species (to determine appropriate mesh sizes/shapes and/or configurations), (ii) catch data from conventional and modified beach seines, (iii) selectivity of conventional and modified beach seines and (iv) fate of a key species, after escape through a 102-mm beach seine. A preliminary examination provided information regarding the morphometric relationships of 8 key species targeted in NSW beach seines. The data provided predictions of appropriate mesh sizes and shapes, aimed at minimising bycatch, without affecting the catch success of the targeted species. The data were further used to determine the appropriateness of mesh sizes enforced in existing legislation. Results indicated that existing mesh sizes were too small to allow unwanted juveniles to escape.