The Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy (Bycatch Policy) is currently under review. The Australian Government is seeking public feedback on the policy. You can have your say here until 17 November 2023.
The Commonwealth’s Policy on Fisheries Bycatch (Bycatch Policy) provides a framework for managing fishing-related impacts to bycatch species in Commonwealth fisheries. This is done through mechanisms that reduce bycatch, improve mitigation measures for protected species and generally minimise impacts of fishing on the marine environment. Australia pursues bycatch management options that are practical, cost effective to apply and support environmental and fisheries legislative requirements.
History of the Bycatch Policy
The bycatch policy provides a framework for managing fishing-related impacts to bycatch species in Commonwealth fisheries. In November 2018, the revised Commonwealth Fisheries Bycatch Policy (the Bycatch Policy) was released.
The Bycatch Policy was last revised in 2018, drawing upon the outcomes of the Report on the review of the Commonwealth Policy on Fisheries Bycatch of May 2013 to ensure the Commonwealth’s approach to bycatch management continues to reflect international best practice.
Key revisions included:
- improved guidance on species classification and policy coverage for all species
- inclusion of a risk-based approach to monitoring, assessing and managing bycatch
- consideration of cumulative impacts on bycatch species
- inclusion of a performance monitoring and reporting framework.
The Bycatch Policy is supported by implementation guidelines which provide detailed practical guidance on the assessment and management of bycatch species across the diverse range of Commonwealth fisheries.
The 2018 Bycatch Policy requires that it be reviewed five years after commencement. A review of the policy is currently underway in 2023.
Download
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
Commonwealth Fisheries Bycatch Policy DOCX  |
21 | 696 KB |
Commonwealth Fisheries Bycatch Policy PDF  |
28 | 696 KB |
| Guidelines for the Implementation of the Commonwealth Fisheries Bycatch Policy DOCX |
50 | 956 KB |
| Guidelines for the Implementation of the Commonwealth Fisheries Bycatch Policy PDF |
56 | 956 KB |
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