A better way to fish: feasibility of alternative gears to reduce bycatch in inshore net fisheries

Bycatch reduction in the Queensland East Coast Inshore Finfish Fishery (ECIFF), especially of species of conservation interest (SOCI) species is a key industry and conservation priority. Sustainability concerns and conflict have driven recent regulatory changes that have diminished resource access and community trust of independent small scale commercial net fishers. Small scale commercial net fishers are interested in trialling new environmentally friendly fishing methods – tunnel nets or fish traps - that would replace existing mesh nets. This innovation aims to maintain harvest of target species, but significantly reduce interaction with and mortality of bycatch species including SOCI. However, gear feasibility and performance needs to be assessed. This investment will develop a Preliminary Feasibility Trial Implementation Plan, test tunnel nets and engage with the broader community resulting in community knowledge of, and support for the preliminary feasibility trials.