Estimated Catch: 3030 tonnes (Patagonian toothfish) 448.9 tonnes (Mackerel icefish)

Stock Status of Target Species

Source: Patterson, H, Williams, A, Woodhams, J and Curtotti, R 2019, Fishery status reports 2019, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra. CC BY 4.0.

MANAGEMENT PLANS/ARRANGEMENTS

The Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery is managed in accordance with the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery Management Plan 2002 and the conservation measures mandated by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. All operations conducted in the fishery were compliant with the performance criteria outlined in the management plan. Four boats operated in the fishery during 2018-19. Three of these boats longlined and one boat both trawled and longlined. There were no changes to the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery Management Plan 2002 during the 2018-19 period.

ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE

Performance – status of fish stocks

In November 2018, the AFMA Commission set the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery total allowable catch at 3525 tonnes for Patagonian toothfish and 443 tonnes for Mackerel icefish for the 2018-19 fishing year. Commissioners recognised that the total allowable catch level had also been agreed to by the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (to which Australia is a member), and that this catch limit is not expected to unreasonably impact on long term sustainability of Patagonian toothfish stocks.

The Sub-Antarctic Resource Assessment Group and Sub-Antarctic Management Advisory Committee also supported the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery total allowable catches for the 2018-19 fishing year.

Performance – status of bycatch

Three ecological risk assessments were completed for the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery in 2018, using the ‘ecological risk assessment for effects of fishing' method. All three assessments showed improvements compared to the previous assessments in 2009. Only one component required further assessment – community – which was partially due to paucity of data on ecosystem impacts of fishing for toothfish. Ecosystem models of the region are currently being developed and will be used to assess the wider ecosystem effects of fishing in the future.

The core longline fishing season extends from 1 May to 14 September. Under trial, longlining was permitted from 1 April 2018 to 30 November 2018 for approved vessels. Strict rules are in place around interactions with seabirds during the autumn and spring extension periods, when seabird activity is known to increase around Heard Island and McDonald Islands. If three or more seabirds are caught and killed by fishing gear during the extension periods, that vessel can no longer fish by longline in the extension periods. No boat triggered this provision in 2018-19.

Bycatch is generally low in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery and catch limits were not exceeded in 2018-19.

EXTERNAL REVIEWS

Management of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery is reviewed internationally by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic and Marine Living Resources meet each year and, among other things, considers catch limits and bycatch management for the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery.

The Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery stock assessment for Patagonian toothfish is considered and endorsed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The management of the fishery is certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.