Management REPORT FOR THE SOUTHERN SQUID JIG FISHERY

Summary of priority issues for managing the ecological effects of fishing in the Southern Squid Jig Fishery Assessment of the Southern Squid Jig Fishery (SSJF) at Level 1 (SICA – Scale Intensity Consequence Analysis) resulted in no species (target, byproduct, bycatch or protected (TEP)) components, habitats or communities requiring assessment at Level 2 (PSA – Productivity Sustainability Analysis). All 5 ecological components were eliminated at Level 1 (SICA) for the internal fishing activities. Risk scores of 1 or 2 only were recorded. There were no hazards assessed to have a risk score of 3 or above for any of these internal fishing activities. A risk score of 3 or above would have resulted in the need for Level 2 (PSA) analysis. 216 threatened, endangered or protected species are theoretically found within the waters of the fishery. These include 3 species of sharks/rays, 83 species of seabirds, 50 species of marine mammals and 67 species of bony fish. None of these species were assessed as at risk from commercial fishing operations in the SSJF. But as part of AFMA’s Ecological Risk Management process, we will take all reasonable steps to minimise interactions with those protected (TEP) species which are thought to occur in the area of the fishery