Black Marlin

MANAGEMENT

Prior to the declaration of the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) in 1979, the only restrictions on the Japanese longline fleet in east Australian waters north of 35^oS were within 12nm of the coast. Since the declaration of the AFZ, access restrictions in waters east of 140^oE have reduced the area available to longlining by 25%. Two of the major closures and a voluntary release agreement were directed specifically at reducing the catch of black marlin by the longline fleet which was perceived as a threat to the maintenance of a viable recreational fishery.

Closures

1980/81: A handline only area was established off north Queensland to limit the Japanese longline effort and catch of black marlin. This area lay between 12^oS and 19^oS in the Coral Sea covering the historical centre of the Japanese longline fishery. Fishing was permitted only with the use of handlines. Limited access was later permitted to small-scale domestic longliners. The handline fishery, which is coincident with the black marlin season, targets yellowfin and bigeye tuna and has a negligible marlin catch. Longline fishing was also excluded from within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park boundaries (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Sequence of management measures imposed on the Japanese longline fleet 1980-1991.

1986/87: Japanese agreed to release all black and blue marlin alive at capture in all AFZ areas. This arrangement was not a condition of license and therefore not enforceable by Australian agencies.

1990/91: The handline only area was extended south and east to include waters of the Townsville Trough where most of the black marlin catch was taken following closure of the Queensland Trough.

web@aims.gov.au
Last updated - 28 October 98

Copyright ©1996-1998 Australian Institute of Marine Science

URL http://www.aims.gov.au