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Problems caused by the Australian Fur Seal | FF0016 |
Ian Temby, Flora and Fauna Branch
September, 2003
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Problem
Taking bait or crayfish from craypots. Taking squid from commercial squid fishing operations.
Background
The Australian Fur Seal is common along parts of the Victorian coast, notably west of Warrnambool, near Westernport and Port Phillip Bays and near Mallacoota. Occasionally an individual seal learns that a ready source of food can be obtained by raiding craypots. Large numbers of pots may be raided in succession and some may be damaged in the process. Seals are intelligent animals and are likely to be very difficult to deter from this activity. Moreover, it is possible that other seals may learn by observation from the original pot-raider, thus compounding both the size of the problem and the difficulty of its resolution.
Fishing boats equipped for squid fishing are equipped with bright lights and squid jigs that are lowered to the seafloor and retrieved repeatedly all night. Seals often visit the boats and spend time catching fish attracted by the lights and loafing nearby. Some squid fishers complain that they do not catch squid when seals are in the area, and that seals take squid from the jigs and tangle or break the gear.
Careful observations over several nights at sea suggest that while seals may occasionally take a squid from the jigs, losses are insignificant and there is no justification for taking action against the seals. The presence of seals is not correlated with the frequency and number of squid being captured.
Solution
Substitution of mesh bait baskets with PVC pipe bait containers has been shown to reduce bait losses to seals, without reducing the catch of lobsters. Bait longevity may be reduced under some conditions. These containers are made from 75 mm diameter pipe sections about 100 mm long (Figure 1.).
Figure 1. PVC pipe bait container
The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
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