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Long-term trends and a risk analysis of cetacean entanglements and bycatch in fisheries gear in Australian waters

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Abstract

Assessments of fisheries interactions with non-target species are crucial for quantifying anthropogenic threatening processes and informing management action. We perform the first multi-jurisdictional analysis of spatial and temporal trends, data gaps and risk assessment of cetacean interactions with fisheries gear for the entire Australian Exclusive Economic Zone. Bycatch and entanglement records dating from 1887 to 2016 were collected from across Australia (n = 1987). Since 2000 there has been a substantial increase in reported bycatch and entanglements and this is likely the result of improved monitoring or recording by some jurisdictions and fisheries as well as changing fishing effort, combined with continuing recovery of baleen whale populations after cessation of commercial whaling. A minimum of 27 cetacean species were recorded entangled, with over 30% of records involving interactions with threatened, vulnerable or endangered species. Three times the number of dolphins and toothed whales were recorded entangled compared to baleen whales. Inshore dolphins were assessed as most vulnerable to population decline as a result of entanglements, though humpback whales, common bottlenose dolphins, and short-beaked common dolphins were the most frequently caught. Only one-quarter of animals were reported to have survived entanglement, either through intervention or self-release from fishing gear. Spatial mapping of the records highlighted entanglement hotspots along the east and west coast of the continent, regions where high human population density, high fishing effort, and high density of migrating humpback whales all occur, augmented by high captures of dolphins in shark control gear along the east coast. Areas of few entanglements were more remote, highlighting substantial bias in entanglement reporting. Our gap analysis identified discrepancies in data quality and recording consistency both within and between jurisdictions. Disparities in the types of fisheries data provided for the analysis by different state agencies limited our ability to compile bycatch data in a representative and systematic way. This research highlights the need for improved standardised data recording and reporting by all agencies, and compulsory sharing of detailed fisheries interaction and effort data, as this would increase the value of entanglement and bycatch data as a conservation and management tool.

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Acknowledgements

Funding was provided by the Department of Environment and Energy (DEE). Some spatial information was generously supplied by from our colleagues at AFMA, DOF, DPaW, AAD, DPIPWE (TAS), NSW OEH, DPWS (NSW), NSW DPI, NT Govt, DELWP (VIC), DSE (VIC), DAF, DBCA (WA), South Australian Museum and IWC. We appreciate comments from FRDC and DEE on this manuscript. All agencies thank staff in the departments of environment and fisheries, and the public for reporting events and collecting carcasses. Collection managers from all agencies are thanked for their part in maintaining the collections and databases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Predator Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Vivitskaia Tulloch, Vanessa Pirotta & Robert Harcourt

  2. Department of Forest and Conservation Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Vivitskaia Tulloch

  3. Department of Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Alana Grech

  4. ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia

    Alana Grech

  5. Biodiversity and Wildlife Unit, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Office of Environment and Heritage, Coffs Harbour, Australia

    Susan Crocetti

  6. Australian Antarctic Division, Australian Marine Mammal Centre, 203 Channel Hwy, Kingston, TAS, Australia

    Michael Double

  7. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA, Australia

    Jason How

  8. South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia

    Catherine Kemper

  9. Queensland Department of Environment and Science, GPO Box 2454, Dutton Park, QLD, 4001, Australia

    Justin Meager

  10. New South Wales Department of Industries, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, Australia

    Victor Peddemors

  11. Marine Science Program, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, Australia

    Kelly Waples

  12. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, PO Box 500, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Mandy Watson

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  1. Vivitskaia Tulloch
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  2. Vanessa Pirotta
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Correspondence to Vivitskaia Tulloch.

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Communicated by David L. Hawksworth.

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Tulloch, V., Pirotta, V., Grech, A. et al. Long-term trends and a risk analysis of cetacean entanglements and bycatch in fisheries gear in Australian waters. Biodivers Conserv 29, 251–282 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01881-x

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