REPORT ON THE PRACTICALITIES OF THE EXISTING CCAMLR 5% BY-CATCH RULE AND THE 10% SMALL CHAMPSOCEPHALUS GUNNARI RULE IN STATISTICAL DIVISION 58.5.2 AND SUGGESTIONS FOR POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS

This paper describes difficulties encountered in the application of the 5% by-catch rule and 10% small fish rule included in some conservation measures applicable to trawl fisheries conducted by Australian vessels. It was found that the by-catch rules were frequently triggered by negigible catches of listed by-catch species. Suggestions are given for amendments to the rules to improve their practicality and enforceability.