Assessment of seal-fishery interactions in the winter blue grenadier fishery off west Tasmania and the development of fishing practices and Seal Exclusion Devices to mitigate seal bycatch by factory trawlers

Several designs of seal exclusion devices (SEDs) were tested to reduce bycatch of Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) in the winter blue grenadier (Macruronus novaezelandiae) trawl fishery. A 'top-hatch' SED, or one with a top-mounted escape hatch, resulted in the lowest occurrence of seal bycatch than any other SED design or than nets without a SED. The SED prevented entry into the net codend where drownings occurred. SEDs also successfully expelled seals and limited access into the net via the escape hatch. Cameras are needed to verify the results.