Call for Public Consultation
Pursuant to paragraph 22a of Conservation and Management Measure 03-2023 (Bottom Fishing), a Cumulative Bottom Fishery Impact Assessment for Australian and New Zealand bottom fisheries in the SPRFMO Convention Area 2023 has been submitted jointly by Australia and New Zealand to the Scientific Committee for consideration. Public comments were therefore invited no later than 18 August 2023. The result of the SC review will be made publicly available after the SC annual meeting.
Bottom Fishery Impact Assessment Standard
Download the current Bottom Fishery Impact Assessment Standard (2019)
The 7th meeting of the SPRFMO Scientific Committee (SC7) approved a new Bottom Fishery Impact Assessment Standard in October 2019. Prior to this, the 3rd Session of the Preparatory Conference had adopted the 2011 version of the Bottom Fishery Impact Assessment Standard in February 2012. Previous to this, assessments were evaluated by the Science Working Group in terms of the interim Benthic Assessment Framework and a Process for the Preparation and Evaluation of Benthic Assessments was adopted at the 4th meeting of the International Consultations.
CMM-03 requires Members and CNCPs to ensure that an assessment meeting the BFIA requirements is submitted to the Scientific Committee at least every 3 years, and also when a substantial change in the fishery has occurred, such that it is likely that the risk or impact of the fishery may have changed. In addition, CMM-03 requires that the Scientific Committee shall review the SPRFMO BFIA every 5 years, starting in 2025, to ensure that it reflects, as appropriate, best practice.
Bottom Fishery Impact Assessment
Download the current Bottom Fishery Impact Assessment (BFIAS, 2020)
Addendum to the Cumulative BFIA for Australian and New Zealand bottom fisheries in the SPRFMO Area (2021)
The 8th meeting of the Scientific Committee approved a cumulative Bottom Fishing Impact Assessment jointly presented by Australia and New Zealand (under the 2019 BFIAs): SC8-DW07_rev1 in October 2020. Prior to this there were separate Bottom Fishing Impact Assessments for New Zealand (2008), European Union (2008), and Australia (SWG-10-DW-01a and SWG-10-DW-01b).