NESP MaC Project 3.12 – Closing the gap in bycatch reporting and population assessment of sea snakes in Northern Australia, 2023-2026 (UA, AIMS)

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub study - Project 3.12 – Closing the gap in bycatch reporting and population assessment of sea snakes in Northern Australia". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. Venomous sea snakes comprise a significant component of the bycatch of coastal trawl and trap fisheries across northern Australia. Safety concerns and difficulties in species identification by crew members mean that most sea snake interactions are inaccurately reported. By partnering with commercial operators and fisheries agencies, this project will develop an observer program to train crew members, enabling: i) improved safety, accuracy, and consistency of sea snake bycatch reporting, ii) generation of broadscale data to assess species- and fisheries-specific population status for at least 20 species of sea snakes, two of which are EPBC-listed as critically endangered, and iii) the reduction in disparity between fishery and fishery independent reporting of sea snake bycatch. Planned Outputs • Spatial maps of species distribution [spatial dataset] • Key life history data (reproductive output, growth rates, population diversity and connectivity) [tabular dataset] • Training materials for sea snake identification, safe handling and bite first aid [written and visual material] • Final technical report with analysed data and a short summary of recommendations for policy makers of key findings [written]