Pots can be used to catch finfish species that live on or near the sea floor.
Species targeted
In the Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery pots have been used to target toothfish.
How traps work
Pots are weighted at the bottom so when set, they land on the sea floor the correct way up. Pots are baited so fish will be attracted to the scent of the bait and swim through the entrance. The pots are designed in a way so that fish cannot escape once inside.
When set, pots are connected to a downline which is bridled at the end and attached to the pot at opposite ends. The downline is connected to a buoy on the surface which allows fishers to locate the traps.
Environmental impacts and management
Fish pots have a minimal impact on the marine environment, with low levels of bycatch and interactions with protected species being rare. Fish which have been caught in pots are often alive and in good health when they reach the surface, which greatly increases post capture survivability.