National Science Week: Science in action
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) observer program collects scientific data by highly trained specialists while on board domestic, and if required, foreign vessels fishing within the Australian Fishing Zone and some adjacent high seas areas under international arrangements.
Observers are trained in specialised sampling techniques including the collection of otoliths (fish ear bones), biological samples such as the sex and length of a fish and environmental observations.
AFMA’s observers have extensive fishing industry experience as well as environmental science or management qualifications and provide high quality data on catch composition, fate of target and non-target species as well as interactions with threatened, endangered, and protected species.
The data collected is independent, reliable, and verified, and is used by AFMA’s fisheries managers, Australian and international research organisations, regional fisheries management organisations, environmental agencies, and the fishing industry to assist in setting total allowable catches for each quota species.
Euan Provost is one of AFMA’s most experienced observers, with a deep respect for the ocean and a long-held interest in marine science and the conservation of natural resources.
“I first became interested in environmental science and the impact of fishing when I was nineteen. While recovering from a sports injury I took up snorkelling and spearfishing as a form of rehab. It was a great year for inshore diving, and I had many fantastic dives where I gained a lot of respect for the ocean and the critters within.
“At a few of my dive sites I saw the impact of irresponsible fishers. I’d often finish dives with a collection of lures, sinkers, and coils of fishing line.
“One day while diving a break wall, I found a length of fishing line that I decided to clean up. I followed the line to the snag which was a beach sinker anchored in a rock crevice. I continued following the line to where a small wobbegong, who had swallowed the hook, lay upside down and motionless.
“I brought the fish to the surface and cut the line close to the mouth. I dropped the fish and to my surprise, as the fish fell to the bottom it righted itself and swam away. I knew then if I had not released this fish, it would have been killed.
“This helped me decide that I wanted to continue my education and find a job that keeps me connected to the ocean.”
Euan has achieved a Bachelor of Environmental Science with a fisheries and aquaculture major from Southern Cross University. He continued his education with additional study at the National Marine Science Centre, completing his honours which set him up to complete a PhD.
Euan joined AFMA’s observer program because he wanted a job that was hands on, challenging, and where he could work at sea. Throughout his time with AFMA, he has worked with many different fisheries and vessels, using a range of methods including demersal longline, trawl and trap.
Each day working at sea as an observer is different and Euan has had the opportunity to experience nature at its best.
“Each fishery has their own flow and patterns. For example, in the south east trawl fishery, I get up around sunset, talk to the skipper to collect data I may have missed during my break and make sure we are on the same page for trawl numbers.
“As fish come on board, I do wildlife abundance and interaction observations. Once the net is spilled, I inspect the catch for any target species for biological sampling and pull these aside.
“As the catch is being sorted, I start filling a fish bin for bycatch subsampling, which I continue to fill throughout the whole sorting processes so that the sample is representative.
“I aim to collect about twenty otoliths and two bins worth of fish lengths per trawl, but this can vary depending on what is landed and what targets are lacking.
“Next, I sort the bycatch sample, which I identify to species level and record the weight of each species. I enter the shot, catch, and biological data into a database while I wait for the next trawl to come up.
“The wildlife and the work environment are very special. I have experienced some amazing sunsets, as seals, dolphins and countless birds surround the boat.
“While doing some longlining we had a pod of orca following the vessel, that would come to the boat as soon as you started hauling the gear. The water was crystal clear, and you could watch them inspect the line for the fish they wanted, a bit like a sushi train.
“Seeing abnormally large specimens is always exciting. I’ve seen giant squids which were caught off the coast of Tasmania. To know these fish evaded capture to be able to grow to size is an impressive feat.”