SMART Drumline Catch Report

January 2020

Operation Summary

During January 2020, 10 SMART drumlines (SDL) were deployed during daylight hours for 24 days across the Gracetown SMART drumline fishing zone. Weather permitting, SMART drumlines are deployed and retrieved each day. However, adverse weather conditions prevented the setting of SDLs for seven days.

Catch Summary

During January 2020, no target species (white sharks) were caught. 

A total of 22 non-target sharks were caught, along with five other non-target species. All sharks and rays were tagged and released alive.

The pink snapper was found dead upon arrival. This fish was disposed of approximately two (2) kilometres from shore. 

There were four recaptures recorded, three Tiger Sharks and one Smooth Stingray. 

Full details are listed in the table below.

Other Comments

During January 2020 SMART buoys were activated 44 times, with an average response time of 10 minutes. The maximum response time of 30 minutes from alert via the SDL to arrival of the vessel at the SDL was not exceeded on any occasion.

Table 1. SMART drumline (SDL) target species catch details for January 2020.

*No target species caught

Table 2. SMART drumline (SDL) non-target species catch details for January 2020.