The Albanese Labor Government is investing $3.9 million to help stop threatened and migratory species being caught as ‘bycatch’ in fishing gear in Australian waters.
The Bycatch Mitigation Program is providing grants between $50,000 and $500,000 to support new ways of avoiding protected species being harmed and killed by fishing gear and build on the sustainability of Australia’s fisheries.
Bycatch reduction technologies include things like ‘trap doors’ which allow turtles to swim free from fishing nets make significant improvements to the protection of marine wildlife.
Grants will also support new ways of using fishing gear and help to introduce new technologies to more boats.
Applications for the grants program are open until Monday 23 January 2023 for a range of eligible groups including fishing organisations, research providers and Indigenous organisations.
