SMART Drumline Catch Report

August 2020 

Operation Summary

During August 2020, 10 SMART drumlines (SDL) were deployed during daylight hours for 15 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 16 days.

Catch Summary

During August 2020, no target species (white sharks) were caught. Only two non-target sharks were caught. These two shark records are likely to be the same shark based on accounts by the crew. However, as this cannot be definitely confirmed as the shark “spat” the hook prior to being brought alongside the vessel, they are classed as two captures. 

Full details are listed in the table below.

Other Comments

During August 2020 SMART buoys were activated 16 times, with an average response time of 8 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 AUGUST 2020.

*No target species caught

TABLE 2. SMART DRUMLINE (SDL) NON-TARGET SPECIES CATCH DETAILS FOR AUGUST 2020.