Understanding and Mitigating Depredation in Queensland Rod and Reel Line Fisheries

Depredation is reported to be a significant issue faced by both recreational and commercial fisheries worldwide, impacting upon fishers using net, line, trawl and trap fishing methods. The term ‘depredation’ involves the partial or complete removal of bait, or where an organism captured by the fishing gear is partially or fully consumed by another organism before fishers can retrieve it. Depredation has been documented to be caused by a variety of marine predators, including sharks, cetaceans, pinnipeds, teleosts,