Northern Australia's waters are inhabited by over 20 species of sea snakes. All are classified as protected marine species and 2 species are critically endangered.
Sea snake numbers are declining, but we are unsure why. What we do know is that they are often caught as 'bycatch'. This means they are accidentally caught when fishers are trying to catch other species.
Fishers must record all interactions with sea snakes in a logbook. However, quick removal of the venomous reptiles safely often takes priority over recording sea snake data.
Case study
Researchers from the Marine and Coastal Hub worked with fishing crews to make data collection on sea snakes easier.
Training crew members to safely handle sea snakes and gather samples and data had led to more crew observations being recorded.
Crew members gathered data for the first round of research in Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf. The new program resulted in 1000 photograph-verified species records.
The project has improved the consistency and accuracy of reporting. The research gathered by fishing crews has informed sea snake population assessments. It has also provided information on the number and outcomes of sea snake interactions with fishers. Better handling practices, developed through training, are also helping reduce bycatch mortality.
