Summary
Pot-gear modifications or sea lion exclusion devices (SLEDs) were tested in the Australian West Coast rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) pot fishery to reduce bycatch of Australian sea lion (Neophoco cinerea) pups and juveniles. Although low levels of interactions in this preliminary study make testing the efficacy of the gear modification difficult, early tests indicate the SLEDs do not reduce rock lobster catch in shallow water. In deep water, redneck-batten and redneck-bolt pots reduced lobster catches but in fingerneck-bolt pots, there was no significant difference in catch from normal pots. Pot-gear modifications are mandatory in this fishery.