Simon Walsh has worked on the Cape Byron Humpback Research Project since 1996 as a volunteer, NPWS representative and team leader. He is also experienced with sea turtles through four seasons field work with the Queensland Turtle Research program, involving both nesting studies and turtle 'rodeo' in the feeding grounds.

Previously employed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service as a Ranger, Simon now works for NSW Fisheries on the establishment of major fish habitat rehabilitation projects in northern NSW.

Simon also participated in South Pacific cetacean surveys based in Samoa in 2001 and more recently in 2003 as the field coordinator. It was on this latest project that three species of cetacean previously unrecorded for Samoa were observed Ð beaked whales, rough-toothed dolphins and bottlenose dolphins.

It was also during these surveys that the issue of cetacean interactions with the Samoan longline fishery was noted. Cetaceans are reported to remove both the bait and catch from commercial longline sets. Although these interactions are characterised by a lack of information, including the particular species involved, it appears that few cetaceans are hooked or entangled during fishing operations. Fishermen however, are increasingly frustrated by the extra costs of time, fuel and bait and some are reportedly taking matters into their own hands.

Simon is now undertaking a Masters-by-Thesis research project looking at the scale and scope of these interactions in Samoa. He also aims to trial potential mitigating measures to reduce these interactions for the benefit of both cetaceans and the longline fishery.

Updated: 25 July 2010