The Commission requires the ERSWG to provide information and advice based on research which:-

• determines the nature and extent of ERS interactions in SBT fisheries;
  
• determines the affects of SBT and other fisheries on ERS;
  
• assesses current or potential measures to reduce ERS captures.

In addition to the work of the ERSWG itself, the 2009 annual meeting of the CCSBT encouraged Members to annually assess ERS impacts and include a table of observed ERS interactions including mortalities and methods of scaling to produce estimates of total mortality in their annual reports to the CCSBT.

The ERSWG also has a role in the development of advice on best practice for educational activities. Education pamphlets on seabirds and sharks have been produced and distributed to SBT fishers. The pamphlets have been produced in four languages (English (Zip 9410Kb), Japanese (Zip 6530Kb), Korean (Zip 11015Kb) and Mandarin (Zip 6045Kb)).  During 2010, the CCSBT will commence revising these pamphlets to update the taxonomy and produce Indonesian versions. The CCSBT will also examine options for producing education pamphlets on sea turtles.

The ERSWG provides advice and recommendations on these issues and on research priorities to the Commission through the Scientific Committee.

Decisions taken by the Commission on ERS matters include:-

• to require mandatory use by all Commission members of Tori poles in all long-line SBT fisheries below 30 degrees south;
  
• to require non-members to adopt mandatory use of Tori Poles in all long-line SBT fisheries below 30 degrees south;
• the publication of education pamphlets on sharks and sea birds for fishers involved in the SBT fishery;
• a recommendation to mitigate the impact on ecological related species of fishing for southern bluefin tuna (PDF 31Kb).