Tactical Research Fund: Incorporation Of Predictive Models Of Banana Prawn Catch For MEY-based Harvest Strategy Development For The Northern Prawn Fishery
Trial And Validation Of Respondent-Driven Sampling As A Cost-effective Method For Obtaining Representative Catch, Effort, Social And Economic Data From Recreational Fisheries
A Socioeconomic Evaluation Of Three Eastern Australian Game-fishing Regions
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$337,842.00
Summary
Measures of the value of commercial fishing, such as gross value of production (GVP) and net economic returns, are available for the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF). However, there is little information on the value of the same tuna and billfish stocks to recreational fishers and the value of gamefishing to the wider community. This information is becoming increasingly important to fishery management and policy that must consider the interests of all resource users. In particular, fishe ....Measures of the value of commercial fishing, such as gross value of production (GVP) and net economic returns, are available for the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery (ETBF). However, there is little information on the value of the same tuna and billfish stocks to recreational fishers and the value of gamefishing to the wider community. This information is becoming increasingly important to fishery management and policy that must consider the interests of all resource users. In particular, fishery policy and management must take into account economic and social values to resource users and the wider community.
The need for socioeconomic research is supported by Recfish Australia and the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC). The list of national recreational fisheries research priorities described in the Recfish Research Business Plan identifies social, health and economic benefits of recreational fishing as the first priority. FRDC recognised that there is limited knowledge of social effects on the fishing industry, including the recreational fishing sector, by setting up a Social Sciences Research Co-ordination Program. Objectives: 1. Compile a socioeconomic profile of the recreational gamefishing sector in eastern Australia. 2. Estimate the value of gamefishing to several key east Australian regional centres. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Shark Futures - A Synthesis Of Available Data On Mako And Porbeagle Sharks In Australasian Waters - Current Status And Future Directions
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$69,533.00
Summary
The shortfin mako, longfin mako and porbeagle sharks have widespread distributions in temperate and tropical waters of all the world’s oceans. Makos are bycatch and by-product species of pelagic longline and gillnet fisheries where they are taken for their meat and high-value fins. They are also highly-prized recreational species in many regions. Makos have low productivity, typical of sharks that do not mature until reaching a large size, producing few young and where individuals are unlikely t ....The shortfin mako, longfin mako and porbeagle sharks have widespread distributions in temperate and tropical waters of all the world’s oceans. Makos are bycatch and by-product species of pelagic longline and gillnet fisheries where they are taken for their meat and high-value fins. They are also highly-prized recreational species in many regions. Makos have low productivity, typical of sharks that do not mature until reaching a large size, producing few young and where individuals are unlikely to reproduce annually. Risk assessments both nationally and in the Atlantic concluded that mako sharks are at the highest risk of all pelagic sharks. These species are listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable globally and Critically Endangered in the Mediterranean. Significant population declines in the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic resulted in these species being listed under Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in 2008 and concomitant listing under Australia’s EPBC Act in January 2010. This effectively meant that the target commercial or recreational fishing for these species was prohibited in Australian waters. In May 2010 the National Recreational Mako Shark Fishery - Management Forum identified the need for a study to identify and propose cost effective ways to fill key gaps in the collective knowledge of these species. In July 2010, after considerable debate, a legislative amendment was made to allow for the recreational fishing of mako and porbeagle sharks in Commonwealth areas despite the offence provisions under the EPBC Act. Commercial targeting of these species remains an offence, however, there are exemptions where they are taken as bycatch under accredited management plans. The Federal Environment Minister also directed DEWHA/SEWPaC to work with Fisheries Managers to provide a “more comprehensive information base on mako and porbeagle sharks for the future”. This project is a direct result of these needs. Objectives: 1. Identify and collate existing data sets on mako and porbeagle sharks in Australasian waters including data on the geographic distribution and magnitude of current and historical catch (commercial and recreational), demographic parameters, behaviour, movement patterns, habitat associations, diet and trophic interactions and impacts of fishing, including who holds these data. 2. Identify and provide a national framework of coordination and cooperation for current and future research on mako and porbeagle sharks that will contribute towards improving understanding and reduce uncertainty in these parameters. 3. Identify key gaps in our collective knowledge of these species and opportunities for sustained, long-term programs for data collection. 4. Work with managers, policy makers, researchers as well as commercial and recreational sectors to identify cost-effective ways to address these gaps in a coordinated national and regional approach that aligns with the needs for management and policy. 5. Improve communication and coordination between research providers, State and Commonwealth management agencies and the recreational and commercial sectors on data collection and data synthesis for these species to facilitate cost effective science-support for management and policy decision making. Read moreRead less
Assessment Of The Impacts Of Hydro-electric Dams On Eel Stocks In Tasmania And An Evaluation And Assessment Of Mitigation Strategies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$282,684.00
Summary
Stock enhancement strategies can be a cost-effective means of restoring or maintaining fisheries, and have proven essential in catchments with barriers to migration (Knights and White 1998). Regulation of natural river systems has obstructed eel migration in many catchments, and with the implementation of appropriate management tools such as fish passes / ladders and translocation through trapping / netting programs, restoration of stocks can be achieved. Such strategies have not only proven s ....Stock enhancement strategies can be a cost-effective means of restoring or maintaining fisheries, and have proven essential in catchments with barriers to migration (Knights and White 1998). Regulation of natural river systems has obstructed eel migration in many catchments, and with the implementation of appropriate management tools such as fish passes / ladders and translocation through trapping / netting programs, restoration of stocks can be achieved. Such strategies have not only proven successful in increasing commercial fishery yields, but also contribute to enhanced spawning stocks and increased silver eel escapements.
Hydro electric operations (dams and power generating turbines) reduce the chance of successful emigration of silver eel, especially for larger female eel (Dekker 1999), and, depending on flow and turbine type and number, may represent a major source of mortality to pre-spawning adults (Ritter et al 1997).The design of downstream passage ways and the use of non-generating periods to reduce mortality have been trialled and implemented in New Zealand, the USA and Europe, but have yet to be adopted or investigated in Australia.
The sustainability of the eel resource in Tasmania and of existing (and potentially new) commercial eel fisheries in hydro-impounded catchments will ultimately depend on the implementation of appropriate and effective mitigation strategies (passage and/or translocations) specific to both upstream and downstream migrations.
This proposed program addresses the issue of sustainability by assessing both cause and effect of impacts and various mitigation options. It is envisaged that the results and recommendations arising from this proposed study will underpin the development of an integrated management strategy for managing eel fisheries in hydro-impacted catchments with direct benefits to managers and industry alike. Results from this study could be readily transferred to other States, with coordination and dissemination through the existing Australian and New Zealand Eel Reference Group (ANZERG).
REFERENCES
Dekker, W. 1999. Effects of Transfers and Restocking of Eel. Report of the EIFAC Working Group on Eels - Denmark, September 1999. Pp13-17.
Knights, B. and E. White, 1998. An appraisal of stocking strategies for the European eel, Anguilla anguilla - In Cowx, I.G. (ed): Stocking and Introduction of Fish. Fishing News Books. Pp 121-140.
Ritter, J.A., Stanfield, M. and Peterson, R.H. 1997. The American Eel in Eastern Canada - Stock Status and Management Strategies. Proceedings of Eel Workshop January 13-14 1997, Quebec City, QC. Can. Tech. Report 2196. 174p. Objectives: 1. To assess the impacts of hydro-electric dams on eel migrations and eel population structure in Tasmania’s lakes and rivers and to assess the impact of past elver restocking practices in hydro-impounded catchments on eel populations within those catchments. 2. To assess the direct impacts of hydro-electric dams and associated operations (turbine intakes and water management practices) on adult ‘silver’ eel survival rates during their downstream spawning migrations 3. To evaluate various management tools (ladders / bypasses and passage; netting / trapping and translocation) to mitigate impacts and provide recommendations for implementation. 4. To review the management of barriers to eel migration, including overseas experience. Read moreRead less