Minimising The Cost Of Future Stock Monitoring, And Assessment Of The Potential For Increased Yields From The Oceanic Snapper, Pagrus Auratus, Stock Off Shark Bay
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$89,792.00
Summary
A more precise stock assessment is needed for the Shark Bay Snapper Fishery in view of the wide confidence limits around the previous assessment in the mid 1980s. Assessment is needed now because of the increased level of recreational effort on the stock and the implication in the new management plan that the commercial TAC must be reduced to enable recreational catches to be included in an overall TAC. The material is available for a precise stock assessment but resources are required for work ....A more precise stock assessment is needed for the Shark Bay Snapper Fishery in view of the wide confidence limits around the previous assessment in the mid 1980s. Assessment is needed now because of the increased level of recreational effort on the stock and the implication in the new management plan that the commercial TAC must be reduced to enable recreational catches to be included in an overall TAC. The material is available for a precise stock assessment but resources are required for working up the data and performing the stock assessment. Knowledge of the degree of variability in annual recruitment is required to assess the feasibility of a cost effective constant TAC management policy for the future. Market preferences for fish of particular sizes, and the minimum legal length, can result in significant discarding. The mortality of these discarded fish and effects on the stocks need to be factored into TAC calculations. A minimal cost method needs to be devised for routine future monitoring of the fishery. Objectives: 1. Estimate annual recruitments and fishing mortalities in the snapper fishery throughout the 1980s and 1990s. 2. Assess the risks to the snapper stock of a range of annual commercial and recreational catches, taking into account the mortality of discarded fish and variability in recruitment. 3. Devise a minimal cost method for future monitoring of the snapper fishery. Read moreRead less
Assessing The Ecological Impact Of The Western Rock Lobster Fishery In Fished And Unfished Areas
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,117,932.00
Summary
Continuation of the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) accreditation of the Western Rock Lobster Fishery (WRLF) depends on the fishery addressing issues outlined within the 2006 re-certification action plan. This plan states “no substantive evidence has been presented for assessment about the impacts of the fishery on ecosystem structure, function, diversity, productivity or habitats caused by the removal of target stocks.” The re-certification plan also identified the need to understand ....Continuation of the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) accreditation of the Western Rock Lobster Fishery (WRLF) depends on the fishery addressing issues outlined within the 2006 re-certification action plan. This plan states “no substantive evidence has been presented for assessment about the impacts of the fishery on ecosystem structure, function, diversity, productivity or habitats caused by the removal of target stocks.” The re-certification plan also identified the need to understand the impacts of the fishery on trophic linkages between lobsters and their predators and prey, at each of the main stages of lobster life history.
The need for these types of ecological data was highlighted by the most recent risk assessment, where the effects of removing lobster biomass in deep water was given a “moderate” risk. Re-assessment of the level of risk will require the gaps in the knowledge of deep water ecosystems to be addressed.
Research undertaken during FRDC 2004/049 increased the understanding of the relationship between lobster and their deepwater habitats, however the approach was ineffective in addressing MSC requirements. Therefore the EcoSRG have concluded that there is a need for future research in deep water to use research closures.
Based on the outcomes of FRDC 2004/049, the risk levels and the EcoSRG workshop, this proposal will use closed areas to examine the potential impacts of the rock lobster fishery in deep water, providing baseline information essential for the assessment of the impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem in the future.
This proposal will be conducted in two phases. Phase one will establish fished and unfished areas within deep water in collaboration with industry. Phase two will establish baseline information on lobster stocks, habitat and community structure. If at the end of phase one there is no agreement to establish closed areas, the second phase will not proceed.
Objectives: 1. Indentification and assessment of suitable unfished reference areas to exclude rock lobster fishing in deep water 2. Development of a qualitative trophodynamic model that will provide a conceptual framework for determining sampling protocols, indictors and targets. 3. To provide cost effective methods to measure deep water ecosystems in both fished and unfished reference areas Read moreRead less
Analysis And Presentation Of Good News For The Seafood Industry In The Nutrient Reference Values (NRV) And In Presentations To The ISSFAL Conference And SSA Seafood For Life Workshop
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
The outputs and products generated by this project will capitalise on a unique opportunity for the seafood industry to promote the health benefits of seafood presented by the recently-released NH&MRC Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) by researching and writing material on how seafood can meet the newly recommended NRVs for many vital nutrients (macro-nutrients, minerals and vitamins).
It will interpret in easily-understood language and format the NH&MRC NRVs and associated material, tran ....The outputs and products generated by this project will capitalise on a unique opportunity for the seafood industry to promote the health benefits of seafood presented by the recently-released NH&MRC Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) by researching and writing material on how seafood can meet the newly recommended NRVs for many vital nutrients (macro-nutrients, minerals and vitamins).
It will interpret in easily-understood language and format the NH&MRC NRVs and associated material, translating and explaining the NRV and related recommendations as they relate to seafood. This document will be available as text for distribution to industry-related organisations and individuals as appropriate for their information, and for use in promotional material, media releases and feature articles, and for making representations for due recognition of the importance of seafood in resource-allocation debates.
This report in conjunction with the reports and outputs emanating from the ISSFAL and SSA Seafood for Life conferences will give the seafood industry access to highly valuable and influential information to further promote the positive aspects of seafood. Objectives: 1. To develop products arising form the project that can be used in Seafood Industry publications and distributed to the wider media 2. To develop substantiated data form the project that can be used in a future rewrite of the FRDC "What's so Healthy about Seafood" 3. To review the NH&MRC NRVs and associated material as they relate to seafood 4. To interpret the information arising from the NHMRC NRV's report and the proceedings from the Seafood for Life and ISSFAL Conferences to rewrite in an easy to read and understand format Read moreRead less
Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of Alternative Management Responses To Variable Recruitment
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$255,999.64
Summary
Although methods exist for projecting the outcome of alternative management strategies when sufficient data exist to allow fitting of traditional fishery dynamics models, such approaches are typically not available when the paucity of data makes it impossible to fit such models. Such is the case for many of the finfish fisheries in south-western Australia, in which a considerable proportion of the catch has been taken by recreational fishers. For these fish stocks, current assessment must rely s ....Although methods exist for projecting the outcome of alternative management strategies when sufficient data exist to allow fitting of traditional fishery dynamics models, such approaches are typically not available when the paucity of data makes it impossible to fit such models. Such is the case for many of the finfish fisheries in south-western Australia, in which a considerable proportion of the catch has been taken by recreational fishers. For these fish stocks, current assessment must rely strongly on age composition data and mortality estimates from equilibrium-based models. The potential impacts of recruitment variability on these stocks, which are heavily exploited, have yet to be factored into management decisions. The Department of Fisheries, RecFishWest, WAFIC, and the WA FRAB have recognised that, for key demersal finfish species, there is an urgent need to assess the implications of variable recruitment and to respond appropriately when setting allowable levels of total catch. To sustain heavily-exploited stocks, it may be appropriate to reduce exploitation following periods of low recruitment to husband the survivors of earlier, stronger year classes, and thereby ensure that adequate spawning potential remains available until a further strong year class enters the fishery. Methods that employ the types of data available for fisheries in south-western Australia and by which the strengths of recruiting year classes might be taken into account in assessing an appropriate management response are currently not available to the Department of Fisheries’ scientists and are urgently needed. Generic tools and alternative operating models (models that represent our best understanding of the fish stock and fishery) are also required to assist in determining the adequacy and robustness of harvest strategies that are based on currently-available data and assessment methods. Objectives: 1. Develop a modelling approach capable of generating (through simulation) the types of biological and fishery data that would be likely to be produced by selected Western Australian finfish fisheries and which could thus be used in a "fishery simulator" to explore the effectiveness of alternative management strategies. 2. Develop a generic harvest strategy evaluation framework that employs a modular structure, facilitating the development and use of alternative operating models, monitoring and assessment methods, and decision rules. 3. Explore the effectiveness of alternative management responses to recruitment variability and to the current age composition of the stock. Read moreRead less
Trophic Dynamics Of The Eastern Shelf And Slope Of The South East Fishery: Impacts Of And On The Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$201,435.00
Summary
The change in focus of fisheries management towards ecosystem-based management (Pitcher 2001) is a worldwide trend. Within Australia it is particularly evident in the requirements of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, and in the development of regional marine plans (RMPs) under Australia’s Oceans Policy. The former requires strategic assessment of the ecological impacts of fishing, including assessing trophic impacts. The latter seeks to integrate management o ....The change in focus of fisheries management towards ecosystem-based management (Pitcher 2001) is a worldwide trend. Within Australia it is particularly evident in the requirements of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, and in the development of regional marine plans (RMPs) under Australia’s Oceans Policy. The former requires strategic assessment of the ecological impacts of fishing, including assessing trophic impacts. The latter seeks to integrate management of entire regions through an ecosystem approach that considers impacts from all uses of the marine environment (including impacts of other users on fishery ecosystems). The southeast region is the first to be evaluated under Oceans Policy.
Even without the “stick” of EPBC and RMP, there are good reasons to attempt to synthesize current data and understanding of the SEF ecosystem, and to model the impacts of and on the fishery. Specific questions that need addressing include: ·What changes in the fish community have taken place in the past, and what are the consequences for current fishery production and value? ·What further changes might be expected under planned reduction or elimination of discarding in the SET? ·What are the implications for the fishery of current rapid recovery in seal populations? ·What are the reasons for and impacts of year-to-year variability in the SEF ecosystem (including regional circulation and primary productivity) on distribution and catches of quota species?
This study will provide a set of tools to explore answers to these questions. Objectives: 1. Develop circulation and trophic models to describe the past and present structure and dynamics of the food web on the eastern shelf and slope of the South East Fishery, the impacts of variability in primary production on catches, and to predict future changes in response to recovery of marine mammals and major reductions in discarding. 2. Provide a quantitative assessment of food web related risks, in support of strategic assessment of the fishery under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. 3. Contribute to a regional ecosystem model for use in the National Oceans Office’s Regional Marine Plan for the South East, including detailed scoping and preliminary trophodynamic models for the Eastern Bass Strait Shelf. 4. Identify key gaps in knowledge and priorities for future research. Read moreRead less
FRDC-DCCEE: Management Implications Of Climate Change Effect On Fisheries In Western Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
This project addresses priority questions in the Adaptation Research Plan on commercial and recreational fishing and key components of the WA Program of the Action Plan. Some key environmental trends affecting WA include: · increasing frequency of ENSO events; · strengthening of decadal variability of the Leeuwin Current superimposed on its slowly weakening trend; · increase in water temperature and salinity; · change in frequency of storms affecting the lower west coast; ....This project addresses priority questions in the Adaptation Research Plan on commercial and recreational fishing and key components of the WA Program of the Action Plan. Some key environmental trends affecting WA include: · increasing frequency of ENSO events; · strengthening of decadal variability of the Leeuwin Current superimposed on its slowly weakening trend; · increase in water temperature and salinity; · change in frequency of storms affecting the lower west coast; and · change in frequency of cyclones affecting the north-west. The WA coast includes tropical and temperate regions and under the global change induced temperature warming, there is a tendency for the southward expansion of tropical waters. WAMSI Node 2 focused on Indian Ocean, the Leeuwin Current and their local impacts on a coastal location at Ningaloo and there is a need to examine other coastal locations as these will have an effect on most WA fisheries. Climate change affects life cycle of fish stocks by altering seasonal cycles and long term trends of the physical environment which can have a significant effect on biological parameters that are used in population dynamic models. Long-term changes in the abundance of fish stocks require an adjustment of effort or catch quota, for the stocks to be managed sustainably. Stocks are vulnerable to collapsing if there is a series of low recruitment (due to environment conditions) and heavy fishing is allowed to continue. Changes in the spatial distribution of stocks also require management consideration of any boundaries that occur in the fishery. The fisheries in this region are generally researched and managed by one jurisdiction (DoF) which must develop a policy for dealing with the possible changes. There is an important need to develop this management policy in consultation with commercial and recreational groups to deal with expected changes. Objectives: 1. Assess future climate change effects on Western Australia marine environments using a suite of IPCC model projections, downscaled to the key shelf regions and the spatial and temporal scales relevant for key fisheries 2. Examine the modeled shelf climate change scenarios on fisheries and implications of historic and future climate change effects 3. Review management arrangements to examine their robustness to possible effects of climate change Read moreRead less
Ecologically Sustainable Development Of The Fishery For Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus Eleginoides) Around Macquarie Island: Population Parameters, Population Assessment And Ecological Interactions
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$771,327.00
Summary
The Patagonian toothfish fishery is expanding worldwide and it may play a pivotal role in the development of an Australian fishing industry in the Southern Ocean. The recommended TAC for toothfish in other Southern Ocean regions was revised upwards by the 1996 CCAMLR scientific committee. For example, in the CCAMLR area 58.5.2 (primarily the AFZ around Heard and McDonald Islands) a TAC of 3800 metric tonnes of toothfish was set. As a result considerable national and international interest in the ....The Patagonian toothfish fishery is expanding worldwide and it may play a pivotal role in the development of an Australian fishing industry in the Southern Ocean. The recommended TAC for toothfish in other Southern Ocean regions was revised upwards by the 1996 CCAMLR scientific committee. For example, in the CCAMLR area 58.5.2 (primarily the AFZ around Heard and McDonald Islands) a TAC of 3800 metric tonnes of toothfish was set. As a result considerable national and international interest in the fishery is expected.
Given the conservation value of Macquarie Island it is expected that operation of the fishery will be closely scrutinised -- the scrutiny is already clear at the national ( MACSAG, AFMA, DPIE and conservation groups) level. Development of the Macquarie Island fishery provides a great opportunity as a demonstration project to illustrate that fishery development can be achieved while protecting conservation values -- a demonstration of Ecologically Sustainable Development in action. Furthermore, much of what will be learnt will also be relevant to the emerging Heard Island toothfish fishery.
To date little research has been done to establish the basic biological parameters of the toothfish necessary to develop sound management policies. As recognised by both the Macquarie Island Fish Stock Assessment Group and the Sub-Antarctic Ecosystem Assessment Group there is a real need to develop a comprehensive program of research which not only addresses basic biological parameters such as age and stock structure, but also examines the distribution and abundance of this species so that effective management of the fishery can proceed. As the Macquarie Island area is likely to be sensitive to possible ecosystem changes brought about by a developing fishery, there is also a need to understand where toothfish 'fit into' the broader offshore Macquarie Island ecosystem, and likely ecosystem effects. Objectives: 1. Determine the key population parameters (age validation, growth, age of maturity, mortality of fished cohorts, and population structure after age validation), distribution, movements and relative abundance of the Patagonian toothfish around Macquarie Island. 2. Assess the usefulness of DNA micro satellite markers for determining stock structure. 3. Assess the biological and physical oceanographic effects on catch rates, toothfish availability, and interactions between the fishery and non-target species. 4. Assess the magnitude and composition of the fishery bycatch, and identify the food chain linkages between the fishery, the toothfish, the main bird and mammal species. 5. Develop population models for the Patagonian toothfish fishery and provide strategies for developing and managing the fishery. Read moreRead less
Review Of The Fishery Status For Whaler Sharks In South Australian And Adjacent Waters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$59,253.00
Summary
In recent years in South Australia there has been increased interest in the bronze whaler (Carcharinus brachyurus) and the dusky whaler (C. obscurus) shark species. The increased fishery focus has resulted in part from a redirection of effort from school and gummy sharks, whilst the development of sea cage aquaculture in inshore areas of Spencer Gulf has potentially resulted in increased mortality rates for whaler sharks.
The current understanding of the fishery and population biology ....In recent years in South Australia there has been increased interest in the bronze whaler (Carcharinus brachyurus) and the dusky whaler (C. obscurus) shark species. The increased fishery focus has resulted in part from a redirection of effort from school and gummy sharks, whilst the development of sea cage aquaculture in inshore areas of Spencer Gulf has potentially resulted in increased mortality rates for whaler sharks.
The current understanding of the fishery and population biology of these species is too poor to know whether the populations are sustainable under these regimes of increased mortality. One problem for understanding the fishery biology is that comprehensive information on catch is not being collected. This is because both species of sharks are taken in a diversity of fisheries as either targeted or non-targeted catch, and only some information on targeted catch is being reported. Furthermore, this targeted catch and effort information is maintained in different places. Consequently, the first need for assessing the vulnerability of the populations of dusky and bronze whaler sharks in South Australia is to collate the existing catch and effort information. Once this has been achieved the data can be analysed and used in a risk analysis to assess, as far as possible, the vulnerability of dusky and bronze whaler sharks to over-exploitation. Objectives: 1. To collate the existing data for the whaler sharks in South Australian waters from numerous places where these data are maintained, as well as the information on shark mortalities associated with sea cage aquaculture; 2. To analyse these data by undertaking a risk assessment, taking into account the lack of data from some sectors, as well as the poor understanding of population biology of these species in South Australia; 3. To develop options for improving the collection and maintenance of catch and effort data in the future; 4. To make recommendations regarding the need for biological studies on the two species in the future; 5. To provide options for managing the whaler shark resource, where there is sufficient information. Read moreRead less
Understanding Shelf-break Habitat For Sustainable Management Of Fisheries With Spatial Overlap.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$514,126.62
Summary
The need for this project was identified by fishery managers and industry and addresses high priority strategic research areas identified by both state and national fisheries organisations. It is research that targets a high priority need across Australian fisheries: understanding the effects of fishing activities on fish and their ecosystems. The need for research is compounded in shelf-break habitats due to: (a) scarcity of basic information about shelf break habitats, (b) slow growth of many ....The need for this project was identified by fishery managers and industry and addresses high priority strategic research areas identified by both state and national fisheries organisations. It is research that targets a high priority need across Australian fisheries: understanding the effects of fishing activities on fish and their ecosystems. The need for research is compounded in shelf-break habitats due to: (a) scarcity of basic information about shelf break habitats, (b) slow growth of many species in this region implying less resilience to impacts, (c) interaction effects between different sectors that may compound impacts.
The research need on addressing interaction between different sectors will be specifically addressed here in relation to the interaction between trawl and crab trapping sectors. This interaction between different fishing sectors is not unusual and is likely to be repeated in the future – work conducted here will assist in providing a template for resolution.
Understanding shelf-break habitat for sustainable management of fisheries with spatial overlap was identified as the number 1 research priority for Tasmanian crustacean research by both DPIWE and representatives of the Tasmanian crustacean fishing industry at the Tasmanian Crustacean Research Advisory Group.
The project focus is also consistent with strategies developed by the Commonwealth agencies involved in management of industries based around the shelf-break: the Commonwealth Government and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia (AFFA). It is targeted to the FRDC program of Natural Resource Sustainability through the strategies of “Interactions between fish and their ecosystems” and “Effects of fishing activities on fish and their ecosystems”. Objectives: 1. Define and map key habitats on the shelf edge (~80-180 fm) at key locations around Tasmania where fisheries using different gear types interact. 2. Evaluate their resistance and resilience to impact from fishing gears based using the semi-quantitative 'Ecological Risk Assessment' framework 3. Detail the distribution of exploited shelf-edge species in relation to habitat features 4. Evaluate ecosystem links within habitats based on trophic, temperature and current-flow data 5. Evaluate using video to obtain stock assessment information such as abundance, sex ratio, condition and size of target species, primarily the giant crab Read moreRead less
Utilisation Of Restored Wetlands By Fish And Invertebrates
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$148,336.12
Summary
Objectives: 1. To demonstrate whether fish and invertebrates use 'restored' wetlands. 2. To determine if the changed habitat within the wetlands sustains fish and invertebrate communities similar to other sites within the Macleay and Hunter estuaries and at sites within comparable reference estuaries. 3. To determine appropriate mechanisms for minimising the impacts of releasing low dissolved oxygen and low pH water to the estuary when the levees and floodgates are initially brea ....Objectives: 1. To demonstrate whether fish and invertebrates use 'restored' wetlands. 2. To determine if the changed habitat within the wetlands sustains fish and invertebrate communities similar to other sites within the Macleay and Hunter estuaries and at sites within comparable reference estuaries. 3. To determine appropriate mechanisms for minimising the impacts of releasing low dissolved oxygen and low pH water to the estuary when the levees and floodgates are initially breached. 4. To identify the initial rate of recovery following opening / removal of the flood mitigation works and to determine whether additional intervention is required to assist the regeneration of fish habitat. Read moreRead less