Biological Parameters For Stock Assessments In South Eastern Australia – An Information And Capacity Uplift
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$766,806.00
Summary
South-east Australian waters are recognised as ocean warming hotspots and overall, Australian waters have warmed faster than the global average (Hobday and Pecl 2013, IPCC 2019). Key components of the productivity of marine fish (growth, maturity, and recruitment) are expected to be changing in response to shifts in climate and it is entirely possible that there have been changes in fundamental productivity parameters for Australian stocks. The regularity with which the biological parameters ....South-east Australian waters are recognised as ocean warming hotspots and overall, Australian waters have warmed faster than the global average (Hobday and Pecl 2013, IPCC 2019). Key components of the productivity of marine fish (growth, maturity, and recruitment) are expected to be changing in response to shifts in climate and it is entirely possible that there have been changes in fundamental productivity parameters for Australian stocks. The regularity with which the biological parameters that are used in stock assessments are evaluated and updated varies considerably among the species that are targeted in Commonwealth Fisheries. Assessment of changes in these parameters is limited largely to sensitivity analyses consisting of exploring alternate time-invariant values of natural mortality, maturity and stock recruitment steepness at values close to those used in the base-case assessment and generally agreed upon as within acceptable ranges of values. Recently an evaluation of the provenance of the biological parameters used in stock assessments found that species from the SESSF contained the largest number of parameters where provenance could not be ascertained from the literature and that SESSF species comprised over 50% of those species where biological parameters were determined to be more than 20 years old (FRDC project 2019-010, Evans et al. 2022). When plausible changes to biological parameters (such as those that might occur under environmental change) were explored quite substantial changes in biomass estimates for key target species occurs. This means that parameter mis-specification, such as due to relying on older parameter estimates that encode predator-prey and other ecosystem processes from a system state that has since changed, could be a real issue for assessments in the SESSF. The reliance of current assessments on what is likely to be out-of-date information leads to considerable uncertainty, which cannot be easily quantified that then propagates into management decisions. Without an understanding of changes in biological parameters and how these changes might impact assessments, it is difficult (if not impossible) to evaluate whether current management measures are ensuring sustainability. Overall, the project recommended that updating parameters in stock assessments, modifying base cases, or more heavily drawing on results from sensitivity analysis in discussion of stock assessment results would be strongly advisable, especially in regions where large environmental shifts are known to be occurring, such as the SESSF. The RV Investigator voyages to be conducted in 2023 and 2024 under the CSIRO led SEA-MES project provide a unique opportunity to access relevant biological samples that could be used to update the biological parameters identified in FRDC Project 2019-010 as a high priority (age, growth, reproduction, stock structure and although not directly used in stock assessments themselves but having significant influence on parameters that are used in assessments (such as growth and mortality), diet and food webs). These voyages have a focus on the marine ecosystem that supports the SESSF and a number of the hypotheses being posed by the study are focused on target species within the SESSF and their food webs. This will result in significant sampling of those species , with the co-benefit that there will be new samples available for the contemporary estimation of key biological parameters and evaluation of the representativeness of parameters being used in stock assessments (and with sufficient sample numbers to ensure robust updated estimates). These voyages also provide a unique opportunity to build capacity in at sea sampling, exposure to ecosystem level sampling design and post-voyage biological analyses. By linking post voyage analyses with the direct needs of both stock assessments and ecosystem models used in the SESSF, the project provides opportunities for building deeper understanding of the use of biological parameters in stock assessments, and direct application of fisheries biology.
Objectives: 1. Develop, in collaboration and consultation with key research and fishery stakeholders a series of projects involving postgraduate students and early-mid career researchers that directly address priority areas for updating biological parameters for target species in the SESSF and understanding the implications of changing parameters on the fishery 2. Reduce uncertainties in stock assessments for the SESSF through the updating of biological parameters and understanding of key interactions between and drivers of change in biological parameters 3. Progress methods development associated with ascertaining biological parameters and progressing stock assessments to increase efficiencies, reduce time and financial costs, expand applicability and reduce uncertainties in stock assessments 4. Build fisheries capability across multiple pathways to support the ongoing sustainability of high quality fisheries research Read moreRead less
Planning, Developing And Coordinating National/regional Research, Development And Extension (RD&E) For Australia's Recreational Fishing Community
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$243,805.72
Summary
There is a persisting need to provide for the continued planning and implementation of targeted and effective Research, Development and Extension (RDE) activities that address regional and national priorities for the recreational fishing community. In consultation with the newly established Recreational Fishing Council, the project team plan to implement a robust and inclusive annual process for the identification of regional and national R&D priorities for Australia's recreational fishers. The ....There is a persisting need to provide for the continued planning and implementation of targeted and effective Research, Development and Extension (RDE) activities that address regional and national priorities for the recreational fishing community. In consultation with the newly established Recreational Fishing Council, the project team plan to implement a robust and inclusive annual process for the identification of regional and national R&D priorities for Australia's recreational fishers. The proposed approach will deliver increased complementarity between state/territory and national R&D planning processes. This project will also enable Australia's recreational fishing community to become more engaged in the active management of projects addressing regional and national priorities, and will increase the visibility of R&D activities to a national audience.
This project will address several national RD&E priorities within FRDC's RD&E plan 2010-2015, including assisting the fishing community to understand the vulnerability of fish stocks and ecosystems to climate change (Theme 3), improving knowledge of the biology of target species (Theme 4), assisting development of techniques for incorporating social and economic information from recreational fishers into harvest strategy evaluation systems and enhancing adoption of best practice by rec fishers and understanding of their demographics, motivations, catch and effort (Theme 4), enhancing participation in co-management (Theme 5), and clarifying the rights of recreational fishers, and other stakeholder expectations about resource access and allocation (Theme 6). Objectives: 1. Proactively work with the recreational fishing community to facilitate identification of national and regional RD&E priorities annually, and development of projects to address those priorities. 2. Assist FRDC with management of a portfolio of projects which provide significant flow of benefit to the recreational fishing sector. 3. Continue to be a driver for the extension of R&D results to facilitate desired outcomes. 4. Facilitate co-investment in RD&E which benefits the recreational fishing community nationally. Read moreRead less
A step change in modeling leaf respiration-photosynthesis relationships . This project aims to use innovative, high-throughput technologies to develop a novel framework that links daytime photosynthesis and starch/amino acid mobilisation to variations in night-time leaf respiration. Variations in leaf respiration can have large impacts on ecosystem functioning and the Earth’s climate. Although advances have been made in respiration modelling, current models are unable to predict dynamic, day-to- ....A step change in modeling leaf respiration-photosynthesis relationships . This project aims to use innovative, high-throughput technologies to develop a novel framework that links daytime photosynthesis and starch/amino acid mobilisation to variations in night-time leaf respiration. Variations in leaf respiration can have large impacts on ecosystem functioning and the Earth’s climate. Although advances have been made in respiration modelling, current models are unable to predict dynamic, day-to-day variations in respiratory rates. Expected outcomes include equations that predict daily variations in night-time leaf respiration for environments across Australia and overseas. Benefits to planners include the ability to more accurately model vegetation-atmosphere carbon exchange and future changes in climate. Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL230100021
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,141,020.00
Summary
Cities as transformative agents for a climate-safe future. This project aims to address how cities can transform towards a climate-safe future- achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while also enhancing resilience to climate impacts. By reconceptualising cities as transformative agents, this project aims to generate ground-breaking theoretical and empirical knowledge on how cities evolve and transform, how they can network to enhance resilience to climate impacts, and what governance innovations ....Cities as transformative agents for a climate-safe future. This project aims to address how cities can transform towards a climate-safe future- achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while also enhancing resilience to climate impacts. By reconceptualising cities as transformative agents, this project aims to generate ground-breaking theoretical and empirical knowledge on how cities evolve and transform, how they can network to enhance resilience to climate impacts, and what governance innovations can set them onto accelerated pathways towards a climate-safe future. Aspired outcomes include advanced knowledge, new urban climate policy and practice, and a diverse pool of globally connected, next generation researchers, placing Australia at the forefront of integrative urban science and practice. Read moreRead less
Designing Gender Equality into the Future of Work. This project aims to investigate how women and men understand and experience the changing nature of work and their hopes and fears for the future. This project expects to generate new knowledge about the gendered dimensions of workplace change using an innovative and engaged research design that focuses on retail and the law, two areas where women are increasingly dominant, but which are located at distinct ends of the labour market. Expected ....Designing Gender Equality into the Future of Work. This project aims to investigate how women and men understand and experience the changing nature of work and their hopes and fears for the future. This project expects to generate new knowledge about the gendered dimensions of workplace change using an innovative and engaged research design that focuses on retail and the law, two areas where women are increasingly dominant, but which are located at distinct ends of the labour market. Expected outcomes of this project include an enhanced and coordinated capacity to build gender equality into the future of work. This should provide significant benefits such as better living standards for individuals and families and improved profitability and productivity for businesses. Read moreRead less
Post-graduate Support To Develop Science To Support Red Sea Urchin Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
Red Sea Urchin is a recreational and commercial hand-collected species along the coast of south-eastern Australia. The species likely has long life spans, comparatively narrow environmental tolerances, and despite having planktonic larvae and ample habitat may have limited recruitment in southern NSW due to the cold intolerance of the larvae (Byrne et al., 2022). With climate warming and more favourable thermal conditions for larvae and adults, Red Urchins may increase along the NSW south coa ....Red Sea Urchin is a recreational and commercial hand-collected species along the coast of south-eastern Australia. The species likely has long life spans, comparatively narrow environmental tolerances, and despite having planktonic larvae and ample habitat may have limited recruitment in southern NSW due to the cold intolerance of the larvae (Byrne et al., 2022). With climate warming and more favourable thermal conditions for larvae and adults, Red Urchins may increase along the NSW south coast. Unfortunately, the demography, potential recruitment and connectivity of the species is not known.
The Red Sea Urchin resource has been supported by a SUTS closure network since 1994, but there is no long-term knowledge on how this affects populations or what protection it offers for the stock . Limited reproductive information means we are unable to estimate a suitable size at first capture for the species, and current fisheries management provisions may not sustainably maximise productivity . In addition, the impacts of ocean warming on Red Sea Urchin distributions remain unknown. The SUTS closures have recently been opened to harvesting of Centrostephanus rodgersii, thereby also affording an important opportunity to investigate potential ecological interactions between these two species.
The biological and ecological data gaps related to the Red Sea Urchin fishery must be addressed to support sustainable management of this resource over the long term, and ensure that the fishery remains productive, commercially profitable, and capable of supporting cultural and recreational fishing needs. This project will address biological and ecological knowledge gaps to support management of the Red Sea Urchin Fishery by:
• Characterising the Red Sea Urchin demography across SE Australia, including associated spatial variation such as that inside and outside SUTS closures ; • Estimating reproductive parameters (size, age, roe quantity and quality) for Red Sea Urchin in SE Australia, including associated spatial variation such as that inside and outside SUTS closures; • Quantifying ecological relationships between Red Sea Urchins (density, size) and environmental conditions (depth, substrate, relief, temperature) and with respect to co-distributed Long Spined Sea Urchin • Predicting the impacts of ocean warming on Red Sea Urchin populations with comparative data for the Long Spined Sea Urchin; and • Modelling larval dispersal potential of the Red Sea Urchin, particularly for larvae originating from within SUTS closures, to determine if they act as sources for adjacent fished areas .
Objectives: 1. Assess the long-term effects and status of SUTS closures on the size, densities and roe quality of theRed Sea Urchin; 2. Identify key habitats and distribution of the Red Sea Urchin through ecological relationships between the urchin and various environmental factors; 3. Determine if the SUTS closures may offer an advantage to the fishery by providing greater capacity to replenish adjacent reefs with larvae; 4. Predict the impacts of ocean warming on Red Sea Urchin populations 5. Assess the effects of harvesting Longspined Urchin in SUTS closures on the Red Urchin, Spiny Urchin, Turban Shells, Abalone, and Kelp Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR200100005
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$36,000,000.00
Summary
Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future. This program aims to deliver unprecedented research capability for securing Antarctic environments in the face of uncertain change.
By integrating a highly skilled team with new approaches and breakthrough technologies, the program anticipates discovery science, enhanced environmental forecasting and optimised decision-making to advance Australia’s position as an influential Antarctic nation.
Expected outcomes include better environmental management ....Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future. This program aims to deliver unprecedented research capability for securing Antarctic environments in the face of uncertain change.
By integrating a highly skilled team with new approaches and breakthrough technologies, the program anticipates discovery science, enhanced environmental forecasting and optimised decision-making to advance Australia’s position as an influential Antarctic nation.
Expected outcomes include better environmental management, unparalleled strategic decision-support for an effective Antarctic Treaty, and new minds to address Antarctica’s new challenges.
Anticipated benefits are the means to transform environmental forecasting and management in the Antarctic, for Australia, and to the advantage of global security.Read moreRead less
Living on the edge: how do Australian plants cope with extreme temperature? Of all the climatic factors determining species distributions, temperature is arguably the most important. It is extremes – rather than averages – that drive species evolution. So it is concerning that although extreme temperature events are increasing in frequency and intensity little is known about the breadth of thermal tolerance of plants from extreme environments. This information is crucial to understand species di ....Living on the edge: how do Australian plants cope with extreme temperature? Of all the climatic factors determining species distributions, temperature is arguably the most important. It is extremes – rather than averages – that drive species evolution. So it is concerning that although extreme temperature events are increasing in frequency and intensity little is known about the breadth of thermal tolerance of plants from extreme environments. This information is crucial to understand species distribution and survival under future climate regimes. This project will ascertain the thermal breadth of Australian species growing in situ and under controlled environments. The project will contribute to development of effective conservation, restoration and rehabilitation plans for Australian native plant communities. Read moreRead less