Objectives: 1. Collect background data on shipping operations to establish the incidence of magnitude of ballast water discharge. 2. Determine the influence of season on species composition and survival of the introduced organisms. 3. Establish practicable methods of control
Catch Analysis And Productivity Of The Deep-water Dogfish Resource In Southern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$95,940.00
Summary
Upper slope dogfishes have been suggested as an alternate resource that could be harvested by some sectors of the SSF; some operators are already targeting these species and this is likely to increase in the future. If ITQs are introduced in the SSF, fishers are likely to have an incentive to target species not under quota control. The dogfish resource is likely to receive increased attention from shark fishers under ITQs and the fact that it is a targeted fishery suggests it could become rapidl ....Upper slope dogfishes have been suggested as an alternate resource that could be harvested by some sectors of the SSF; some operators are already targeting these species and this is likely to increase in the future. If ITQs are introduced in the SSF, fishers are likely to have an incentive to target species not under quota control. The dogfish resource is likely to receive increased attention from shark fishers under ITQs and the fact that it is a targeted fishery suggests it could become rapidly over-exploited if no catch controls are introduced. Deep-water dogfish are also caught by trawl, both in the SET and the Great Australian Bight (GAB), and are also taken by dropline. Agreement needs to be sought between sharkMAC, SETMAC, GABMAC and the SEFNTCC on appropriate management of dogfish (Future management options for the Southern Shark Fishery - a report prepared for AFMA by FERM). The five year strategic plan for the SSF incorporates projects on alternate resources, although they are currently listed as a low priority. However, as noted by the Southern Shark Fishery Assessment Group (report to SharkMAC from SharkFAG 24.4.1997) an implication of introducing quotas into the SSF is that there are inadequate data for stock assessment of species other than school and gummy shark.
Trawl surveys of the outer shelf and upper slope off New South Wales have documented a very significant reduction in catch rates of squalid sharks over the last 20 years (Ken Graham, NSW Fisheries Research Institute, personal communication). There is also anecdotal information from fishermen targeting dogfish in New South Wales and Western Australia that catches have declined in the original fishing areas. Evidence from other regions where these deep-water species are fished for their liver oils such as the Philippines, New Guinea and the Azores suggests that local populations can be fished down relatively quickly.
It is possible that deep sea squalid sharks have, because of their suspected low productivity, declined to a similar extent to the orange roughy stocks, now 10-20% of initial levels. This raises the question of the sustainability of present catches. Dogfish are an important component of the deep-water ecosystem and under the Federal Fisheries Act AFMA has a stated objective to manage Commonwealth fisheries in accordance with principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD). AFMA sees this objective as requiring it to manage fisheries so as to minimise the impact of fishing on biological diversity and ecosystem habitat. Objectives: 1. Estimate the annual retained and discarded catch of deep-water dogfish by geographical area and depth strata within the Southern Shark, Western Australian shark, South East Trawl, Great Australian Bight Trawl and South Australian dropline fisheries. 2. Examine dogfish catch and effort data by region and depth strata for changes in catch rate with time 3. Determine population structure (size distributions and sex ratio) of principle dogfish species by region and depth strata 4. Assess the biological productivity of the major upper and deep slope dogfish species from data on age, growth and reproduction 5. Obtain qualitative estimates of the mortality of the discarded component of the dogfish catch Read moreRead less
Fisheries Biology Of Blue-throat Wrasse (Notolabrus Tetricus) In Victorian Waters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$106,500.00
Summary
In recent years a market has been established for live blue throat wrasse. The total catch has risen rapidly from less than 10 tonnes during the early 1990s to almost 60 tonnes in 1995/96. The number of fishers targeting wrasse has also increased with 50 Victorian fishers taking wrasse by hand-line during 1995/96 compared to less than 5 in 1989/90.. Given the life history of the species the possibility of rapidly over-fishing wrasse in Victoria waters cannot be discounted. A number of fishe ....In recent years a market has been established for live blue throat wrasse. The total catch has risen rapidly from less than 10 tonnes during the early 1990s to almost 60 tonnes in 1995/96. The number of fishers targeting wrasse has also increased with 50 Victorian fishers taking wrasse by hand-line during 1995/96 compared to less than 5 in 1989/90.. Given the life history of the species the possibility of rapidly over-fishing wrasse in Victoria waters cannot be discounted. A number of fishers who target the blue throat wrasse have already raised concern that in recent years catch rates have declined and the size of fish has decreased.
Currently there is no information available on the biology and population dynamics of blue throat wrasse in Victorian waters. In view of this there is a great need to further our knowledge and understanding of the species. To ensure that the fishery is sustainable, accurate information on the biology is required so that long term management strategies can be introduced. Objectives: 1. To describe the biology of and fishery for blue throat wrasse in Victorian waters. 2. To provide the scientific data necessary for rational management of the resource. Read moreRead less
Spawning And Larval Recruitment Processes Of Commercially Important Species In Coastal Waters Off Victoria
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$197,820.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To collect ichthyoplankton and physical, chemical and oceanographic data in Bass Strait during the winter of 1997 and the summer of 1997/98. 2. To describe the composition, abundance and spatial distribution of fish eggs and larvae, with particular reference to the early stages of commercially-important inshore fish species and those of the south-east trawl fishery. 3. To determine the areas and season of the spawning of King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata) ....Objectives: 1. To collect ichthyoplankton and physical, chemical and oceanographic data in Bass Strait during the winter of 1997 and the summer of 1997/98. 2. To describe the composition, abundance and spatial distribution of fish eggs and larvae, with particular reference to the early stages of commercially-important inshore fish species and those of the south-east trawl fishery. 3. To determine the areas and season of the spawning of King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata) off the Victorian coast. 4. To determine the abundance of the different developmental stages of King George whiting at different locations and identify the possible occurrence of larval transport by back calculating the age of larvae. 5. To determine the areas and season of spawning of pilchards (Sardinops sagax) off the Victorian coast and to describe the horizontal and vertical distribution of eggs and larvae. 6. To identify regions of changing nutrient and chlorophyll concentration, and their relationship to physical properties (S,T) and ichthyoplankton abundance. 7. To collect physical oceanographic data and satellite images to extend the 3-D Bass Strait hydrodynamic model of coastal currents. 8. To describe the spatial and seasonal distribution of rock lobster phyllosomes and giant crab megalopa. Read moreRead less
Assessment Of Length And Age Composition Of Commercial Kingfish Landings
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$142,101.00
Summary
Following a decision in 1990 to impose a minimum legal length of 60 cm (total length) on kingfish and the banning of pelagic traps in 1996, there has been considerable controversy concerning the appropriateness of the current management measures. Gillanders et al. (1997) demonstrated that the current minimum legal size is about 15 cm below the length at which 50% of females are mature. However, the absence of adequate size and age composition data for the commercial landings means it is not po ....Following a decision in 1990 to impose a minimum legal length of 60 cm (total length) on kingfish and the banning of pelagic traps in 1996, there has been considerable controversy concerning the appropriateness of the current management measures. Gillanders et al. (1997) demonstrated that the current minimum legal size is about 15 cm below the length at which 50% of females are mature. However, the absence of adequate size and age composition data for the commercial landings means it is not possible to determine the impact of possible changes in minimum legal size. Yield modelling, combined with information on composition of landings, is an appropriate and important first step in examining the suitability of minimum legal size settings. The nature of the commercial fishery for kingfish presents significant difficulties for the design of unbiased and cost effective sampling of these fisheries. Kingfish are caught in significant quantities in small, localised fishing operations, mainly south of 30° S latitude. There appears to be considerable annual and seasonal variation in the catches by the various sectors, however it is known that when reasonable densities of kingfish are located, very high catches can be taken over short time periods. The dispersed yet intense nature of the fishery has great potential to cause bias in collections aimed at estimating the length and age composition of the total catch of kingfish. A major aim of this proposal is to develop cost effective sampling strategies which will minimise bias in ongoing monitoring of the kingfish fishery. The collection of size and age composition estimates from the commercial catch will enable the evaluation of whether an age structured model would be an appropriate mechanism for assessing the status of the fishery. Variation in the relative strength of year classes can be evaluated in each of the three years and these will provide important information on the dynamics of this stock. Further, these data can be used to provide auxiliary inputs for the fitting of a synthetic model which will utilise catch-effort data that have been collected from the fishery. Objectives: 1. To accurately document the size and age composition of kingfish landed by commercial fishers in NSW. 2. To refine existing estimates of kingfish growth with new information on size at age, with a focus on large fish. 3. To examine the suitability of the current minimum legal length with yield models, utilising the improved information on kingfish growth and information on kingfish size and age composition. 4. To examine the possibility of using age-structured modelling in future assessments of yellowtail kingfish. Read moreRead less
Survey Sampling Design And Length-frequency Data Analysis For On-going Monitoring And Model Parameter Evaluation In The South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$219,836.44
Summary
Objectives: 1. To establish a formal protocol for a length-frequency sampling survey which satisfies the two basic statistical criteria of accuracy and precision, specifically, (1) non-biased means, and (2) quantifiable variances. 2. To incorporate the desires of the fishing industry in the practicalities of length sampling, through extensive consultation and workshops, where fishers will ultimately decide the protocol adopted, while still conforming to the criteria of 1. above that as ....Objectives: 1. To establish a formal protocol for a length-frequency sampling survey which satisfies the two basic statistical criteria of accuracy and precision, specifically, (1) non-biased means, and (2) quantifiable variances. 2. To incorporate the desires of the fishing industry in the practicalities of length sampling, through extensive consultation and workshops, where fishers will ultimately decide the protocol adopted, while still conforming to the criteria of 1. above that assure the quality of survey information. 3. To assess the range of stock assessment methods available for analysing length frequencies to estimate the fundamental population dynamic parameters describing the South Australian lobster fishery, notably, annual recruitment, annual egg production, mortality, and size structure. Read moreRead less
Stock Assessment Of The Outer-shelf Species In The Kimberley Region Of Tropical Western Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$343,428.00
Summary
The Kimberley Fishery is developing rapidly and is now a complex fishery producing a high quality product. The small amount of information available at present causes concern at the state of exploitation of the stocks. Information is required as soon as possible to enable effective management of the fishery. The tools available are controls on size at first capture and overall fishing mortality. It is more practical in the first instance to obtain the information which will enable control of ....The Kimberley Fishery is developing rapidly and is now a complex fishery producing a high quality product. The small amount of information available at present causes concern at the state of exploitation of the stocks. Information is required as soon as possible to enable effective management of the fishery. The tools available are controls on size at first capture and overall fishing mortality. It is more practical in the first instance to obtain the information which will enable control of size at first capture, and to follow this with the information needed to control fishing mortality.
The size selectivity of traps and lines needs to be examined to explore the possibility of using hook sizes and escape gaps in traps to reduce catches of smaller fish and hence increase long-term yields. Initial management controls can then be based on the outcome from size-at-first capture models. The size-at-first capture may be able to be controlled through the use of a mixture of fishing gear types (eg. fish traps in combination with lines and hooks of a specified size). The size-at-first capture of these fishes may also possibly be regulated through area controls, provided the distribution of adults and juveniles is known.
These preliminary management controls will need to be followed up with a broad area fish trawl survey to provide estimates of stock size for use in more complex stock assessment models, enabling subsequent management controls to be implemented with the aim of directly regulating fishing mortality. A trawl survey would add greatly to knowledge of distribution of adults and juveniles. Direct controls on fishing mortality by area can be applied by zoning of fishing effort, monitored through the use of Vessel Monitoring Systems. For logistic reasons the trawl survey is not included in the current proposal.
Specifically in this project there is a need to:
(i) determine the population parameters of goldband snapper, and other key demersal species to facilitate the development of fishery assessment models.
(ii) undertake a gear selectivity study (both traps and lines) to determine the feasibility of using gear controls such as hook size and escape gaps in traps.
There is a further critical need in future projects to obtain: (1) direct stock size assessments via such methods as localised depletion experiments or broad area surveys; (2) to obtain information about the interaction of the Australian and Indonesian fishery (assessment of catch and effort data) for these species; (3) to obtain estimates of movement rates of the key species between regions and across borders (both national and international). Objectives: 1. Estimate essential population parameters of goldband snapper and other key demersal species. 2. Estimation, by yield-per-recruit and egg-per-recruit analyses, of optimum combinations for size-at-first capture and fishing mortality. 3. Comparison of the size selectivity of commercial trap and line gear and to investigate methods of altering selectivity to enable targeting of fish of a specific size. 4. Advise fishery managers and industry on the combinations of gear and effort controls to produce optimal sustainable yields. Read moreRead less
BCA - 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
$5,445.45
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
The 1998 survey indicated that the biomass of C. mosaicus in Port Phillip Bay was not large enough to supply the 1500 tonnes wet weight required by the Australian Company. Biomass estimates for some strata were as little as 0.6% of the estimates during 1997 (Hudson and Walker 1998). However, anecdotal reports indicated that large aggregations of C. mosaicus occurred in Corner Inlet during 1998 and a survey during March 1999 indicates a very high biomass present during 1999. This highlights the ....The 1998 survey indicated that the biomass of C. mosaicus in Port Phillip Bay was not large enough to supply the 1500 tonnes wet weight required by the Australian Company. Biomass estimates for some strata were as little as 0.6% of the estimates during 1997 (Hudson and Walker 1998). However, anecdotal reports indicated that large aggregations of C. mosaicus occurred in Corner Inlet during 1998 and a survey during March 1999 indicates a very high biomass present during 1999. This highlights the high inter-annual variability in abundance of jellyfish and need for flexibility to harvest jellyfish from different regions, depending on size and distribution of the stocks. Stock Assessments are needed for the various regions before harvesting begins. This information is essential to assure investors of the viability of the resource.
The 1997, 1998 and 1999 surveys indicate that new sampling methods are required for providing more efficient field survey work and more robust estimates of abundance. The current method has the major limitations that the setting of sampling strata boundaries and counting of jellyfish depend on being able to see the jellyfish in the water column from the surface. Because the vertical distribution of C. mosaicus varies with weather condition and time of day (Hudson et al. 1997), there is a need to develop a sampling unit where sampling depth within the water column can be carefully controlled.
To provide for more reliable biomass estimates and for development of harvest strategies, there is a need for morphological, fecundity and size at maturity data of C. mosaicus. Also, there is a need to establish whether or not C. mosaicus harvested from Port Phillip Bay meet Australian national health standards. Other fish and shellfish harvested from Port Phillip Bay have been shown to be contaminated with various toxicants (Phillips 1976, Walker 1982, Walker et al. 1982, Fabris et al. 1995, Wu and Groves 1995, Walker et al. 1998). There is a need to test C. mosaicus for heavy metals, organochlorines, hydrocarbons and tributyltins in localities in Port Phillip Bay where these contaminants are known to occur.
Funding for the jellyfish research during 1997, 1998 and 1999 is from several sources. The 1997 survey and the harvesting, processing and export trials were funded by the National Seafood Centre ($15,000), Fisheries Victoria ($10,000), Business Victoria ($10,000), and Beijian Gaizhou Aquatic Products Industrial Corporation ($15,000), and the 1998 surveys of Port Phillip Bay and Westernport Bay were funded by Business Victoria ($10,000). The 1999 surveys of Port Phillip Bay, Westernport Bay and Corner Inlet are being funded by FRDC ($15,000) and Fisheries Victoria ($10,000).
This FRDC application for funds covers development of a 'jellyfish sampling unit' during 1999, and survey and collection of biological samples in Port Phillip Bay, Westernport Bay and Corner Inlet during 2000, 2001 and 2002. It is proposed that Fisheries Victoria meet the cost of the chemical laboratory analyses ($97,500) and FRDC meet the other costs ($322,832).
References Anon. (1997). Fishery Statistics- catches and landings. FAO Yearbook 80 1995. Fabris, G. J., Monahan, C.A., Werner, G. F., and Theodoropoulos, T.(1995). Impact of Shipping and Dredging on Toxicants in Port Phillip Bay. CSIRO Port Phillip Bay Environmental Study. 30 pp.
Hudson, R. J., Bridge, N. F., and Walker, T. I. (1997). Feasibility Study for Development of a Commercial Jellyfish Fishery in Victoria. Final Report to Fisheries Research Development Corporation, 40pp (Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute: Queenscliff).
Hudson, R.J.,and Walker, T.I. (1998). Distribution and abundance of the jellyfish Catostylus mosaicus in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. Report to Business Victoria and Fisheries Victoria, 16pp (Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute: Queenscliff).
Kingsford, M. J., and Gillanders, B. M. (1995). Fishery and research priorities for Catostylus mosaicus Report for the Australian Nature Conservation Agency. 25 pp. (University of Sydney: Sydney).
Phillips, D. J. H. (1976). The common mussel Mytilus edulis as an indicator of pollution by zinc, cadmium, lead and copper. I. Relationships of metals in the mussel to those discharged by industry. Marine Biology 38, 71-80
Walker, T. I. (1982). Effects of Length and Locality on the Mercury Content of Blacklip Abalone, Blue Mussel Sand Flathead and Long nose Flathead from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. Australian Journal Marine and Freshwater Research. 33, 553-560.
Walker, T. I., Glover, J. W. and Powell, D. G. M. (1982). Effect of Length Locality and Tissue Type on Mercury and Cadmium content of the Commercial scallop Pecten alba Tate from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. Australian Journal Marine and Freshwater Research. 33, 547-552.
Walker, T. I., Fabris, G. J., Knuckey, I. A., Hudson, R. J. and Sporcic, M. I. (1998). Webb Dock Marine Ecology Study. Final Report to Melbourne Port Corporation. 99 pp. (Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute: Queenscliff).
Wu, R., and Groves, A. (1995). Cadmium and lead in tissues of scallops from Port Phillip Bay, Australia. Water Science Technology 31, 479-483 Objectives: 1. Develop a sampling unit for efficient survey of jellyfish distribution and abundance. 2. Estimate spatial and temporal variation in abundance of C. mosaicus in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Corner Inlet during 2000, 2001 and 2002. 3. Determine relationships between total weight, bell weight, discard (oral arms) weight and diameter of C. mosaicus for several localities and the seasonality of these relationships. 4. Test whether the bells of C. mosaicus meet national health standards for cadmium, mercury, zinc, lead and arsenic & test for the effects of bell size and locality on concentration of these heavy metals in C. mosaicus. 5. Test whether the bells of C. mosaicus meet national health standards for organochlorides, hydrocarbons and tributyltins in Port Phillip Bay. 6. Provide annual fishery assessment reports which update commercial catch and effort. Read moreRead less
Byproduct: Catch, Economics And Co-occurrence In Australias Longline Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$83,841.00
Summary
At present, the target catch within pelagic longline fisheries is only a handful of the more than 70 species of fish taken during these operations. However, a considerable number of non-target species are marketed in Australia and elsewhere as a byproduct. While considerable attention has been focussed on target species and, in recent years, on bycatch species, assessment of the threats to, and opportunities for, the sustainable development of the harvest of byproduct species in Australia's tu ....At present, the target catch within pelagic longline fisheries is only a handful of the more than 70 species of fish taken during these operations. However, a considerable number of non-target species are marketed in Australia and elsewhere as a byproduct. While considerable attention has been focussed on target species and, in recent years, on bycatch species, assessment of the threats to, and opportunities for, the sustainable development of the harvest of byproduct species in Australia's tuna and billfish fisheries is long overdue. In particular, these species may represent significant opportunities for increased production from Australia's commercial fisheries including supply to export markets.
One of the key aims of the Commonwealth's Bycatch Action Plan (BAP) for Australia's tuna and billfish fisheries is the development of mechanisms to convert bycatch into byproduct where appropriate. One of the key impacts on the sustainable utilisation of these species are the current suite of Offshore Constituional Settlement (OCS) agreements that describe catch limits for many species taken in Australia's tuna and billfish fisheries. Analysis of spatial and temporal trends in catch and effort data for byproduct species would greatly assist future actions under the BAP including OCS re-negotiations.
In addition, management action taken to address issues facing target or bycatch species (e.g. spatial and/or temporal closures) may have considerable impacts on the take of economically-important, byproduct species. A wholistic approach is required and this approach needs to be supported by complete information from the fishery including all available information on byproduct species. As evidence for the significance of byproduct species to operators and managers it should be noted that operators in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery have launched legal proceeding against AFMA twice since 1999 specifically in relation to byproduct species (i.e. southern bluefin tuna and pelagic sharks). Objectives: 1. Identify key byproduct species in Australia's pelagic longline fisheries, through spatial and temporal analyses of catch and economic data 2. Determine co-occurrence in catch of key byproduct species with both target species and with other key species Read moreRead less