Determining The Design, Output Specifications And Sample Size For A National Social And Economic Survey Of Recreational Fishers In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$125,156.00
Summary
A national recreational fishing survey of social and economic contribution is proposed for 2017-18.
The recommendation of the 2015 scoping study for a national recreational fishing survey was to implement a phone-diary survey to deliver the multiple objectives of assessing recreational catch, effort and socio-economic information. Since the focus of the proposed survey has now shifted to specifically focus on the socio-economic aspects of recreational fishing there is a strong need to ....A national recreational fishing survey of social and economic contribution is proposed for 2017-18.
The recommendation of the 2015 scoping study for a national recreational fishing survey was to implement a phone-diary survey to deliver the multiple objectives of assessing recreational catch, effort and socio-economic information. Since the focus of the proposed survey has now shifted to specifically focus on the socio-economic aspects of recreational fishing there is a strong need to reassess the priority questions and data needs of key stakeholders relating to this objective and re-assess the most appropriate survey technique to deliver a statistically robust and stakeholder relevant socio-economic survey. Note: extrapolation from small, unrepresentative, or biased sampling can lead to large errors in survey estimates and in recent times, certain recreational fishing surveys have produced questionable results due to such factors.
Objectives: 1. Identify agreed data needs and output specifications of a national socio-economic survey of recreational fishing 2. Review existing social and economic survey methodologies, with consideration of a broad range of recreational activities, including recreational fishing 3. Develop an appropriate survey framework to deliver the data needs and output specifications agreed in Objective 1 Read moreRead less
National Social And Economic Survey Of Recreational Fishers 2019
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,233,987.00
Summary
Currently there is a lack of national scale, consistent and robust data on the motivations and behaviours of recreational fishers, and lack of robust data on the social and economic contribution of recreational fishing. Where many commercial fisheries have regular collection and estimation process for economic data, this is not the case for recreational fishing in most of Australia. This lack of data also includes behaviour and motivations and how they are changing. These data are useful for inf ....Currently there is a lack of national scale, consistent and robust data on the motivations and behaviours of recreational fishers, and lack of robust data on the social and economic contribution of recreational fishing. Where many commercial fisheries have regular collection and estimation process for economic data, this is not the case for recreational fishing in most of Australia. This lack of data also includes behaviour and motivations and how they are changing. These data are useful for informing discussions on resource allocation and in understanding and managing recreational fisheries more generally. If these data are to be used to inform governments and the general public, there is a need to make sure it is collected in a robust way that is representative of the Australian population. Large scale representative data sets are often expensive to acquire and as a result do not get undertaken regularly. One off surveys only provide useful data for any particular point in time, but understanding trends can often be more useful. This study aims to implement and test methodologies to provide a robust and representative sample, while trying to reduce costs to allow for more regular data gathering. To do this requires addressing another need: that of testing new survey methodologies for collecting data from recreational fishers that enables assessment of social and economic contribution. Recreational fishing surveys traditionally use probability based phone or mail surveys, however both methods are experiencing rapid decline in response rates and representativeness. It is expected that going into the future, online surveys that use a range of appropriate recruitment methods will be the most common survey method. There is a need to invest in establishing robust approaches to using these methods, and in understanding how their findings differ to those of traditional probability based surveys. Objectives: 1. Assess social and economic contribution of recreational fishing using multiple methods, including direct and flow-on economic benefits, and market and non-market benefits 2. Identify which approaches to recruiting survey participants and completing surveys produce the most representative and robust results 3. Recommend most appropriate and cost effective survey method to use to track change social and economic aspects of recreational fishing in Australia over time Read moreRead less
Industry Travel Bursary To Attend The Thirteenth Meeting Of The Conference Of The Parties To The Convention On The Conservation Of Migratory Species Of Wild Animals (CMS COP13)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Australia will be sending a delegation to the conference, yet there will be no industry representation. The Department of Environment have strongly encouraged industry to attend, given the dynamics of the meeting and the manner in which decision making is influenced and conducted. Specifically, the influence of non-government organisations and the strict conservation and protection agendas that are promoted and promulgated.
The potential listing of School Shark as a migratory species is ....Australia will be sending a delegation to the conference, yet there will be no industry representation. The Department of Environment have strongly encouraged industry to attend, given the dynamics of the meeting and the manner in which decision making is influenced and conducted. Specifically, the influence of non-government organisations and the strict conservation and protection agendas that are promoted and promulgated.
The potential listing of School Shark as a migratory species is the topic of greatest concern for industry, given the impact of listing at an international level and the consequences for the Commonwealth EPBC Act. Should this listing be ratified there will be significant impacts on the commercial and recreational fishing sectors. This is extremely concerning given our body of scientific work on School Shark and the current and historical management actions taken to recover the stocks.
In addition to the importance of the topic of discussion, this bursary will provide a significant capacity building opportunity for an industry representative. An experience that will provide benefits throughout a range aspects of industry representation.
Objectives: 1. Attend the CMS COP in India, February 2020 2. Bring back learnings for dissemination to interested industry parties Read moreRead less
Determining Variation In Catchability Of Western Rock Lobsters To Standardise Important Abundance Indices Used For Stock Assessment
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$325,000.00
Summary
An outcome of a recent review of the WRL fishery (FRDC 2015-236) was to conduct a sensitivity analysis on a range of parameters utilised by the Western Rock Lobster (WRL) stock assessment model. This analysis highlighted that stock projections and MEY analysis are both sensitive to lobster assumptions associated with the catchability of lobsters during IBSS surveys. Recent stock estimates consider the population of the western rock lobster to be at record high levels. Therefore, even relatively ....An outcome of a recent review of the WRL fishery (FRDC 2015-236) was to conduct a sensitivity analysis on a range of parameters utilised by the Western Rock Lobster (WRL) stock assessment model. This analysis highlighted that stock projections and MEY analysis are both sensitive to lobster assumptions associated with the catchability of lobsters during IBSS surveys. Recent stock estimates consider the population of the western rock lobster to be at record high levels. Therefore, even relatively minor differences in lobster catchability can have profound effects due to the multiplicative effect of increased stock size. With the recent marine heatwave off the WA coast producing record-high, projected increases in water temperature, and the substantial increased population abundance and size composition, there are likely to have been substantial changes in the catchability of lobsters during the IBSS, which may be impacting on the stock projections being produced for the fishery. The continued reliance of the stock assessment on independent indices while commercial fishing patterns (fishery dependent indices) become more consistent, requires that the variation in lobster catchability during these surveys is accounted for. If industry seek to increase WRL quotas in future seasons to take full advantage of the recent free trade agreement with China, it will be beneficial if the stock assessment is based on reliable indices of abundance to determine the appropriate TAC. Setting the quotas too low would affect industry’s profitability, while setting them too high would reduce fishers’ catch rates, affect the spawning stock and risk the sustainability of the fishery. Accounting for the biases impacting on abundance indices use to drive the stock assessment model (thus improving the accuracy of the model) will allow the fishery to maintain fishing at an appropriate level that achieves its harvest strategy target of maximising its economic yield and maintains a healthy spawning stock.
Objectives: 1. Determine factors (environmental and biological) causing variation in trap catchability of western rock lobsters 2. Quantify the relationships between factors and western rock lobster catchability 3. Standardise the empirical indices used for western rock lobster stock assessment for effects of catchability Read moreRead less
Laying The Foundation For Mulloway Stock Recovery Through Filling Critical Knowledge Gaps And Modelling.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,299,348.50
Summary
Critical knowledge gaps identified by the cross-sectoral harvest strategy working group are encapsulated within three priority areas for mulloway in NSW:
1) Information on the spatial extent of population structure
Whilst mulloway in NSW have been shown to be part of a single genetic stock along the east coast (Barnes et al. 2015), which is managed at the jurisdictional level (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria – Earl et al. 2021), the overall general small scales of movemen ....Critical knowledge gaps identified by the cross-sectoral harvest strategy working group are encapsulated within three priority areas for mulloway in NSW:
1) Information on the spatial extent of population structure
Whilst mulloway in NSW have been shown to be part of a single genetic stock along the east coast (Barnes et al. 2015), which is managed at the jurisdictional level (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria – Earl et al. 2021), the overall general small scales of movement and connectivity (Hughes et al. 2022), and spatial variation in otolith chemistry (Russell et al. 2021), suggest the potential for fine-scale population structuring within the broader stock. Such population structuring may occur over various time scales (e.g. evolutionary, generational or lifetime) relevant to management of the species. Identifying the spatial extent of population structure is therefore critical to inform the potential utility of spatially structured monitoring, assessment, and management of the species in NSW, including the potential need for cross-jurisdictional collaboration with Queensland and Victoria.
2) Refined and updated population life-history parameters
As described above, evidence indicates the potential for fine-scale within-generation population structure of mulloway within NSW, as has been demonstrated elsewhere in Australia (Ferguson et al. 2011). For mulloway in NSW, sub-populations may be subject to variation in environmental variables (e.g. habitat, water temperature, salinity), particularly those that vary with latitude. Such population structure may therefore manifest itself in spatial variability in demographic characteristics, such as growth, size and age composition, and mortality that affect stock productivity and subsequent resilience to exploitation. Information on mulloway reproductive biology was collected in the early 2000s and established size- and age-at-maturity (Silberschneider & Gray 2005), however information on the spatial and temporal extent of spawning is not clearly defined and the body-size fecundity relationship for mulloway in NSW is not well known. An updated examination of spatial variation in size and age structures, growth, mortality and reproductive biology are therefore urgently required to underpin length- and age-based components of future stock assessments for mulloway in NSW.
3) Assessment of gear selectivity and discard/release mortality for the main fishing methods.
Despite the majority of the commercial mulloway catch (~60%) being taken using gillnets (termed ’mesh nets’) in NSW, to date there has been very little research into selectivity, bycatch, discarding and post-release mortality of mulloway caught in this gear. Research on discard (‘release’) mortality from recreational fishing has shown that the two key predictors of mortality are deep-hooking (Butcher et al. 2007) and barotrauma (Butcher et al. 2013, Hughes et al. 2019), however, most of this work was restricted to small mulloway (< 45 cm TL) and no data are available on the fate of larger angled and released conspecifics. Research into the selectivity, rates of discarding and unaccounted fishing mortality of mulloway caught in the main gears and sectors are therefore urgently required (e.g. by defining selectivity functions and rates of discarding and post-release mortality for use in future stock assessment models).
Other knowledge gaps fall under priority areas already being addressed by existing NSW DPI-Fisheries initiatives (e.g. improved fishery data from all sectors, development of fishery-independent survey methods and updated comprehensive ERA; Figure 1).
Successfully fulfilling all knowledge gaps will generate data that will underpin a fourth priority area:
4) Development of a dynamic population model.
This is the essential tool that will be developed to reduce uncertainty in the species stock assessment, service the requirements of the harvest strategy to rebuild the stock, and guide future management to maintain the stock at a level that improves access to, and use of, the resource by all sectors. Any model(s) must also support an expandable assessment approach, capable of determining stock status with reasonable confidence from limited data available during the stock rebuilding phase, but with the ability to integrate additional data sources as they become available (once the rebuilding phase is complete) and maintaining continuity with previous assessments. The role of climatic/environmental drivers on mulloway population dynamics will also be examined within the integrated assessment model(s) that will be developed.
Without the improved knowledge encapsulated in the above priority areas for research, any reasonable assessment of the status of the resource, estimation of appropriate harvest levels, harvest strategy development, and implementation of appropriate management to rebuild the resource and maintain sustainability in future, will not be possible. This will in turn directly impact the magnitude, profitability, and social outcomes derived from the resource. Funding from the FRDC is therefore needed to address these key identified knowledge gaps, representing an urgent research priority for all harvesting sectors of the resource in NSW. Objectives: 1. 1. Resolve the fine scale population structure for mulloway in south-eastern Australia (southern Queensland, New South Wales and eastern Victoria). 2. 2. Refine and update population life-history parameters (demographic and reproductive information) from across the spatial extent of the stock. 3. 3. Assess selectivity and discard/release mortality for the main gears and sectors (gillnets and angling), and develop approaches to minimise mortality. 4. 4. Integrate information generated from objectives 1–3 and data collected by existing monitoring programs, and develop a dynamic population model(s) to support future stock rebuilding strategies for the NSW mulloway population. Read moreRead less
Abundance, Population Modelling, And Potential Biological Removal Estimates For Common Dolphins In Spencer Gulf: Implications For The South Australian Sardine Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$380,000.00
Summary
This project is needed to assess the impacts of the South Australian Sardine Fishery (SASF) on the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). The SASF is Australia’s largest volume fishery and is critical to providing a supply of feed for the ranching of southern bluefin tuna. Operational interactions between common dolphins and the SASF have been persistent since the development of the fishery. Common dolphins occasionally become encircled in purse seine nets during fishing operations, which can lead ....This project is needed to assess the impacts of the South Australian Sardine Fishery (SASF) on the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). The SASF is Australia’s largest volume fishery and is critical to providing a supply of feed for the ranching of southern bluefin tuna. Operational interactions between common dolphins and the SASF have been persistent since the development of the fishery. Common dolphins occasionally become encircled in purse seine nets during fishing operations, which can lead to their injury and death. Observations of high interaction rates from an initial observer program, led to the temporary closure of the fishery in 2005 while an industry Code of Practice (CoP) to reduce dolphin interactions was developed. Since then, the CoP has been reviewed and refined to increase its effectiveness in preventing dolphin interactions, and improve release procedures. An independent on-board observer program has operated in the fishery since July 2006. It collects information on dolphin interaction and mortality rates, as well as data relating to the application of the CoP, and this information is provided in annual assessment reports. Since the introduction of the CoP, dolphin encirclement and mortality rates have declined, however, concerns about the level of interactions and mortality have persisted, with industry facing sustained pressure to demonstrate that steps taken to manage and mitigate dolphin interactions represent World’s best practice, and are sustainable.
This project is needed to address Marine Stewardship Council Fishery Assessment recommendations for the SASF to collect adequate and sufficient quantitative information to assess the consequences of interactions with common dolphins on their populations. This project is needed to provide an important Australian fisheries test-case for meeting new US Government legislation, requiring nations importing seafood to demonstrate that they have a regulatory program for reducing marine mammal bycatch that are comparable in effectiveness to US standards. Objectives: 1. Estimate the abundance of common dolphins in core fishing areas of the SASF 2. Collect critical life history (longevity, age specific mortality) information from museum specimens 3. Develop population models to evaluate bycatch limits of common dolphins and assess the sustainability of interactions with the SASF Read moreRead less
Engagement For Success: Evaluation Of Engagement Events To Inform Industry Management Strategies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$135,450.00
Summary
Commercial fisheries and aquaculture activities with insufficient levels of social support can negatively affect industry member well-being and contribute to restricted resource access. More & appropriate engagement is needed to improve stakeholder and community trust & support, both with those affected by industry activity, and with those who affect industry activity (i.e. decision-makers and influencers).
This project addresses the need to ensure that the range of engagement activitie ....Commercial fisheries and aquaculture activities with insufficient levels of social support can negatively affect industry member well-being and contribute to restricted resource access. More & appropriate engagement is needed to improve stakeholder and community trust & support, both with those affected by industry activity, and with those who affect industry activity (i.e. decision-makers and influencers).
This project addresses the need to ensure that the range of engagement activities and strategies undertaken by organisations and operators within fisheries and aquaculture are effective at: - building relationships and trustworthiness; - understanding concerns and needs arising from industry activity; and - influencing preferences and decisions.
Limited evaluation has been undertaken regarding the effectiveness of engagement strategies and activities in meeting predefined goals. Similarly, limited opportunities exist to transfer knowledge between industry organisations of successful and future engagement practice; or to support improved return on investment of engagement strategies. The NSW Fishing Industry has a need to improve relationships and trustworthiness with key stakeholders, and to achieve specific outcomes for PFA members, which include; improve social license by industry taking the lead on its own imagery, and an increase in the consumption and variety of NSW seafood.
In addition, there is limited feedback on whether communication strategies about to embark on will be effective at achieving the PFA’s desired outcomes, and there is information to help develop long term engagement strategies and direct limited resources to the most effective activities.
Therefore, there is a need to select a range of community engagement strategies and activities, and evaluate these against predefined goals. Engagement successes need to be extended to other industry organisations, and if appropriate, decision support materials to be developed to extend knowledge adoption of the findings and materials.
Objectives: 1. Evaluate these engagement activities and strategies against their predefined goals, applying an engagement evaluation framework developed by Clear Horizon as part of "FRDC project 2018-201" using standardised and defensible monitoring and evaluation methods. 2. Pilot and refine the evaluation framework using the above. 3. Develop materials to support other industry organisations based on the specific case studies, in selecting, designing, implementing and evaluating types of engagement activities and strategies which have been demonstrated to be highly effective at achieving specific engagement goals. (REVIEW with Stop/Go point) 4. Contribute to extension and knowledge mobilisation of these findings and materials. (REVIEW with Stop/Go point) Read moreRead less
This project will result in a high quality, documentary style production that can be used to protect, share and promote Indigenous peoples' own narratives about their fishing practices, rights, customs and knowledge. Indigenous Australians have a rich and enduring connection with their sea country. This connection is powerfully reflected by their traditional and ongoing sustainable management and harvesting of marine and coastal resources. In communicating this connection to Indigenous Austra ....This project will result in a high quality, documentary style production that can be used to protect, share and promote Indigenous peoples' own narratives about their fishing practices, rights, customs and knowledge. Indigenous Australians have a rich and enduring connection with their sea country. This connection is powerfully reflected by their traditional and ongoing sustainable management and harvesting of marine and coastal resources. In communicating this connection to Indigenous Australians, it is more powerful to use visual, spoken or pictorial means. This project is also vitally important in terms of Indigenous knowledge preservation, through recording the stories and knowledge of Elders about their marine resources, rights and responsibilities.
Through a series of culturally appropriate, on-country interviews with Indigenous fishers from around Australia, as well as IRG members, our project team will create a documentary that captures valuable stories, insights and aspirations of Indigenous Australians in regard to management and use of marine resources. These perspectives will be complemented by contemporary research findings and best-practice management approaches in relation to Indigenous fisheries issues. The production will touch on the Indigenous RD&E priorities endorsed at the Cairns Forum 2012, including:
•Primacy for Indigenous people •Acknowledgement of Indigenous cultural practices •Self-determination of Indigenous rights to use and manage cultural assets and resources •Economic development opportunities arising from Indigenous peoples' cultural assets and associated rights •Capacity building opportunities for Indigenous people are enhanced.
Through background research and structured interview processes, the production will draw attention to customary knowledge, cultural rights and responsibilities Indigenous people have over their marine and coastal resources, their contemporary fisheries management and economic development aspirations through the fisheries and seafood sectors, as well as the current impacts on Indigenous fishing practices. The production team will also work to develop a cohesive and compelling narrative for the video, in consultation with the IRG.
Objectives: 1. Research and develop with the IRG 10 compelling stories that together make an informative and educative contribution to Indigenous fishing knowledge systems. 2. Produce 10 by 5 minute stories that particularly relate to Cairns Principles and RD&E Priority Areas 3. Develop an overarching narrative that ties the 10 stories together into a strong 50 minute documentary 4. Document the project methodology in order to provide a framework for future outputs to ensure consistency ofapproach and promote best practice/continual improvement. 5. Provide advice to IRG as required on publishing, distribution and audience uptake of stories. Read moreRead less
Storm Bay Research Program Management, Governance And Extension
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$636,438.94
Summary
Proposed salmon aquaculture expansion in Storm Bay has created the Tasmanian State Government (PA and EPA) need for a suite of research to be undertaken by CSIRO and IMAS to assist planning and regulation. Given the complexity of the Storm Bay research and implications for Salmon planning and regulation, and necessary community communication, there is a need for ‘Storm Bay Project’ governance and communication support as follows:
1) A Project Manager, to be engaged by FRDC will require ....Proposed salmon aquaculture expansion in Storm Bay has created the Tasmanian State Government (PA and EPA) need for a suite of research to be undertaken by CSIRO and IMAS to assist planning and regulation. Given the complexity of the Storm Bay research and implications for Salmon planning and regulation, and necessary community communication, there is a need for ‘Storm Bay Project’ governance and communication support as follows:
1) A Project Manager, to be engaged by FRDC will require a 0.5 FTE role (to be reviewed 6 and 12 months for adequacy and need), will coordinate Project Governance (relating to the IMAS and CSIRO research suite) and provide direct reporting to the Steering Committee, against the agreed work plan on progress, achievements or challenges. The Project Manager will chair the various sub-committees, and manage consultants and communication releases to develop and ensure integration of monitoring and research, delivery of outcomes, and public reporting. The PM will also be responsible for coordinating engagement between the steering committee and independent governance committee. An operational in-direct cost will be needed for computer, stationary, catering and transport costs for the function on the Project Manager.
2) Communication Advisory Sub-committee support as required a) Consultant support is needed to create the Storm Bay Project communication strategy and communication products,
3) Community Reference Group Support as required a) Support for an independent convener is requested to create a Community Reference Group that will provide community input into the Storm Bay Project communication strategy b) A research evaluation of the Community Reference Group outputs is warranted to assess and improve community engagement and communication (Dr Alexander)
4) Tasmanian State Government see the need for the outputs of all 3-research projects to be independent externally reviewed and that the findings be-released into the public domain. Support for an external Independent Review Panel of the CSIRO and IMAS research suite outputs will be sought via a future project extension (proposal to be prepared by the Project Manager). Objectives: 1. Support Storm Bay Project communication strategy development, public communication and evaluation 2. Provide governance support to the Storm Bay Project 3. Develop a project extension in order to undertake an independent peer review of science outputs from this CSIRO and IMAS research suite Read moreRead less
Next Generation Decision Support Tools To Support Sustainable Aquaculture In Storm Bay
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$791,324.00
Summary
To expand into new coastal and offshore areas, the Tasmanian Salmon Industry needs to maintain the support of State Government and the Tasmanian community by clearly demonstrating responsible stewardship and sustainable use of the marine environment. For Government agencies to adequately assess the environmental implications of these developments, they need to understand the environmental footprint of the industry, the capacity of the environment to assimilate waste loads, and any other environm ....To expand into new coastal and offshore areas, the Tasmanian Salmon Industry needs to maintain the support of State Government and the Tasmanian community by clearly demonstrating responsible stewardship and sustainable use of the marine environment. For Government agencies to adequately assess the environmental implications of these developments, they need to understand the environmental footprint of the industry, the capacity of the environment to assimilate waste loads, and any other environmental risks associated with aquaculture operations. With this information State Government and Industry can demonstrate best practice in the strategic and sustainable expansion of aquaculture, minimise environmental impacts, and keep the Tasmanian community well informed.
In recent years, the utility of environmental models and decision support tools have been successfully demonstrated for the Huon Estuary and D’Entrecasteaux Channel. For example, the availability of a validated biogeochemical model for this region enabled the development of the marine ecological emulator for rapid assessment of aquaculture operations on water quality.
Expansion of salmon aquaculture into new regions, such as Storm Bay, now requires both geographical extension of these capabilities and more flexible and cost-effective implementation approaches to modelling. In particular there is a need to develop lease scale modelling to predict and assess near scale (lease/cage) effect of aquaculture development.
The proposed expansion of the capabilities and decisions support tools outlined in this project will assist the State Government and Industry to forecast the potential extent and nature of impacts of aquaculture operations on the marine environment at multiple scales (e.g. lease and broadscale) under a range of operational scenarios. Objectives: 1. Provide relocatable modelling capability that can supply enhanced resolution environmental information within Storm Bay. 2. To provide access to a public online decision support tool to assist with the management of waterborne contaminants and marine biosecurity within Storm Bay 3. To provide registered stakeholders with access to an online decision support tool to assist with the management of water quality in Storm Bay Read moreRead less