Biological And Fisheries Data For Managing Deep Sea Crabs In Western Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$347,674.00
Summary
Since the snow crab is presumably slow growing and long-lived and therefore vulnerable to overfishing, there is a pressing need for collecting baseline biological and fishery data that can be used to produce a preliminary stock assessment for assisting in the management and conservation of this species in Western Australia. Mechanisms for obtaining data on size compositions and catch statistics for the fishery in the early stages of its development need to be established so that the extent to wh ....Since the snow crab is presumably slow growing and long-lived and therefore vulnerable to overfishing, there is a pressing need for collecting baseline biological and fishery data that can be used to produce a preliminary stock assessment for assisting in the management and conservation of this species in Western Australia. Mechanisms for obtaining data on size compositions and catch statistics for the fishery in the early stages of its development need to be established so that the extent to which large animals are depleted as a result of fishing pressure can be determined.
In the early stages of the proposed work, it will be necessary to determine the catch and distribution of the commercial fishery and the size (carapace length), sex ratio and relative abundance by depth of the crabs that form the basis for the fishery. This will enable any future changes that occur in these characteristics as a result of fishing pressure to be detected.
Since snow crabs are expected to have long intermoult periods, it will be necessary to tag crabs as soon as possible to provide, in the relatively near future, information on growth rates, movements, and estimates of yield and eggs (or spawning biomass) per recruit.
Accurate information is needed on the size at which snow crabs first reach maturity and how frequently spawning occurs within a year.
Information is required on the size of gaps in traps that would allow sublegal sized crabs to escape and thereby prevent unnecessary mortality and displacement.
A basic stock assessment is required to meet Environment Australia’s Schedule 4 exemption in the short term and Fisheries WA/Environment Australia requirements whch are to be initiated in December 2002. Objectives: 1. Implement a voluntary log book system in which fishers will record the number, size and location of capture of crabs and establish the data bases that are necessay to record and maintain logbook, size composition and tagging data. 2. Collect and process biological research data on the size, weight, moult stage, shell state, sex ratio, gonadal weight and gonadal stage of snow crabs caught by commercial fishers at regular intervals during the year. 3. Determine the relative abundance of snow crabs in the various depths and regions in which this species is fished. 4. Determine the patterns of movement, growth and frequency of spawning of snow crabs. 5. Determine the size of snow crabs at first maturity. 6. Determine the effectiveness of the escape gaps currently in use in the fishery in reducing the catch of sub-legal sized crystal crabs. 7. Undertake an experiment to infer short-term movement and changes in density resulting from localized depletion of the fishing grounds. 8. Produce an initial assessment of the status of the snow crab stock on the west coast of WA. Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. Define unit stocks for fisheries management of northern populations of Spanish mackerel, barramundi and blacktip shark. 2. Use electrophoretic analysis of protein variation to characterise each sp, examine for stock heterogeneity, define geographical boundaries
Movement Patterns And Stock Structure Of Australian Sardine (Sardinops Sagax) Off South Australia And The East Coast: Implications For Future Stock Assessment And Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$248,797.00
Summary
This project is needed to assess the potential for increasing catches of sardine in the fisheries off SA (i.e. SASF) and the East Coast (i.e. NSW Ocean Haul Fishery and SPF).
For the SASF, information on the patterns and rates of movement of sardines between the Great Australian Bight (where the majority of the spawning biomass is located) and southern Spencer Gulf (where most fishing is conducted) is needed to determine whether (or not) future potential increases in the TAC should be ....This project is needed to assess the potential for increasing catches of sardine in the fisheries off SA (i.e. SASF) and the East Coast (i.e. NSW Ocean Haul Fishery and SPF).
For the SASF, information on the patterns and rates of movement of sardines between the Great Australian Bight (where the majority of the spawning biomass is located) and southern Spencer Gulf (where most fishing is conducted) is needed to determine whether (or not) future potential increases in the TAC should be accompanied by the establishment of zones within the fishery.
For the NSW Ocean Haul Fishery and SPF, information on the patterns and rates of movement of sardines along the East Coast is needed to assess the extent to which estimates of spawning biomass from northern NSW and southern Qld waters reflect the size of the entire sardine stock off eastern Australia. Objectives: 1. To collate data held for jurisdictions to generate hypotheses regarding movement patterns and stock structure of Australian sardine throughout southern Australia. 2. To evaluate the use of otolith shape analyses for testing hypotheses regarding the movement patterns of sardine in southern Australia. 3. To evaluate the use of transect-based otolith microchemistry techniques (laser ablation ICPMS) for examining the movement patterns of sardine between gulf and shelf waters of SA and along east coast of Australia. 4. To collate findings to determine: a) whether or not additional spatial management (zones) would be needed to support a future increase in the TAC in the SA Sardine Fishery; and b) the degree to which estimates of spawning biomass from waters off northern NSW and southern Qld reflect the size of the entire eastern Australian sardine stock. Read moreRead less
Stock Discrimination Of Pilchards By Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$16,000.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To measure the 18O/16o and 13C/12c ratios in otolith carbonate from a range of sizes of pilchards from four locations at 3 monthly intervals through one year, and thereby to test whether isotope-based locations signatures persist through time and thus demonstrate the presence of separate populations within the pilchard distribution.
The Age, Growth, Reproductive Biology And Stock Assessment Of Grass Emperor, Lethrinus Laticaudis In Shark Bay, WA
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$309,307.00
Summary
Black snapper stocks in the inner gulfs of Shark Bay are under increasing pressure by the recreational fishing sector. This is a result of both the increasing number of recreational anglers fishing in the Shark Bay area and the reduction in the stock size of pink snapper. Current management for the recreational sector consists of a bag limit of 8 fish and size limit of 28 cm. However, there are no validated or reliable biological data on the age, growth and reproductive biology on this specie ....Black snapper stocks in the inner gulfs of Shark Bay are under increasing pressure by the recreational fishing sector. This is a result of both the increasing number of recreational anglers fishing in the Shark Bay area and the reduction in the stock size of pink snapper. Current management for the recreational sector consists of a bag limit of 8 fish and size limit of 28 cm. However, there are no validated or reliable biological data on the age, growth and reproductive biology on this species in order to develop stock assessment models and evaluate current management regulations. Objectives: 1. Examine stock delineation using stable isotope analysis. 2. Determine the age structure of black snapper . 3. Determine the growth rate of black snapper. 4. Determine the reproductive biology of the black snapper. 5. Develop a stock assessment model for black snapper from the inner gulfs of Shark Bay. Read moreRead less
Exploring The Occurrence And Potential Associated Risk Factors For Pilchard Orthomyxovirus (POMV) In Tasmanian Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$209,295.62
Summary
Following basic epidemiology principles, no infectious disease occurs ‘randomly’ and its occurrence follow logical and predictable patterns. The presence of an infectious agent is unlikely sufficient to explain these patterns and most aquatic diseases result from the complex interaction between the agent, the host and its environment. Therefore, the targeted outcome for a POMV control plan is threefold: 1. Decrease transmission between infected and susceptible fish groups – this requires ide ....Following basic epidemiology principles, no infectious disease occurs ‘randomly’ and its occurrence follow logical and predictable patterns. The presence of an infectious agent is unlikely sufficient to explain these patterns and most aquatic diseases result from the complex interaction between the agent, the host and its environment. Therefore, the targeted outcome for a POMV control plan is threefold: 1. Decrease transmission between infected and susceptible fish groups – this requires identifying risk factors associated with the introduction, spread, and maintenance of the pathogen within the industry; 2. Decrease the number of susceptible fish – this mainly requires identifying risk factors associated with the susceptibility of the host (e.g. husbandry-related stress) and the development of a safe and effective prophylaxis; 3. Decrease the amount of virus in the environment - this requires detecting infected fish cage(s) early to implement timely control strategies. Diagnostic capacity to confirmed POMV outbreak has been developed and is currently used in routine by the industry. A vaccine against POMV is currently under development at the Tasmanian Aquatic Animal Health and Vaccines Centre of Excellence and will be available in the future. However, little is known about risk factors specific to POMV and about its full economic impact. We define as a ‘risk factor’ any attribute of the agent, the host or its environment that increases the risk and intensity of a disease outbreak. Most of the environmental risk factors (including farming practices) facilitate the introduction, transmission, or maintenance of the pathogen; while the host risk factors affect the susceptibility of the host and its capacity to become diseased. Like the closely related ISAv, the magnitude and occurrence of POMV outbreaks appeared to be highly variable. This supports the existence of additional factors other than the POMV infection that contribute to the intensity of an outbreak. It is anticipated that by identifying and intervening on some of the manageable risk factors, the frequency and the severity of POMV outbreaks can be reduced. Objectives: 1. Describe the occurrence of POMV outbreaks in the Tasmanian salmon industry 2. Quantify the direct financial impact of POMV mortality to the Tasmanian salmon industry 3. Identify potential management, environmental and stock risk factors directly or indirectly increasing the risk and intensity of a POMV outbreaks Read moreRead less
Viral Endemiology Of Selected Australian Commercial Fish Species And Their Susceptibility To Viral Diseases
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Expand the Australian viral endemiology testing facility to include certified continuous cell lines derived from commercially important Australian fish species, 2. enabling the viral endemiology and susceptibility of these fish to be studied
Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Subprogram: Molecular Genetic Tools For The Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon Industry – Development And Application
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$461,796.00
Summary
The efficiency and effectiveness of selective breeding programs can be greatly enhanced through the use of DNA technology. The application of such technology will be used for pedigree information and identification of markers for economic traits leading to marker-assisted selection. Although various international laboratories and CSIRO have developed a bank of molecular markers for Atlantic salmon, the potential of these and other nuclear DNA markers such as AFLPs need evaluating.
Throu ....The efficiency and effectiveness of selective breeding programs can be greatly enhanced through the use of DNA technology. The application of such technology will be used for pedigree information and identification of markers for economic traits leading to marker-assisted selection. Although various international laboratories and CSIRO have developed a bank of molecular markers for Atlantic salmon, the potential of these and other nuclear DNA markers such as AFLPs need evaluating.
Through this project we would be able to formally collaborate on an international mapping project for salmonids. This would give the local industry access to far more markers and genetic information than would be possible if we worked in isolation.
The extent of genetic variation within the Tasmanian population with respect to overseas endemic populations remains unclear. In time it may be considered advantageous to import new genetic material to enhance various characteristics of the local population. However, at present that is unlikely and the genetic status of the population, and of the effectiveness of breeding protocols, needs to be better understood. Significant progress was made with this and the search for sex differences (project 96/347), but funding is required to further the research. Objectives: 1. To further develop and apply molecular markers for use in industry breeding programs. 2. To genotype selected broodstock with a suite of microsatellite markers to enable efficient pedigree analysis of progeny. 3. To compare microsatellite DNA variation from archival scale samples from the progenitor Canadian population with past and current cohorts of the Tasmanian population. Read moreRead less
SCRC: Seafood CRC: A Review Of Predictive And Rapid Diagnostic Technologies Relevant To The Australian Seafood Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
AS an input to Business Plan development by the Australian Seafood CRC for the Product Quality and Integrity Research Program, conduct a review of predictive and rapid diagnostic technologies relevant to the Australian Seafood Industry
Does Regular Fish Consumption Reduce The Risk Of Childhood Asthma
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$30,308.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To determine if the questions used to categorise fish consumption in standard respiratory symptom questionaires have good construct validity 2. To determine if the questions used to categorise fish consumption in standard respiratory symptom questionaires have good construct validity 3. To determine if the type or quality of fish is an important factor associated with a reduced risk of asthma in childhood 4. To determine if children with abnormal airway respo ....Objectives: 1. To determine if the questions used to categorise fish consumption in standard respiratory symptom questionaires have good construct validity 2. To determine if the questions used to categorise fish consumption in standard respiratory symptom questionaires have good construct validity 3. To determine if the type or quality of fish is an important factor associated with a reduced risk of asthma in childhood 4. To determine if children with abnormal airway responsiveness or frequent asthmatic symptoms have different characteristics to nonasthmatic children Read moreRead less