Status Of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS) Sixth Edition
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,236,740.00
Summary
The proposal is for the production of the sixth edition of the SAFS reports. SAFS is Australia's only coordinated, national-scale stock-status reporting framework, and as such is a critical driver of jurisdictional collaboration and strategic processes. The current application is to produce the SAFS reports in 2023 and address strategic issues outlined above. In order to ensure the continuation of SAFS beyond 2023, it is essential for jurisdictions to develop ownership of the reports and to embe ....The proposal is for the production of the sixth edition of the SAFS reports. SAFS is Australia's only coordinated, national-scale stock-status reporting framework, and as such is a critical driver of jurisdictional collaboration and strategic processes. The current application is to produce the SAFS reports in 2023 and address strategic issues outlined above. In order to ensure the continuation of SAFS beyond 2023, it is essential for jurisdictions to develop ownership of the reports and to embed SAFS processes in core business, and for efficiencies in production and report management to continue to progress. A parallel project to develop jurisdictional reporting services is also underway to assist jurisdictions develop their jurisdictional chapters. As documented in the independent audit of SAFS 2016 (FRDC project 2016-143), the process of compiling SAFS on a co-operative basis between FRDC, Australian government agencies and all fisheries jurisdictions has led to greater joint collaboration, as well as transfers of methodologies and processes, to deliver higher quality and more credible stock status reporting which can be accessed nationally and internationally, as well as assisting in policy decisions regarding changes to particular fisheries management arrangements and in research priorities. Primary drivers for National reporting of the SAFS include: (i) the State of the Environment Report 2011, i.e., ‘lack of a nationally integrated approach inhibits effective marine management’; (ii) a recommendation of the House of Representatives Inquiry into the Role of Science for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Netting the Benefits Report 2012), i.e., ‘producing national status report regularly’; (iii) the Australian Fisheries Management Forum national statement of intent, i.e. a key outcome of ‘Goal 1’ is the National Status of Australian Fish Stocks Report; (iv) the National Fishing and Aquaculture Strategy 2015–20, i.e., ‘Goal 1’ of this strategy will be partially measured by an increased number of fisheries assessed as environmentally sustainable in the Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports (this includes reducing the number of stocks assessed as uncertain); (v) the FRDC RD&E Plan 2020–25, enabling strategy V (tracking and reporting on sustainability of fish stocks and performance of fisheries). Objectives: 1. To produce a sixth edition of the SAFS reports in 2023. 2. Reduce the number (percentage) of stocks classified as "Undefined" where possible, using data-poor or other acceptable methods. 3. To increase the capacity of FRDC and all participating jurisdictions to recognise equivalence between SAFS and other jurisdictional stock-status reporting schemes and streamline reporting accordingly. 4. To expand the SAFS stock-classification framework to include enhanced stocks. 5. Review methods and processes to move the criteria for sustainable from the limit reference point to the target reference point Read moreRead less
Design Of A Fishery Independent Longline Survey For Chondrichthyans In Northern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$82,125.00
Summary
Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) from commercial logbooks is often used as an index of abundance in stock assessments. However, the use of commercial CPUE as an indicator of relative abundance can be problematic as the underlying assumption that commercial catch rates change linearly with abundance is often compromised. Although some factors that are reported in logbooks can be used to standardise CPUE, there are other sources of variation including: • Modified fishing practices to target or ....Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) from commercial logbooks is often used as an index of abundance in stock assessments. However, the use of commercial CPUE as an indicator of relative abundance can be problematic as the underlying assumption that commercial catch rates change linearly with abundance is often compromised. Although some factors that are reported in logbooks can be used to standardise CPUE, there are other sources of variation including: • Modified fishing practices to target or avoid species to suit quota availability, meet market demands, or to comply with management arrangements. • Differences in selectivity of fishing gear and use of bycatch-reduction devices. • The combined impacts of multiple management restrictions on a fishery. For example, gillnet operations in what was once the Northern Territory’s Shark Fishery now almost exclusively target Grey Mackerel. This change in practice has resulted in an index that is losing its relevance in assessing shark species.
Over 140 elasmobranchs are listed on CITES Appendix II, with the likely-hood that more species will be added in the future. Of the 11,082t of shark landed by the fishery since 2000, CITES listed Hammerheads comprise 17.25% of the shark catch. Other sharks caught by the fishery that were recently added to CITES Appendix II at the Nineteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Panama City (Panama), 14 – 25 November 2022 include: Grey Reef Shark, Dusky Whaler, Sandbar Shark, Lemon Shark, Whitecheek shark and all other members of the family Carcharhinidae (which include the Blacktip Shark complex that is the main shark species caught by the fishery - 4688t or 42% since 2000). These species will require a positive Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) and CITES export permit in order to be exported following the 12-month delay in implementation (i.e., December 2023). The fishery also catches Threatened, Endangered and Protected Elasmobranchs, some of which are also CITES listed.
Gillnet and longline effort has decreased since 2000 and there is significant latent effort in the fishery. There is a desire to utilise this latent effort, however, the CITES listing of the majority of sharks species caught in the fishery will increase scrutiny from State, Commonwealth and International environmental agencies, as well as NGOs. This heightened scrutiny will provide greater impetus to demonstrate that shark stocks are at sustainable levels and that fishing is being undertaken sustainably.
There is a strong need for independent survey methods to gain a better understanding of the abundance patterns of shark species over time that can contribute to the development of appropriate management of these species that meets environmental, fisheries, and conservation needs.
Surveying Northern Australia using longlining methods would provide a fishery independent estimate of relative abundance for sharks that would improve economic security and public confidence in sustainability. However, to make an informed decision of the feasibility of a survey a full understanding of the scope of work and cost required is needed. There is a need to look at existing long line surveys undertaken worldwide (e.g. in the USA and Bahamas), to understanding the methods undertaken and the time period required to develop accurate abundance estimates.
Objectives: 1. Analysis of commercial logbook data to inform fishery independent survey design 2. Conduct a literature review to determine potential design of longline fishery independent survey 3. Hold a workshop to discuss options for a NT shark longline survey 4. Develop final design and costs for a NT shark longline survey Read moreRead less
Quantifying Banded Morwong, Bluethroat Wrasse And Purple Wrasse Abundance And Movements To Sustain Key Fisheries In Tasmania - Postgraduate
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,000.00
Summary
This project will harness existing information to implement strategic and cost-effective data collections on the abundance of key species of reef fishes in Tasmania along gradients in environmental condition and fishing intensity. The outcomes are intended to improve current stock assessment approaches and to establish a fishery-independent monitoring program that will help ensure the long-term sustainability of some of the most productive commercial fisheries in the state. More specifically, th ....This project will harness existing information to implement strategic and cost-effective data collections on the abundance of key species of reef fishes in Tasmania along gradients in environmental condition and fishing intensity. The outcomes are intended to improve current stock assessment approaches and to establish a fishery-independent monitoring program that will help ensure the long-term sustainability of some of the most productive commercial fisheries in the state. More specifically, the project aims to collate data on reef fish abundance and movements collected in the context of multiple previous research projects, and to collect new data that fill current gaps in knowledge about localised population depletion as well as population dynamics across different types of reef habitats. For Wrasse, our findings are expected to inform the appropriate scale of annual assessments of trends in catch, effort, and catch rates. The findings will further be used to define management units for data-poor stock assessment approaches, including “catch-only” methods. Importantly, for Banded Morwong, the study will be designed to address two critical sensitivities related to both the structure and parameterisation of the current stock assessment model, which is a fundamental tool in support of decisions on the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for this species. Both model sensitives relate to current assumptions about the relative abundance and exchange of individuals among shallow and deep-water (>30 m) reef habitat, which are highly uncertain but have fundamental implications for management decisions on current and future TACs. Objectives: 1. Recruit a suitable PhD candidate to conduct this research project 2. To quantify reef fish abundance along gradients in fishing intensity and across a variety of different types of reef habitat 3. To investigate relative reef fish population biomass and exchange among shallow and deep-water habitats 4. To refine current stock assessment approaches with a focus on the TAC-regulated Banded Morwong fishery Read moreRead less
Potential Transition Of Shark Gillnet Boats To Longline Fishing In Bass Strait - Ecological, Cross-sectoral, And Economic Implications
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$456,664.59
Summary
Implemented in June 2010, AFMA’s 2010 Australian Sea Lion (ASL) Management Strategy, included significant area closures around ASL colonies and aimed to monitor and minimise the impacts of interactions between ASLs and gillnets used by Commonwealth shark fishers. Following this, FRDC project 2011/068 successfully trialled the use of auto-longlines to target Gummy Shark and collected comprehensive information on the catch rate, catch composition and length frequency distribution of all target, by ....Implemented in June 2010, AFMA’s 2010 Australian Sea Lion (ASL) Management Strategy, included significant area closures around ASL colonies and aimed to monitor and minimise the impacts of interactions between ASLs and gillnets used by Commonwealth shark fishers. Following this, FRDC project 2011/068 successfully trialled the use of auto-longlines to target Gummy Shark and collected comprehensive information on the catch rate, catch composition and length frequency distribution of all target, bycatch and byproduct species.
The Shark Gillnet Fishery Operating in Bass Strait does not interact with ASLs, but does interact with other TEP species such as dolphins and seals. The impact of AFMA’s 2017 Gillnet Dolphin Mitigation Strategy and falling profitability of gillnet operators could see those vessels face the same issues as SA vessels, particularly in light of the potential for escalatiion of management consequences in response to repeated TEP interactions and no proven mitigation measures.
Similar to the previous SA trial, this project aims to trial longlines as an alternative to using gillnets to target Gummy Shark in Bass Strait. There are concerns from other sectors, however, about increased catches of species historically caught by other commercial fishing methods from Victorian, Tasmanian and Commonwealth jurisdictions and particular concerns from the recreational sector about potential catches of snapper.
This project will explore the economic viability of gillnet boats converting to a hook fishing in Bass Strait and monitor the associated bycatch of species of interest to other commercial and recreational fishing sectors. This builds on the knowledge gained through FRDC project 2011/068 by undertaking the trial in a completely different area, with different potential TEP and bycatch species and Gummy Shark and School Shark CPUE. Objectives: 1. Conduct a trial using automatic longlines to target gummy shark in SESSF waters in Eastern and Western Bass Strait 2. Collect comprehensive information on longline catch rates and catch composition of all target, bycatch, byproduct and TEP species. Collect length frequency distributions on major target and byproduct species. 3. Describe potential resource sharing and gear interaction implications for SESSF and other Commonwealth and State fisheries 4. Undertake an economic analysis of viability of gillnet vessels converting to longlines to target Gummy Shark in Bass Strait. 5. Present the results of the longline trials to relevant AFMA RAGs and MACs, VFA, DPIPWE and other stakeholders Read moreRead less
Gulf Of Carpentaria King Threadfin (Polydactylus Macrochir) - Addressing The Knowledge Gaps To Support Assessment, Management And Sustainable Harvest
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,410,230.50
Summary
The proposal addresses the key needs specified in FRDC investment opportunity on GoC KTF in an integrated manner, in consultation and collaboration with industry, by a team of people highly experienced in the science and logistical challenges of working in the GoC. The ‘Needs’ in the FRDC Call for R&D Investment Opportunities were (1) stock structure, including spatial and temporal connectivity between regions (i.e., movement and reproductive connectivity), (2) quantify life history information ....The proposal addresses the key needs specified in FRDC investment opportunity on GoC KTF in an integrated manner, in consultation and collaboration with industry, by a team of people highly experienced in the science and logistical challenges of working in the GoC. The ‘Needs’ in the FRDC Call for R&D Investment Opportunities were (1) stock structure, including spatial and temporal connectivity between regions (i.e., movement and reproductive connectivity), (2) quantify life history information at regional scales relevant to stock assessment, and (3) factors influencing variation in the relationship between catch rate and population abundance.
The proposal addresses these knowledge gaps, which continue to bring uncertainty to the GoC KTF assessment and management. Further details are included in the Methods section.
It is critical that the inputs to the stock assessment, such as the spatial structure of the model, standardised catch rates, and life history parameters (e.g., temporal and spatial variation in growth rates, proportion mature-at-age, proportion mature-at-length) are representative of GoC stocks. Independent review of the latest KTF stock assessment (Campbell et al. 2024) concurs with this statement. Past research has included GoC samples of varying levels of spatial representativeness (Garrett et al. 1997; Welch et al. 2010; Newman et al. 2010; Moore et al. 2011; Moore et al. 2017) primarily due to due to logistical challenges. Despite the past research, there remains spatial and temporal uncertainty in how KTF populations function in this large tropical region, which has highly variable patterns in wet season rainfall and flood - the primary drivers of nutrient input to coastal GoC ecosystems.
Objectives: 1. Evaluate the spatial stock structure and the connectivity and movement of King Threadfin between regions within the Gulf of Carpentaria to inform meta-population dynamics. 2. Quantify life history parameters of King Threadfin across regions within the Gulf of Carpentaria relevant to stock assessment and management. 3. Evaluate factors influencing the relationship between catch (rate) and population abundance to inform catch rate standardisation. Read moreRead less
Multi-fishery Collaboration To Assess Population Abundances And Post Release Survival Of Threatened Sawfish Captured In Commercial Fishing Operations In Northern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$528,552.00
Summary
Commercial in confidence. To know more about this project please contact FRDC. Objectives: Commercial in confidence