Microprocessor Controlled Passive Sonar For Fisheries Studies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Demonstrate feasibility of underwater data acquisition by diver positioned omnidirectional active sonar source and three fixed passive hydrophones. 2. Test the data acquisition system on different fisheries (crayfish and abalone)
El-Nemo SE: Extending The Redmap Pilot To South East Australia: Using Citizen Science For Engagement And Early Indication Of Potential New Opportunities
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$60,000.00
Summary
One of the major implications of climate change is the large-scale redistribution of species; as the environment changes, species shift in response to keep track of preferred environmental conditions. This is happening faster in the ocean compared to land, and species are moving greater distances where the warming is greater (Chen et al 2011 Science) - such as the southeast of Australia.
To best respond to these changes we need to ensure 1/ we have an early indication of how spe ....One of the major implications of climate change is the large-scale redistribution of species; as the environment changes, species shift in response to keep track of preferred environmental conditions. This is happening faster in the ocean compared to land, and species are moving greater distances where the warming is greater (Chen et al 2011 Science) - such as the southeast of Australia.
To best respond to these changes we need to ensure 1/ we have an early indication of how species are shifting (what might be new opportunities?) and 2/ our industries and communities are aware of these changes and accepting of the science underpinning management responses. Redmap takes advantage of the collective observations and geographical area covered by fishers and divers to provide detailed, verifiable and low-cost observations of how and when our marine ecosystems are changing. Information collected can address key knowledge gaps in partnership with the southeast’s marine industries and coastal communities. Critically, it is also a valuable proven tool to promote awareness of climate change impacts. Range shifts is a concept which is tangible, visual and easily understood, in contrast with complicated computational projections or analyses which are not readily grasped (or indeed trusted) by the general community. Up to 80% of fishers do not believe climate change is occurring, or that it will affect their industry, yet given Australia approach of co-management it is absolutely critical that industry and community acknowledge climate change as a risk so they may better respond and adapt in a timely manner to the challenges ahead.
This project directly addresses high level objectives in the SEAP/DAFF deed, which are to: • facilitate fishing and aquaculture sectors to make informed decisions on adapting to climate change; For example, as new species are reported to Redmap in a new jurisdiction, stakeholders will be able to consider the potential of future fishing opportunities. • inform decisions on fisheries management arrangements to ensure they are responsive to a changing environment. For example, as new species are reported to Redmap in a new jurisdiction, fisheries managers will be able to review available data and consider the appropriateness of current management controls such as catch limits, closed seasons and size limits.
In terms of the existing DAFF deed milestones, this proposal clearly aligns with 'information products of climate change implications for the sectors'. It has demonstrated capacity to help increase awareness amongst the fishing and non-fishing community - increased awareness is a pre-requisite for effective stakeholder engagement and ultimately adaptation. Objectives: 1. Add VIC, NSW and SA material and species details to the Redmap website, make appropriate database connections and add VIC, NSW and SA scientists to the ghtings verification panel to ensure highest quality data. 2. Develop a facility where we can engage, inform and educate marine industries and communities in the southeast (using their own data) about marine climate change impacts and issues 3. Provide and test the framework allowing ecological monitoring of southeast coastal waters for observations of species shifting their geographical ranges. 4. Once deployed, utilise Redmap to increase awareness of climate change among SE marine industries, thereby indirectly improving adaptive capacity to respond constructively to climate change impacts. Read moreRead less
Designing, Implementing And Assessing An Integrated Monitoring Program For The NPF
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$466,513.00
Summary
An international review of the NPF tiger prawn assessment agreed with the conclusions of the 2001 assessment that tiger prawn levels are critically low, especially for brown tiger prawns. It highlighted the critical need for an independent monitoring program given the confounding and complexities of the catch rate data used as the sole index of abundance in the NPF assessments.
The survey data used to determine the initial design for this project (see Background) is more than a decade ....An international review of the NPF tiger prawn assessment agreed with the conclusions of the 2001 assessment that tiger prawn levels are critically low, especially for brown tiger prawns. It highlighted the critical need for an independent monitoring program given the confounding and complexities of the catch rate data used as the sole index of abundance in the NPF assessments.
The survey data used to determine the initial design for this project (see Background) is more than a decade old and does not cover the full study area. Therefore the initial surveys will be largely exploratory in nature and very much a trial to see if the proposed design is effective. Also, the survey design includes integrated components such as the assessment of long-term changes in fishing power and the contraction of the fishery over time that have not been undertaken in prawn survey designs (both nationally and internationally) before. These aspects highlight that this project has a large research component, which has as a major output, not just the survey results itself, but recommendations for a final design, analyses and scale of future survey requirements.
Half the project is therefore seen as research. For this reason, CSIRO is supporting the project to the scale of about $100,000. A similar amount is being applied for from FRDC’s MOU funds using the matching $100,000 from industry i.e a total of about $200,000. The remainder of the project, some $270,000 will be underwriten by the industry as agreed in NORMAC, March 2002 with a possible $100,000 initial seed contribution by AFMA. The industry and NORMAC have also in principal supported the long-term need for regular industry-funded monitoring surveys based on the output of this project.
There is a need to provide an updated design for the NPF that would work in the long-term to provide indices of abundance to key species and enhance a difficult-to-use commercial catch rate series. Furthermore, this design needs to address target, byproduct, bycatch and possibly some effects-of-trawling issues to make the best use of the surveys, as they will be a large expense to the industry. Objectives: 1. To determine the final design and analyses for two surveys in the Gulf of Carpentaria 2. To undertake a survey in September to determine whether there has been a spatial contraction of the tiger prawn resource 3. To undertake a survey in January/February that will provide a recruitment index of the main commercial prawn species in the Gulf of Carpentaria 4. To determine the appropriate scale and frequency of future surveys 5. To spatially map the distribution of the main prawn species in the Gulf of Carpentaria Read moreRead less
Child maltreatment is a significant public health issue. This research will identify child, family and community risk factors which increase vulnerability to child maltreatment. Mental health outcomes for these children will be investigated, including the increased risk that children with disabilities have in experiencing maltreatment. International comparisons of trends will be conducted for maltreatment-related hospital admissions. These findings will inform child maltreatment surveillance, pr ....Child maltreatment is a significant public health issue. This research will identify child, family and community risk factors which increase vulnerability to child maltreatment. Mental health outcomes for these children will be investigated, including the increased risk that children with disabilities have in experiencing maltreatment. International comparisons of trends will be conducted for maltreatment-related hospital admissions. These findings will inform child maltreatment surveillance, prevention and intervention strategies.Read moreRead less
Electronic On Board Monitoring Pilot Project For The Eastern Tuna And Billfish Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$579,431.00
Summary
ETBF Pilot Progect In 2007, an AFMA commissioned cost benefit study and business case showed reduced costs if electronic monitoring technologies were adopted in several Commonwealth fisheries. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which onboard observer coverage can be replaced in the ETBF and the costs involved in intergrating electronic monitoring into AFMA management practices. This pilot project will collect suffiecient information to enable an in-depth cost ....ETBF Pilot Progect In 2007, an AFMA commissioned cost benefit study and business case showed reduced costs if electronic monitoring technologies were adopted in several Commonwealth fisheries. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which onboard observer coverage can be replaced in the ETBF and the costs involved in intergrating electronic monitoring into AFMA management practices. This pilot project will collect suffiecient information to enable an in-depth cost benefit analysis of future monitoring options. It will resolve the uncertainty surrounding the utility of electronic monitoring technologies in the ETBF and the costs associated with integrating an electronic monitoring program within AFMA.
In addition to the time and cost savings from reduced onboard observer requirements, there are also potential efficiencies for both industry and AFMA from the use of electronic monitoring reporting. Some of these efficiencies include; 1. better understanding of fishing effort, 2. better understanding and management of fishing operations, and 3. increased data accuracy (resulting in more responsive fisheries management).
Pilbara Trawl Fishery Pilot Project Monitoring of remote small vessel fisheries in Australia is often difficult and always costly. Travel costs, observer wages, and operational inefficiencies and restrictions of small vessels in accommodating on-board observers are all factors which act to restrict monitoring coverage while still incurring a relatively high cost to industry. With the a growing need for accurate catch and effort data and the high costs and operational restrictions of using human observers there is a subsequent need to find a cost-effective alternative that will not only improve coverage levels but also reduce costs. Objectives: 1. To deploy electronic monitoring systems on ten commercial fishing vessels in the ETBF and maintain their continuous operation for a period of up to one year. 2. To evaluate the efficacy of electronic monitoring for a number of fishery monitoring issues. 3. To develop an audit-based approach to electronic monitoring data analysis for evaluating fisher logbook data quality. 4. To undertake a cost and benefit analysis of monitoring options and programs required to meet the fisheries data needs. 5. To develop and evaluate the feasibility of establishing a third party service delivery structure with Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. for an ongoing electronic monitoring program in the ETBF. 6. To assess the feasibility of electronic monitoring systems to provide better fishery monitoring outcomes, their future capacity and applications in the Pilbara Trawl Fishery and other fisheries. Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of An Industry-based Program To Monitor Seal Interactions In The Commonwealth Trawl Sector Of The Southern And Eastern Scalefish And Shark Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$15,000.00
Summary
Ministerial recommendations following Strategic Assessment of the SESSF Trawl Fishery were that:
18. AFMA, in consultation with industry, EA, researchers and other stakeholders, to further assess and reduce the extent of interactions of seals, cetaceans and seabirds across all sectors of the SESSF, and interactions with syngnathids in the trawl sectors and white sharks in the gillnet and hook sector. AFMA will, for all of the above species: • within 12 months, establish robust data ....Ministerial recommendations following Strategic Assessment of the SESSF Trawl Fishery were that:
18. AFMA, in consultation with industry, EA, researchers and other stakeholders, to further assess and reduce the extent of interactions of seals, cetaceans and seabirds across all sectors of the SESSF, and interactions with syngnathids in the trawl sectors and white sharks in the gillnet and hook sector. AFMA will, for all of the above species: • within 12 months, establish robust data collection and reporting systems to quantify the extent of interactions; and • within 3 years assess, trial and implement as appropriate mitigation or avoidance measures including further trials of bycatch exclusion devices and spatial or temporal closures.
For seals and sea lions, AFMA will, within 18 months, extend across the trawl sectors management measures assessed as effective to help reduce interactions with seals and sea lions.
By the time you are considering whether to fund this project, the December 2004 deadline for establishment of the robust data collection and reporting system will have passed.
ISMP observer trips only cover <5% of trawl shots, so there is a lot of uncertainty about relatively rare events such as the interactions of trawl vessels with seals. Power analysis of the ISMP data revealed that to detect even a 50% decrease in the interactions with seals would require an observer program more than 7 times the current level of coverage. This would be likely to cost industry over $4 million dollars annually. If even half of industry accurately recorded their interactions with seals, it would provide a level of monitoring of this issue that would be ten times more powerful than the current ISMP coverage at a cost of <2% of independent observer coverage.
Industry can not afford to do anything other than immediately establish its own program to monitor the interactions of trawl vessels with seals. The current ISMP will be used to audit the industry-based monitoring program.
Objectives: 1. To provide fishers with relevant information on the biology and conservation of seals to help raise industry awareness and encourage increased reporting of seal-fishery interactions. 2. To ensure that Industry is familiar with and applies its Code of Conduct especially in relation to the mitigation of incidental seal bycatch and seal mortality. 3. To establish a robust industry-based monitoring program that provides spatial and temporal information on the level of seal-fishery interactions of SESSF trawl vessels. 4. To develop and trial options to validate the robustness/reasonableness of the data collection and reporting system to quantify the extent of seal interactions and report on the potential uptake by fishers of each option and the extent of effectiveness of each option in meeting the relevant strategic assessment requirements of the EPBC Act. Read moreRead less
Long-term Abundance Index For Goldband Snapper In The Timor Sea - A Pilot Study
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$67,859.85
Summary
Objectives: 1. Develop techniques for obtaining repeatable indicies of relative abundance for goldband snapper (Pristipomoides spp.), and other selected groundfish, applicable to habitats commonly found in the Timor Sea including the Timor Box 2. Obtain additional information on the spatial and seasonal distribution of goldband snapper and other groundfish in the Timor Sea
Seafood CRC: Securing And Enhancing The Sydney Rock Oyster Breeding Program
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$444,862.81
Summary
The SRO industry has the potential to exploit new export initiatives and increase production. Any resurgence in the industry will depend on SOCo’s ability to manage the development and supply of selectively bred oysters. FRDC has fostered this process by supporting breeding programs and hatchery research, whilst encouraging industry management of technology. The Benzie Report, Oyster Research Advisory Committee (ORAC) R&D Strategic Plan and the Action Plan developed at the FRDC-funded QX worksho ....The SRO industry has the potential to exploit new export initiatives and increase production. Any resurgence in the industry will depend on SOCo’s ability to manage the development and supply of selectively bred oysters. FRDC has fostered this process by supporting breeding programs and hatchery research, whilst encouraging industry management of technology. The Benzie Report, Oyster Research Advisory Committee (ORAC) R&D Strategic Plan and the Action Plan developed at the FRDC-funded QX workshop in June 2005 have all indicated that effective management strategies for the SRO industry must be underpinned by; 1) the continued development of oyster husbandry techniques to secure QX resistant breeding lines, and, 2) the identification of genes associated with QX disease resistance that can be used for marker-assisted selection. These complementary research goals represent a critical step in “QX proofing” NSW estuaries against ongoing and catastrophic QX disease outbreaks. Continued research may also allow farming to be re-established in areas abandoned because of QX disease. Integration of genetic markers and single pair mating into the hatchery-based breeding program will increase the efficiency of selection, and decrease the number of generations required to establish true breeding resistant lines. Without marker assisted selection, the breeding program may not reach its full potential in time to prevent further losses.
A comprehensive presentation on the SRO industry will be given during the FRDC board’s visit to Port Stephens in July 2006.
Objectives: 1. To establish pair mating protocols necessary for the development of selectively bred oyster lines 2. To confirm the association between PO and QX resistance using pair matings and test the performance of PO-selected family lines in QX-prone estuaries 3. To identify and characterise additional genetic markers of disease resistance 4. To assess the value of cryopreservation to secure family lines for later use 5. To assess the use of non-chemical means for the induction of triploidy in SRO 6. To make the family lines produced in this research available to SOCo for incorporation in future breeding plans Read moreRead less
A Novel Method For Obtaining Age Compositions From Ancillary Biological Data And It’s Potential For Cost Reductions In Stock Assessments
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$99,882.65
Summary
Age composition data provides the key information necessary to effectively manage fisheries. The proposal provides a mechanism where age composition data can be gained using length frequency data and age composition data from different years and sampling events, which has previously been impossible. The benefits will be a reduced need for production ageing, more timely age composition data and the ability to construct age composition data from historical length frequency data where no samples ....Age composition data provides the key information necessary to effectively manage fisheries. The proposal provides a mechanism where age composition data can be gained using length frequency data and age composition data from different years and sampling events, which has previously been impossible. The benefits will be a reduced need for production ageing, more timely age composition data and the ability to construct age composition data from historical length frequency data where no samples were collected for ageing.
Currently the Age-Length Key (ALK) is the most widely used numerical method for assessing the age composition in a large sample of length-frequency data. However, the application of ageing data in this approach is restricted to the original sample of length distribution (ageing data from the same year the length-frequency sample is taken). Due to this severe limitation, the ageing information must be regenerated for each new data sample. Using the Fredholm First Kind equations, previous years ageing data can be used to generate the underlying age composition from the current length-frequency data. Furthermore, the ageing data may be added to include many years, improving the robustness of the statistic which can then be used to decompose the underlying age distribution from the given length frequency.
As noted by a number of referees, the major problem with the current methods is variable recruitment. We have demonstrated that the technique is tolerant to the most extreme changes in age frequency (see accompanying text). These extreme changes in age frequency are greater than any changes that could occur naturally through recruitment. The issue of variable growth may affect the efficacy of the approach, but to our knowledge, has only been observed in two species. These are black bream and blue grenadier. It is proposed that the technique be demonstrated on blue grenadier in the first year.
The cost of collecting ageing data is high, with approximately $150,000 spent each year on ageing samples from commercially important species within the South East Fishery. Due to the cost, the number of species aged is not optimal and species are prioritised on a scientific and social-political basis. The cost-benefit of applying this approach is intuitively a large reduction in cost of ageing to industry and more timely information on the age structure of the population. A formal cost benefit analyses will need to be conducted on a species by species basis. This is a function of different cost structures for ageing different species, different numbers of samples that need to aged for each species. These different numbers of estimates that need to be made for each species is primarily due to longevity and stock structuring.
The age-structured data obtained from this project will benefit the South East Trawl Fishery, the Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery and the Gillnet, Hook and Trap Fishery which are supported by The Integrated Scientific Monitoring Program (ISMP) and various other stock assessment programs that rely on age-structured data.
Further, age composition data will be able to be reconstructed historically from species where samples were not aged but length-frequency data were collected. This will enable age-structured population analysis where the lack of ageing data prevented these stock assessment techniques from being previously used. The net effect of this approach is to greatly improve the knowledge base from which species are managed. One of key advantages of this approach is, if successful, will at the very least compliment current methods and provide temporal and spatial coverage of age composition information which is currently cost prohibitive and only collected for a few, high value species.
The implication of a technique that can provide age-composition data free from the restriction of those associated with the ALK is more cost-effective resource management.
The proposal has been developed in two parts, the first component is a 'Proof of Concept Study' where the use of the Fredholm First Kind Equations to provide age compositions from length frequency data will be further examined. If this is not assessed as successful in a workshop environment, the project will be terminated at the end of the first year. The second and third year will examine a broad range of species. Objectives: 1. During first 12 months provide a Proof of Concept Study on two species. One of the species with a short longevity and stable age composition over time and the second, with variable recruitment and higher longevity. The proposed species for this objective will be school whiting and blue grenadier. 2. Using Central Ageing Facility data, determine which commercially important fish stocks and associated data provide sufficient information for estimation of the age composition from length frequencies 3. Apply limited length-at-age data with extensive length-frequency data to improve time series of age compositions for fish stock assessment. 4. Determine the appropriate sample size for collection of age data. 5. Examine robustness of the numerical methods to length-specific selectivity. 6. Compare the new techniques with existing numerical methods. 7. Develop user friendly software and data environment for numerical reconstruction of cohorts and age groups. 8. Disseminate method to a broad audience of end-users 9. Provide cost-benefit analysis for each species undertaken comparing the financial benefit of using the new technique to the cost associated using traditional techniques. The objective will be delivered as species are examined. Read moreRead less