Validating A Defensible And Robust Method For Data Collection, Species Composition And Reporting The Harvest Of Protected Coral Species From The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$24,000.00
Summary
The Queensland Coral Fishery (QCF) operates within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It operates under quota within a Total Allowable Catch (TAC). Catch is recorded in two categories. “Specialty Coral” and “Other Coral”. Specialty Coral quota constrains the collection of CITES corals to sustainable levels.
Globally regarded as one of the best managed coral fisheries, social acceptability of wild-harvest aquarium fisheries constantly challenges the existence of the QCF. This challenge ....The Queensland Coral Fishery (QCF) operates within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It operates under quota within a Total Allowable Catch (TAC). Catch is recorded in two categories. “Specialty Coral” and “Other Coral”. Specialty Coral quota constrains the collection of CITES corals to sustainable levels.
Globally regarded as one of the best managed coral fisheries, social acceptability of wild-harvest aquarium fisheries constantly challenges the existence of the QCF. This challenge is partway met by ensuring catch reporting in the QCF sets global standards for accuracy and transparency. Major reforms introduced to catch reporting in 2016 for the QCF raise these standards further. The reporting reforms will underpin assessments of ecological risk and environmental performance, the CITES non-detriment finding, and to maintain national and international market access.
The new measures now require the reporting of total actual weights for CITES corals, however it does not account for the weight of substrate attached to the actual coral when collected, which is typically removed after landing. Industry successfully advocated that trimmed substrate should not be allocated to Specialty Coral quota and that 25% of the weight should be allocated to Other Coral. This allows the true value and accurate weight of Specialty Coral quota to be realized and the total weight accounted for in the TAC. However the 25% figure is based solely on industry experience and requires independent validation. To ensure reporting is both accurate and has potential application to other fisheries, validating the quantum of trimmed substrate is critical. This project will provide this validation.
It is important that the proportion of trimmed substrate is validated through an independent scientific study for the following reasons:
• Continued social acceptance of the QCF. • Fisheries Queensland, and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy require that the trimmed substrate proportion is based on independent scientific data. • The proportion must be fairly applied to all QCF collectors for quota equity purposes (ie. it represents the current fishery and is not unfairly biased to any individual or region). Objectives: 1. Determine a statistically robust sample size 2. Determine the geographical pattern of port unloads in the Queensland Coral Fishery from the most recently completed quota year 3. Determine the proportion of samples to be undertaken in various ports such that the sample is representative of collection in the fishery 4. Determine the trimmed substrate percentage of the total weight of the Specialty Coral component of the unload, as it was reported to Fisheries Queensland 5. Determine the average percentage across all samples 6. Submit final report by 30 April 2017 Read moreRead less
Rapid Assessment Of Sustainability For Ecological Risk Of Shark & Other Chondrichthyan Bycatch Species Taken In The SSF, SENTF, SETF And GABTF
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$526,169.00
Summary
Commonwealth managed fisheries must all be strategically assessed by the Minister for Environment and Heritage, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The requirements for assessment are set out in this Act and that Minister has advised AFMA that strategic assessment reports must, as part of their terms of reference, address the ecological sustainability guidelines, which were initially prepared for Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Regulation of Exports and ....Commonwealth managed fisheries must all be strategically assessed by the Minister for Environment and Heritage, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The requirements for assessment are set out in this Act and that Minister has advised AFMA that strategic assessment reports must, as part of their terms of reference, address the ecological sustainability guidelines, which were initially prepared for Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Regulation of Exports and Imports Act 1982 (WP(REI) Act).
In addition, through the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, all Australian Commonwealth and State fisheries ministers have endorsed the National Policy on Fisheries Bycatch, which includes sharks and other chondrichthyans. The Commonwealth has recently released its bycatch policy, which builds on the endorsed National Policy on Fisheries Bycatch and commits the Commonwealth to developing a Bycatch Action Plan for each major Commonwealth fishery by 31 March 2001. Bycatch Action Plans have now been published for the SFF and SENTF, the SETF, and the GABTF.
Australia is a signatory to the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks), which was ratified by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Committee of Fisheries during February 1999. As a signatory, Australia is obliged to develop a National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (NPOA-Sharks). AFFA established a Shark Advisory Group to prepare a Shark Assessment Report and to develop the Australian NPOA-Sharks. The Group includes representatives from all key government and non-government stakeholder groups, including shark specialists. Progress on development of the Report and Australia's NPOA-Sharks was reported to the FAO Committee of Fisheries during February 2001.
All of these initiatives require considerably more data for their full implementation. An AFMA funded project titled Ecological Risk Assessment for Commonwealth Fisheries, scheduled to finish by 31 August 2003, is under way to develop appropriate methods for risk assessment. The present project proposal is designed to address the data requirements for shark and other chondrichthyan species in the SSF, SENTF, SETF, and GABTF and to apply the agreed methods of ecological risk assessment developed through the ERA Project to these species.
Objectives: 1. Quantitatively categorise bycatch species of shark and other chondrichthyans taken in the SSF, SEF, and GABTF on the basis of ‘relative biological productivity’. 2. Semi-quantitatively categorise chondrichthyan bycatch species taken in these fisheries on the basis of ‘capture vulnerability’ determined from catchability, selectivity and availability to the fishery based on presently available data. 3. Semi-quantitatively determine diets of chondrichthyan bycatch species taken in these fisheries from analysis of stomach contents analyses to contribute to establishing their positions in marine food chains. 4. Resolve taxonomic uncertainties of various chondrichthyan species. 5. Undertake assessment of sustainability for ecological risk of each chondrichthyan bycatch species through the application of rapid assessment techniques developed through the AFMA funded project titled Ecological Risk Assessment for Commonwealth Fisheries. Read moreRead less
National Seafood Emergency Plan - Western Australia Trial Workshop
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,000.00
Summary
Failure to deal quickly and effectively with a real or perceived food safety incident may result in costly trade disruption and threaten the commercial viability of seafood suppliers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and food service providers.
SSA has developed the national SEP as part of it's strategic plan for the national seafood industry.
This workshop is another step in the developmental phase of the SEP. Objectives: 1. Test the draft manual plan in a des ....Failure to deal quickly and effectively with a real or perceived food safety incident may result in costly trade disruption and threaten the commercial viability of seafood suppliers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and food service providers.
SSA has developed the national SEP as part of it's strategic plan for the national seafood industry.
This workshop is another step in the developmental phase of the SEP. Objectives: 1. Test the draft manual plan in a desk top exercise. 2. Introduce all the nominated team members and alternates to the plan and train them in the use of the plan 3. Use learned experience to develop the manual further in W.A. and nationally Read moreRead less
Pathogenic Vibrio Parahaemolyticus In Australian Oysters
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$13,995.00
Summary
In 1999, Seafood Services Australia (SSA) initiated a risk-based approach to assessing and managing hazards. Regarding oysters, two risk assessments were undertaken, one on viruses and one on vibrios. Focusing on the latter hazards, the risks associated with the three main species: V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus and V. cholerae were assessed. It was noted that V. parahaemolyticus (Vp) has recently caused major outbreaks in USA from consumption of oysters due to a “new” pathogenic type O3:K6. ....In 1999, Seafood Services Australia (SSA) initiated a risk-based approach to assessing and managing hazards. Regarding oysters, two risk assessments were undertaken, one on viruses and one on vibrios. Focusing on the latter hazards, the risks associated with the three main species: V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus and V. cholerae were assessed. It was noted that V. parahaemolyticus (Vp) has recently caused major outbreaks in USA from consumption of oysters due to a “new” pathogenic type O3:K6. For Australia, no work on pathogenic Vp in oysters could be found, which introduced a great deal of uncertainty to the assessment. The RA noted that there had been two Vp poisonings in NSW from prawns imported from Indonesia, the clear inference being that pathogenic Vp exists in neighbouring waters.
In March, 2002 the FAO/WHO team will develop a global risk assessment of Vp in oysters. The RA will utilise the US risk model and insert data from the oyster industries of Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. If no Australian data are available on levels of Vp the modellers will make assumptions which may well be disadvantageous to the Australian industry. This could happen if the north American mitigation strategy (rapid icing) to control of Vp is adopted as a prerequisite for export.
Failure to input Australian data into a Codex global risk assessment could have serious consequences for the industry. At best it would lead to protracted negotiation between Australia and Codex. These negotiations would need to be science-based and a research program would need to be funded. It is probable that the scale of this investigation would be at least a log scale larger than the present application.
Among the strategies to mitigate V. parahaemolyticus risk is chilling oysters as early as possible after harvest. In the case of the Canadian industry in British Columbia, the strategy has been used successfully in the summers of 2000 and 2001. This strategy is directly opposed to current summer handling practices by the NSW industry which allows product to remain as warm as 25°C for up to three days.
This project is designed to provide evidence of the occurrence and prevalence of pathogenic and non-pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus in Australian oysters. This knowledge will be invaluable to the NSW industry in particular - in case the FAO/WHO assessment recommends chilling of oysters as a pre-requisite for market access.
Effect of not doing the proposed study
If the work is not done and Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) recommend a mitigation strategy of rapid icing, the local industry has a number of choices:
1. Ignore the CCFH recommendation on the grounds that we don’t export large volumes of oysters. The problem with this approach is that Codex has just as much application and force for domestic production as it does in the export arena.
2. Undertake a study to try to show that there is no problem with V. parahaemolyticus from Australian product. This would probably be a larger study than the present one and would be mounted to attempt to gain exemption for Australia. It’s always difficult to unwind global hygiene edicts.
The present project, for a relatively modest investment, effectively places Australian data into a global risk assessment. As such the data will have great force in the modelling phase. xbad Objectives: 1. Obtain total Vibrio spp. and total V. parahaemolyticus counts from oysters from NSW, SA and Tasmania. 2. Determine prevalence of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus amongst these isolates. 3. Compile and analyse data for potential inclusion in the FAO-WHO global risk assessment of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters. Read moreRead less
Revision Of The AQUAVETPLAN Operational Procedures Manuals For Disposal And Decontamination
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$31,500.00
Summary
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is seeking expressions of interest for the revision of the following AQUAVETPLAN Operational Procedures manuals: 1. Decontamination 2. Disposal The Australian Aquatic Veterinary Emergency Plan (AQUAVETPLAN) is a series of manuals that outline Australia’s approach to national disease preparedness and propose the technical response and control strategies to be activated in a national aquatic animal disease emergency.
The Decont ....The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is seeking expressions of interest for the revision of the following AQUAVETPLAN Operational Procedures manuals: 1. Decontamination 2. Disposal The Australian Aquatic Veterinary Emergency Plan (AQUAVETPLAN) is a series of manuals that outline Australia’s approach to national disease preparedness and propose the technical response and control strategies to be activated in a national aquatic animal disease emergency.
The Decontamination manual was first published in 2008, and the second version of the Disposal manual was published in 2009. Both manuals require revision to reflect new scientific knowledge, and to ensure that decontamination and disposal procedures used for disease control purposes reflect current ‘best-practice’ approaches. Objectives: 1. Review and deliver updated AQUAVETPLAN Operatinal Procedures Manuals for decontamination and disposal. Read moreRead less
Incorporating MAC Competencies Into The Seafood Industry Training Package
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$82,830.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. Identify the skills, knowledge and attitudes required by industry members to participate as effective members of a MAC. 2. Confirm the need for a MAC or series of MAC training programs. 3. Identify suggested unit titles and outline descriptions for the units. 4. Gather the views of members consulted on the preferred option(s) for delivery of MAC training programs.
The Pearl Oyster (Pinctada Maxima): A Histological Atlas Of Normal And Diseased Tissues
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$45,000.00
Summary
Pearl production accounts for more than half the value of the combined Australia aquaculture industries, yet little was understood of their health status prior to project no 94/79.
There is no text available which describes, the anatomy and histopathologically of the pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima , or the histopathological changes that occur with disease. This lack of published data is compounded by the fact that there are currently only 4 pathologists in Australia with significant expe ....Pearl production accounts for more than half the value of the combined Australia aquaculture industries, yet little was understood of their health status prior to project no 94/79.
There is no text available which describes, the anatomy and histopathologically of the pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima , or the histopathological changes that occur with disease. This lack of published data is compounded by the fact that there are currently only 4 pathologists in Australia with significant experience and knowledge to interpret histology sections from pearl oysters.
The publication of the histopathology photographs collected during project no 94/79 plus other reference material collected by previous researchers will help to overcome this problem.
The ability to be able to recognise what is normal or abnormal is critical in the interpretation of histology sections and hence will affect the quality of diagnostic services that can be provided to the pearling industry.
The publication of this material will also act as a reference book for a range of other investigations into pearl oysters, such as, nutritional, husbandry and biology studies. It will ensure that the material gathered during project no 94/79 will be preserved for the future benefit of the pearling industry. Objectives: 1. Develop a comprehensive histological photographic database of the normal and diseased tissue of the pearl oyster Pinctada maxima . 2. Compile a computerised atlas showing the basic anatomy of Pinctada maxima with explanatory text and labelled photographs of normal and diseased tissue. 3. Publish this data in a book and/or compact disk format. Read moreRead less
Coastal Floodplain Management In Eastern Australia: Barriers To Fish And Invertebrate Recruitment In Acid Sulphate Soil Catchments
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$601,379.00
Summary
Fish habitat in coastal floodplains will continue to degrade unless practical guidelines for improvement of water quality and management of floodgates and other tidal barriers to allow passage of fish and invertebrates are developed. This is being increasingly recognised by many decision making agencies. However, landholders will not change current management practises unless as a minimum, there will be no adverse effects to their productivity. Guidelines for change must be developed in an integ ....Fish habitat in coastal floodplains will continue to degrade unless practical guidelines for improvement of water quality and management of floodgates and other tidal barriers to allow passage of fish and invertebrates are developed. This is being increasingly recognised by many decision making agencies. However, landholders will not change current management practises unless as a minimum, there will be no adverse effects to their productivity. Guidelines for change must be developed in an integrated manner with a focus on land, water, agriculture and fisheries if all industry groups are to accept the changes.
Recent studies by NSW Fisheries (some funded by FRDC) show that a change in coastal floodplain and wetland habitats from freshwater to estuarine and recruitment of fish and invertebrates to these modified habitats can be achieved by increasing the degree of “leakiness” in the floodgate barriers (Gibbs et al. 1997). However, no data are available on the relationship between fish and invertebrate recruitment and the opening size or the frequency and timing of the opening of these floodgate barriers.
A second issue is the long term impact of chronic acid drainage, which does not cause major fish kills but which may have less obvious effects on the recruitment of migratory and catadromous fish such as Australian bass, striped mullet, freshwater herring, eels and school prawns. The life history, behaviour and demography of the catadromous Australian bass shows it is susceptible to such an impact (Harris 1983,1989). The Basscatch program (Harris 1989) has expanded in recent years and the population collapse through recruitment failure of Australian bass in NSW rivers such as the Hastings and Manning is partially attributed to acid drainage (Harris pers comm).
The management of floodgates and floodplains to allow passage of fish and invertebrates and the development of stable faunal communities in previously alienated habitat above the structures significantly enhances fish and invertebrate stocks. The consequent protection of fish habitats and fish and invertebrate species supports biodiversity conservation and the habitat restoration can assist in the development of management plans under the relevant Threatened Species Legislation.
Gibbs, P., McVea, T. and Louden, B. (1997). Utilisation of restored wetlands by fish and invertebrates. FRDC Project 95/150 Final Report (In Preparation).
Harris, J. H. (1983). The Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata. Ph. D. Thesis UNSW.
Harris, J. H. (1988). Demography of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata (Perciformes, Percichthyidae), in the Sydney basin. Aust. J. Mar. Freshwater Res. 39: 355-369.
Harris, J. H. (1989). Basscatch - A co-operative fisheries project. Modern Fishing 80-83. Objectives: 1. To develop guidelines for floodgate / tidal barrier specifications and management based on: (a) The relationship between recruitment of migratory and non-migratory fish and invertebrate species and the opening size of, and the frequency and timing of the opening of tidal barriers. (b) The impacts of changed hydrological conditions on watertable and water flows in associated agricultural land. 2. To assess the behaviour of catadromous fish to the tidal flows through openings in barriers and the behavioural response of recruiting juveniles to low level (chronic) concentrations of acid sulphate soil drainage water. 3. To develop and implement an extension program on the outcomes of the project, and to communicate the above guidelines to agricultural industry groups, local government and other agencies with interests in management of land and water resources in coastal floodplains using demonstration study areas and supporting literature. Read moreRead less
National Seafood Emergency Plan - Queensland Trial Workshop
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$5,000.00
Summary
Failure to deal quickly and effectively with a food safety incident may result in costly trade disruption and threaten the commercial viability of seafood suppliers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and food service providers.
The Seafood Emergency Plan was developed through Seafood Services Australia to provide a proactive and simple step-by-step response and recovery guide, should an emergency occur.
Queensland has participated in the initial stages of the SSA national plan ....Failure to deal quickly and effectively with a food safety incident may result in costly trade disruption and threaten the commercial viability of seafood suppliers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and food service providers.
The Seafood Emergency Plan was developed through Seafood Services Australia to provide a proactive and simple step-by-step response and recovery guide, should an emergency occur.
Queensland has participated in the initial stages of the SSA national plan and is keen to ensure the framework is established in this state. Objectives: 1. Test the draft manual plan in a desktop exercise. 2. Introduce the nominated team members and alternates to the plan and train them in the use of the plan 3. Use learned experience to tailor the manual further in Queensland Read moreRead less
Research Into Strategies Of Approach To Sand-bar Crossing For Fishing Vessels
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Research the factors that cause sandbar navigation to be hazardous for vessels 2. Examine what remedial action skippers in difficulty on a bar can take, the objective being to reduce the risk of crossings