Rebuilding Southern Rock Lobster Stocks On The East Coast Of Tasmania: Informing Options For Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$103,800.00
Summary
Rock lobster stocks off the east coast of Tasmania are in a depleted state and as a consequence a stock rebuilding strategy has been implemented. This has involved adopting a 200 tonnes east coast catch limit, comprising a catch cap for the commercial sector and a notional catch share for the recreational sector. While the commercial catch limit can be monitored and controlled directly, management of the recreational catch share is more problematic.
The recreational rock lobster fishery ....Rock lobster stocks off the east coast of Tasmania are in a depleted state and as a consequence a stock rebuilding strategy has been implemented. This has involved adopting a 200 tonnes east coast catch limit, comprising a catch cap for the commercial sector and a notional catch share for the recreational sector. While the commercial catch limit can be monitored and controlled directly, management of the recreational catch share is more problematic.
The recreational rock lobster fishery has been monitored for two decades, during which time there have been significant management changes and variability in stock abundance. The greatest changes have occurred in the east coast, which has traditionally attracted 60-70% of the state-wide recreational catch and effort. In an effort to restrict catches from that region there have been drastic reductions in bag and possession limits and a progressive reduction in season. Furthermore, major biotoxin events have resulted in closures of key areas during peak fishing periods.
High and varying levels of participation has made management of the recreational component of the fishery difficult. This situation is likely to be further exacerbated as stocks rebuild; higher catch rates are expected to attract increased effort and overall catches for the sector. For the commercial sector, the catch cap effectively represents a competitive or “Olympic” catch quota which, as catch rates improve, is likely to influence fleet dynamics and timing of catches as fishers ‘race’ to take the limited catch.
Understanding relationships between fisher behaviour, their expectations/aspirations, responses to changes in stock status and to management intervention is critical when implementing effective management strategies. This project aims to inform on the practical challenges to achieving the stock rebuilding objective and provide options to assist managers and both fishing sectors in achieving the ecological, social and economic goals for the fishery.
Objectives: 1. Determine the relationships between recreational fisher behaviour (effort and participation) and Rock Lobster catch rates and abundance 2. Assess fisher attitudes and compliance behaviour to management scenarios designed to achieve the east coast stock rebuilding objective 3. Model the effectiveness of alternative management scenarios in constraining recreational catches as stock rebuild 4. Model the impact on fleet dynamics, including economic implications, of the expected shift to an "Olympic" quota. 5. Evaluate the costs and benefits of short- and long-term management options for the east coast Rock Lobster fishery Read moreRead less
Spatial Management Of Garfish In SA - Stock Structure And Adult Movement
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$227,860.00
Summary
Knowledge of adult fish movement and stock structure is fundamental to identifying the appropriate spatial scale at which the processes of population replenishment work, and thus the spatial units to which fishery management should be applied. The management of the garfish fishery of South Australia has recently been at a heightened sensitivity due to serious concerns about the sustainability of the fishery. Yet, a comprehensive understanding of fundamental aspects of the life history and popu ....Knowledge of adult fish movement and stock structure is fundamental to identifying the appropriate spatial scale at which the processes of population replenishment work, and thus the spatial units to which fishery management should be applied. The management of the garfish fishery of South Australia has recently been at a heightened sensitivity due to serious concerns about the sustainability of the fishery. Yet, a comprehensive understanding of fundamental aspects of the life history and population biology of this species is lacking, which significantly impedes identifying the most appropriate spatial management structure. There is no understanding of the movement patterns of the adult fish, and the influence of that movement on the stock structure. Thus, it is not known the extent to which such movement helps sustain different regional populations and the extent to which these are independent and discrete. There is a need to rectify this lack of knowledge and understanding for southern sea garfish, so that management of the South Australian fishery can be applied at the appropriate spatial scale and spatial management units. Objectives: 1. To determine the spatial scale of movement of the adults of southern sea garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir) in South Australia using a number of otolith-based techniques 2. and to utilise that information to determine the stock structure for this species. Read moreRead less
Extension Of The Status Of Key Fish Stocks Reports With Escape With ET
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
There a lot if Fisheries research information and knowledge that has been generated over the past ten years that is not widely known about. In particular the status of fish stocks reports contains information that is important for both commercial and recreational fisher. This information is important and should be promoted widely.
In particular recreational fishers would benefit from gaining more detailed information about the fish they are catching and the status of the particular stoc ....There a lot if Fisheries research information and knowledge that has been generated over the past ten years that is not widely known about. In particular the status of fish stocks reports contains information that is important for both commercial and recreational fisher. This information is important and should be promoted widely.
In particular recreational fishers would benefit from gaining more detailed information about the fish they are catching and the status of the particular stock. Objectives: 1. To improve community awareness and use of the Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks Reports Read moreRead less
Travel Funds For Collecting Cephalopods In Torres Strait And The Gulf Of Carpentaria
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Allow the collection and identification of loliginid squids from Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria, and other cephalopod species for systematic research to continue to the inventory of cephalopods in Australian waters
Development Of Options For Improving The Planning And Managing Of Abalone And Southern Rock Lobster Wild Catch R&D
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$49,849.01
Summary
The abalone wild capture fishery needs to address a number of biological constraints and socio-economic issues through a coordinated research effort to ensure sustainability, profitability and to develop to its full potential. In particular, research is required that addresses issues of immediate concern while acknowledging that some projects require long-term timeframes. There is therefore a need to promote a strategic plan and to develop collaborative research projects that address industry ....The abalone wild capture fishery needs to address a number of biological constraints and socio-economic issues through a coordinated research effort to ensure sustainability, profitability and to develop to its full potential. In particular, research is required that addresses issues of immediate concern while acknowledging that some projects require long-term timeframes. There is therefore a need to promote a strategic plan and to develop collaborative research projects that address industry bottlenecks and avoid duplication and unnecessary expenditure. This Abalone Wild Capture Subprogram will deliver the mechanism for the required collaboration while efficiently addressing research priorities identified by industry. This is to our knowledge the first proposed FRDC subprogram for a wild capture fishery that will address the whole of chain. It offers the opportunity, due to the stability of the industry organisations, to provide leadership to other fishery sectors in managing the interface between R&D, innovation and adoption. Objectives: 1. Document all current and committed R&D expenditure on wild catch abalone, including prioritisation and assessment processes, project objectives, deliverables and time frames. 2. To prepare an options paper which identifies and critically assess against the status quo the possible alternative R&D management scenarios for wild catch abalone. 3. To prepare a formal cost benefit analysis as part of the options paper for each R&D management scenario. 4. To present the options paper at the inaugural National Abalone Workshop (2001/305). Read moreRead less
An Investigation Of Factors Which Structure Recruitment To The West Coast Prawn Fishery And Development Strategies For Stock Rehabilitation And Enhancement
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. An investigation of factors which structure recruitment to the West Coast prawn fishery and development strategies for stock rehabilitation and enhancement TRUST ACCOUNT
Genetic (microsatellite) Determination Of Stock Structure Of The Blue Swimmer Crab In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$75,015.00
Summary
Apart from the work by Bryars & Adams (1997) on three assemblages of Potunus pelagicus in South Australia, there have been no studies aimed at determining the extent to which blue swimmer crabs are represented by different stocks in spatially-isolated habitats within a given geographical region in Australia. Furthermore, the studies in South Australia were carried out using allozymic analyses, which typically do not have the same ability to discriminate precisely between the boundaries of stock ....Apart from the work by Bryars & Adams (1997) on three assemblages of Potunus pelagicus in South Australia, there have been no studies aimed at determining the extent to which blue swimmer crabs are represented by different stocks in spatially-isolated habitats within a given geographical region in Australia. Furthermore, the studies in South Australia were carried out using allozymic analyses, which typically do not have the same ability to discriminate precisely between the boundaries of stocks, as can be achieved with the microsatellite techniques we intend to use in our proposed study (see Wright & Bentzen, 1995; OConnell & Wright, 1997). As with all fisheries, a basic prerequisite for managing the fishery for blue swimmer crab is the identification of production units or stocks of a species since inadequate knowledge of stock structure may lead to over- or under-exploitation (Smith et al., 1997). For the following specific reasons, information as to whether there are one or more stocks of swimmer crabs, ie. genetically discrete assemblages, in a given region is crucial for managing the fishery for this portunid. 1. The ability of managers to respond appropriately to any marked decline in the abundance of blue swimmer crabs within part of the range of this species will depend on knowledge of whether or not the crabs in that region constitute a single stock or are part of a larger and more widely-distributed stock. In this context, it is highly relevant that the work of Bryars & Adams (1997) showed that, in spite of the high vagility of blue swimmer crabs, the assemblages of this species in relatively nearby localities can be genetically different and thus constitute different stocks. It should also be recognised that, as the fishery for blue swimmer crabs increases, the mortality produced by repeated captures and releases of undersized crabs could place pressure on those stocks that are being heavily fished. 2. There is a need to identify the different stocks of blue swimmer crabs that exist within a region in order to facilitate adaptive management (and opportunities for research) of separate populations that are exposed to (or experience) different levels of fishing mortality. 3. Any modelling of the blue swimmer crab fishery in a region is dependent on knowing whether the assemblages in that region constitute one or more stocks. 4. Fisheries managers need to know the extent to which the biological characteristics such as growth rates and fecundity, vary amongst stocks. This can be explored in Western Australia because biological data are continuing to be accumulated for different assemblages of blue swimmer crabs in this state under the auspices of past and current FRDC grants (FRDC Project Nos 95/042 and 97/137). As well as responding to the immediate need for stock identification of blue swimmer crabs, the proposed project will generate detailed information on the population genetic structure of Portunus pelagicus over virtually its entire range in Australia. The resultant information will help to identify the importance of various factors, such as climate, current flow and physical isolation, in determining the stock structure of this species. In turn, this information will be useful should genetic management of this species become a priority, e.g. for conserving genetic diversity within stocks and for identifying stocks possessing desired performance traits.
Literature Cited
Bryars, S. & Adams, M. (1997) Population structure of the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus, in South Australia. In: Kumar, M. S. (ed.) Proceedings of the First National Workshop on Blue Swimmer Crab Portunus pelagicus. SARDI Reseach Report, Series Number 16, SA. OConnell, M. & Wright, J. M. (1997) Microsatellite DNA in fishes. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 7, 331 - 363. Smith, P. J., Benson, P. G. & McVeagh, S. M. (1997) A comparison of three genetic methods used for stock discrimination of orange roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus - allozymes, mitocondrial DNA, and random amplified polymorphic DNA. Fishery Bulletin, 95, 800-811. Wright, J. M. & Bentzen, P. (1995) Microsatellites: genetic markers for the future. In: Carvhalo, G. C. & Pitcher, T. J. (eds.) Molecular Genetics in Fisheries. Chapman & Hall, London. Objectives: 1. The objective of the present study is to determine whether selected assemblages of blue swimmer crabs in nearby and more distant regions in states throughout Australia are genetically different and thus constitute different stocks. The study will focus on determining the extent of any such differences and provide managers with an interpretation of the biological implications of those differences. Read moreRead less
Reducing The Number Of Undefined Species In Future Status Of Australian Fish Stocks Reports: Phase Two - Training In The Assessment Of Data-poor Stocks
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$188,995.00
Summary
The Status of Australian Fish Stocks project is increasing the number of species/stocks to be included but many of these new stocks may fall into the "undefined" category and, because they suggest a lack of assessment and management, they lower the overall impression of the state of fisheries management within Australia. The FRDC National Priority 1 has two targets relating to the "undefined" category. By 2020, the target is to increase the number of species covered in SAFS to 200, and at the sa ....The Status of Australian Fish Stocks project is increasing the number of species/stocks to be included but many of these new stocks may fall into the "undefined" category and, because they suggest a lack of assessment and management, they lower the overall impression of the state of fisheries management within Australia. The FRDC National Priority 1 has two targets relating to the "undefined" category. By 2020, the target is to increase the number of species covered in SAFS to 200, and at the same time, to reduce the percentage of stocks classified as undefined to less than 10%. Most major commercial species by value are already included in SAFS, so increasing that number to 200 will mean including many data-poor fisheries making achieving both targets by 2020 difficult. An earlier project (2016-135) disarticulated the undefined category into sub-groups at least one of which should be amenable to data-poor assessment techniques. There is thus a need, within each jurisdiction, to identify which of the new species selected for inclusion in SAFS are likely to be classed as undefined and yet still amenable to a data-poor assessment method. There have been many recent developments with data-poor stock assessment methods and there is thus also a need in all jurisdictions for staff training to develop more local expertise in these new methods and to transfer suitable custom software for conducting such analyses. With the agreement of all parties involved there is a need to then apply and document the particular assessment method used that permits a status determination for each species selected, thereby reducing the number of undefined species.
Objectives: 1. Of the species proposed for inclusion in the 2018 and 2020 SAFS reports, identify those which may be deemed 'undefined' in each jurisdiction and yet potentially amenable to a data-poor stock assessment. 2. In each jurisdiction with potentially ‘undefined’ species, arrange a training workshop for local staff using the candidate species from objective 1 to act as case studies for the application of suitable data-poor stock assessment methods. 3. Include the 15 potentially assessable species from SAFS 2016, as identified in Phase one of this project (FRDC Project 2016-135). 4. Ensure that at least the local scientists involved with SAFS assessments understand how to use the illustrated data-poor assessment methods to develop a defensible stock status report and, if required, associated management advice. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Limiting Impacts Of The Spread Of Urchins By Rebuilding Abalone Populations
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$42,000.00
Summary
The impact of urchins (i.e. Centrostephanus) on reef habitats in south-east Australia has been increasing for over a decade, and may be related to climate change (FRDC 2009/070). Urchins can clear and maintain areas of reef free from macro-algae, and reduce the productivity of abalone populations and other reef species. Extensive research projects to monitor urchin populations and reduce their impacts have been completed or are under-way in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. There is an urgent need ....The impact of urchins (i.e. Centrostephanus) on reef habitats in south-east Australia has been increasing for over a decade, and may be related to climate change (FRDC 2009/070). Urchins can clear and maintain areas of reef free from macro-algae, and reduce the productivity of abalone populations and other reef species. Extensive research projects to monitor urchin populations and reduce their impacts have been completed or are under-way in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. There is an urgent need to consolidate the findings of these research projects, and to quickly plan and coordinate the on-going development of responses to the spread of urchins.
There is evidence that production from commercial fisheries in NSW, Vic and Tas has been reduced by the spread of urchins. Small-scale clearance of urchins, and the translocation of abalone, has demonstrated the ability to recover abalone populations impacted by urchins, but consequent return of production has not yet been demonstrated in any fishery. In eastern Victoria, a joint project between Industry and Government has recently seen commercial-scale removal of urchins from previously-productive abalone reef, and the consequent recovery of appropriate habitat for abalone over a large-scale. There is now a tactical opportunity and strong need to take advantage of these removals before urchins re-invade, to demonstrate that past research can be scaled up to larger areas of reef and recovery of larger abalone populations, with the intent to maintain them over long-periods to demonstrate outcomes of sustained productivity.
Recent observations indicate urchins have also spread to western Victoria, where abalone are still recovering from Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis. There is also an urgent need to both develop a survey to estimate the extent of Centrostephanus in western Victoria, and to investigate the potential of translocating abalone at a large-scale to re-establish populations in depleted areas, before urchins spread further.
Objectives: 1. Facilitate a workshop to coordinate existing research findings among jurisdictions, and plan further development and extension. 2. Implement the short-term outcomes of the workshop, particularly related to development of a survey to monitor spread of Centrostephanus. Read moreRead less