Objectives: 1. Study the biology of the mud crab (Scylla serrata) and its fishery in Queensland, 2. Study the relative efficiency of various methods of fishing for crabs
An Economic Evaluation Of Fishing Methods Used In The South Australian Marine Scale Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Estimate the relative economic efficiency of fishing methods used in the SA marine scale fishery. 2. Identify possible changes to the current range of restrictions on permitted fishing methods that will improve economic efficiency in the fishery
A Technical Review Of Formal Fisheries Harvest Strategies.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$80,000.00
Summary
Since the HSP was introduced in 2007 there has been a great deal published both nationally and internationally concerning the development and application of harvest strategies. This work needs to be reviewed for new technical content, especially with respect to new and developing methodologies for stock assessments and risk evaluation, and how the new work relates to issues that have been identified in the current HSP. For example, a 10 July 2012 letter from DAFF to FRDC identified issues arisin ....Since the HSP was introduced in 2007 there has been a great deal published both nationally and internationally concerning the development and application of harvest strategies. This work needs to be reviewed for new technical content, especially with respect to new and developing methodologies for stock assessments and risk evaluation, and how the new work relates to issues that have been identified in the current HSP. For example, a 10 July 2012 letter from DAFF to FRDC identified issues arising from the review of the harvest strategy policy as a key research priority.
The HSP is generally regarded as successful. However, the review has identified aspects of the policy, the guidelines, and its implementation, that might be improved to better meet the policy’s objectives. Areas of improvement include consideration of appropriate limit reference points based on trophic role or the biological characteristics of different groups of species (e.g. teleosts vs. chondrichthyans), incorporation of spatial management, approaches to setting total allowable catches (TACs) in multispecies fisheries, data-poor stocks (including byproduct), rebuilding strategies and indicators of economic performance. This project will review the latest publications relevant to those priority areas along with research work in progress so as to provide the HSP advisory committee with technical advice on potential improvements to these aspects of the existing policy. Evaluation of current research and developing technologies will provide a basis for a revised policy to incorporate greater flexibility in responding to shifts in stocks and ecosystems from environmental drivers, such as climate change. This work will ultimately contribute to continued improvements in the economic performance and sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries and will have relevance to shared fisheries, fisheries in other jurisdictions, and internationally.
Objectives: 1. A detailed review of the extent and effectiveness of implementation of the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and harvest strategies across Commonwealth fisheries, including the identification of potential performance measures 2. A technical overview paper for consideration by stakeholders and Australian Government agencies as part of the review of the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy and Guidelines. Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. To quantify levels of commercial and recreational harvesting of pipis on selected NSW beaches 2. To make preliminary estimates of the effects of harvesting
Improved Performance Of Marron Using Genetic And Pond Management Strategies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$706,426.25
Summary
There is a need for marron aquaculture to follow the example of traditional agriculture and develop domesticated varieties, rather than continuing to rely upon unselected wild stock. In fact, current husbandry techniques on commercial farms, in particular harvesting practices, are likely to result in the selection of slower growing marron for future broodstock (i.e. through early marketing of fastest growing individuals with broodstock chosen from the residual population), as is the case in yabb ....There is a need for marron aquaculture to follow the example of traditional agriculture and develop domesticated varieties, rather than continuing to rely upon unselected wild stock. In fact, current husbandry techniques on commercial farms, in particular harvesting practices, are likely to result in the selection of slower growing marron for future broodstock (i.e. through early marketing of fastest growing individuals with broodstock chosen from the residual population), as is the case in yabby farming (Lawrence et al. 1998).
Investment in marron farming has grown rapidly in WA and SA with medium term potential of 1000 t p.a. ($20 million) in WA and 250 t pa ($6.25 million) in SA, based on current investment (conservatively $15 million in WA), anticipated expansion at these farms, performance of better farmers, and site availability (marron are grown from Geraldton to Esperance). As volumes increase the current excellent ex farm prices for marron ($16-32/kg) may decline and necessitate improved production efficiency. Consultation with industry has identified growth rate and size variation as the main factors affecting profitability of marron farming. Industry’s belief in the need for this research is reinforced with significant cash ($9000 from WA) and in kind contributions.
There is a need to i) compare production of farm stock with that of their ancestral populations to determine the effects of current farm management practices upon marron gene pools, ii) compare different wild stocks to identify the best marron strain for farming, and then iii) genetically improve the best strains
Just as traditional agriculture has increased growth rates of livestock and poultry by strain evaluation and selective breeding, there is a need to achieve similar gains with marron by developing a genetically improved strain which will result in greatly improved profitability for industry.
In addition, there is considerable debate amongst consultants and farmers as to what are the best methods for producing marron. While experimental trials have shown yields may be increased, demonstration and documentation of the "best practice" marron farming system has not been undertaken. There is a need for husbandry improvements that can both increase the quantity and improve the quality of farmed marron. The issue of improved quality is vital to farmers, as marron are exported alive but industry currently report mortality rates of up to 11%. Reducing mortality by ensuring marron being sent to market are in top condition will have clear and measurable improvements in profitability. With industry we have developed this proposal which combines the needs of industry with the proven freshwater crayfish expertise of Fisheries WA researchers along with facilities and expertise in animal breeding from the University of Western Australia. South Australian farmers and researchers are keen to extend such research activity and results to that state. To facilitate this the project involves SA industry, SARDI, PIRSA and the University of Adelaide. Objectives: 1. Selection and genetic improvement to stock. This general objective will be achieved by completing the following specific objectives:i) Identify the fastest growing wild strain of marron,ii) Compare the growth of wild marron strains with a mass selected commercial strain,iii) Determine whether any hybrids have production characteristics that are superior to wild marron strains, iv) Use mass selection to develop a faster growing "domesticated" marron strain or hybrid,v) Decrease size variation of marron cohorts to increase the proportion of marketable animals,vi) Evaluate performance of the mass selected marron strain on commercial properties,vii) Investigate inbreeding effects by comparing growth of mass selected marron with farm stock. 2. Development of improved husbandry protocols. This general objective will be achieved by completing the following specific objectives:i) Compare the effect of aeration upon both production levels and product quality,ii) Determine whether increased numbers of hides can alleviate growth reduction due to high density,iii) Evaluate stocking tightly graded juveniles in commercial ponds upon size variation at harvest, iv) Evaluate stocking advanced juveniles into commercial ponds,v) Trial a non destructive condition index developed for yabbies on marron in commercial farms,vi) Compare the effect of regional variation upon marron growth and production. 3. Extension of results to industry. This general objective will be achieved by completing the following specific objectives: i) Manual of methods for managing marron ponds to improve husbandry and genetics of farm stock,ii) Exchange of information between WA and SA. Read moreRead less
Stock Size Of Beche-de-mer, And Recruitment Patterns And Gene Flow In The Black Teatfish On The Great Barrier Reef
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$646,968.50
Summary
There is an urgent need to provide basic information to assist management of beche-de-mer fishery in Queenslands GBR and to determine sustainable harvest levels. The proposed research directly addresses two of the highest priority research topics for harvest fisheries outlined by QFMA (Research needs and priorities for the management of Queensland’s fisheries, QFMA, 1997, p 16), which are
· to estimate of standing stocks of beche-de-mer (holothurians) off the east coast
· to ....There is an urgent need to provide basic information to assist management of beche-de-mer fishery in Queenslands GBR and to determine sustainable harvest levels. The proposed research directly addresses two of the highest priority research topics for harvest fisheries outlined by QFMA (Research needs and priorities for the management of Queensland’s fisheries, QFMA, 1997, p 16), which are
· to estimate of standing stocks of beche-de-mer (holothurians) off the east coast
· to determine sustainable annual harvest levels of beche-de-mer off the east coast
The project also addresses the lower priority research topic
· to determine the ecology of the major beche-de-mer species (black teatfish) Objectives: 1. To develop a survey methodology applicable for all shallow water beche-de-mer species. 2. To adapt established techniques for enzyme electrophoretic analyses of holothurians to several beche-de-mer species. 3. To determine the stock size of beche-de-mer over a large geographic area in the GBR. 4. To determine the stock size and biomass of the black teatfish over a large geographic area in the GBR. 5. To establish the period of reproduction of the black teatfish on the GBR. 6. To measure dispersal and recruitment in black teatfish using genetic markers. 7. To identify and report the implications of these findings for management of beche-de-mer fisheries. 8. To measure the recovery time for overfished black teatfish stocks (numbers and biomass) 9. To assess the likely source of recruits to recovering populations, including the role of protected reefs. 10. To estimate growth rates for black teatfish. 11. To describe large scale geneflow and dispersal of sandfish among fished populations in NT and WA. Read moreRead less