Understanding Southern Bluefin Tuna Distribution Changes Through Satellite Tagging
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$650,472.00
Summary
This project would focus on:
- Understanding the extent of the changed SBT migration, residence and behaviour (especially surfacing) patterns of juveniles within and around the Great Australian Bight (GAB) using PSATs
- Testing and refining the set-up and deployment strategy for use of next generation PSATs, which will assist in the design and implementation of this project and in future studies aiming to determine broader spatial scales of movement and habitat usage.
This project would focus on:
- Understanding the extent of the changed SBT migration, residence and behaviour (especially surfacing) patterns of juveniles within and around the Great Australian Bight (GAB) using PSATs
- Testing and refining the set-up and deployment strategy for use of next generation PSATs, which will assist in the design and implementation of this project and in future studies aiming to determine broader spatial scales of movement and habitat usage.
- Utilizing the latest climate reanalysis products to examine potential links between physical drivers in the ocean and atmosphere and changes in distribution of SBT.
The project will be staged with the first year deploying 15 existing PSATs provided in-kind by CSIRO to the project and a further 15 PSATs to be purchased using project funds. These PSATs are proposed to be deployed towards the end of the 2023 fishing season (likely March) via the addition of up to 4 days charter time to the CCSBT gene-tagging field work.
The purpose of these deployments is twofold:
1. To examine the suitability of current generation PSATs in terms of data resolution, data retrieval and tag retention rates required to answer the questions arising from the SBT ranching industry over recent years.
2. To obtain information on movement and residence areas of 2-3 year old SBT and detailed habitat data, especially with regard to surfacing rates.
Information gained from the first season will be used to guide and refine deployment of a PSATs in the second season. By deploying up to 30 tags in year 1 it is envisaged that there will be sufficient data for comparing current juvenile SBT distribution, behaviour and movement patterns with historical data.
The fact that the fish do not need to be recovered to retrieve the data means this project can deliver useful insight independent of fishery operations.
A core question that remains to be determined is how long these tags can remain attached to small tuna. The tag retention data that will be determined through this project will contribute to future tag technology improvements/development to ultimately help deliver answers to this industry’s specific questions.
The project would be focused on addressing the major sources of uncertainty for the operation of the SBT ranching industry – obtaining data on the distribution and habitat preference (depth/temperature regimes) of fish that formed the mainstay of successful ranching operations historically.
Objectives: 1. Deployment of pop-up satellite tags 2. Comparison and analysis of contemporary SBT data against CSIRO-held archives 3. Conduct analysis of background oceanographic conditions and potential drivers of SBT habitat selection/preference Read moreRead less
FRDC 2016-068 Vulnerability Of The Endangered Maugean Skate Population To Degraded Environmental Conditions In Macquarie Harbour- Presentation To The 6th International Conference Of Fish Telemetry 23
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$7,500.00
Summary
An abstract accepted to present the work from FRDC 2016-068 at the International fish telemetry conference later this year. Given that the final year of the project happened right in the middle of the pandemic, we have not yet had an opportunity to present the work in any international forum. Since then we have new information that has clearly shown that the Maugean skate is in a critical state and requires immediate conservation action. As such, the interest in the species is very high at the m ....An abstract accepted to present the work from FRDC 2016-068 at the International fish telemetry conference later this year. Given that the final year of the project happened right in the middle of the pandemic, we have not yet had an opportunity to present the work in any international forum. Since then we have new information that has clearly shown that the Maugean skate is in a critical state and requires immediate conservation action. As such, the interest in the species is very high at the moment, and the results from this project are even more relevant now. So we think this is a great opportunity to help communicate this novel and very important work. This would allow us to communicate our findings to a broad technical audience, increasing the outreach and impact of the project. The work that will be presented will have important benefits for the conservation of the species and inform management of industry and other users of Macquarie Harbour.Read moreRead less
Quantifying Post-release Survival Of Skate Bycatch In The Heard Island And McDonald Islands (HIMI) Patagonian Toothfish Longline Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$23,813.00
Summary
Skates (Rajidae) represent the greatest biomass of incidental bycatch caught in the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) longline fishery operating within Australian EEZ waters around HIMI in the Southern Ocean. Due to their life history characteristics of slow growth and late maturation, their populations are particularly vulnerable to fishing mortality which can lead to overall and localised population declines. As bycatch managed species, sustainable bycatch limits are informed by ....Skates (Rajidae) represent the greatest biomass of incidental bycatch caught in the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) longline fishery operating within Australian EEZ waters around HIMI in the Southern Ocean. Due to their life history characteristics of slow growth and late maturation, their populations are particularly vulnerable to fishing mortality which can lead to overall and localised population declines. As bycatch managed species, sustainable bycatch limits are informed by a stock assessment (using the Generalised Yield Model) which models long-term population viability. Such models can be sensitive to the input parameters of assumed total fishing mortality. Currently, in the HIMI fisheries, only retained skates are counted towards fishery removals, but the overall fisheries-induced mortality may be substantially higher due to the high number of skates released after capture and the unknown, but potentially low, post-release survival. Post-release survival becomes increasingly important as the scale of discarding increases; with ~90% of all skate bycatch in the HIMI longline fishery being released it is imperative that post-release survival is quantified to get an accurate estimate of total fishing mortality.
This project aims to quantify post-release survival of Bathyraja spp. skates caught in the deep waters of the Kerguelen Plateau using the latest in pop-up satellite tag technology. In doing so, this project will improve the estimation of total fishing mortality to inform the skate bycatch assessment model and the estimation sustainable yield. Thus, it supports the Commonwealth Research Advisory Committee 2018-2021 Research Development and Extension (RD&E) Plan by addressing the following priority area actions: Program 1. Environment • Better Assessment Approaches, and Harvest and Management Strategies o By quantifying post-release survival we provide a demonstrable improvement in fisheries removals data quality and decision-making by providing evidence-based recommendations for setting accurate bycatch limits. • Better Managed Fishing Impacts and Interactions o By underpinning accurate bycatch limits with accurate long-term population viability estimates we enable fisheries managers to demonstrate environmentally sustainable bycatch management practices.
In addition to the COMRAC RD&E Plan, this project addresses the following priority area outcomes within the Southern Ocean Industry Partner Agreement RD&E Plan: Program 1. Environment • TEP and bycatch management: o The need to monitor skate/ray bycatch by providing accurate estimates of total predicted fishing mortality based on past and current catches. o Develop stock assessment approaches for skate bycatch species (which are generally not retained for commercial use) by integrating quantified fishing mortality estimates into the stock assessment model. o Provide post-release survival estimates and insight into behavioural ecology of deep-water skates for development of a risk assessment for multiple incidental bycatch species. Program 2. Industry • Management efficiency o By resolving a key component of uncertainty in the stock assessment this project reduces risk in fisheries management decision-making processes by improving accuracy in bycatch limit recommendations.
Furthermore, this project meets the primary objectives of the AFMA Strategic Research Plan (2017-2022), namely to collect appropriate information to support stock assessments, support the management of Commonwealth fisheries, and inform policy development [Research Strategy 1a]. The results of this study will also inform fisheries managers on appropriate specifications for the release and retention of caught skates. Objectives: 1. Quantify immediate (2 days) and long-term (60 days) post-release survival rates for longline caught B. irrasa across shallow (~500m) and deep (~1500m) depth strata. 2. Characterize post-release activity patterns of B. irrasa during the descent and bottom periods to understand effects of capture related physiological stress. 3. Validate whether stress markers (e.g., magnesium, potassium, lactate) measured in the blood of B. irrasa at the time of capture may be indicative of whole-animal physiological condition and may be used as predictors of post-release survival. Read moreRead less
Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon Research, Development And Extension Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
The Tasmanian salmon farming industry has undergone exceptional production and profitability gains in its short history and has ambitious targets for the future. A report commissioned in 2015 indicated an annual Industry gross output of $1.12 billion and the direct employment of almost 2800 full time positions. Projecting forward, the Industry is confident of turning over $2 billion by 2030, with clear implications for continued jobs growth and economic impacts within Tasmania. To achieve this, ....The Tasmanian salmon farming industry has undergone exceptional production and profitability gains in its short history and has ambitious targets for the future. A report commissioned in 2015 indicated an annual Industry gross output of $1.12 billion and the direct employment of almost 2800 full time positions. Projecting forward, the Industry is confident of turning over $2 billion by 2030, with clear implications for continued jobs growth and economic impacts within Tasmania. To achieve this, and to strengthen linkages with Government, the Tasmanian community and myriad stakeholders, ongoing proactive and reactive research is vital. This point is particularly salient given the present need to diversify the research portfolio to address potential constraints to industry growth. For example, spatial limitations on the expansion of grow-out operations in sheltered waters have resulted in new research and development approaches to investigate and trial offshore farming operations. Expanding the scope of the research and development program in such a manner is replete with complexities requiring significant input and coordination by the TSGA.
The portfolio of research funded between the FRDC and TSGA is significant, with around $4m of combined funding available each year – an amount steadily growing as Industry GVP grows. There is a need for both the FRDC and TSGA to have the capacity to actively manage this research portfolio, understand the current and future opportunities requiring research, development and extension (RD&E), and to communicate outputs to all stakeholders. Previously, these tasks were largely undertaken by the former TSGA CEO and, at times consultants were hired on an ad hoc basis. Given industry expansion however, there is a pressing need for a permanent role dedicated to addressing and coordinating the management needs of a RD&E portfolio that is growing in size, scope and complexity.
Objectives: 1. Coordinate Atlantic salmon farming RD&E planning and management so that RD&E is strategically prioritized to address Industry needs and delivered cost-effectively. 2. Communicate information and the extension of R&D outputs to support and promote the adoption of new technologies and scientific developments. 3. Develop an updated RD&E Strategy for the Industry to guide research for the period 2020-2025. 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
Quantifying Post-release Survival And Movement Of Snapper (Chrysophrys Auratus): Informing Strategies To Engage The Fishing Community In Practices To Enhance The Sustainability Of An Important Multi-sector Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$395,517.00
Summary
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture and SA’s Research Advisory Committee identified the need for cross-sectorial research to support the future management and recovery of SA’s Snapper stocks. Recently, the SA Government announced a three-year closure of Snapper fishing, and a package of research needs were identified, including to gain an understanding of the effects of barotrauma and sector-specific fishing methods on the survival of released Snapper. The key priority identified was to better under ....PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture and SA’s Research Advisory Committee identified the need for cross-sectorial research to support the future management and recovery of SA’s Snapper stocks. Recently, the SA Government announced a three-year closure of Snapper fishing, and a package of research needs were identified, including to gain an understanding of the effects of barotrauma and sector-specific fishing methods on the survival of released Snapper. The key priority identified was to better understand the factors that explain PRS, to identify practical strategies to mitigate post-release mortality, and subsequently use that information to improve awareness among all fishing sectors. Particularly emphasis was placed on the recreational and commercial fishers in relation to capture, handling and release practices in cases where under-sized (
Objectives: 1. Quantify release rates of Snapper across the commercial, charter boat and recreational sectors of South Australia’s Marine Scalefish Fishery. 2. Determine rates of post release survival for line-caught Snapper using conventional and electronic tags. 3. Evaluate fishing practices that minimise barotrauma in line-caught Snapper. 4. Develop improved understanding of Snapper movement patterns through an extensive community supported tagging study. 5. Develop guidelines for community-driven tagging activities 6. Engage with the key fishing sectors to develop a Code-of-Practice that promotes responsible fish-handling practices, humane-treatment, and harm-minimisation for Snapper. Read moreRead less
Knowledge To Improve The Assessment And Management Of Giant Mud Crabs (Scylla Serrata) In Queensland
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$689,479.00
Summary
Critical to the Harvest Strategy for the Qld Mud Crab Fishery are processes for monitoring and assessing fishery performance. Currently, the empirical and estimated indicators for this fishery are based on non-validated harvest and effort. Proposed fishery reforms (i.e., prior reporting of landings and 'market' tagging of harvested crabs) should improve harvest data reliability. Qld GMC are effectively a data-limited species because they cannot be reliably aged, associated effort data is incompl ....Critical to the Harvest Strategy for the Qld Mud Crab Fishery are processes for monitoring and assessing fishery performance. Currently, the empirical and estimated indicators for this fishery are based on non-validated harvest and effort. Proposed fishery reforms (i.e., prior reporting of landings and 'market' tagging of harvested crabs) should improve harvest data reliability. Qld GMC are effectively a data-limited species because they cannot be reliably aged, associated effort data is incomplete and potting is a passive fishing technique. Commercial CPUE may not represent changes in population abundance due to variable catchability, hyper-stability and serial depletion. Additionally, there is no index of female abundance nor a male:female ratio to inform spawning-recruitment relationships. It is generally assumed that conservative management of GMC ensures their sustainability. However, evidence from the Northern Territory Western Gulf of Carpentaria suggests that GMC are vulnerable to environmental events (drought + heat = 2015 cohort failure). Gaining a rudimentary understanding of critical aspects of the GMC life cycle in Qld would be prudent (i.e., female abundance, spawning vicinities).
A Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is a key aspect of reform to Qld fisheries. The initial TACs for Qld GMC were informed by a modified catch-MSY analysis (Northrop et al., 2019). Catch-MSY is widely applied in Australian fisheries to data-limited species (FRDC 2017/102). The assessment was performed at large spatial scales (East Coast and Gulf). However, this fails to capture regional variability in spawning-recruitment processes that impact on harvestable biomass e.g., larval dispersal due to oceanic circulation patterns and survival of juvenile crabs due to regional rainfall, flow, temperature, and sea level variations. The proposed research is needed (in the short-term) to gather appropriate quantitative biological information and to develop (for the long-term) a means to cost-effectively monitor Qld GMC populations to support a data-moderate stock assessment approach. The research also aims to address some of the critical knowledge gaps in GMC life history that have been unresolved for over 40 yrs. Objectives: 1. Assess the utility of next generation genetic analysis to inform spatial stock structure of the Giant Mud Crab (Scylla serrata), using South East Queensland and northern New South Wales as a case study. 2. Develop and assess the feasibility of ‘survey’ pots suitable for long-term implementation as a means of monitoring Giant Mud Crabs. 3. Gather key quantitative biological information on Giant Mud Crabs relevant to assessment and management, including the use of tagging studies and a pilot evaluation of means to understand the spawning migration of female Giant Mud Crabs. Read moreRead less