Understanding Drivers Of Jellyfish Blooms In The Hawkesbury Estuary
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$196,722.00
Summary
Jellyfish blooms disrupt commercial fisheries around the world and blooms are increasing in frequency and magnitude in some regions (Condon, Pitt et al. 2013). Although the causes of jellyfish blooms are debated, they are frequently linked to anthropogenic pressures, including eutrophication, expansion of coastal infrastructure, and climate change (Pitt et al. 2018). The current jellyfish bloom in the Hawkesbury estuary is more extensive, persistent, and disruptive than previous blooms and .... Jellyfish blooms disrupt commercial fisheries around the world and blooms are increasing in frequency and magnitude in some regions (Condon, Pitt et al. 2013). Although the causes of jellyfish blooms are debated, they are frequently linked to anthropogenic pressures, including eutrophication, expansion of coastal infrastructure, and climate change (Pitt et al. 2018). The current jellyfish bloom in the Hawkesbury estuary is more extensive, persistent, and disruptive than previous blooms and may represent a long-term and sustained change to fishing conditions in the estuary. Some fishers have said they will leave the industry if blooms persist, hence this project is needed to reduce interactions between jellyfish and commercial net fishers and ensure the on-going viability of commercial net fisheries in the Hawkesbury.
The project specifically addresses the FRDC priority call for "Understanding the drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury". We will review the scientific literature and analyse existing data sets on water quality and jellyfish to identify probable environmental drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury estuary, which will enable estuary managers to prioritise which environmental conditions to manage to reduce jellyfish blooms. We will search for novel technical solutions (such as modifying fishing times or locations) that could reduce by-catch of jellyfish, assess potential ways to actively manage jellyfish (through their extraction or biological control), and co-design a long-term jellyfish monitoring program based on world best-practice with estuary managers and fishers to initiate the long-term collection of jellyfish data by stakeholders, which is essential for understanding jellyfish population dynamics and developing predictive models for jellyfish.
The drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury estuary may be linked to recent major floods. Floods are predicted to become more extreme and frequent under climate change. Hence our proposal aligns with FRDC's strategic investment opportunity for improving resilience of fishing in a changing climate. By providing information critical for managing jellyfish populations, our project also meets FRDC's F&D Plan Outcome 1 to "expand environmental management to cover areas other than stock status of target species". Through recruitment, mentoring and career development of a research fellow, our project builds capacity and capability of Australia's fisheries research and development sector (FRDC Enabling strategy IV).
Objectives: 1. Review the environmental drivers of jellyfish blooms, methods used by commercial fishers to manage interactions with jellyfish and methods that could be used to control jellyfish populations. 2. Collate and analyse existing data sets on water quality and jellyfish to identify potential drivers of jellyfish populations 3. Review jellyfish monitoring programs and co-design with stakeholders a fit-for-purpose and on-going jellyfish monitoring program for the Hawkesbury estuary 4. Engage stakeholders to locate relevant data sets and disseminate findings to end-users and beneficiaries Read moreRead less
Australian Council Of Prawn Fishers Industry Partnership Agreement - Environment RD&E Program
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$1,103,000.00
Summary
Australia's commitment to 30% of marine protected area by 2030 in response to global concern about ocean health has focussed scrutiny directly on Australia's commercial net fishing sector. The handling of the Macquarie Island Marine Park announcement followed by the closure of gill net fishing in Qld in 2023 and marine protection proposals in WA have all challenged the commercial fishing sector's reliance on objective, risk based, scientific fisheries management and resource allocation. The fo ....Australia's commitment to 30% of marine protected area by 2030 in response to global concern about ocean health has focussed scrutiny directly on Australia's commercial net fishing sector. The handling of the Macquarie Island Marine Park announcement followed by the closure of gill net fishing in Qld in 2023 and marine protection proposals in WA have all challenged the commercial fishing sector's reliance on objective, risk based, scientific fisheries management and resource allocation. The focus on the commercial fishing sector appears incongruous to Australia’s effectiveness addressing greater impacts on coastal and marine health as identified in the five yearly Statement of Environment reports.
Australia's prawn trawl sector must continue its front-footed environmental stewardship actions to address Net Zero targets and the proposed Nature Positive Act. The ACPF must now build on its transparent community engagement activity with further investment as evidence of the sector's priorities. The ACPF's concerted community engagement activity commenced under FRDC Project 2018/172 and continued under the ACPF's 2021-2026 Community Engagement Plan. The sector must continue to actively reduce trawl impact at the same time as demonstrate its outstanding sustainability credentials as a food supplier.
The project invests within the scope of the FRDC's Environment Program with delivery into Communities, People, Adoption and Industry Programs. The project delivers on the following ACPF RD&E strategic activities against ACPF's Strategic Goals:
Strategic activity: Reduce impacts of fishing on bycatch and the marine environment (and continue to identify environmental risks to natural resource access). ACPF + cross-jurisdiction. (Delivering against Goal 1: Sustainability; Ecological. Goal 2: Stewardship marine resources. Goal 5: Society and Consumers trust, respect and value.)
Strategic activity: Co-investment opportunities in ecosystem health, climate change, carbon footprint. (Delivering against Goal 2: Stewardship of marine and aquatic environments)
Strategic activity: Best practice/Responsible fishing practices communication. (Delivering against Goal 2: Stewardship of marine and aquatic environments)
Strategic activity: Profile RD&E addressing social licence risks. (Delivering against Goal 1: Sustainability; Social. Goal 2: Stewardship marine resources and aquatic environments. Goal 3. A culture that is inclusive and forward thinking. Goal 4. Fair, equitable and secure access. Goal 5: Society and Consumers trust, respect and value.)
The project proposes to collate baseline data, invests in trawl impact RD&E, invests in nature positive initiatives across the environment metrics of the ESG framework and communicates all in a way that engages identified audiences.
The project will contain subprojects which will be identified and scoped in line with the overarching project strategy. Applications for subprojects will be sought using a range of mechanisms - competitive applications, direct or select tender as recommended by the project's steering committee (industry representatives, FRDC, an eNGO and a technical expert). Subprojects seeking national funding must demonstrate Return on Investment to a significant proportion of the sector. Subprojects will be contracted by the ACPF and report deliverables to the FRDC.
Co-investment will be sought from stakeholder partners and/or made by the project into externally managed projects. Objectives: 1. Australian wild prawn sector is Ecologically, Economically and Socially sustainable through pursuing low impact, fuel efficient and financially viable prawn trawl gear technology 2. Australian wild prawn sector plays a critical lead role in the stewardship of our marine resources seeking partnership with stakeholders 3. Through strategic co-investment to address threats on the horizon, the Australian wild prawn sector invests in new innovation that enables fair, equitable and secure access to marine resources 4. Australian society and consumers trust, respect and value the Australian wild prawn sector and its product achieved via its stewardship 5. The Australian wild prawn sector's people are equipped to adapt to climate challenges and the environmental performance standards required of all marine users Read moreRead less
Assessing The Effectiveness Of LEDs, T90 Cod-end/grid Trawl Systems And Net Modifications For Reducing Bycatch And Improving Efficiency And Selectivity Of Catches In South Australian Prawn Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$965,454.00
Summary
There are three commercial Prawn fisheries in South Australia: Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery (SGPF); Gulf St Vincent Prawn Fishery (GSVPF); and West Coast Prawn Fishery (WCPF). All exclusively target the Western King Prawn (Penaeus (Melicertus) latisulcatus). The SGPF is the largest in terms of total area (22,367 km2), production (latest 10-year mean: 1,853 t p.a.), and number of licence holders / vessels (39). The WCPF is the smallest of the prawn fisheries with three licences (68 t in 2021). Ther ....There are three commercial Prawn fisheries in South Australia: Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery (SGPF); Gulf St Vincent Prawn Fishery (GSVPF); and West Coast Prawn Fishery (WCPF). All exclusively target the Western King Prawn (Penaeus (Melicertus) latisulcatus). The SGPF is the largest in terms of total area (22,367 km2), production (latest 10-year mean: 1,853 t p.a.), and number of licence holders / vessels (39). The WCPF is the smallest of the prawn fisheries with three licences (68 t in 2021). There are currently 10 commercial fishing licences issued for the GSVPF with production in 2021/22 at 138.5 t. Balmain Bugs (Ibacus spp.) and Southern Calamari (Sepioteuthis australis) may be retained as byproduct in each fishery.
There is ongoing interest in maintaining a program that assesses, refines and ultimately adopts bycatch mitigation strategies. Steps taken to reduce bycatch and / or discard mortalities in South Australia include avoidance (i.e. spatial and temporal closures and reduced trawl footprint), changes to on-board handling (i.e. ‘crab bag’, sorting grid, hopper with water flow-through system), and trialling and / or use of bycatch reduction devices (i.e. Nordmøre grid, Tom's fisheye, T90 cod-end / grid design modifications) and tools (i.e. LEDs). However, the benefits of some of these bycatch mitigation strategies are not fully understood (e.g. LEDs, Tom’s fisheye) and further development is needed to achieve optimum outcomes for the resource, industry, and the environment. There is a genuine interest from industry to assess catch efficiency and selectivity of different trawl systems (e.g. quad versus double rig) and net configurations (e.g changes to cod-end and trawl body) in GSVPF and LED configurations / colours in SGPF to determine impacts on prawn catch and bycatch.
Our study aims to 1) Assess the effectiveness of LEDs in reducing bycatch, while minimizing prawn loss, in the SGPF; 2) Test the effects of trawl systems (e.g. quad vs double rig) and net configurations (e.g. changes to cod-end and trawl body) on trawl efficiency and catch selectivity in the GSVPF; and 3) Build on existing cost-benefit analysis knowledge and tools (i.e. FRDC 2011-209 , FRDC 2011-750 and FRDC 2016-213) to quantify the economic / productivity outcomes of prawn trawl modifications.
This project directly addresses South Australian Prawn Fishery’s research needs (i.e. research plans proposed by the GSVPFMAC and SGPF RSC) and will showcase the potential for further bycatch mitigation to increase fishing yield, value, and profitability while reducing bycatch. Furthermore, the outputs can be extended through the Australian Council of Prawn Fisheries (ACPF) to other Australian prawn trawl fisheries that have similar needs to mitigate and monitor bycatch. Objectives: 1. Assess the effectiveness of LEDs in reducing bycatch, while minimizing prawn loss, in the SGPF 2. Test the effects of trawl systems (e.g. quad versus double rig) and net configurations (e.g. changes to the cod-end and trawl body) on trawl efficiency and catch selectivity in the GSVPF 3. Build on existing cost-benefit analysis knowledge and tools (i.e. FRDC 2011-209 , FRDC 2011-750 and FRDC 2016-213) to quantify the economic / productivity outcomes of prawn trawl gear modifications Read moreRead less