Objectives: 1. Establish a working group to provide steerage and technical advice 2. Undertake a desk top study on shared management and its application for Australian fisheries. The study would provide a business case for the different types of shared management systems, and how they can be applied to different fisheries sectors. It is envisaged that this study would provide a guide to both adoption and future R&D investment. 3. Act as a steering committee for 2006/026 "deve ....Objectives: 1. Establish a working group to provide steerage and technical advice 2. Undertake a desk top study on shared management and its application for Australian fisheries. The study would provide a business case for the different types of shared management systems, and how they can be applied to different fisheries sectors. It is envisaged that this study would provide a guide to both adoption and future R&D investment. 3. Act as a steering committee for 2006/026 "development of co-management arrangements for Queensland - stage 1 picking the winners" 4. Provide advice on R&D priorities as they relate to co-management to the FRDC Board. Read moreRead less
Effects Of Trawling Subprogram: Risk Assessment And Mitigation For Sea Snakes Caught In The Northern Prawn Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$117,117.00
Summary
There is growing evidence that some sea snake species may be at risk from prawn trawling and thus meet the IUCN criteria for vulnerable or endangered status (Milton 2001). In that analysis, Milton (2001) undertook an assessment of the relative risk of trawling to sea snakes caught in the NPF. This proposal plans to extend this assessment, taking into account results from the recent TEDs and BRD research project in the NPF (FRDC project 2000/173). The The TED and BRD project found that the devi ....There is growing evidence that some sea snake species may be at risk from prawn trawling and thus meet the IUCN criteria for vulnerable or endangered status (Milton 2001). In that analysis, Milton (2001) undertook an assessment of the relative risk of trawling to sea snakes caught in the NPF. This proposal plans to extend this assessment, taking into account results from the recent TEDs and BRD research project in the NPF (FRDC project 2000/173). The The TED and BRD project found that the devices in use in 2003 (eg TEDs and Bigeye BRD) were not reducing sea snake catches or mortality. Thus, despite the introduction of BRDs to improve bycatch escapement, the majority of devices in use in 2003 had no measurable impact on sea snake catch rates. There is a need for all prawn trawl fisheries in northern Australia to further modify existing fishing practices to reduce bycatch, including sea snake catches in order to demonstrate that their impacts are sustainable. This proposal addresses the FRDC Strategic Challenge: Natural Resource Sustainability by assessing the sustainability of a key bycatch group, comparing alternate methods of increasing their survival and estimating the improvement in the effectiveness of Bycatch Reduction Devices required for sea snakes, should this be necessary.
The project will initially focus on the two species already identified by Milton (2001) to be potentially at risk. If any species proves to actually be at risk, the project will model alternative risk mitigation scenarios to identify the most feasible approach to reduce the level of risk of susceptible species to sustainable levels. This analysis will provide NORMAC with clear management choices about the most appropriate method to mitigate risks to sea snake species and demonstrate to DEH that the NPF have addressed the concerns expressed in the recent NPF strategic assessment.
Should current BRDs and fishing practices prove to be ineffective in reducing sea snake mortality and species are shown to be at risk, a second phase is planned that will target the major sources of mortailty most effectively. This mitigation work would only need to be undertaken if (1) the current BRDs are ineffective (2) recent reductions in trawl effort in the NPF have restricted trawling to areas of high abundance of the vulnerable species. These data will be collected during the work planned in this proposal and will identify the need and directions of future mitigation work.
Objectives: 1. Assess temporal and spatial trends in sea snake catch rates by collating and analysing historical data from a number of bycatch projects (extending back until the 1980s) 2. Develop semi-quantitative population models for sea snakes and quantify the risk to their populations of different fishing effort scenarios, focussing on Hydrophis pacificus and Disteira kingii. 3. Assess the performance of alternative management options and mitigation measures to reduce the risk for sea snake species identified as being at risk. Read moreRead less
Effects Of Trawling Subprogram: Reducing The Impact Of Queensland's Trawl Fisheries On Protected Sea Snakes
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$394,798.53
Summary
1) Legal obligation.
In Australia, sea snakes are a protected species group under Schedule 1 of the National Parks and Wildlife Regulations 1994, but despite their protected status, tens of thousands of snakes are caught incidentally in the Queensland trawl fishery each year. In the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) it has been estimated that between 81,000 and 120,000 were caught annually in the early 1990s (see Wassenberg et al. 1994 and Ward 1996). Wassenberg et al. (2001) reported tha ....1) Legal obligation.
In Australia, sea snakes are a protected species group under Schedule 1 of the National Parks and Wildlife Regulations 1994, but despite their protected status, tens of thousands of snakes are caught incidentally in the Queensland trawl fishery each year. In the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) it has been estimated that between 81,000 and 120,000 were caught annually in the early 1990s (see Wassenberg et al. 1994 and Ward 1996). Wassenberg et al. (2001) reported that 48.5% of sea snakes caught from research and commercial prawn trawling die as a result of being trawled. The Queensland Government and the Queensland commercial trawl fishers are legally obliged to address the problem and minimise sea snake – trawl interactions.
2) Recommendations by the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH)
The impact of prawn trawling on the sustainability of sea snake populations on the Queensland east coast is a major concern to DEH. In their review of the strategic assessment of the Queensland east coast trawl fishery, DEH recommended to the Queensland Government that research into the impact of trawling on sea snakes be promoted, and that all reasonable steps should be undertaken to reduce interactions between protected species and the Queensland trawl fishery.
In summary there is a strong legal case in support of research that reduces the impacts of trawling on sea snake populations. In addition, addressing the DEH recommendations will help to ensure that that the Queensland east coast trawl fishery remains on the list of fisheries that are accredited for export, thus securing the continuation of the export of seafood produced from the fishery.
References
Ward TM (1996) Sea snake by-catch of prawn trawlers on the northern Australian continental shelf. Marine and Freshwater Research 47, 631-635.
Wassenberg TJ, Milton DA, Burridge CY (2001) Survival rates of sea snakes caught by demersal trawlers in northern and eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 100, 271-280.
Wassenberg TJ, Salini JP, Heatwole H, Kerr JD (1994) Incidental capture of sea-snakes (Hydrophiidae) by prawn trawlers in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 45, 429-443. Objectives: 1. Collate and review existing data and literature on sea snake distribution and abundance on the Queensland east coast. This will enhance the detail and precision of the recently introduced CFISH logbook data program on Species of Conservation Interest. 2. Implement a crew-based data collection program to quantify information on sea snake catch rates, species composition and distribution. Where possible, consider areas that are closed and open to trawling (contingent upon GBRMPA approval to sample closed areas). 3. Quantify post-trawling mortality rates of sea snakes by undertaking survival experiments at sea on commercial vessels. 4. Test effectiveness of BRDs, including square mesh panels, on sea snake catch rates and promote the uptake of effective devices by industry. Read moreRead less
Population Dynamics And Management Of Spanner Crabs In Southern Queensland
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$262,552.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To estimate the size of the south Queensland spanner crab stock. 2. Determine the appropriateness of existing spawning closure arrangements. 3. To determine whether catch size-distribution can be used to estimate population age-structure and growth rates. 4. To evaluate the impact of post-discard mortality amongst sub-legal crabs on yields, and promote the development (by industry) of less damaging apparatus.
Tactical Research Fund: 2013 Trans Tasman Lobster Congress - Improving The Environmental And Economic Performance Of Australian Rocklobster Fisheries Through Collaboration And Cooperation Across Research, Management, Harvest, Transportation And Markets
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Australian rock lobster fisheries, similar to their New Zealand counterparts, are coming under increasing pressure to forfeit access to fishing grounds and to shares of available yields as a consequence of a well organised and resourced marine protection lobby and opportunistic political decision making. In recent seasons the situation for the Australian lobster industries has been made more difficult because of Federal Government marine protected area agendas and difficulties in brokering direc ....Australian rock lobster fisheries, similar to their New Zealand counterparts, are coming under increasing pressure to forfeit access to fishing grounds and to shares of available yields as a consequence of a well organised and resourced marine protection lobby and opportunistic political decision making. In recent seasons the situation for the Australian lobster industries has been made more difficult because of Federal Government marine protected area agendas and difficulties in brokering direct export to the lucrative China market. Industry capacity that might otherwise be committed to improving reputation and efficiency and promoting economic growth and investment has instead been diverted to protecting existing access and utilisation opportunities. The rock lobster industries will directly and indirectly benefit from cooperative approaches to current and emerging challenges (the most recent being biotoxin events for example) and from collaborative efforts to agree and implement growth and consolidation strategies based on good science and credible decision making. The 'sharing of knowledge' which is a feature of each Lobster Congress draws greater numbers of industry participants into agreed work plans and creates wider understanding and awareness across the industries as to he need for responsible fishing, strategic responses to external forces, and wise and credible political lobby and positive profiles within the wider community. Objectives: 1. Rock lobster industries fully aware of the social and political issues which influence management decision making. 2. Rock lobster industries equipped to make credible responses to challenges from environmental NGOs, animal rights and other community groups intent on eliminating or constraining commercial fishing access and opportunity. 3. Rock lobster industries willing to share information and expertise in pursuit of cost effective and timely outcomes for collaborative research, harvest and market initiatives. 4. Rock lobster industries which are equipped to present consistent and positive messages about industry performance against credible standards. 5. Rock lobster industries which are able to agree and implement codes of responsible fishing consistent with the rights and responsibilities associated with rights-based management regimes. 6. Rock lobster industries which can identify and align strategic pathways and consolidate funding and investment for the same. 7. Rock lobster industries which provide safe working environments, career pathways and employment opportunities as components of their contributions to local, regional and national economies. 8. Rock lobster industries better able to understand the influences of climate variability; better able to adapt to the consequences of that variability; and able to capitalise on change when appropriate. Read moreRead less
Where Do Calamari Spawn In Northern Tasmania And How Will This Information Aid The Management Of The Calamari Fishery In Northern Tasmania?
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$169,493.00
Summary
Calamari, like most cephalopods, are highly productive, however their short lifespan means that it is vitally important that they are allowed to spawn successfully as there is only ever a single cohort within the fishery. The north coast calamari fishery is expanding in terms of catch and effort by both the commercial and recreational sectors and there is no mechanism to prevent further expansion by either sector. There is currently no understanding of spatial or temporal variation in spawning ....Calamari, like most cephalopods, are highly productive, however their short lifespan means that it is vitally important that they are allowed to spawn successfully as there is only ever a single cohort within the fishery. The north coast calamari fishery is expanding in terms of catch and effort by both the commercial and recreational sectors and there is no mechanism to prevent further expansion by either sector. There is currently no understanding of spatial or temporal variation in spawning in this region and environmental conditions are vastly different to the south east. The impacts of the expansion on the productivity of the species is unknown and thus, there is no information available to predict the possible impact of further expansion, which is likely to occur in both the recreational and commercial sectors. The calamari fishery is increasing in value and overexpansion in this fishery is likely to have negative economic ramifications for the fishery due to both overcapacity and decreased productivity. Objectives: 1. Determine spatial and temporal variation in calamari spawning aggregations and egg masses on the north coast of Tasmania 2. Analyse the recent development of both the commercial and recreational calamari fisheries on the north coast 3. Using the information gathered in objective 1 and 2, investigate the likely impact of the fishery on calamari populations and, if necessary, potential management options to ensure sustainable development Read moreRead less