Growth Of Pearl Oysters In The Southern And Northern Areas Of The Pearl Oyster Fishery And Examination Of Environmental Influences On Recruitment To The Pearl Oyster Stock
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$143,482.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To determine growth rates of pearl oysters in the Lacepede Channel and Exmouth Gulf areas 2. To utilize the existing and new knowledge of time lags between spatfall and recruitment to the fishery and the period of vulnerability to fishing to carry out analyses of possible environmental influences on recruitment
Industry Survey Of The 1997 Eastern Gemfish Season
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$144,564.00
Summary
In 1997 1,000t will be allocated amongst the South East Trawl fishery, individual allocations will vary from over 100t down to 100s of kg. These allocations will allow some targeted fishing for gemfish but operators will also have to manage their individual allocations to cover their anticipated bycatch of gemfish as they fill quotas for other species. This management of bycatch will bias reported commercial catch rates in 1997 preventing comparison with historic trends and the updating of the ....In 1997 1,000t will be allocated amongst the South East Trawl fishery, individual allocations will vary from over 100t down to 100s of kg. These allocations will allow some targeted fishing for gemfish but operators will also have to manage their individual allocations to cover their anticipated bycatch of gemfish as they fill quotas for other species. This management of bycatch will bias reported commercial catch rates in 1997 preventing comparison with historic trends and the updating of the stock assessment developed by EGAG during 1996.
Consequently EGAG considered that another Industry Survey in 1997 is needed for two principal reasons: 1. To provide catch rate data which is representative of targeted gemfish fishing. 2. To ensure timely provision of high quality data for stock assessment during September and October 1997.
However having decided on the need for the 1997 survey EGAG considered that two other lesser needs could be addressed for little additional expense. These are: A. to understand targeting patterns in the SEF and their impact on stock assessment and B. the influence of oceanographic factors on the South East Fishery. Objectives: 1. Catch and effort and length-frequency data for targeted eastern gemfish fishing during the 1997 season will supplied in Excel spreadsheets will be supplied to EGAG before 1 September 1997. 2. The targeting practices of four survey vessels; Charissa, Marina Star, Illawara Star and Santa Rosa II during the 1997 season will be documented and analysed in relationship to previously reported targeting patterns. 3. The relationship between gemfish aggregations and oceanographic features during 1997 will be documented and analysed. 4. The feasibility of using multi-frequency acoustics to measure the size of gemfish aggregations will be analysed. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: To Explore Ways To Engage Successfully With The Indigenous Community On Fisheries R&D Issues
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$23,830.00
Summary
FRDC have conservatively described engagement with the indigenous community as challenging. Indigenous fishing is one of three core topic areas within the current FRDC priority areas and, despite significant opportunity, has received limited interest from the target market.
This project aims to develop and test guidelines for engagement with indigenous applicants and to test the current FRDC funding application process for its "user-friendliness" to this target audience.
Tes ....FRDC have conservatively described engagement with the indigenous community as challenging. Indigenous fishing is one of three core topic areas within the current FRDC priority areas and, despite significant opportunity, has received limited interest from the target market.
This project aims to develop and test guidelines for engagement with indigenous applicants and to test the current FRDC funding application process for its "user-friendliness" to this target audience.
Testing the guidelines for engagement will involve people with limited experience with indigenous communities supported by more experienced team members. It is also hoped that FRDC staff will participate in the testing phase. Objectives: 1. To explore ways to engage successfully with the indigenous community 2. To develop guidelines for engagement with the indigenous community 3. To build capacity amongst Course 16 of the Australian Leadership Program to effectively engage with the indigenous community 4. To build capacity with FRDC staff to effectively engage with the indigenous community Read moreRead less
Sustainability Of The Rock Lobster Resource In South-eastern Australia In A Changing Environment: Implications For Assessment And Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$651,086.00
Summary
Declining catches in the Western Zone of Victoria, the Southern Zone of South Australia, and the NW region of Tasmania have been observed over the past 4–5 years. These areas have always been the most productive and most important part of the south-eastern rock lobster fishery, and the declines in observed CPUE do not align with median predictions from each State’s stock assessment models. The lobster fishery in each State is managed primarily with output controls using Total Allowable Catches d ....Declining catches in the Western Zone of Victoria, the Southern Zone of South Australia, and the NW region of Tasmania have been observed over the past 4–5 years. These areas have always been the most productive and most important part of the south-eastern rock lobster fishery, and the declines in observed CPUE do not align with median predictions from each State’s stock assessment models. The lobster fishery in each State is managed primarily with output controls using Total Allowable Catches determined by stock assessment modelling. CPUE is used by the model as a proxy for lobster abundance and the observed trend may be caused by below average recruitment. However, catch rates may also be driven by exogenous changes in catchability influenced for example by environmental effects, fleet dynamics, fisher behaviour, or rock lobster behaviour. Hence, there is a pressing need to determine whether the observed falling CPUE represents an apparent decline in relative abundance caused by reduced catchability or an actual decline caused by reduced recruitment, reduced growth, or increased natural mortality, or a combination of these factors. Importantly, what are the implications for future assessments and what monitoring and management strategies are most robust in the face of these uncertainties. Objectives: 1. Undertake initial evaluation of catch and effort data for a selection of vessels (or skippers) for CPUE standardisation and undertake spatial analysis of rock lobster to depict annual CPUE trends within discrete regions standardised for effects of vessel (or skipper), season, and spatial cell defined by grid-cell and depth range. 2. Extend CPUE analyses to test for and standardise for, where feasible, the effects of oceanographic variables such as bottom temperature, dissolved oxygen, currents, and wave strength using available data from the Bonney Coast and then test the applicability of these results to western Tasmania and determine additional data requirements for extending the analyses to this region. 3. Apply various analyses such as within-season depletion models and each State’s stock assessment models using available catch and effort data, other monitoring data, and tag release-recapture data to explore variation in annual estimates of catchability and recruitment through time. 4. Investigate evidence for temporal trends in lobster recruitment across the three States, examine evidence of a declining trend since 2003, and examine relationships between yearly environmental signals, and the yearly puerulus index to yearly environmental signals. 5. Undertake growth analyses of available tag release-recapture data to explore variation in annual estimates of growth through time. 6. Undertake stock assessment modelling to explore the sensitivity of biomass projections to altered values of catchability, recruitment, and growth, and, if necessary, make appropriate corrections to components of the stock assessment models. 7. Undertake management strategy evaluation, testing stock assessments and exploring implications of alternative assumptions for catchability, recruitment, and growth. Read moreRead less
The Australian historic shipwreck protection project: the in situ preservation and reburial of a colonial trader - Clarence (1850). The project will use cutting-edge technology to study and preserve an early colonial shipwreck at risk and develop a world-class strategy for the reburial and preservation of endangered historic shipwrecks. The project will help develop new national policy and technical guidelines for site managers of historic shipwrecks and offer new insights into colonial shipbuil ....The Australian historic shipwreck protection project: the in situ preservation and reburial of a colonial trader - Clarence (1850). The project will use cutting-edge technology to study and preserve an early colonial shipwreck at risk and develop a world-class strategy for the reburial and preservation of endangered historic shipwrecks. The project will help develop new national policy and technical guidelines for site managers of historic shipwrecks and offer new insights into colonial shipbuilding.Read moreRead less
Enhancement Of Saucer Scallops (Amusium Balloti) In Western Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$857,767.94
Summary
The Western Australian scallop fisheries are, as with most wild scallop fisheries, highly variable with regard to annual production, that variability being mainly due to environmental factors. The fisheries are "managed in a precautionary manner and the risk of overfishing is minimal" (Dredge et al., 2001).
A reduction in the variability of the annual production in the Western Australian scallop fisheries, and an overall increase in production, will be of major benefit to the Western A ....The Western Australian scallop fisheries are, as with most wild scallop fisheries, highly variable with regard to annual production, that variability being mainly due to environmental factors. The fisheries are "managed in a precautionary manner and the risk of overfishing is minimal" (Dredge et al., 2001).
A reduction in the variability of the annual production in the Western Australian scallop fisheries, and an overall increase in production, will be of major benefit to the Western Australian and Australian economies. Before any increase in production can be achieved, some further research is required.
Dredge et al. noted a need to determine the optimum size of spat release, and a need to develop transport procedures to take very large numbers of scallops from hatcheries to reseeding sites. They noted a need for a development phase in the industry to develop and translate hatchery technology to a fully commercial scale, consistent operation, and also a need to test the assumptions made in their report in respect of natural mortality rates of A. balloti at given sizes. This project will address those initial research needs.
The Dredge report noted that there would be considerable economic and social gains to be made from a successful marine ranching or enhancement operation. This project offers the first opportunity to trial commercial scallop enhancement in Australia, noting the eminent qualifications of Elmwood Holdings Pty Ltd according to the Dredge et al. report. Objectives: 1. To determine the methods, age and timing of Amusium balloti spat deployment required to produce commercial recoveries of meat from scallop spat reseeding of natural grounds. Read moreRead less
Impact Of Environmental Changes On The Biota Of Western Australian South Coast Estuaries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$125,374.00
Summary
Environmental and fisheries managers urgently need reliable data to underpin strategies to conserve or improve the ecosystems of normally-closed estuaries in the central region of the south coast of Western Australia. These managers thus need:
1. An understanding of the current status of the fish fauna of the highly-degraded Culham Inlet, and particularly of its population of black bream, and how that status has been influenced by extreme environmental perturbations in the recent past.< ....Environmental and fisheries managers urgently need reliable data to underpin strategies to conserve or improve the ecosystems of normally-closed estuaries in the central region of the south coast of Western Australia. These managers thus need:
1. An understanding of the current status of the fish fauna of the highly-degraded Culham Inlet, and particularly of its population of black bream, and how that status has been influenced by extreme environmental perturbations in the recent past.
2. Reliable information on the extent to which the extreme environmental conditions experienced in certain of the last ten to fifteen years influenced either the spawning success and/or survival of the 0+ age class of black bream in Culham Inlet.
3. An understanding of the current status of the fish fauna of Stokes Inlet, which is less degraded than Culham Inlet but is still the subject of concern for local residents and visitors, and of Hamersley Inlet in whose catchment the vegetation has been the subject of only a relatively low level of clearing.
4. An ability to predict, qualitatively, the extent to which continuing degradation of any normally-closed estuary in the central region of the south coast of Western Australia will affect the fish faunas of those estuaries and, in particular, their recreational and commercial fish species. This information is required by the Department of Fisheries WA for developing its overall plan for managing the recreational and commercial fisheries in these estuaries (R. Lenanton, pers. comm.) and by other governmental authorities for developing strategies for conserving or restoring the quality of the important environments afforded by these estuaries.
Objectives: 1. Determine, on a seasonal basis, the compositions of the fish fauna of the basin and riverine regions of Culham, Stokes and Hamersley inlets and ascertain whether pools upstream act as a refuge for black bream. 2. Relate any differences in the compositions of the fish faunas in the three estuaries to differences in the environmental characteristics within and between these estuaries, and in particular of salinity, dissolved oxygen and water levels. 3. Use age composition data to determine the variations in annual recruitment of black bream in Culham, Stokes and Hamersley inlets in recent years, and relate these to environmental conditions, and particularly to the relative estimated strength of freshwater discharge and whether or not the bar at the estuary mouth had been breached. 4. Compare the growth rates of black bream in the three estuaries and relate any differences that are detected to the environmental conditions that are experienced within each system. 5. Provide to environmental and fisheries managers an assessment of the levels at which salinity and dissolved oxygen influence the abundance of the main fish species and how those critical levels vary amongst those species Read moreRead less
Determining The Impact Of Environmental Variability On The Sustainability, Fishery Dynamics And Economic Performance Of The West Coast Prawn Trawl Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$16,000.00
Summary
The program addresses the three strategic challenges outlined in FRDC’s Research & Development Plan, 2005-10 namely: • Natural resources sustainability-development of spatially explicit management models for fisheries sustainability and will include temporal (cycles) effects driven by environment. • People Development-greater understanding of the processes affecting stocks and better management through industry involvement in decision making. • Community and Consumer support-throu ....The program addresses the three strategic challenges outlined in FRDC’s Research & Development Plan, 2005-10 namely: • Natural resources sustainability-development of spatially explicit management models for fisheries sustainability and will include temporal (cycles) effects driven by environment. • People Development-greater understanding of the processes affecting stocks and better management through industry involvement in decision making. • Community and Consumer support-through education about factors affecting stocks. The WCPF production has largely declined over the last 4 years and remains at a depressed state. Industry is faced with paying high interest rates on loans and licence fees for research and management. Moreover, Industry pay for costs (additional to licence fees) associated with fishery independent trawl surveys. There is a need to analyse data and demonstrate that the sustainability and profitability of the fishery is undermined by catastrophic downturns in recruitment attributable to environmental variation linked to El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. The fishery is a unique case and will be used as a model to demonstrate the catastrophic impact of environmental disturbance on a fishery for application to the Australian government for funding support through the ‘Exceptional Circumstances” programme. Objectives: 1. To assemble andpdate analyses of fishery dependent catch-effort and fishery independent trawl survey data and environmental information relating to the West Coast prawn fishery (WCPF). 2. To determine the impact of environmental variation (ENSO and upwelling events) on the sustainability, fishery dynamics and economic performance of the WCPF. 3. To develop a case model for an application for support provided under the Australian governments Exceptional Circumstances program (EC). Read moreRead less
Oysters Australia IPA: Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) – Closing Knowledge Gaps To Continue Farming C. Gigas In Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$463,700.00
Summary
POMS, caused by OsHV-1, has devastated C. gigas farming in two estuaries in NSW. Australia’s other growing areas are free (survey 2011). Expert opinion is that the virus will spread, but the time frame is unpredictable; TAS and SA are at great risk. Research to find a solution to continue farming is an immediate priority to protect the ~$53M pa industry.
Farming C. gigas in the face of POMS requires improvements in both husbandry and genetics. Genetically resistant stock will not be av ....POMS, caused by OsHV-1, has devastated C. gigas farming in two estuaries in NSW. Australia’s other growing areas are free (survey 2011). Expert opinion is that the virus will spread, but the time frame is unpredictable; TAS and SA are at great risk. Research to find a solution to continue farming is an immediate priority to protect the ~$53M pa industry.
Farming C. gigas in the face of POMS requires improvements in both husbandry and genetics. Genetically resistant stock will not be available commercially until 2018, with partial resistance (POMS R&D Coordination Committee report).
Improved husbandry is needed at all stages of the production cycle. It is addressed by this application, which builds on research in FRDC projects 2011/053 and 2012/032 that led to breakthroughs in understanding the epidemiology of POMS: mortality can be completely prevented in hatcheries using relatively simple water treatments, and reduced by 50% in adult stock (but not juveniles) by raising the growing height. However, many growers do not have infrastructure for this.
In June 2014 industry stated it would benefit from information about consistency of seasonal infection, changes in the virus, hatchery biosecurity, and whether spat can be certified free from infection.
Growers at SAOGA August 2014 reiterated that they urgently need a strategy for juvenile grow out and rack and rail systems that can't easily be elevated.
Priorities were confirmed in a face to face meeting with TORC members on 28th August 2014. Objectives were reviewed by Oysters Australia R&D committee on 1/12/14, and modified accordingly, leading to this full application.
This project fits within the FRDC 2015 Environment Priority 5: development of robust methodologies for investigation of mollusk disease outbreaks; integrated health management for commercial molluscs, which flow from priorities of the Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram. Objectives: 1. To determine methods for the conditioning/husbandry of spat and juvenile oysters to obtain survival after exposure to OsHV-1 based on improved scientific understanding of exposure, pathogenesis, immunity, tolerance or latency 2. To confirm i) the consistency of seasonal patterns of POMS, ii) the periodicity of infection within season, iii) inter-estuary temperature variation, and iv) predict POMS seasonal behaviour. 3. To identify changes in OsHV-1 DNA sequence over time (2010-2016) to understand infection and disease patterns 4. To investigate the mechanisms of survival of Pacific oysters after exposure to OsHV-1, including assessment of exposure dose and using biosensors 5. To determine whether water treatments prevent OsHV-1 infection of spat or merely prevent mortality, and whether they can be applied for biosecurity of hatchery effluent 6. To describe an integrated disease control strategy based on complementary use of genetically resistant oysters (when available) and husbandry methods throughout the production cycle: hatchery-juvenile-growout to market 7. To build capacity in aquatic animal health for Australian industry through training a post graduate student Read moreRead less
Stock Predictions And Spatial Population Indicators For Australia's East Coast Saucer Scallop Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$159,000.00
Summary
There is a strong need to better understand the respective roles of fishing effort and environmental drivers on the saucer scallop’s population dynamics and abundance, specifically in relation to the current poor stock status. This will be addressed in the project analyses and improvements to the scallop stock assessment model.
There is also a need for fishery leaders to implement management procedures in the scallop fishery that are appropriate to the causes of the current poor stock ....There is a strong need to better understand the respective roles of fishing effort and environmental drivers on the saucer scallop’s population dynamics and abundance, specifically in relation to the current poor stock status. This will be addressed in the project analyses and improvements to the scallop stock assessment model.
There is also a need for fishery leaders to implement management procedures in the scallop fishery that are appropriate to the causes of the current poor stock status. Outputs from the project will assist with formulating procedures effective for promoting stock recovery, while considering economic and social factors of fishing.
As most of the scallop fishery is located in waters of the GBRMP, which is a World Heritage Area, there is an obligation to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystem services within the Park are maintained. The project will address these needs.
Finally, there is a need to maintain the Wildlife Trade Operation approval which is required to export saucer scallops internationally. The project will help address the terms and conditions pertaining to sustainability of fishing the stock required by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy to secure this approval.
Objectives: 1. Design stock model structures and estimate parameter values for the associations between saucer scallop abundance and environmental variables, including scenarios of scallop recruitment changing in parallel with changes in areas of the different habitat types. 2. Improve spatial indicators and stock model predictions to estimate the current populations size of saucer scallops and develop management procedures. Read moreRead less