Can Sawfish Bycatch Within The NPF Be Mitigated Using An Electric Field?
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$113,468.11
Summary
The Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) is the largest Australian prawn fishery and the most valuable Commonwealth managed fishery. Annual gross value of production of the fishery was valued at $115.2 million in 2014. In recent decades, the incidental take of bycatch species has become an important issue in trawl fisheries worldwide. Impacts of fishing activities on the marine environment, including bycatch interactions are heavily scrutinised by organisations assessing the sustainability of fisheries ....The Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) is the largest Australian prawn fishery and the most valuable Commonwealth managed fishery. Annual gross value of production of the fishery was valued at $115.2 million in 2014. In recent decades, the incidental take of bycatch species has become an important issue in trawl fisheries worldwide. Impacts of fishing activities on the marine environment, including bycatch interactions are heavily scrutinised by organisations assessing the sustainability of fisheries such as the MSC. Various Threatened, Endangered and Protected (TEP) species are still regularly caught by the fishery, including sawfishes. All four sawfish species caught within the NPF are listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I and the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) Appendices I & II. Within Australia, three species are listed as Vulnerable, and all four species are listed as Migratory on the EPBC Act 1999.
Sawfishes are among the most threatened family of marine fishes and the most threatened family of cartilaginous fishes (Dulvy et al 2014). Incidental capture, particularly in trawls and gillnets, is the primary threat to sawfishes (Harrison and Duly 2014). Based on a risk assessment of the bycatch species in the NPF, all sawfishes have been identified as ‘at risk’ to trawling and least likely to be sustainable from prawn trawl fishing. A bycatch sustainability assessment also showed little change in catches of sawfishes as a result of the introduction of TEDs into the commercial fleet. The threatened status of sawfishes, vulnerability to fisheries, ongoing catches, and the inefficiency of current bycatch reduction devices to reduce sawfish bycatch suggest an urgent need for the development of new bycatch reduction devices to minimise interactions with fishing gear. This will also have the benefit of improving crew safety on the vessels as the removal of sawfish entangled in the nets is quite dangerous.
Objectives: 1. Assess whether sawfish behaviourally respond to electric fields as measured by reaction from a stationary position 2. Compare sawfish behavioural response across three fields of different characteristics Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Industry-extension Of Acoustic Release Technology For At-call Access To Submerged Head-gear In The NSW Rocklobster Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$73,476.10
Summary
The existing FRDC-funded project "Study of ghost fishing in the NSW rock lobster fishery" (FRDC project 2007/038; Final report due November 2012) has demonstrated that lost lobster traps continue to catch and accumulate lobsters, resulting in morbidity/mortality. Traps may be lost due to cut-off of head-gear by commercial shipping or recreational vessels, through vandalism or interactions with marine creatures (e.g. cetaceans). Loss of traps and lobsters may also result from theft. One strategy ....The existing FRDC-funded project "Study of ghost fishing in the NSW rock lobster fishery" (FRDC project 2007/038; Final report due November 2012) has demonstrated that lost lobster traps continue to catch and accumulate lobsters, resulting in morbidity/mortality. Traps may be lost due to cut-off of head-gear by commercial shipping or recreational vessels, through vandalism or interactions with marine creatures (e.g. cetaceans). Loss of traps and lobsters may also result from theft. One strategy for reducing the potential for cut-offs, ghost-fishing and theft that was examined in FRDC project 2007/038 was the use of acoustic release technology that would privide fishers with "at-call" access to sub-surface head-gear. The Desert Star ARC-1XD system was extensively tested and trialled in experiments that involved commercial fishing on the mid and outer continental shelf off NSW.
The 2 commercial fishers who were involved in these experiments (Mr Ron Firkin and Mr Scott Westley) were so impressed with the performance of the acoustic system and its potential advantages for their businesses that they have made substantial investments in the technology. Both have since successfully used the system for commercial fishing in its "portable" configuration (i.e. running off batteries but not integrated with their vessel's power system and onboard electronics). They have required and continue to require considerable assistance from NSW DPI staff to set-up, use the system and problem-solve. There is now an immediate need to encourage and support this intial phase of commercial use of the system by these pioneering fishers and to provide the infrastructure for the necessary training and support for fishers who elect to invest in this technology in the future. Objectives: 1. Install Desert Star ARC-1XD acoustic release system and integrate with on-board electronics on at least 3 vessels in the NSW lobster fishery 2. Provide training and support in the use and maintenance of the system for fishers who adopt this technology in 2012-13 3. Produce documentation (manuals, diagnostic & problem-solving tools) covering intallation, use and maintenance of the system 4. Broker changes/improvements to the acoustic release system's hardware, firmware and software with the manufacturer 5. Monitor the performance of acoustic release systems implemented in the NSW lobster fishery Read moreRead less
Liquid Biopsy For Personalised Monitoring Of Melanoma Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,888.00
Summary
Despite the success of recent melanoma treatments, therapies are effective long term in only a proportion of patients. Here we will progress preliminary findings in collaboration with biotechnology and pathology companies to develop highly effective companion biomarkers that will aid treatment decisions throughout disease course. Our team will spearhead translation of these markers into the clinic for routine monitoring of melanoma patients.
Development Of Intensive Pond Farming Techniques For The Mud Crab, Scylla Serrata (Forskal), In Northern Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Identify methods by which moult associated cannibalism in mud crabs can be minimised under high stocking densities in the laboratory. 2. Incorporate results of laboratory studies in pond design and management systems in pilot commercial scale farming trials
Objectives: 1. Observe the temperature and salinity structure along a section from the mouth of Spencer Gulf SA to the edge of the continental shelf at three-monthly intervals 2. Take water samples at selected locations