Mapping the distribution and movement of gulper sharks, and developing a non-extractive monitoring technique, to mitigate the risk to the species within a multi-sector fishery region off southern and eastern Australia

Funded Activity Summary

There are some very clear needs arising both prior to and potentially following decisions about listing gulper sharks. These include:

1. The need to identify areas of remaining populations of gulper sharks, particularly on the east coast of Australia (Tasmania to northern NSW) and out onto the seamounts in the Tasman and Coral Seas. (Identifying these areas will help identify suitable areas for protection from further fishing, and to some extent will help determine whether current closures off Eastern Tasmania and Wollongong are appropriately located).

2. The need to determine movement rates and ranges occupied by gulper sharks, particularly into and out of closed areas. (This information would provide evidence to determine whether the current size and location of closures is appropriate).

3. The need to develop monitoring techniques that use non-lethal sampling to follow trends in abundance over time and between areas. Such techniques should be cost effective (ideally involving industry), provide sufficient resolution to detect change, and would form a key plank in a rebuilding strategy for gulper sharks should they be listed. The need for non-lethal sampling methods follows directly from concerns about the already highly depleted state of these species in key parts of their range.


Objectives:
1. Map the current distribution of gulper sharks in eastern Australia
2. Measure the rates of movement of gulper sharks in and out of closed areas
3. Develop non lethal methods for long term monitoring of gulper shark populations
4. Provide early results (that integrate field results with existing knowledge) for evaluation by the EPBC listing (TSSC) process, and for an overarching implementation strategy to underpin the development of a long-term stock rebuilding plan

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-07-2009

End Date: 30-06-2011

Funding Scheme: Funding Scheme not available

Funding Amount: $911,796.00

Funder: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

There are no FoR codes available for this funding activity

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Biomass | Cost | Data | Electronic Monitoring | Fisheries Management | Migration | Population Dynamics | Resource Sharing | Stock Assessment | Survey

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