Tactical Research Fund: trial of an industry implemented, spatially discrete eradication/control program for Centrostephanus rodgersii in Tasmania

Funded Activity Summary

Over the last three decades the distribution of long-spined sea urchin has extended from its native range in NSW down the east coast of Tasmania and west through Victoria. The impact of this range expansion is expected to intensify. This large sea urchin overgrazes seaweeds and invertebrates on rocky reefs, causing catastrophic regime shifts in the coastal ecosystems. The 'barren' habitats that are left after the establishment of an urchin population are unable to support commercial or recreational fisheries for abalone or rock lobster among other species. Therefore the incursion of this species into non-endemic regions pose a significant threat to the integrity of shallow reef ecosystems and the associated biodiversity and fisheries these regions support.

Objectives:
1. Determine the effectiveness of divers physically destroying urchins in situ to either eradicate or control spatially discrete aggregations to allow the re-establishment of native flora and fauna
2. Determine the cost effectiveness of objective 1 in regard to lost production for commercial, recreational and customary harvests.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-07-2012

End Date: 30-01-2014

Funding Scheme: Funding Scheme not available

Funding Amount: $133,200.78

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

Behaviour | Biodiversity | Ecosystem | Food Safety | Invasive Species | Modelling | RAC TAS | Sustainability

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