Effective fisheries management involves controlling the total catch within a specific fishery, including where that catch is shared between commercial, Indigenous, and recreational fishers. One of the most common management methods used in Australia and around the world to control catch, is the concept of a total allowable catch (TAC).
In Australia, TACs are usually paired with Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) meaning the commercial proportion of the total catch is split into individual shares or quota units, that can be fished, leased or traded. ITQs are an economic instrument and can affect the consolidation of fisheries and the flow of benefits.
For several decades FRDC has been investing in research and development on ITQs and their implementation in fisheries throughout Australia. This body of research has highlighted that ITQs were typically introduced at the same time as TACs, with most emphasis initially on the TAC for stock rebuilding purposes. Less attention was given to the economic and social outcomes of ITQs and sometimes there have been unwanted or sub-optimal outcomes. There may be opportunities to fine tune and improve existing ITQ arrangements.
On this basis, the IMAS-led and FRDC funded project 2020-029 (Improving performance of ITQ fisheries) was developed. Covid and resourcing delays has meant that this project only commenced more recently but the same objectives apply. Project 2020-029 will explore the consequences of ITQ management and options for adaptative management solutions for ITQ fisheries and it will also include case studies on four Australian fisheries to explore how ITQs are functioning now and in the future.
“Stage one of this research involved a literature review of 198 papers and grouped these into 29 observed consequences of ITQ management across market functioning, harvesting operations, community, ecosystems and stewardship, and politics and decision-making,” project lead, IMAS Professor Caleb Gardner said.
“Empirical evidence supporting these consequences within Australian fisheries was limited, meaning that the majority of consequences were from international fisheries.
“We were especially interested in fisheries that had adapted their management systems to improve outcomes in ITQ fisheries.”
Stage 2 of the project will examine the potential consequences of ITQs in four Australian fisheries and, in consultation with key stakeholders, evaluate changes that could potentially be used to adjust any issues of concern. The Australian case studies are important because they test the plausibility of making any refinements in the context of Australian governance.
To date, there has been limited contact with stakeholders as activities have primarily consisted of literature and legal reviews. More information on the case study process and opportunities for industry input will be available shortly.
The project also has an extension plan that includes sharing periodic project updates via articles, workshops and webinars with fisheries managers and industry representatives. The project will also rank adaptative management solutions and develop guidance for the implementation of possible refinements to ITQs.
Read more on the IMAS website or on our website.
This project was supported by funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government.
This relates to R&D Plan Outcomes 1 & 2
