118,812 results
Environment
Environment

Tactical Research Fund: a reporting framework for ecosystem based assessment of Australian prawn trawl fisheries

Project number: 2011-062
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $68,000.00
Principal Investigator: Stephen Mayfield
Organisation: SARDI Food Safety and Innovation
Project start/end date: 31 May 2012 - 31 Mar 2013
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Fishing Gear
Fisheries Management
Ecosystem
Awareness

Need

There is a growing need to establish fishing industries as environmentally sustainable within Australia and internationally. The needs stems from both an economic marketing aspect and a growing community expectation. It is also important for fishing industries to understand that they contribute to marine impacts on a broader ecological scale. Whilst the principles of Ecosystem Based Fishery Management (EBFM) have been established for over a decade, it is only in recent years that EBFM frameworks have begun to be developed and applied by Government agencies (e.g. Fletcher et al 2010, West Coast Bioregion of Western Australia).

The environmental impacts of benthic trawl fisheries require greater attention than most other fishing methodologies, primarily due to their impact on the benthic environment, by-catch species and associated communities. As a critical impactor on marine bioregions, it is important that future ecological research for benthic trawl fisheries is prioritised and conducted in a manner that fits within a broader EBFM framework.

Concomitantly, there is an increasing interest from fishing industries to seek third-party certification of environmental sustainability for eco-labelling of their products and subsequent market advantage. These Program's require fisheries to meet standards that are often higher than the levels required by the Commonwealth Government to meet conditions of the EPBC Act. Although such accreditations are accompanied by substantial documentation of management practices, it is difficult for non-accrediated fisheries to benchmark themselves against accredited "best practice" industries.

This project aims to develop a reporting framework for environmental assessment of prawn trawl fisheries in Australia. By using the Marine Stewardship Certification accredited Spencer Gulf Prawn Trawl Fishery as a case study, the report will provide other Australian prawn trawl fisheries 1) a benchmark of third party accredited environmental management, and 2) a tool for prioritising and conducting their own ecological research within an EBFM framework.

Objectives

1. Develop a reporting framework for environmental assessment of Australian prawn trawl fisheries following the principles of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management
2. Using the Spencer Gulf Prawn Trawl Fishery as a case study, collate and analyse existing data/information to address the environmental impacts of prawn trawling on: bycatch/byproduct, TEPs, benthic habitats, and trophodynamics
3. Using the Spencer Gulf Prawn Trawl Fishery as a case study, identify priorties for future research to underpin Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-921563-70-6
Author: Stephen Mayfield and Simon Clark
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).
Final Report • 2014-12-12 • 3.63 MB
2011-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

This Tactical Research Fund Project has been undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences in response to the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery’s (SGPF) need for an ecosystem-based reporting framework to support ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. We reviewed the relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework, assessed the data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment, developed a conceptual ecosystem-based assessment framework for the fishery and highlighted the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) for full implementation. The approach developed would be of use to other prawn trawl fisheries that were seeking a transition from target-species to ecosystem-based assessments to underpin ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
 
There is worldwide recognition of the need to move beyond single-species fisheries management to a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts on the ecosystem in which fisheries operate. ESD concepts were expanded into a global action plan at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and ratified by countries including Australia, leading to the National Strategy for ESD and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999). EBFM facilitates ESD and has been recognised worldwide as having the potential to provide a mechanism for integration of ecosystem attributes into fisheries management. For EBFM to be effective, development of appropriate frameworks to integrate ecological and target species data are required.
 
Prawn fisheries are an important contributor to Australian fisheries production (17,000 t valued at $266 million in 2011/12; Skirtun et al. 2013). Given the evolving need to manage fisheries in a more ecologically sensitive manner, there has been increased environmental awareness of the biological impacts of trawling. Whilst these impacts are difficult to assess because of the complexity of the biological communities and frequent limited understanding of their variability, there is an opportunity to establish a framework for ecosystem-based assessment of the SGPF that could be broadly adopted across benthic prawn trawl fisheries in Australia.
 
The SGPF operates in Spencer Gulf in South Australia (SA), produces approximately 1,800 t of Western King prawns annually, and is the third most valuable prawn fishery in Australia ($30.3M in 2010/11) behind the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ($90M) and Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery ($62.2M).
 
The overall aim of this project was to develop an environmental reporting framework for Australian prawn trawl fisheries using the SGPF in SA as a case study. Our approach included (i) a review of relevant literature to identify an appropriate reporting framework; (ii) a review of data available for the SGPF, and its suitability for use in ecological assessment; (iii) development of an ecosystem-based assessment framework for the SGPF including identification and development of potential performance indicators; and (iv) the research required (i.e. knowledge gaps) to fully develop the necessary ecological performance indicators for full implementation.
 
Despite the substantial, diverse, often long-term data sets available for the SGPF, most of the data have been collected for stock assessment of the target species. This resulted in development of a conceptual, rather than a complete ecological assessment framework. Implementing ecological assessment in the SGPF requires further development of relevant performance indicators and reference points across each of the five key ecological components identified as important for fishery management – (i) habitats; (ii) ecosystems (ecological communities/trophodynamics); (iii) target species; (iv) non-target species including by-product and by-catch; and (v) threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPS) – and the development of a framework linking ecological and target species assessments (with decision rules to drive management decision making through the formal management plan for the fishery). While some potential performance indicators, reference points and decision rules have been developed through this project, successful implementation necessitates that these should be developed collaboratively. This process should include at least Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) Fisheries and Aquaculture, Spencer Gulf and West Coast Prawn Fishermen’s Association (SGWCPFA), SARDI and the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) and needs to recognise the considerable spatial and temporal (both inter-annual and seasonal) variation evident in the five key components across Spencer Gulf and the numerous potential impacts on the Spencer Gulf environment (e.g. other fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, harbours and wharfs, pollutants, climate change).

Tactical Research Fund: National assessment of the incidental catch of seabirds in trawl, gillnet and purse-seine fisheries - draft final report review

Project number: 2011-058.20
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $250.00
Principal Investigator: Jeff Moore
Organisation: Jeffrey D Moore
Project start/end date: 2 Jan 2012 - 30 Apr 2012
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Mortality
Fishing Gear
Fisheries Management

Need

Australia, as a Member State of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) endorsed the FAO International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries in 1999. In 2009, FAO Member States agreed to include trawl and gillnet fisheries in the FAO guidelines for best practices to reduce incidental catch of seabirds in capture fisheries. As a result, Australia agreed to carry out an assessment of its longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries to determine if a seabird bycatch problem exists and adopt a National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Fisheries. While FAO has only extended its guidelines to gillnet and trawl fisheries, the proposed project will also investigate seabird interactions with purse-seine vessels as a proactive step in developing a comprehensive plan of action for reducing the incidental catch of seabirds during fishing operations.

An assessment of seabird interactions in longline fisheries was completed in 2008, however a national assessment of seabird mortality from trawl, gillnet and purse-seine fisheries in Australian waters is still to be conducted. Mortality of seabirds associated with trawl, gillnet and purse-seine fisheries is less documented but an increasingly recognised issue, especially in trawl fisheries where seabirds can get caught on the warp lines and drown, collide with other vessel cables or become entangled in the mesh of nets at the sea surface. In gillnet fisheries, seabirds can become entangled with the mesh or vessel cables while in purse-seine fisheries seabird may become entangled in the mesh of nets. The extent of such interactions is unknown and an assessment is required which will be used to inform the development of a National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Fisheries.

Objectives

1. Undertake an assessment to determine the extent of seabird interactions/incidental catch in Australian gillnet, trawl and purse-seine fisheries
2. Identify areas of priority to initiate management responses to minimise seabird interactions in these sectors
3. Develop an approach leading to the development of a National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Fisheries
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