70,572 results
Industry
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-027
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Validating a new sampling technique for estimating egg production

Estimates of spawning biomass obtained using the Daily Egg Production Method (DEPM) are the primary biological performance indicator in the South Australian Sardine Fishery (SASF) and Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF). The DEPM is also being used to assess the status of other...
ORGANISATION:
SARDI Food Safety and Innovation

Can spatial fishery-dependent data be used to determine abalone stock status in a spatially structured fishery?

Project number: 2017-026
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $562,128.00
Principal Investigator: Craig Mundy
Organisation: University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date: 31 Jul 2018 - 29 Sep 2020
Contact:
FRDC

Need

With the advent of the Status of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS) process, there is now a requirement to provide a stock ‘status’ determination in addition to the annual TACC determination. The ‘status’ reflects changes in the overall biomass, the fishing mortality, or in their proxies. This has led to disagreements among researchers, managers and industry, largely due to uncertainty around how best to derive a meaningful overall stock status indicator to meet the requirements of the SAFS reporting process. These higher-level reporting processes are an important demonstration of sustainable management of Australian fisheries, but only if stock status determinations are accurate and defensible.

Australian abalone fisheries primarily use harvest control rules based around CPUE (Kg/Hr) to set TACC. However, with abalone, stable catch-rates may not indicate stable biomass and/or stable density. Catch-rates are frequently criticised because the effort needed to take a quantity of catch may be influenced by density but also by density independent factors such as conditions at the time of fishing, experience, and the ability of fishers to adjust their fishing strategy to maintain catch rates (diver behaviour driven hyper-stability). While there are many issues with the assumption that CPUE is a reliable proxy for abundance, it is assumed to be so despite the absence of robust data to validate use of CPUE in this way. In some jurisdictions CPUE is supplemented by sparse fishery-dependent size and density data. There is an urgent need to review common assumptions, methods and interpretations of CPUE as a primary indicator, and to determine whether inclusion of spatial fishery data could provide a ‘global’ indicator of stock status for abalone fisheries.

Objectives

1. Characterise the statistical properties, coherence, interpretability and assumptions of spatial and classic indicators of fishery performance
2. Develop methods for inclusion of fine-scale spatial data in CPUE standardisations
3. Identify methods for detecting hyper-stability in CPUE
4. Determine feasibility of spatial data based stock status determination in spatially structured fisheries
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-023
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

ESD risk assessment for under-utilised species to facilitate structural reform of South Australia's commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery

South Australia’s Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) is facing a number of complex issues that are affecting business profitability and stock sustainability. One particular issue relates to the long-term reliance of the fishery on the three primary finfish species of King George Whiting, Snapper...
ORGANISATION:
SARDI Food Safety and Innovation

Southern Ocean IPA - Stock Connectivity of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni)

Project number: 2017-021
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $178,000.00
Principal Investigator: Philippe Ziegler
Organisation: Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)
Project start/end date: 31 Oct 2017 - 30 Jan 2019
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Australia has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) declared adjacent to its Antarctic territorial claims in East Antarctica. Australia has also a direct interest in BANZARE Bank and Elan Bank due to shelf claims and their close relationship to the Kerguelen Plateau. The EEZ in East Antarctica does not include an Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ), thus this area is effectively 'high seas' and the Australian fishing industry has no special privileges in this part of the Convention area. However, ALPL started fishing in East Antarctica in 2015 and have a strong interest to continue fishing activities if catch limits in East Antarctica allow for economical operations.
CCAMLR's failure to assess Antarctic toothfish stocks in East Antarctica with tag-based stock assessments has resulted in a highly precautionary approach for setting catch limits in the area, with small and potentially uneconomical catch limits spread across a number fishable blocks. There is an urgent need to (a) delineate the structure and linkages of Antarctic toothfish stocks around Antarctica and particularly in East Antarctica, and (b) develop alternative assessment approaches to enable a reliable evaluation of stock biomass and the impact of the fishery on stock status in this area. In particular, the project will provide an evaluation of whether Antarctic toothfish could be suitable for the close-kin mark-recapture method to estimate biomass in East Antarctica.
Australia has maintained a leadership role in CCAMLR, including SC-CAMLR since its inception. Australia wishes to maintain the precautionary approach of CCAMLR and its ability to meet environmental objectives as well as those of the fishing industry. This project will contribute to Australia's CCAMLR obligations as a fishing nation to conduct research towards a robust fishery stock assessment, and provide an important opportunity to influence the management of activities which have the potential to adversely affect marine living resources in high seas areas adjacent to the Australian EEZ.

Objectives

1. Delineate stock structure of Antarctic toothfish within the Southern Ocean.
2. Evaluation whether Antarctic toothfish could be suitable for a close-kin mark-recapture method to estimate biomass in East Antarctica.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-876934-33-0
Authors: Dale Maschette Simon Wotherspoon Andrea Polanowski Bruce Deagle Dirk Welsford Philippe Ziegler
Final Report • 2020-04-14 • 1.72 MB
2017-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project, undertaken by the department of environment and Energy, Australian Antarctic Division, delineates the stock structure of the Antarctic Toothfish in the Southern Ocean, and evaluates the species' suitability for the close-kin mark-recapture method for estimation of biomass in East Antarctica.
 
Keywords: Antarctic toothfish, Antarctica, mark-recapture, close-kin, stock structure
Final Report • 2020-04-14 • 1.72 MB
2017-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project, undertaken by the department of environment and Energy, Australian Antarctic Division, delineates the stock structure of the Antarctic Toothfish in the Southern Ocean, and evaluates the species' suitability for the close-kin mark-recapture method for estimation of biomass in East Antarctica.
 
Keywords: Antarctic toothfish, Antarctica, mark-recapture, close-kin, stock structure
Final Report • 2020-04-14 • 1.72 MB
2017-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project, undertaken by the department of environment and Energy, Australian Antarctic Division, delineates the stock structure of the Antarctic Toothfish in the Southern Ocean, and evaluates the species' suitability for the close-kin mark-recapture method for estimation of biomass in East Antarctica.
 
Keywords: Antarctic toothfish, Antarctica, mark-recapture, close-kin, stock structure

Identification of muscle parasite in Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), and determination as to the efficacy of non-invasive screening technology for the purpose of identifying infected fish in a commercial fish processing environment

Project number: 2017-020
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $19,867.77
Principal Investigator: Andrew J. Forrest
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 2 Jul 2017 - 30 Oct 2018
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Industry stakeholders have a need to prevent fish infected with these parasites, being further traded through the value chain. However, identifying an appropriate level of technology will be the challenge to stakeholders. Such technology will need to be cost effective, non-destructive, rapid and relatively simple to use.

Stakeholders also need to identify the parasites concerned for both species, and identify technology capable of screening out such infected fish is required in the processing environment. The work proposed here will identify the parasite concerned for both species, identify appropriate technology applicable is a regional processing environment, and trial such technology at the place of processing in NSW.

Objectives

1. Determine the efficacy of ultra sound imaging to detect muscle parasites in Yellowtail kingfish and Mahi mahi (proof of concept).
2. Conduct field trials of the US technology on site in a commercial fish processing facility to determine suitability to that environment and determine the threshold of detection of each parasite
3. Identify species of muscle parasite affecting Yellowtail Kingfish and Mahi Mahi from northern NSW waters.
4. Establish rate of incidence of identified muscle parasites in Yellowtail Kingfish and Mahi Mahi.

Final report

ISBN: NA
Author: Andrew Forrest
Final Report • 2019-11-01 • 761.73 KB
2017-020-DLD.pdf

Summary

Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are actively targeted by fishers in the warmer waters of northern NSW. Both species are becoming increasingly important to local fishers with escalating demand due to increased consumer awareness of the premium eating quality both species. YTK specifically is receiving a significant increase in consumer awareness and market penetration; primarily as a sushi and sashimi product. Consumers of such products rightly have very high expectations of the sensory qualities for such products.

Incidents of muscle parasite infections that cause muscle softening in both species have been reported with increasing frequency in recent years. These parasites cause fishers to lose money in the short term by way of buyer reimbursement. However both species are now experiencing a loss of buyer confidence which has also reduced the market price to wholesalers. These issues of product confidence are now threatening the viability and thus the continuation of this fishery. 
 
This project sought to investigate the use of non-invasive screening technology for the purpose of identifying infected fish in a commercial fish processing environment. However, dude to a lack of available parasitised fish the project was terminated at the first milestone. This report constitutes a summary of the research that has occurred to date
Final Report • 2019-11-01 • 761.73 KB
2017-020-DLD.pdf

Summary

Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are actively targeted by fishers in the warmer waters of northern NSW. Both species are becoming increasingly important to local fishers with escalating demand due to increased consumer awareness of the premium eating quality both species. YTK specifically is receiving a significant increase in consumer awareness and market penetration; primarily as a sushi and sashimi product. Consumers of such products rightly have very high expectations of the sensory qualities for such products.

Incidents of muscle parasite infections that cause muscle softening in both species have been reported with increasing frequency in recent years. These parasites cause fishers to lose money in the short term by way of buyer reimbursement. However both species are now experiencing a loss of buyer confidence which has also reduced the market price to wholesalers. These issues of product confidence are now threatening the viability and thus the continuation of this fishery. 
 
This project sought to investigate the use of non-invasive screening technology for the purpose of identifying infected fish in a commercial fish processing environment. However, dude to a lack of available parasitised fish the project was terminated at the first milestone. This report constitutes a summary of the research that has occurred to date
Final Report • 2019-11-01 • 761.73 KB
2017-020-DLD.pdf

Summary

Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are actively targeted by fishers in the warmer waters of northern NSW. Both species are becoming increasingly important to local fishers with escalating demand due to increased consumer awareness of the premium eating quality both species. YTK specifically is receiving a significant increase in consumer awareness and market penetration; primarily as a sushi and sashimi product. Consumers of such products rightly have very high expectations of the sensory qualities for such products.

Incidents of muscle parasite infections that cause muscle softening in both species have been reported with increasing frequency in recent years. These parasites cause fishers to lose money in the short term by way of buyer reimbursement. However both species are now experiencing a loss of buyer confidence which has also reduced the market price to wholesalers. These issues of product confidence are now threatening the viability and thus the continuation of this fishery. 
 
This project sought to investigate the use of non-invasive screening technology for the purpose of identifying infected fish in a commercial fish processing environment. However, dude to a lack of available parasitised fish the project was terminated at the first milestone. This report constitutes a summary of the research that has occurred to date
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-019
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Freshwater fish attracting structures (FAS): Evaluating a new tool to improve fishing quality and access to fisheries resources in Australian impoundments

This document has been compiled from various sources and, to the authors’ knowledge, represents the best advice currently available regarding the use of fish attracting structures to improve recreational angling in Australian impoundments. Although the principles outlined in this document may...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-018
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Improving survival and quality of crabs and lobsters in transportation from first point of sale to market.

Eastern rock lobsters, spanner crabs and mud crabs command a high price when supplied to the market as live product. Being aquatic animals, the demands to retain maximum quality and liveliness through the supply chain are challenging. Once taken from water, these crustaceans are subject to...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)

Informing the structural reform of South Australia's Marine Scalefish Fishery

Project number: 2017-014
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $496,836.00
Principal Investigator: Jonathan Smart
Organisation: SARDI Food Safety and Innovation
Project start/end date: 30 Jun 2017 - 29 Jun 2020
Contact:
FRDC

Need

South Australia’s Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) is currently undergoing a strategic review with the principal aim of restructuring the fishery in order to ensure its long-term sustainability and economic viability. The heterogeneous mixture of participants, fishing devices, licence conditions and regulations associated with this fishery makes the tasks of administering and managing it extremely challenging. These complexities intertwined within a highly dynamic fleet that is capable of shifting fishing effort amongst species and regions often alters the emphasis of its overarching management. Industry and Government are working collaboratively to address the inherent complexities of the fishery through firstly developing a mechanism to rationalise the fleet, then reforming its overall structure, and ultimately refining its future management. In order to optimise this structural reform, it is necessary to disentangle and understand the fleet dynamics of this extremely complex fishery. This project aims to explore the implications of strategic management options (e.g. regionalisation, licensing, ITQ’s and ITE’s) on the future structure and viability of the MSF, from resource sustainability, economic and social perspectives.

Objectives

1. To review the structure and function of multi-species, multi-gear fisheries around the world.
2. To disentangle the complexities of the South Australian commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery to describe long-term spatio-temporal trends in the composition, dynamics and socio-economic performance of the fishing fleet
3. To evaluate the possible strategic management options such as regionalisation, licensing, ITQs and ITEs on the future structure and viability of South Australia’s MSF
4. To determine the biological, economic and social 'carrying capacity' of the MSF across key regions of the fishery.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-876007-43-0
Authors: Jonathan Smart Mike Steer Fred Bailleul David Hall Ian Knuckey Anders Magnusson Julian Morison Jon Presser and Jacki Schirmer
Final Report • 2022-09-27 • 29.96 MB
2017-014-DLD.pdf

Summary

This study was undertaken by the South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in collaboration with PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, BDO EconSearch, the Marine Fishers Association (MFA), Fishwell Consulting and University of Canberra. This project guided the reform of South Australia’s commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) by providing scientific advice and analyses to underpin its implementation. The MSF is a multi-sector, multi-gear and multi-species fishery, making any management reform a complex and difficult process. Both the sustainability of key stocks and commercial fishery’s economic performance have been deteriorating over a 20-year period; significantly influenced by fishery overcapitalisation. Simply put, there were too many fishers and not enough fish to support a vibrant and sustainable commercial fishery. This was addressed through the three ‘pillars’ of the reform: regionalisation, unitisation and rationalisation. These pillars were reflected in the reform with: 1) the creation of four new zones of management; 2) implementation of individual transferable quotas (ITQs) for appropriate ‘Tier 1’ stocks; and 3) rationalisation of the commercial MSF fleet by removing one third of licences through a voluntary licence surrender program (VLSP). These pillars were supported by research on the biological, economic and social carrying capacity of the fishery. The reform was implemented on 1 July 2021 resulting in a fishery that has regional management with appropriate output controls and a reduced fleet size.

Final Report • 2022-09-27 • 29.96 MB
2017-014-DLD.pdf

Summary

This study was undertaken by the South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in collaboration with PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, BDO EconSearch, the Marine Fishers Association (MFA), Fishwell Consulting and University of Canberra. This project guided the reform of South Australia’s commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) by providing scientific advice and analyses to underpin its implementation. The MSF is a multi-sector, multi-gear and multi-species fishery, making any management reform a complex and difficult process. Both the sustainability of key stocks and commercial fishery’s economic performance have been deteriorating over a 20-year period; significantly influenced by fishery overcapitalisation. Simply put, there were too many fishers and not enough fish to support a vibrant and sustainable commercial fishery. This was addressed through the three ‘pillars’ of the reform: regionalisation, unitisation and rationalisation. These pillars were reflected in the reform with: 1) the creation of four new zones of management; 2) implementation of individual transferable quotas (ITQs) for appropriate ‘Tier 1’ stocks; and 3) rationalisation of the commercial MSF fleet by removing one third of licences through a voluntary licence surrender program (VLSP). These pillars were supported by research on the biological, economic and social carrying capacity of the fishery. The reform was implemented on 1 July 2021 resulting in a fishery that has regional management with appropriate output controls and a reduced fleet size.

Final Report • 2022-09-27 • 29.96 MB
2017-014-DLD.pdf

Summary

This study was undertaken by the South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in collaboration with PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, BDO EconSearch, the Marine Fishers Association (MFA), Fishwell Consulting and University of Canberra. This project guided the reform of South Australia’s commercial Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) by providing scientific advice and analyses to underpin its implementation. The MSF is a multi-sector, multi-gear and multi-species fishery, making any management reform a complex and difficult process. Both the sustainability of key stocks and commercial fishery’s economic performance have been deteriorating over a 20-year period; significantly influenced by fishery overcapitalisation. Simply put, there were too many fishers and not enough fish to support a vibrant and sustainable commercial fishery. This was addressed through the three ‘pillars’ of the reform: regionalisation, unitisation and rationalisation. These pillars were reflected in the reform with: 1) the creation of four new zones of management; 2) implementation of individual transferable quotas (ITQs) for appropriate ‘Tier 1’ stocks; and 3) rationalisation of the commercial MSF fleet by removing one third of licences through a voluntary licence surrender program (VLSP). These pillars were supported by research on the biological, economic and social carrying capacity of the fishery. The reform was implemented on 1 July 2021 resulting in a fishery that has regional management with appropriate output controls and a reduced fleet size.

Rebuilding Southern Rock Lobster stocks on the east coast of Tasmania: informing options for management

Project number: 2017-013
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $103,800.00
Principal Investigator: Jeremy Lyle
Organisation: University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date: 30 Sep 2017 - 14 Dec 2018
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Rock lobster stocks off the east coast of Tasmania are in a depleted state and as a consequence a stock rebuilding strategy has been implemented. This has involved adopting a 200 tonnes east coast catch limit, comprising a catch cap for the commercial sector and a notional catch share for the recreational sector. While the commercial catch limit can be monitored and controlled directly, management of the recreational catch share is more problematic.

The recreational rock lobster fishery has been monitored for two decades, during which time there have been significant management changes and variability in stock abundance. The greatest changes have occurred in the east coast, which has traditionally attracted 60-70% of the state-wide recreational catch and effort. In an effort to restrict catches from that region there have been drastic reductions in bag and possession limits and a progressive reduction in season. Furthermore, major biotoxin events have resulted in closures of key areas during peak fishing periods.

High and varying levels of participation has made management of the recreational component of the fishery difficult. This situation is likely to be further exacerbated as stocks rebuild; higher catch rates are expected to attract increased effort and overall catches for the sector. For the commercial sector, the catch cap effectively represents a competitive or “Olympic” catch quota which, as catch rates improve, is likely to influence fleet dynamics and timing of catches as fishers ‘race’ to take the limited catch.

Understanding relationships between fisher behaviour, their expectations/aspirations, responses to changes in stock status and to management intervention is critical when implementing effective management strategies. This project aims to inform on the practical challenges to achieving the stock rebuilding objective and provide options to assist managers and both fishing sectors in achieving the ecological, social and economic goals for the fishery.

Objectives

1. Determine the relationships between recreational fisher behaviour (effort and participation) and Rock Lobster catch rates and abundance
2. Assess fisher attitudes and compliance behaviour to management scenarios designed to achieve the east coast stock rebuilding objective
3. Model the effectiveness of alternative management scenarios in constraining recreational catches as stock rebuild
4. Model the impact on fleet dynamics, including economic implications, of the expected shift to an "Olympic" quota.
5. Evaluate the costs and benefits of short- and long-term management options for the east coast Rock Lobster fishery

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-922352-14-9
Authors: Lyle J.M. Hartmann K. Mackay M. Yamazaki S. Ogier E. Revill H. Pearn R. Rizzari J. Tracey S. Gardner C.
Final Report • 2020-01-01 • 2.88 MB
2017-013-DLD.pdf

Summary

Understanding relationships between fisher behaviour, their expectations/aspirations, responses to changes in stock status and to management intervention is critical when implementing effective management strategies. This project aims to inform on the practical challenges to achieving the stock rebuilding objective and provide options to assist managers and both fishing sectors in achieving the ecological, social and economic goals for the rock lobster fishery.
 
The objective of rebuilding east coast rock lobster stocks has necessitated the implementation of measures to constrain both commercial and non-commercial catches.
For the commercial sector, the east coast catch has been significantly and effectively reduced by capping the quota that can be taken from the region. This has also involved some redistribution of effort into other regions of the state, thereby reducing the negative economic impact of this spatial management measure. Fishers acknowledge, however, that as stocks rebuild competition amongst commercial operators is expected to increase the race-to-fish. Although not a major concern for the sector, those operators with greater dependency on the east coast may experience increasing economic hardship, with the catch cap being reached earlier in the fishing season.
Recreational management settings have not, however, been effective in limiting the recreational harvest to the sector’s allocated catch share. Recreational participation and effort are strongly linked to fishing success, such that as catch rates improve (with stock rebuilding) recreational effort and harvest are predicted to grow, indicating a need for additional management intervention if stock rebuilding catch targets are to be met. The primary challenge in achieving the east coast stock rebuilding objectives is, therefore, the management of the recreational component of the fishery.
Surveys of recreational fishers indicated strong opposition towards any further reduction in daily bag limit (currently two lobster), with low perceived effectiveness and support for the measure as well as confirmation that any reduction would significantly impact fishers’ utility. Such a response was anticipated as rock lobster is a highly consumptive harvest-oriented fishery. A reduction in season length was another management setting that was found to significantly impact most fishers’ utility. In contrast, we found heterogeneous preferences amongst fisher groups (fishing mode and avidity) for an introduced maximum seasonal catch and an increase in minimum size limits. These results may reflect the fact that these measures limit catch indirectly whereas a reduction in bag limit and shortened season have direct and clear implications on expected catch and recreation time. While there was majority in principle support for an individual maximum seasonal catch limit, the limit that would be acceptable to most (median of 20 lobsters) was significantly greater than the average individual catch required to meet the east coast recreational catch share target.
As a direct consequence of the rebuilding strategy catch rates for commercial and recreational sectors are expected to increase substantially, although for the recreational sector the catch rate increase will become increasingly constrained by the bag limit. For the commercial sector this will result in earlier and earlier closures due to the catch cap being reached; the east coast fishery is likely to become a predominantly an early season (autumn) and winter fishery. For the recreational sector and in the absence of additional management restrictions, the combined effects of higher catch rates and participation are predicted to lead to an increase in the east coast catch of between 57 and 125% above 2018/19 levels by 2023. Increases to this level will undermine the stock rebuilding strategy and prevent the stock rebuilding target being achieved in at least one of the east coast stock assessment areas.
Model projections suggest that to maintain catches within the recreational catch share allocation will require a reduction of effort to half of the 2018/19 level by 2023. To achieve this with existing input controls will be a formidable challenge, especially in the context of anticipated increased participation arising from increasing catch rates.
The alternative of maintaining the total East Coast catch at the target levels by off-setting recreational over-catch against the commercial catch share would lead to increased fishing pressure in other areas of the state. Without additional management changes this redistribution of catch is predicted to prevent achieving rebuilding targets in some stock assessment areas outside of the east coast. Consequently, management changes such as a reduction in the total allowable commercial catch allocation or further spatial management to support rebuilding in impacted areas may need to be considered.
 
effective management framework to support the rebuilding of the east coast rock lobster stocks. Challenges that are compounded by the lack of clear policy direction for the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery. Notwithstanding this and assuming the status quo is not desirable it is evident that further and substantial management intervention will need to be considered if the east coast stock rebuilding goals are to be met.
Although direct management recommendations are beyond the scope of the current study there are several observations that are expected to assist in future decision making. In relation to existing management settings, season length is likely to be the most effective in constraining catches although it is clear that progressive and significant reductions would be required to achieve the recreational catch share target. Minor adjustments, as implemented in the past have not been sufficient in this regard.
In relation to alternative management options, the concept of a maximum individual seasonal catch limit has merit, not the least in that it ensures a more equitable distribution of the catch between fishers. However, without limits on the number of recreational licences issued each year such a system cannot directly control the total catch. Catch or harvest tags represent a practical means to implement such a measure but there are risks and costs associated with implementation and administration of a such as system that require careful consideration.
In-season catch monitoring, whether based on reported tag usage, mandatory reporting or survey methods, could be applied in much the same way as the commercial catch cap is managed, i.e. the season is closed when the catch limit is reached.
It may also be reasonable to review the east coast catch share split between commercial and recreational fisheries as an element of future management direction. However, in the absence of policy guidance around fisheries allocation (or reallocation) in Tasmania any such determination would ultimately be a political decision. A re-allocation of a higher proportion of the catch share to the recreational fishery would ease the regulatory burden on the sector but would still need to ensure that recreational catches are effectively monitored and constrained within the revised catch share arrangements.
Although there may be no simple solutions to the management of this shared fishery it is hoped that the current project will assist resource managers, recreational and commercial sectors in working proactively to meet the challenges.
Final Report • 2020-01-01 • 2.88 MB
2017-013-DLD.pdf

Summary

Understanding relationships between fisher behaviour, their expectations/aspirations, responses to changes in stock status and to management intervention is critical when implementing effective management strategies. This project aims to inform on the practical challenges to achieving the stock rebuilding objective and provide options to assist managers and both fishing sectors in achieving the ecological, social and economic goals for the rock lobster fishery.
 
The objective of rebuilding east coast rock lobster stocks has necessitated the implementation of measures to constrain both commercial and non-commercial catches.
For the commercial sector, the east coast catch has been significantly and effectively reduced by capping the quota that can be taken from the region. This has also involved some redistribution of effort into other regions of the state, thereby reducing the negative economic impact of this spatial management measure. Fishers acknowledge, however, that as stocks rebuild competition amongst commercial operators is expected to increase the race-to-fish. Although not a major concern for the sector, those operators with greater dependency on the east coast may experience increasing economic hardship, with the catch cap being reached earlier in the fishing season.
Recreational management settings have not, however, been effective in limiting the recreational harvest to the sector’s allocated catch share. Recreational participation and effort are strongly linked to fishing success, such that as catch rates improve (with stock rebuilding) recreational effort and harvest are predicted to grow, indicating a need for additional management intervention if stock rebuilding catch targets are to be met. The primary challenge in achieving the east coast stock rebuilding objectives is, therefore, the management of the recreational component of the fishery.
Surveys of recreational fishers indicated strong opposition towards any further reduction in daily bag limit (currently two lobster), with low perceived effectiveness and support for the measure as well as confirmation that any reduction would significantly impact fishers’ utility. Such a response was anticipated as rock lobster is a highly consumptive harvest-oriented fishery. A reduction in season length was another management setting that was found to significantly impact most fishers’ utility. In contrast, we found heterogeneous preferences amongst fisher groups (fishing mode and avidity) for an introduced maximum seasonal catch and an increase in minimum size limits. These results may reflect the fact that these measures limit catch indirectly whereas a reduction in bag limit and shortened season have direct and clear implications on expected catch and recreation time. While there was majority in principle support for an individual maximum seasonal catch limit, the limit that would be acceptable to most (median of 20 lobsters) was significantly greater than the average individual catch required to meet the east coast recreational catch share target.
As a direct consequence of the rebuilding strategy catch rates for commercial and recreational sectors are expected to increase substantially, although for the recreational sector the catch rate increase will become increasingly constrained by the bag limit. For the commercial sector this will result in earlier and earlier closures due to the catch cap being reached; the east coast fishery is likely to become a predominantly an early season (autumn) and winter fishery. For the recreational sector and in the absence of additional management restrictions, the combined effects of higher catch rates and participation are predicted to lead to an increase in the east coast catch of between 57 and 125% above 2018/19 levels by 2023. Increases to this level will undermine the stock rebuilding strategy and prevent the stock rebuilding target being achieved in at least one of the east coast stock assessment areas.
Model projections suggest that to maintain catches within the recreational catch share allocation will require a reduction of effort to half of the 2018/19 level by 2023. To achieve this with existing input controls will be a formidable challenge, especially in the context of anticipated increased participation arising from increasing catch rates.
The alternative of maintaining the total East Coast catch at the target levels by off-setting recreational over-catch against the commercial catch share would lead to increased fishing pressure in other areas of the state. Without additional management changes this redistribution of catch is predicted to prevent achieving rebuilding targets in some stock assessment areas outside of the east coast. Consequently, management changes such as a reduction in the total allowable commercial catch allocation or further spatial management to support rebuilding in impacted areas may need to be considered.
 
effective management framework to support the rebuilding of the east coast rock lobster stocks. Challenges that are compounded by the lack of clear policy direction for the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery. Notwithstanding this and assuming the status quo is not desirable it is evident that further and substantial management intervention will need to be considered if the east coast stock rebuilding goals are to be met.
Although direct management recommendations are beyond the scope of the current study there are several observations that are expected to assist in future decision making. In relation to existing management settings, season length is likely to be the most effective in constraining catches although it is clear that progressive and significant reductions would be required to achieve the recreational catch share target. Minor adjustments, as implemented in the past have not been sufficient in this regard.
In relation to alternative management options, the concept of a maximum individual seasonal catch limit has merit, not the least in that it ensures a more equitable distribution of the catch between fishers. However, without limits on the number of recreational licences issued each year such a system cannot directly control the total catch. Catch or harvest tags represent a practical means to implement such a measure but there are risks and costs associated with implementation and administration of a such as system that require careful consideration.
In-season catch monitoring, whether based on reported tag usage, mandatory reporting or survey methods, could be applied in much the same way as the commercial catch cap is managed, i.e. the season is closed when the catch limit is reached.
It may also be reasonable to review the east coast catch share split between commercial and recreational fisheries as an element of future management direction. However, in the absence of policy guidance around fisheries allocation (or reallocation) in Tasmania any such determination would ultimately be a political decision. A re-allocation of a higher proportion of the catch share to the recreational fishery would ease the regulatory burden on the sector but would still need to ensure that recreational catches are effectively monitored and constrained within the revised catch share arrangements.
Although there may be no simple solutions to the management of this shared fishery it is hoped that the current project will assist resource managers, recreational and commercial sectors in working proactively to meet the challenges.
Final Report • 2020-01-01 • 2.88 MB
2017-013-DLD.pdf

Summary

Understanding relationships between fisher behaviour, their expectations/aspirations, responses to changes in stock status and to management intervention is critical when implementing effective management strategies. This project aims to inform on the practical challenges to achieving the stock rebuilding objective and provide options to assist managers and both fishing sectors in achieving the ecological, social and economic goals for the rock lobster fishery.
 
The objective of rebuilding east coast rock lobster stocks has necessitated the implementation of measures to constrain both commercial and non-commercial catches.
For the commercial sector, the east coast catch has been significantly and effectively reduced by capping the quota that can be taken from the region. This has also involved some redistribution of effort into other regions of the state, thereby reducing the negative economic impact of this spatial management measure. Fishers acknowledge, however, that as stocks rebuild competition amongst commercial operators is expected to increase the race-to-fish. Although not a major concern for the sector, those operators with greater dependency on the east coast may experience increasing economic hardship, with the catch cap being reached earlier in the fishing season.
Recreational management settings have not, however, been effective in limiting the recreational harvest to the sector’s allocated catch share. Recreational participation and effort are strongly linked to fishing success, such that as catch rates improve (with stock rebuilding) recreational effort and harvest are predicted to grow, indicating a need for additional management intervention if stock rebuilding catch targets are to be met. The primary challenge in achieving the east coast stock rebuilding objectives is, therefore, the management of the recreational component of the fishery.
Surveys of recreational fishers indicated strong opposition towards any further reduction in daily bag limit (currently two lobster), with low perceived effectiveness and support for the measure as well as confirmation that any reduction would significantly impact fishers’ utility. Such a response was anticipated as rock lobster is a highly consumptive harvest-oriented fishery. A reduction in season length was another management setting that was found to significantly impact most fishers’ utility. In contrast, we found heterogeneous preferences amongst fisher groups (fishing mode and avidity) for an introduced maximum seasonal catch and an increase in minimum size limits. These results may reflect the fact that these measures limit catch indirectly whereas a reduction in bag limit and shortened season have direct and clear implications on expected catch and recreation time. While there was majority in principle support for an individual maximum seasonal catch limit, the limit that would be acceptable to most (median of 20 lobsters) was significantly greater than the average individual catch required to meet the east coast recreational catch share target.
As a direct consequence of the rebuilding strategy catch rates for commercial and recreational sectors are expected to increase substantially, although for the recreational sector the catch rate increase will become increasingly constrained by the bag limit. For the commercial sector this will result in earlier and earlier closures due to the catch cap being reached; the east coast fishery is likely to become a predominantly an early season (autumn) and winter fishery. For the recreational sector and in the absence of additional management restrictions, the combined effects of higher catch rates and participation are predicted to lead to an increase in the east coast catch of between 57 and 125% above 2018/19 levels by 2023. Increases to this level will undermine the stock rebuilding strategy and prevent the stock rebuilding target being achieved in at least one of the east coast stock assessment areas.
Model projections suggest that to maintain catches within the recreational catch share allocation will require a reduction of effort to half of the 2018/19 level by 2023. To achieve this with existing input controls will be a formidable challenge, especially in the context of anticipated increased participation arising from increasing catch rates.
The alternative of maintaining the total East Coast catch at the target levels by off-setting recreational over-catch against the commercial catch share would lead to increased fishing pressure in other areas of the state. Without additional management changes this redistribution of catch is predicted to prevent achieving rebuilding targets in some stock assessment areas outside of the east coast. Consequently, management changes such as a reduction in the total allowable commercial catch allocation or further spatial management to support rebuilding in impacted areas may need to be considered.
 
effective management framework to support the rebuilding of the east coast rock lobster stocks. Challenges that are compounded by the lack of clear policy direction for the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishery. Notwithstanding this and assuming the status quo is not desirable it is evident that further and substantial management intervention will need to be considered if the east coast stock rebuilding goals are to be met.
Although direct management recommendations are beyond the scope of the current study there are several observations that are expected to assist in future decision making. In relation to existing management settings, season length is likely to be the most effective in constraining catches although it is clear that progressive and significant reductions would be required to achieve the recreational catch share target. Minor adjustments, as implemented in the past have not been sufficient in this regard.
In relation to alternative management options, the concept of a maximum individual seasonal catch limit has merit, not the least in that it ensures a more equitable distribution of the catch between fishers. However, without limits on the number of recreational licences issued each year such a system cannot directly control the total catch. Catch or harvest tags represent a practical means to implement such a measure but there are risks and costs associated with implementation and administration of a such as system that require careful consideration.
In-season catch monitoring, whether based on reported tag usage, mandatory reporting or survey methods, could be applied in much the same way as the commercial catch cap is managed, i.e. the season is closed when the catch limit is reached.
It may also be reasonable to review the east coast catch share split between commercial and recreational fisheries as an element of future management direction. However, in the absence of policy guidance around fisheries allocation (or reallocation) in Tasmania any such determination would ultimately be a political decision. A re-allocation of a higher proportion of the catch share to the recreational fishery would ease the regulatory burden on the sector but would still need to ensure that recreational catches are effectively monitored and constrained within the revised catch share arrangements.
Although there may be no simple solutions to the management of this shared fishery it is hoped that the current project will assist resource managers, recreational and commercial sectors in working proactively to meet the challenges.
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