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People
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2003-026
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Environmentally sustainable development of barramundi cage aquaculture

A preliminary sensory evaluation study was conducted to confirm the presence of a taint issue. Prior to this the issue was reliant on purchaser feedback and was not verified independently. To examine the issue of flavour taint a series of barramundi samples were collected from Lake Argyle (purged...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) WA
TAGS
Training
Survey
Seafood Quality
Nutrition
Modelling
SPECIES
Barramundi
Environment

Effects of Trawling Subprogram: mapping bycatch & seabed benthos assemblages in the GBR region for environmental risk assessment & sustainable management of the Queensland east coast trawl fishery

Project number: 2003-021
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $918,237.00
Principal Investigator: Roland C. Pitcher
Organisation: CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Crawley
Project start/end date: 18 May 2003 - 28 Feb 2008
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Sustainability
Survey
Oceanography
Habitat
Fishing Gear

Need

The CSIRO/QDPI Effects of Trawling Study¹ concluded that if the substantial cumulative environmental effects of trawling are to be managed for sustainability then fundamental information on the distribution and abundance of seabed assemblages and bycatch is essential. The “Management Scenario Model” for the QECTF has indicated that potential sustainability indicators for Management Strategies Evaluations (MSE) are highly sensitive to current assumptions about the distribution and abundance of species vulnerable to trawling. This proposal addresses this important information gap and impediment to management for environmental sustainability by conducting an inventory and mapping of species caught in bycatch and seabed assemblages throughout the GBR region, for development of sustainability risk indicators and MSE approaches.

Bycatch is a priority issue in the QECTF. This proposal addresses the information needs of this issue in two ways: (1) developing bycatch sustainability risk indicators and (2) quantification of the impacts on populations of bycatch species. To address (1), the project will map the distribution and abundance of species caught in bycatch, within and beyond trawl grounds, and estimate the proportion of their populations exposed to trawling by conducting spatial analyses of bycatch species abundance in relation to trawl effort distribution and intensity. (2) will develop this analysis further, using available data on the catch-rate of bycatch species by the fishery, to estimate the proportion of bycatch populations caught annually, as a risk indicator. The Project will also apply the bycatch vulnerability criteria for life history traits (recovery) that have been developed by the successful NPF Bycatch sustainability Project (FRDC 96/257 — see Methods for details) and are now playing a key role in the NPF Bycatch Action Plan. Together, this information can be use to identify those species likely to be at risk in the QECTF and will deliver directly to the bycatch reporting requirements for Strategic Assessment and subsequent accreditation outcomes. Similar information and outcomes are likely to be available for several target & by-product species, as well as some threatened or potentially threatened species such as pipe-horses.

The direct impacts of trawling on seabed benthic assemblages are also a priority issue in the QECTF. This project will address the information needs of this issue by mapping the distributions of seabed assemblages, conducting spatial analyses and developing benthos sustainability indicators similar to that for the bycatch. This will be done by applying the vulnerability algorithms developed for the CSIRO/QDPI Effects of Trawling Study FRDC 93/096 (ie. the dynamics of per trawl removal rate × trawl-effort, plus recovery rate information from the GBRMPA follow-on project Seabed Habitat Recovery Dynamics, as well as the FRDC 97/205 Megabenthos Dynamics Project — see Methods for details). This information will enable development of benthos status indicators and evaluation of the environmental performance of different management scenarios (MSE) that may be adopted by the fishery management. Again, these outputs will deliver directly to the reporting requirements for Strategic Assessment and subsequent accreditation outcomes.

The Managers and Industry consider that the project is essential for the requirement to provide a comprehensive assessment of the sustainability of the fishery. Information from this project will assist the stakeholders with their management of the fishery, assessment of performance against Trawl Management Plan targets (40% reduction in bycatch & 25% reduction in benthos), response to Strategic Assessment and meeting requirements of the EPBC Act, conduct of ecological risk assessments and development of biologically meaningful reference points (required by 2006), evaluation of the zoning changes in the GBRMP, and review of the Trawl Management Plan (2004-06) — and reaching the goal of achieving a sustainable fishery. The Project will deliver results progressively, so that timely outputs will be available for these review processes.

A related current & important issue that this Project will deliver to is the sustainability of the Reef Line Fishery, which is currently subject to a proposal for capping at 1996 levels and spawning season closures. One of the greatest uncertainties regarding the sustainability of this Fishery is the unknown area of deeper inter-reef habitat and the populations of demersal fishes therein — this proposed Project will be able to provide estimates for both of these uncertainties and so enable the EoLF Projects to capitalise on this information and value-add to the investments of FRDC and other agencies in EoLF research.

The Project will also deliver relevant priority research needs relevant to the development of national habitat classification and mapping methods, as identified at the FRDC/NOO Habitat Workshop, 23-24 September 2002.

Objectives

1. The overall objective is to address key R&D priorities identified by the Qld TRAWLMAC, QFIRAC, QFS, GBRMPA and the FRDC Effects of Trawling Sub-Program in relation to environmental sustainability assessments of the Qld East Coast Trawl Fishery with respect to effects on bycatch and seabed benthic assemblages, and support ecologically-based management of the fishery, achieve environmental sustainability, Strategic Assessment and accreditation. Specifically:
2. Develop & provide maps of the distribution of seabed assemblages to managers and stakeholders, with the outcome of management strategies effective in minimising fishery effects on seabed habitats & assemblages, and achievement of Management Plan targets.
3. For both bycatch & benthos, develop quantitative indicators of exposure to & effects of trawling, and sustainability risk indicators, as required for the environmental Strategic Assessment of the QECTF.
4. Provide critical input to a dynamic model of indicators for the status of seabed assemblages and conduct ecological assessments of recent and proposed management changes using an MSE approach, and enable capability for evaluation of future options.
5. Contribute to quantifying the large-scale effects of trawling on bycatch species and benthos assemblages by analysing their abundance across the range of trawl intensities within and outside trawl grounds, while accounting for habitat variability.
6. Develop transferable scientific methods and tools to facilitate regional marine management planning nationally, including: knowledge of bio-physical relationships between assemblages and the physical environment (surrogates), cost-effective survey designs & techniques (including performance of rapid assessment tools: video & acoustics), spatial-statistical classification & prediction methods, and sustainability risk indicators for seabed species, assemblages and communities.
7. Complete a sixth 35 day field sampling voyage on the AIMS research vessel (Lady Basten) to fill critical gaps remaining in the southern GBR.
8. Complete a fourth 35 day field sampling voyage on the QDPI&F fisheries research vessel (Gwendoline May) to fill critical gaps remaining in the southern GBR.
9. Produce maps of habitats and biodiversity values to assist Commonwealth and State managers of the GBR Marine Park to recognise and conserve marine biodiversity consistent with CAR principles, and assist managers of Queensland's fisheries to ensure that trawling in the WHA is consistent with ESD principles.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-921232-87-9
Author: Roland Pitcher
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Final Report • 2009-02-26 • 22.80 MB
2003-021-DLD.pdf

Summary

The Great Barrier Reef is a unique World Heritage Area of national and international significance. As a multiple use Marine Park, activities such as fishing and tourism occur along with conservation goals. Managers need information on habitats and biodiversity distribution and risks to ensure these activities are conducted sustainably. However, while the coral reefs have been relatively well studied, less was known about the deeper seabed in the region. From 2003 to 2006, the GBR Seabed Biodiversity Project has mapped habitats and their associated biodiversity across the length and breadth of the 210,000 km² shelf in the Marine Park to provide information that will help managers with conservation planning and to assess whether fisheries are ecologically sustainable, as required by environmental protection legislation (e.g. EPBC Act 1999).
 
Holistic information on the biodiversity of the seabed was acquired by visiting almost 1,400 sites, representing a full range of known environments, during 10 month-long voyages on two vessels and deploying several types of devices such as: towed video and digital cameras, baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS), a digital echo-sounder, an epibenthic sled and a research trawl to collect samples for more detailed data about plants, invertebrates and fishes on the seabed. Data were collected and processed from >600 km of towed video and almost 100,000 photos, 1150 BRUVS videos, ~140 GB of digital echograms, and from sorting and identification of ~14,000 benthic samples, ~4,000 seabed fish samples, and ~1,200 sediment samples.
 
The project has analysed this information and produced all of the outputs as originally proposed.
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2003-019
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

National Strategy for the Survival of Released Line Caught Fish: investigating survival of fish released in Australia’s tropical and subtropical line fisheries

Experiments were conducted in northern, central and southern Queensland to investigate the effects of hook design and size on the incidence of hooking injury, and the effects of a number of factors, including barotrauma-treatment method, on post-release survival rates of a suite of key...
ORGANISATION:
James Cook University (JCU)
TAGS
Wild Catch
Tagging
Survey
Recreational Fishing
Fishing Gear
SPECIES
Redthroat Emperor
Spangled Emperor
Saddletail Snapper
Crimson Snapper
Red Emperor
Environment

Reduction of toothed whale interactions with fishing gear: development and assessment of predation mitigation devices around longlines

Project number: 2003-016
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $154,173.26
Principal Investigator: Geoff McPherson
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 29 Jun 2003 - 28 Dec 2007
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Tagging
Stakeholder
Food Web
Fishing Gear
Electronic Monitoring

Need

Predation by toothed whales on fish hooked by longline and dropline gear is becoming more prevalent throughout Australian waters. The duration of the predation period appeared to be seasonal in the north-western Coral Sea fishery during the 1980's. However over recent seasons the duration of the mammals’ presence in the Coral Sea appeared to increase and observations of adults teaching young animals to predate on hooked fish became common. Predation by toothed whales in the Falkland Island Patagonian toothfish fishery appears to be a learned response with the problem dramatically increasing from a short seasonal problem prior to 2001, to a full season problem in 2002.

The development of a combination of predation mitigation methods is urgently required. Losses to the fisheries due to predation, and the increasing likelihood that mortality to mammals may occur with resultant poor publicity for the fishery and increased scrutiny of biodiversity and sustainability issues, necessitate immediate action. Predation by toothed whales in the eastern, southern and western Australian longline fisheries is expected to increase. Apart from an informal review of SENTMAC operations in the blue-eye trevalla fishery by Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife (Rosemary Gales, pers. comm.), no fisheries data are available for the incidence of predation issues by toothed whales in Australian waters. The AFMA Observer Program has commenced monitoring of all forms of predation damage in Australian fisheries, including seals, sharks and toothed whales.

Terminal stage predation events in the north-western Coral Sea fishery have only recently been observed as mammals appear to have become less apprehensive about approaching fishing vessels. The nature of the predation evidence on the fish is now more varied in the Coral Sea than in the mid-1980’s when it was first reported. This suggests that more than one species may be involved, each with its own characteristic bite pattern (McPherson et al. 2003). Whether the terminal stage of each event is acoustic, visual, or a combination of both is not known. Observations of the method of approach of the mammals during predation events, would assist in the development of appropriate mitigation and gear modification methods.

Predation has been increasing on marlin hooked by the Cairns-based game fishery. Predation is now occasionally reported by smaller toothed whales such as dolphins (family Delphinidae) from coastal fisheries (including Queensland waters) and is likely to increase in commercial and recreational fisheries all State waters as it has in coastal Hawaiian waters.

At the Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) "Invitational workshop on acoustics to reduce marine mammal interactions" Brisbane April 2002, the keynote speaker Prof Jon Lien (Chair of Ministers Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) brought to Australia by NHT funding indicated that predation issues are now reaching extreme levels in at least a dozen countries. No research was being conducted on predation issues, and there was no clear certainty within fisheries circles about what research to conduct.

While the mammal predation issue does not pose a major threat to the continuation of the longline fishery, there is real concern that mammal interaction issues may not be considered on a scientific basis. Bache and Evans (1999) pointed out that while Australian fisheries albatross bycatch policy was influenced by scientific data, environmental non-government organisations (NGO’s) were instrumental in determining Government dolphin bycatch policy. Policy development catalysed by NGO action was considered by Bache and Evans (1999) as least likely to achieve consensus resolution. Commonwealth and State fisheries policy would best be served by achieving consensus resolution through scientific monitoring of the interactions.

Interaction problems are not restricted to economic returns to the fishery and direct threats to the well being of toothed whales. Increasing predation rates reflect a probable change of diet for some species. Based on interactions between dolphins and some trawl fisheries, there could also be a disproportionate population increase of some species that would put many animals under threat if fishing effort, hence opportunities for predation, were to reduce.

Objectives

1. To complete a three dimensional acoustic tracking system to achieve sufficient resolution to locate sound sources (both tonal and impulsive requiring different but overlapping methodology) around longline fishing gear and with faster acoustic source identification and tracking.
2. To facilitate the development and testing of a prototype two dimensional automated dolphin echolocation (i.e. impulsive sound) tracking system, to three dimensional situations around longlines, particularly during gear hauling operations.
3. To facilitate development of gear monitoring devices specifically related to toothed whale predation through Engineering Honours projects, including acoustically triggered predation timer and pinger devices, gear deployment monitoring systems, and acoustic predation mitigation devices.
4. To observe the behavioural and acoustic nature of terminal predation events in longline fisheries during peak fishery/predation periods, and to associate acoustic signals with toothed whale species.
5. To test a range of a small number of prototype predation mitigation devices (project designed, and modified by the manufacturer from suitable commercial acoustic systems) in the east coast tuna fishery for source level output and frequency including the known peak sensitivity of the two main species of toothed whales in tropical Australian waters.
6. To test mechanical predation mitigation devices developed in association with industry.
7. To observe the behavioural and acoustic reactions of mammals to various predation mitigation devices.
8. To achieve an industry Code of Practice for acoustic predation mitigation device setting to ensure a consistency of gear performance. Extension work of SEANET with the Eastern Tuna fishery would be required.
9. To provide a low-cost Spanish mackerel tracking pinger for use with the FRDC funded GENETAG project (FRDC 2002/011) to estimate short-term post-tagging mortality from conventional tagging systems.
10. An international expert with experience of acoustic methods to reduce marine mammal interactions to conduct a mid-project review
11. To review the literature on acoustic methods in use to reduce interactions between toothed whales and fishing gear
Environment

Hoppers in action: a handbook for fishers on the use of hoppers in Australian prawn trawl fisheries

Project number: 2003-012
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $61,311.90
Principal Investigator: Christine Soul
Organisation: OceanWatch Australia Ltd
Project start/end date: 29 Jun 2003 - 17 Jun 2005
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Stakeholder
Health And Safety
Fishing Technology
Fishing Gear
Fisheries Management

Need

Research undertaken in the Queensland 'hopper' pilot study and South Australia's Spencer Gulf prawn trawl fishery has suggested that the use of hoppers in prawn trawl operations can enhance the survival of bycatch species. Whilst preliminary results from both the Queensland pilot study and current research in the Spencer Gulf support these suggestions, there exists various views across Australian as to whether hoppers actually do make a positive contribution towards increasing the survival of bycatch species.

Over the last few years, the uptake of hoppers in Australian prawn trawl fisheries has increased, with many vessels in the Northern Prawn, Exmouth Gulf, Spencer Gulf and Gulf of St Vincent prawn trawl fisheries now using hoppers. In most of these fisheries the rate of adoption has been driven by the economic benefits relevant to improved product quality and increased operational efficiencies when using hoppers. However, a coordinated and cooperative review to determine and quantify the effects of hoppers has not been undertaken.

NORMAC’s Bycatch Action Plan has identified research into the effects of hoppers on bycatch survival as a ‘high priority’. The East Coast Trawl Plan also includes the need to reduce bycatch by 40% by 2005 and flags that hoppers could assist this target. SARDI have proposed that hoppers, used as part of a suite of bycatch mitigation strategies, could improve bycatch survival. NSW estuary prawn trawl operators supported the concept of hoppers and the need for further research into hoppers was identified as a 'high priority' at the Estuary Prawn Trawl MAC meeting held at NSW Fisheries in July 2002.

Both CSIRO and SARDI submitted industry-supported hopper focused research applications into their respective FRABs for this current round of FRDC funding. Both proposals included the involvement of SeaNet officers to facilitate industry involvement in documenting the current use and understanding of hopper operations and assist with the extension of information across identified target fisheries.

An independently facilitated workshop was held in September 2002 to bring together industry and research stakeholders from both Commonwealth and State prawn trawl fisheries in WA, SA, NSW and Queensland (East Coast Trawl and Torres Strait) to progress the development of a national hopper R&D framework. Outcomes from the workshop supported the need of a coordinated national project approach to be developed, with respect to future research, education and communication activities relevant to hoppers.

Objectives

1. Undertake a national and international literature review of existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers and document and identify research gaps.
2. Document, via a technical handbook, the use, designs, practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.
3. Hold a technical workshop to facilitate the development of a technical handbook which overviews hopper technology, provides advice on improving operational practices, case studies existing developments and includes the results of the literature review.
4. Extend the handbook to fishers via a series of key port visits.
5. Provide information to fishery and environmental managers and the general community on existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices.
6. Provide guidance and advice to industry and fishery managers about R&D priorities relevant to improving and extending hopper use and technology within Australian prawn trawl fisheries.

Final report

ISBN: 0-9750797-4-3
Author: Christine Soul
Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Project products

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Final Report • 2005-04-16 • 269.87 KB
2003-012-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project has provided an opportunity to consolidate all literature currently available on existing knowledge and technology relevant to the use/research of hoppers.  It has demonstrated that there are clear gaps in the research and that it is imperative that further work be undertaken to identify and quantify the environmental benefits of hoppers for bycatch survival

The handbook is a useful resource for fishers, researchers, managers and conservationists on the use, designs and practices associated with the existing use of hoppers across Australian prawn trawl fisheries.  It offers a simple and yet effective presentation of the existing mechanisms used by industry to improve operational practices and reduce environmental impacts.

Handbook • 4.46 MB
2003-012 Hoppers in Australian Trawl Fisheries A Handbook for Fishers.pdf

Summary

This handbook aims to:
• detail the design, operation and use of hoppers (back deck water tanks/sorting devices) in trawl fisheries across Australia;
• enable the sharing of industry knowledge on hoppers among fishers from all Australian trawl fisheries;
• provide readily accessible information to fishers on the use and application of hoppers;
• facilitate the broader adoption among trawl fisheries of best practice use of hoppers. In fisheries where hoppers are not yet widely used but may be useful, help stimulate the development and uptake of new and suitable hopper designs; and
• provide a tool to inform and educate the general community, fisheries and environmental managers about the initiatives developed and adopted by Australian trawl fisheries to reduce the impacts of trawling on the aquatic environment, and to work towards achieving sustainable operating practices and improved economic efficiency.

This handbook is primarily a technical handbook for fishers. It is also however, a useful resource for others interested in the environmental management of Australian trawl fisheries.

The information presented in this handbook has been obtained through interviews and discussions with many trawl fishers across Australia, hopper manufacturers and through surveys conducted with fishers, researchers, fishing companies and other industry bodies.

Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2003-005
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Investigating reproductive biology issues relevant to managing the western rock lobster brood stock

Increases in efficiency due to modem electronic equipment, improved fishing vessels and knowledge about the grounds and lobster behaviour, have all led to western rock lobster fishers becoming more efficient at catching western rock lobsters in Western Australia. One of the outcomes of these...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) WA
TAGS
Reproduction
Physiology
Nutrition
Fishing Effort
Aquaculture
SPECIES
Western Rock Lobster
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