This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project developed and explored methodology intended to enable the production of more reliable estimates of fishing efficiency increases and harvest rate, such that these estimates might be available for use by fisheries scientists, thereby improving the quality of the management decisions taken, and facilitating the sustainable management of the fishery. If the approach had proved successful, the production of more robust measures of efficiency increase and harvest rate for use as input into the integrated stock assessment model would have improved the reliability of management strategy evaluations and model predictions.

The analyses, which were conducted in this study, demonstrated, however, that trends within the fishing season of estimates of exploitation rates derived by applying change-in-ratio (CIR) and index-removal (IR) methods to logbook data from the Western Rock Lobster fishery in different depth zones and regions were inconsistent and, for much of the fishing season, clearly biased (negative estimates). These results were attributed to moulting into and between the undersized and legally-retainable categories of lobsters and changes in catchability within the fishing season. Additional information on such moulting events and changes in catchability is required to allow robust estimation of exploitation rates. As an index of harvest rate is a key measure in the decision rules framework for this fishery, the acquisition of such information would enhance the accuracy of stock assessments obtained using the integrated fishery model. The resulting increase in the reliability of stock assessments would directly benefit the fishery through improved decision making outcomes.

A research study, such as a multi-year, multi-season tagging project, should be undertaken to provide the data required to adjust for the effects of moulting and catchability changes and thereby to improve estimates of exploitation rate produced by both CIR and IR and within the integrated assessment model.

Key Words: Change-in-ratio, index-removal, exploitation, Western Rock Lobster

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.

This project allowed work with the Australian Barramundi Farmers Association (ABFA) to:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and reporting of R&D projects conducted by the Seafood CRC to achieve the outcomes specified in the ABFA Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate the barramundi farming industry participation in Seafood CRC projects and the extension and utilization of the project results, particularly in relation to the development of new products and new markets.
• Work towards establishing a mechanism by which the ABFA can fund its own R&D coordination and communication activities.

This project provided ABFA with the capacity to provide information and essential contacts and support to CRC participants and researchers involved in projects relating to this industry. This was especially important as the capacity of the industry was stretched as a result of floods and cyclones. The resources provided as part of this project enabled research and development to continue as a priority.