PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-056
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
University of Melbourne
SPECIES
466 results
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-055
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
Developing a positive cultural attitude towards the capture and release of sharks and rays
This report summarises the outcomes of the Workshop on; prioritisation of species, identification of best-practice capture and handling, design of post-release survival studies, and development of effective communication campaigns, for developing positive behavioural change in recreational fishing...
ORGANISATION:
University of Adelaide
SPECIES
Enhancing the understanding of the value provided to fisheries by man-made aquatic structures
Project number:
2018-053
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$376,840.06
Principal Investigator:
Euan S. Harvey
Organisation:
Curtin University
Project start/end date:
29 Apr 2019
-
19 Mar 2020
Contact:
FRDC
The north west of Western Australia has productive commercial and recreational fisheries and extensive offshore oil and gas (O&G) infrastructure. These man-made structures support a range of demersal and pelagic fishes which are targeted by recreational and commercial fishers. As this O&G infrastructure reaches the end of its productive life, decisions on the best practice option for decommissioning must be made. The current policy for decommissioning requires complete removal. Regulators may support alternative strategies, such as leaving infrastructure in place, if risks and impacts are minimised and there are clear environmental, social and economic benefits to do so. It is thought that removal of infrastructure will decrease catch rates and have negative ecological, economic (direct and downstream) and social consequences.
At the same time as the discussion is occurring about removing O&G infrastructure, there have been large investments in constructing and installing purpose built man-made aquatic structures on the seafloor for the express purpose of enhancing the experience of recreational fishers and SCUBA divers.
There is a need to deliver critical information on: 1) the ecological, economic and social value of these man-made structures to recreational and commercial fishers and other stakeholders; 2) the attitudes of stakeholders to man-made structures; and 3) the opportunities and risks of decommissioning strategies to fishers and other groups (e.g. tourism).
Policy regarding the removal of decommissioned structures will benefit from the increased clarity that this project will provide in regards to data requirements for socio-economic models and stakeholder consultation methods. Comparative assessments of decommissioning options rely on the existence of appropriate socio-economic data, a knowledge gap this project aims to fill. An understanding of the impact of man-made aquatic structures on recreational and commercial fisheries is a global priority, and as such this project has strong international importance and relevance.
1. To develop conceptual qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative models for describing the socio-economic values and decide what information is needed to give stakeholders an understanding of the value of manmade aquatic structures in the marine environment.
2. To collate a list and description of the manmade aquatic structures in the marine environment in Western Australian and the associated social, economic and biodiversity data.
3. To collect and collate data on four manmade aquatic structures in the marine environment and develop and compare the costs and benefits of qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative models.
4. To develop a decision support system or framework for undertaking socio-economic evaluations of manmade aquatic structures which can be used throughout Australia and guide end users on how to develop qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative models depending on their information requirements.
Final report
ISBN:
978-0-646-84171-7
Author:
Euan Harvey
Final Report
•
20.59 MB
2018-053-DLD.pdf
In 2018, the state’s recreational and commercial fishers (represented by the peak bodies Recfishwest and WAFIC) commissioned a program of research as part of a Fisheries Research Development Corporation project aimed at documenting the social and economic values and benefits that stakeholders obtain from MMS in Western Australia. These structures include shipwrecks, artificial reefs, break walls, structures associated with harbours, jetties, marine navigation markers, and O&G infrastructure such as platforms, wells, and pipelines.
During 2019 and 2020 the researchers undertook seven online surveys which focussed on understanding the social and economic benefits and values that recreational and commercial fishers, divers and other users gained from using MMS in Western Australia. This was complemented by eleven focus groups which included representatives from the commercial and recreational fishers, but also the Oil and Gas (O&G) sector, regulators (state and federal), conservation, non-government organisations (NGOs), scientific sectors, and the general community. The researchers used data to develop five case studies representing a range of different structures and end users. These case studies focussed on inshore Thevenard Island subsea O&G infrastructure (incorporating recreational fishing), Woodside’s Echo Yodel offshore subsea O&G infrastructure (incorporating commercial fishing), the Exmouth Integrated Artificial Reef (recreational fishing), the Exmouth Navy Pier (diving tourism), and the iconic Busselton Jetty in Southwestern Australia, which is used for tourism, by recreational fishers, divers, swimmers and many other stakeholders. A guidebook was produced outlining the different methods of identifying social and economic values, along with the types of data required, and the approaches to collecting this data. The guidebook also outlines the advantages, disadvantages and resource needs for each method. A database of the MMS in Western Australia was also compiled and made accessible online.
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-050
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Where did the Snapper go? Determining factors influencing the recovery of Snapper stocks on the west coast of Australia
This report describes a collaborative project focused on Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) carried out between 2018 and 2021 by researchers from the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Flinders University, University of Adelaide, University of Western...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) WA
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-049
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
A Better Way to Fish: testing the feasibility of tunnel net ‘fish trap’ gear in North Queensland
This study found that tunnel nets are technically feasible in this location. In spite of the weather conditions, the fishing gear remained intact and successfully captured significant numbers of marketable fishes. Importantly, SOCI species were released alive and in excellent condition, as were...
ORGANISATION:
James Cook University (JCU)
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-047
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Barramundi origins: determining the contribution of stocking to the Barramundi catch on Queensland's east coast
Researchers from Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, James Cook University, and the University of Western Australia tested a range of otolith-based and genetic methods to identify hatchery-born from wild-born Barramundi. The project took place in the Dry Tropics region, where...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-042
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Improving Outcomes of Fisher Interactions with Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras
This report summarises the outcomes of the Workshop on; prioritisation of species, identification of best-practice capture and handling, design of post-release survival studies, and development of effective communication campaigns, for developing positive behavioural change in recreational fishing...
ORGANISATION:
Monash University Clayton Campus
SPECIES
Seal-fisher-ecosystem interactions in the Lower Lakes and Coorong: understanding causes and impacts to develop longer-term solutions
Project number:
2018-036
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure:
$335,725.00
Principal Investigator:
Jason Earl
Organisation:
SARDI Food Safety and Innovation
Project start/end date:
28 Feb 2019
-
27 Feb 2022
Contact:
FRDC
The cross-Government LNFSWG has been working with stakeholders since 2015 to address ongoing industry and community concerns over the economic impacts of fur seals on the LCF, including depredation of catches and damage to fishing gear. Despite recent mitigation initiatives, reports from industry suggest that the seal-fisher conflict and associated economic impacts have intensified in recent years. In an effort to reduce financial pressure on licence holders, the SA Government (PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture) has waived cost-recovered licence fees for the net sector of the fishery, as well as implemented other more flexible management arrangements, for the 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 fishing seasons. Although these measures have been welcomed by industry, it is not clear whether the current level of support for fishers is adequate or how to evaluate the costs and benefits of alternative mitigation options or management interventions.
There has also been industry and community concerns about the potential impact that seals are having on waterbirds, fish populations, and on the broader Lakes and Coorong ecosystem, with some sectors advocating for seal numbers to be managed to mitigate these perceived impacts.
There is a need for reliable, quantitative information on the nature and extent of the economic and ecological impacts of seals in Lakes and Coorong region, and the factors that attract seals to the region and drive the seasonal increase in fur seal numbers. This information will support processes to identify, prioritise and develop practicable and cost-effective long-term policy/management strategies to manage long-nosed fur seal numbers and mitigate their impacts in the Lakes and Coorong region, during and after the project.
1. Assess the economic impact of seal interactions on Lakes and Coorong commercial gillnet fishers.
2. Assess the ecological impacts of seals on the Lower Lakes and Coorong ecosystem.
3. Assess the spatial and temporal use of the Lower Lakes and Coorong region by seals to identify key haul-outs, movement corridors, foraging areas and overlap with fishing effort.
4. Identify options to manage seal numbers and evaluate their costs and benefits to mitigate their impacts.
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-035
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
University of Adelaide
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-027
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Integrated approach to improving stock assessment of Black Jewfish
Black Jewfish Gonad staging guide 2020
ORGANISATION:
Charles Darwin University (CDU)
SPECIES
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