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Opportunities and impacts of range extending scalefish species: understanding population dynamics, ecosystem impacts and management needs

Project number: 2018-070
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $249,587.00
Principal Investigator: Sean Tracey
Organisation: University of Tasmania
Project start/end date: 31 May 2019 - 30 Nov 2020
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Species-level responses to ocean warming is a priority research area as they underpin the structure and function of marine ecosystems and the productivity of fisheries that operate within them.
There are a number of range extending species that have become increasingly abundant in Tasmanian waters, providing new fishing opportunities for recreational and, to a lesser extent, commercial fishers. Species in this group include Pink Snapper, King George Whiting and Yellowtail Kingfish. While King George Whiting are known to spawn off the north coast it is unclear as to whether the other species have or are likely to become established as self-sustaining populations in Tasmanian waters or simply persist as spill-over from populations that are centered off mainland Australia. If the former is the case, it will be especially important to consider population attributes such as growth, mortality and reproductive dynamics relevant to the Tasmanian populations when developing and refining management arrangements to maximise the opportunities these 'new' species bring.

In addition, the broader ecosystem impacts of such range extending species, including competition with resident species at similar trophic levels, are unknown but could have consequences for other recreationally and commercially important species. Understanding these relationships will have benefits for the assessment and management of the Tasmanian recreational fishery more generally.

Objectives

1. Develop a program for ongoing collection of biological samples and data of key range-shifting fish species using citizen science initiatives engaging with the recreational fishing community.
2. Develop geographically discrete life-history parameters for key range-shifting fish species in Tasmania to inform management decisions.
3. Determine the diet composition of key range-shifting fish species to refine parameterisation of an ecosystem model.
4. Utilise the Atlantis ecosystem model framework to predict ecological impacts of increasing abundance of key range-shifting fish species in Tasmania.
5. Develop species distribution models that utilise oceanographic climate change projections to predict the future presence and persistence of the key target species in Tasmania.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-922708-28-1
Author: Alexia Graba-Landry
Final Report • 2022-05-12 • 13.57 MB
2018-070-DLD.pdf

Summary

This work set out to quantify the biology and diet of three key range-shifting species in Tasmania with both recreational and commercial fishery value. The project was heavily reliant on engagement from the recreational fishing community and multiple citizen science initiatives, as well as historical data.

The information collected was used in modelling to predict how suitable habitats for each species may shift under future climate change projections. The work also indicated the potential changes to the ecosystem (such as food web) if these species’ ranges were to move.

Communicating the research, management and performance of Tasmanian marine resource industries by video

Project number: 2017-106
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $84,799.90
Principal Investigator: Caleb Gardner
Organisation: University of Tasmania
Project start/end date: 30 Aug 2017 - 29 Jun 2018
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The research videos are part of both TSIC's and IMAS's communication plans. They help develop support for our activities in Tasmania within government and the wider community. Communication is critical to engagement with stakeholders and extension of research, and short clear videos are a particularly effective tool because they can be used in many different situations.

The Sector videos on research by IMAS are structured around the 6 sector Research Advisory Groups which in turn supply priority research needs to the TasRAC. The videos are an accessible way to communicate our structures.

The videos aim to achieve the following:
1. To reach an international audience and communicate the breadth, status, opportunities, and challenges of marine resource industries in Tasmania.
2. to get recognition of fisheries research within UTAS as being a big deal. We want the UTAS hierarchy to become better informed about Fisheries and Aquaculture, and to use our videos when they've presenting overviews of UTAS.
3. To have the UTAS hierarchy excited by our research so they think we’re a good investment. Their support is important because of their large in-kind support for research on marine resources.
4. To help attract future students, research collaborators, investors in Tasmanian marine resource industries.
5. To ensure that stakeholders understand that our research is intended to have an impact. And does this successfully.

Objectives

1. To produce material for communication of the Tasmanian seafood industry and associated research effort (noting that detail of this objective is provided under "Need")

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-925646-29-0
Author: Caleb Gardner and Julian Harrington
Final Report • 2018-05-01

Summary

This project involved the production of videos that summarised the research and industry activities for fisheries and aquaculture in Tasmania. The six sector fisheries and aquaculture groups represented in the videos are rock lobster fisheries, abalone fisheries, recreational fisheries, small scale fisheries, salmon aquaculture, and shellfish aquaculture The project was undertaken to help communication of these activities, which is important for enhancing broad stakeholder and general public support for fisheries and aquaculture.
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