PROJECT NUMBER
•
2023-087
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
SPECIES
12 results
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2020-122
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2020-029
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
Improving performance of ITQ fisheries - Project activity paused
Following the Improving performance of ITQ fisheries Forum on September 28, 2023, decisions were made regarding the project's direction. Instead of proceeding to case studies, stakeholders acknowledged the importance of focusing on future research priorities for rights-based fisheries approaches....
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2019-183
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Options to effectively monitor and regulate recreational catch in the Tasmanian rock lobster fishery
This project was initiated to investigate alternative options to effectively monitor and constrain the recreational rock lobster catch, particularly in the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone.
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2019-130
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
Larval dispersal for Southern Rock Lobster and Longspined sea urchin to support management decisions
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
Examining the potential impacts of seismic surveys on Octopus and larval stages of Southern Rock Lobster
Project number:
2019-051
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure:
$669,770.00
Principal Investigator:
Jayson M. Semmens
Organisation:
University of Tasmania
Project start/end date:
31 Dec 2019
-
29 Nov 2021
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
CGG has NOPSEMA approval for a 3D seismic survey in the Gippsland Basin to commence in early 2020. This survey overlaps the Victorian shelter-pot octopus fishery off Lakes Entrance. This overlap has raised concerns from the fishing industry about the potential impacts to octopus and the fishers. Tank-based experiments simulating seismic exposure have resulted in high levels of damage in several species of octopus, however, it is unclear how experiments conducted in tanks translate into the field. Field-based seismic experiments have rarely been conducted on invertebrates, with no such studies conducted on octopus. However, the benthic and relatively sessile habit of octopus leaves them potentially vulnerable to impacts, as they have limited capacity to avoid the waterborne and ground-borne energy of seismic signals. CCG has agreed to provide funds to fill the knowledge gap surrounding the potential impact of seismic surveying on octopus and to do this in conjunction with a commercial scale seismic survey, with the lack of a full array often a perceived limitation of seismic research. CGG has also agreed to value add to the work around octopus. This opportunity allows for the potential impact of seismic surveying on larval forms to be examined, with some concerns around localised depletion of larvae of commercially and ecologically important species, such as southern rock lobster and commercial scallops. This project will use a field and laboratory experimental approach to provide a thorough assessment of the potential impacts of seismic surveys on octopus pallidus and its catches, along with rock lobster larvae and other important larvae. These approaches may assist fisheries and petroleum regulators to make informed decisions on the timing and manner in which future surveys are performed. Importantly, along with that of CGG, it has the support of the Victorian Fisheries Authority, who have also offered in-kind support, the two octopus fishers in the region, the Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s co-op, the sustainable shark fishing association and Southern Rock Lobster Inc.
1. Determine the impact of intense low frequency acoustic signals on adult pale octopus (Octopus pallidus)
2. Determine the impact of intense low frequency acoustic signals on the development of eggs, hatching rates and competency of the resultant hatchlings.
3. Outline threshold distances for potential impacts of seismic surveying
4. Determine the impact of intense low frequency acoustic signals on pale octopus (Octopus pallidus) catch.
5. Determine the impact of intense low frequency seismic signals on the pueruli of southern rock lobsters.
6. Determine the impact of intense low frequency seismic signals on important planktonic larvae, particularly crustaceans and molluscs.
Report
Authors:
Ryan D Day
Quinn P Fitzgibbon
Robert D McCauley
Jayson M Semmens
Report
•
2021-07-15
•
1.65 MB
2019-051-Examining-potential-impacts-of-sesmic-PART A-SRL-larval-stages-15July2021.pdf
This report details the portion of FRDC 2019-051: Examining the potential impacts of seismic surveys on Octopus and larval stages of Southern Rock Lobster focusing on the impacts of exposure to a full-scale seismic survey on the early life stages of the Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii), undertaken by the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies in conjunction with Curtin University’s Centre for Marine science and Technology.
Key Findings
Exposure did not result in any elevated mortality for puerulus or juveniles. Immediately after exposure, righting was significantly impaired for all exposure treatments (E0 and E500 for juveniles and E0 for puerulus) compared to their respective controls, indicating that the impact range extended to at least 500 m from the source, the maximum range tested in the present study. After the first moult, there was no significant difference found in righting between juvenile Control and E0 treatments, and for puerulus, small sample size precluded statistical analysis. When these two stages were pooled, the combined E0 treatment was found to be significantly impaired. In the juvenile E500 lobsters, righting was similar to that of Controls, indicating that the lobsters had recovered from prior impairment. After the second moult, juvenile E0 lobsters showed significant impairment compared to controls. When puerulus, which could not be analysed due to small sample size, were pooled with juveniles, the combined E0 treatment was significantly impaired relative to combined Controls. Righting in juvenile E500 lobsters was similar to that of controls, further supporting recovery in this treatment. Impaired righting has previously been found to correlate with damage to the statocyst, the mechanosensory organ common to many marine invertebrates. The results here from the combined puerulus and juvenile treatments indicated that puerulus and juvenile E0 treatments did not show the capacity for recovery whereas juvenile E500 lobsters recovered from impairment after the first moult, providing evidence of a range threshold for recovery. Intermoult period was significantly increased in E0 juvenile lobsters and appeared to be increased in puerulus, though the latter could not be statistically analysed. Juvenile E500 treatment showed a moderate, non-significant increase in moult duration. Increased intermoult duration suggested impacted development and potentially slowed growth, though the proximate cause was not identified.
Key Findings
Exposure did not result in any elevated mortality for puerulus or juveniles. Immediately after exposure, righting was significantly impaired for all exposure treatments (E0 and E500 for juveniles and E0 for puerulus) compared to their respective controls, indicating that the impact range extended to at least 500 m from the source, the maximum range tested in the present study. After the first moult, there was no significant difference found in righting between juvenile Control and E0 treatments, and for puerulus, small sample size precluded statistical analysis. When these two stages were pooled, the combined E0 treatment was found to be significantly impaired. In the juvenile E500 lobsters, righting was similar to that of Controls, indicating that the lobsters had recovered from prior impairment. After the second moult, juvenile E0 lobsters showed significant impairment compared to controls. When puerulus, which could not be analysed due to small sample size, were pooled with juveniles, the combined E0 treatment was significantly impaired relative to combined Controls. Righting in juvenile E500 lobsters was similar to that of controls, further supporting recovery in this treatment. Impaired righting has previously been found to correlate with damage to the statocyst, the mechanosensory organ common to many marine invertebrates. The results here from the combined puerulus and juvenile treatments indicated that puerulus and juvenile E0 treatments did not show the capacity for recovery whereas juvenile E500 lobsters recovered from impairment after the first moult, providing evidence of a range threshold for recovery. Intermoult period was significantly increased in E0 juvenile lobsters and appeared to be increased in puerulus, though the latter could not be statistically analysed. Juvenile E500 treatment showed a moderate, non-significant increase in moult duration. Increased intermoult duration suggested impacted development and potentially slowed growth, though the proximate cause was not identified.
Lobster Implications
• Sound exposure levels recorded in this study were similar to those of prior experiments conducted with a single air gun, validating the single air gun approach for future field-based experimental work.
• Air gun signals caused righting impairment to at least 500 m, the maximum range in this study, in lobsters sampled immediately following exposure, a similar result previously reported in adults that corresponded with significant damage to the mechanosensory statocyst organ that provides the sense of balance, body position and movement that are critical for predator avoidance behaviour.
• Impairment resulting from close range exposure (i.e., combined puerulus and juvenile E0 treatments) appeared to be persistent, as previously reported in adult lobsters, whereas lobsters exposed at a more distant range (juvenile E500) showed recovery. This indicates that a range of 500 m may not cause lasting impairment to righting.
• Intermoult duration was significantly increased in E0 juveniles and appeared to be increased in E0 puerulus, indicating the potential for slowed development and growth and physiological stress.
• Sound exposure levels recorded in this study were similar to those of prior experiments conducted with a single air gun, validating the single air gun approach for future field-based experimental work.
• Air gun signals caused righting impairment to at least 500 m, the maximum range in this study, in lobsters sampled immediately following exposure, a similar result previously reported in adults that corresponded with significant damage to the mechanosensory statocyst organ that provides the sense of balance, body position and movement that are critical for predator avoidance behaviour.
• Impairment resulting from close range exposure (i.e., combined puerulus and juvenile E0 treatments) appeared to be persistent, as previously reported in adult lobsters, whereas lobsters exposed at a more distant range (juvenile E500) showed recovery. This indicates that a range of 500 m may not cause lasting impairment to righting.
• Intermoult duration was significantly increased in E0 juveniles and appeared to be increased in E0 puerulus, indicating the potential for slowed development and growth and physiological stress.
Understanding population structure and dynamics of Victoria’s developing Octopus fishery
Project number:
2019-031
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure:
$561,140.00
Principal Investigator:
Jayson M. Semmens
Organisation:
University of Tasmania
Project start/end date:
31 Dec 2019
-
30 Dec 2022
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES
In Victoria, Octopus spp. are predominantly a byproduct species caught across various fisheries. Pale Octopus is not differentiated from other octopus species in catch and effort reporting in Victoria, making it difficult to apply stock assessment methods or catch rate indicators. Maori Octopus (Octopus maorum) are likely caught in the Victorian Rock Lobster Fishery (VRLF); whereas Pale Octopus and Gloomy Octopus (Octopus tetricus) are caught within the Inshore Trawl Fishery, Ocean Access Fishery (OAF), Corner Inlet Fishery (CIF) and Port Phillip and Westernport Bay Fishery (PPWPBF). Targeting octopus using 'shelter traps' within the OAF off Lakes Entrance has significantly increased in 2016 and 2017. The average catch during this period was ten times greater compared with the average catch taken from 2006–2015. With the potential for a developing fishery, management is lacking fundamental information to assist in guiding and building a sustainable fishery. For example, there is no requirement to identify and report quantities of species caught. This makes any sort of assessment impossible. Presently, two license holders actively fish for octopus with a capacity to have many more within the OAF.
1. Species identification: * Develop identification keys to ensure octopus are identified to at least the three main species and to ensure collection of accurate catch and effort data.
2. Biological characteristics:* Determination of age, growth and reproduction information.* Determine population structure to inform appropriate spatial scale for management.
3. Development of appropriate biomass indicators and analysis for assessment:* Implement pot sampling regime to enhance the understanding of fishery impact particularly at relatively small spatial scales.* Development and assessment of performance indicators to monitor biomass and stock status.
4. Development of fisheries management tools: * Identify appropriate spatial management tools based on stock structure defined in objective 2a. * Identify an objective approach for setting limit and target reference points for the indicators developed in objective 3. * Provide an overview of possible management tools and their suitability for the Victorian octopus fishery given the identified biological characteristics in objectives 1 and 2.* Using a process identified by VFA develop one or more harvest strategy proposals.
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-131
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
Storm Bay Observing System: Assessing the Performance of Aquaculture Development
In Tasmania, farming of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) has developed rapidly since the first
trials in 1985 and has grown progressively to the current 60,000 tonnes produced in 2020..
Salmon farming in open sea cages produces organic and inorganic wastes which have the
potential to impact the...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-070
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Opportunities and impacts of range extending scalefish species: understanding population dynamics, ecosystem impacts and management needs
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...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2017-210
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
National fisheries and aquaculture industry social and economic contributions study: Phase 1
This report presents estimates of the economic contribution of Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture industries to the Australian community for 2017/18. It forms part of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Contributions Study (FRDC project 2017-210) which was funded by the...
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
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