12 results

Custom training and technical support for the fishery stock assessment software ‘stock synthesis’

Project number: 2018-168
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $77,220.00
Principal Investigator: Michael F. O'Neill
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 31 Mar 2019 - 29 Jun 2020
:

Need

The Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) aims to manage fisheries utilising the best available science taking into account environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts.
Through the Government’s Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (SFS, 2018–2020), plans are actioned to establish regular stock assessments (ongoing annually or at least every two years) to provide the science for assessing key fishery stocks against reference points.
To conduct regular stock assessments of finfish, Fisheries Queensland and the SFS expert panel have directed DAF staff to investigate the use of off-the-shelf stock-assessment models. This recommendation is for delivery of recurring information to support fishery harvest strategies; and followed a review to support the use of common stock assessment methods and models (FRDC Research Code: 2014-039; http://www.frdc.com.au/media-and-publications/fish/fish-vol-26-3/skills-shortage-forecast-for-stock-assessments). This proposal is to progress Qld’s adoption of FRDC recommendations and research: project 2014-039.
DAF’s training needs are by 31st May 2019.
The aim for this training is to build stock assessment systems for DAF and help support similar national needs in Australia.

Objectives

1. DAF scientists to learn SS methodology and assumptions.
2. After 5-day course, DAF scientists to be proficient in the use of SS software with R
3. Produce 3–4 updated DAF finfish stock assessments through the 5-day course
4. Publish on success, outputs and findings of SS
5. Improve speed on future reassessments of fish stocks

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-7345-0464-7
Authors: M. F. O’Neill R. Lovett P. Bessell-Browne S. Streipert G. Leigh A. Campbell A. Northrop J. Wortmann F. Helidoniotis W.-H. Yang M. Holden and S. French.
Final Report • 2020-02-01 • 2.75 MB
2018-168-DLD.pdf

Summary

This is a report on ‘stock synthesis’ software training by CSIRO. Noted are training outputs and learnings, together with an assessment of what role stock synthesis (SS) may play in Department of Agriculture and
Fisheries (DAF) fish stock assessments. Findings suggest SS could potentially assess 50–60% of the fish species currently listed for Queensland stock assessment.
Reports on SS herein represent initial views after training. SS views may change in time with individuals, and with more use and learnings of the software.
People
Communities
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Cracking the code on captive breeding of Macquarie Perch

Project number: 2022-116
Project Status:
Current
Budget expenditure: $1,303,630.00
Principal Investigator: Taylor Hunt
Organisation: Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Queenscliff
Project start/end date: 2 Apr 2023 - 1 Mar 2026
:

Need

Currently, the inability to consistently produce Macquarie perch from captive held broodstock is severely constraining its recovery. Being able to captively breed Macquarie perch will firstly save the species from extinction from a conservation standpoint and secondly, re-establish recreational fisheries for Macquarie perch across its former range in Victoria, NSW and ACT. Establishing captive breeding may also provide new and unique opportunities for aquaculture in Australia for the commercial production of Macquarie perch, suitable for the restaurant industry, akin to Murray cod.

This proposal details four key focus areas of research and development to achieve captive breeding of Macquarie perch within three years, such that Government and in the future, private aquaculture hatcheries, can adopt commercial production of the species. The project seeks $698,630 of investment from FRDC and is supported with over $3 million of co-investment (including matching $605,000 cash and $2.41 million in-kind) from 9 partners across Victoria, NSW, Qld, and ACT. The project aligns with the FRDC R&D Plan 2020-2025, as well as priorities, actions and outcomes in other key national and state plans (Table 4).

Objectives

1. Develop and optimise artificial diets to meet the nutritional requirements of captive Macquarie perch broodstock and larvae.
2. Optimise the hormonal treatment and explore environmental manipulation to improve spawning of captive held Macquarie perch broodstock.
3. Review, refine and develop breeding strategies and husbandry practices in the hatchery to maximise fish production and fish stocking outcomes with learnings incorporated into Macquarie perch captive breeding hatchery manual.
4. Monitor and evaluate the success of stocked Macquarie perch fingerlings into rivers in northeast Victoria and, where research numbers permit, conduct genetic analyses to inform dietary treatment and genetic management of the species in ongoing captive breeding and stocking of the species.
5. Build community awareness and support by sharing information and encouraging participation in fish stocking and population monitoring events.

Media release

Media release • 2023-07-26

Summary

Read the joint media release from Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt and Victorian Minister for Planning and Outdoor Recreation, Hon Sonya Kilkenny.

https://minister.agriculture.gov.au/watt/media-releases/fisheries-collaboration-to-crack-code-on-endangered-fish

 

Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-079
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Knowledge for Productivity: Phase I - Lake Wooloweyah

This project focused on restoring tidal connectivity to a portion of the Clarence River estuary (Lake Wooloweyah) to enhance fisheries productivity. The work provides a case study for similar initiatives in other estuaries.
ORGANISATION:
University of Newcastle
Communities
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-189
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

NCCP: Socio-economic impact assessment and stakeholder engagement

The present study, undertaken by University of Canberra, was developed to investigate the potential to engender support for the recommendations included in the NCCP byassessing potential impacts of carp control on different groups, and ensuring key stakeholders are able to access, understand and...
ORGANISATION:
University of Canberra
Communities
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2021-114
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Water abstraction impacts on flow dependent fisheries species of the Northern Territory, Australia - a synthesis of current knowledge and future research needs

This project synthesised information that could be used to help guide decision making around the protection of fisheries species that may be impacted by water abstraction. This review was led by Griffith University and conducted in collaboration with the University of Western...
ORGANISATION:
Griffith University Nathan Campus
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-062
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT

Knowledge to improve the assessment and management of Giant Mud Crabs (Scylla serrata) in Queensland

Researchers from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Queensland, CQUniversity (CQU) and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) NSW Fisheries are collaborating on a Fisheries Research and Development (FRDC) co-funded research project on mud crab populations in Queensland. The...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
SPECIES