Variability’s and inconsistencies in the application of the thumb pressure grading technique and regional and seasonal anomalies have led to some discontent with the Australian Industry Live Mud Crab Grading Scheme (AILMCGS).
The AILMCGS provides a range of physical attributes, along with a subjective assessment of shell-hardness to provide consistency in live mud crab grading on a national scale. Consistent grading gives buyers and consumers a product that defines price paid. Concerns have been raised that incorrect application of the scheme can be used to manipulate price at various stages of the supply chain.
Due to variables of lifecycle, seasonality, regionality, habitat, individual grader and grading techniques, it can never be a 100% guarantee of meat content associated with the given grade.
It is implicit to the scheme to apply pressure in a precise and readily reproducible way to minimise variations and damage to and loss of product. There has long been a widespread call from industry, including from members that are both satisfied and disgruntled with the current scheme, to have an objective method to determine crab quality. This relies on clear and precise testing protocols. The realities of the operation of this industry are that the use of hand testing is the ‘tool’ of choice and practicality at this stage.
Developing a science-supported assessment technique will standardise grading and allow for any seasonal and/or regional anomalies to be addressed. Ultimately, there is a need for a cost effective, practical on-board objective tool to provide assured grading standards.

Over two decades ago Dr Burke Hill (in the FIRTA report on Queensland's Mud Crab Fishery) recommended a trial period allowing the take of females provided there was a monitoring programme in place to evaluate the result. Such a trial has not yet been implemented, and while much excellent work on mud crabs has been done in recent years, it is not sufficient to answer the 'big-picture' question of sustainability.

Information based on empirical data is needed to inform the Mud Crab Fishery Management Plan development process. At present there are many points of view about the relevance and need for the SSHP, but there is little hard evidence.

For some years industry has argued for a relaxation of the legislation, bringing it into line with that in NSW and NT. However without scientific evidence management is reluctant to change the status quo, and in turn FRDC has been unwilling to fund the necessary work because of a perception that the recommendations may not implemented. DPI&F is now actively seeking ways to improve the profitability of the State’s fishing industry, and a relaxation of the SSHP has been endorsed by all parties as one way to achieve this aim.

There are two primary issues that need addressing in relation to changing the SSHP – sustainability and profitability. The risks associated with both need to be determined objectively before a decision can be made to progress any investigation into the effects of the policy.

The project aligns closely with the DPI&F joint priorities of industry profitability and sustainability, and directly addresses QFIRAC Key R&D Topic #3 - A critical evaluation of management strategies to optimise the soci-economic value of portunid crab fisheries, particularly in terms of the potential value and/or ecological impact of altering the current single-sex harvest policy in Queensland.

Freshwater allocations to sustain fisheries

The 1994 COAG Water Reform Agreement and various state legislation (e.g. Water Act 2000 in Queensland) requires managers to allocate water to maintain downstream ecosystem health. One aspect of ecosystem health is estuarine and coastal fisheries production. Information on the role of freshwater in maintaining the productivity of commercial and recreational fisheries is needed to ensure that estuaries and their stakeholders are duly represented in the water allocation processes. Natural resource managers (fisheries and water) need to be made aware of the fishing industry’s vulnerability to the impacts of non-fishing activities, such as water regulation. This issue has been identified as a challenge for the fishing industry in reaching sustainable production (see Challenge 1 of FRDC’s R&D Plan 2000, page 59).

Logical frameworks for research leading to new procedures and methods

A logical framework needs to be developed for investigating the role of freshwater flows in estuaries. Procedures to assess the impacts of current and proposed water infrastructure in Australian coastal rivers on estuarine fisheries need to be developed. Methods for monitoring biological responses to environmental flows are needed to provide feedback to managers as to whether desired fisheries-related outcomes are being achieved under current water allocations.

Enhancing the research outcomes - integrating across research disciplines

An integrated research program is needed to develop a robust sampling proceedures that can investigate the role of freshwater flows in estuaries and the impacts of modified flows on fisheries production. The CZCRC offers the opportunity to integrate flow-influenced fisheries data with other hydrological (i.e. costal modelling) and primary productivity (i.e. nutrient cycling) research projects that will provide greater insight into ecosystems processes.