117 results
Environment
Industry
Environment
Environment
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2012-213
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Developing jungle perch fingerling production to improve fishing opportunities

This project has for the first time demonstrated the feasibility of hatchery production of jungle perch fingerlings. The research on jungle perch production has enabled a hatchery production manual with accompanying videos to be produced. This has given private commercial hatcheries the information...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Industry
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 1984-019
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

A comparison of the fishing characteristics and inefficiencies of different otterboard designs under field conditions

Unlike the majority of engineered equipment, the design of fishing gear is tested ultimately in its ability to take or capture live animals which are able to modify their escape responses. For this reason, increases in the efficiency of operation and optimization of hydrodynamic design are not...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Environment

Reduction of toothed whale interactions with fishing gear: development and assessment of predation mitigation devices around longlines

Project number: 2003-016
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $154,173.26
Principal Investigator: Geoff McPherson
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 29 Jun 2003 - 28 Dec 2007
:

Need

Predation by toothed whales on fish hooked by longline and dropline gear is becoming more prevalent throughout Australian waters. The duration of the predation period appeared to be seasonal in the north-western Coral Sea fishery during the 1980's. However over recent seasons the duration of the mammals’ presence in the Coral Sea appeared to increase and observations of adults teaching young animals to predate on hooked fish became common. Predation by toothed whales in the Falkland Island Patagonian toothfish fishery appears to be a learned response with the problem dramatically increasing from a short seasonal problem prior to 2001, to a full season problem in 2002.

The development of a combination of predation mitigation methods is urgently required. Losses to the fisheries due to predation, and the increasing likelihood that mortality to mammals may occur with resultant poor publicity for the fishery and increased scrutiny of biodiversity and sustainability issues, necessitate immediate action. Predation by toothed whales in the eastern, southern and western Australian longline fisheries is expected to increase. Apart from an informal review of SENTMAC operations in the blue-eye trevalla fishery by Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife (Rosemary Gales, pers. comm.), no fisheries data are available for the incidence of predation issues by toothed whales in Australian waters. The AFMA Observer Program has commenced monitoring of all forms of predation damage in Australian fisheries, including seals, sharks and toothed whales.

Terminal stage predation events in the north-western Coral Sea fishery have only recently been observed as mammals appear to have become less apprehensive about approaching fishing vessels. The nature of the predation evidence on the fish is now more varied in the Coral Sea than in the mid-1980’s when it was first reported. This suggests that more than one species may be involved, each with its own characteristic bite pattern (McPherson et al. 2003). Whether the terminal stage of each event is acoustic, visual, or a combination of both is not known. Observations of the method of approach of the mammals during predation events, would assist in the development of appropriate mitigation and gear modification methods.

Predation has been increasing on marlin hooked by the Cairns-based game fishery. Predation is now occasionally reported by smaller toothed whales such as dolphins (family Delphinidae) from coastal fisheries (including Queensland waters) and is likely to increase in commercial and recreational fisheries all State waters as it has in coastal Hawaiian waters.

At the Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) "Invitational workshop on acoustics to reduce marine mammal interactions" Brisbane April 2002, the keynote speaker Prof Jon Lien (Chair of Ministers Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) brought to Australia by NHT funding indicated that predation issues are now reaching extreme levels in at least a dozen countries. No research was being conducted on predation issues, and there was no clear certainty within fisheries circles about what research to conduct.

While the mammal predation issue does not pose a major threat to the continuation of the longline fishery, there is real concern that mammal interaction issues may not be considered on a scientific basis. Bache and Evans (1999) pointed out that while Australian fisheries albatross bycatch policy was influenced by scientific data, environmental non-government organisations (NGO’s) were instrumental in determining Government dolphin bycatch policy. Policy development catalysed by NGO action was considered by Bache and Evans (1999) as least likely to achieve consensus resolution. Commonwealth and State fisheries policy would best be served by achieving consensus resolution through scientific monitoring of the interactions.

Interaction problems are not restricted to economic returns to the fishery and direct threats to the well being of toothed whales. Increasing predation rates reflect a probable change of diet for some species. Based on interactions between dolphins and some trawl fisheries, there could also be a disproportionate population increase of some species that would put many animals under threat if fishing effort, hence opportunities for predation, were to reduce.

Objectives

1. To complete a three dimensional acoustic tracking system to achieve sufficient resolution to locate sound sources (both tonal and impulsive requiring different but overlapping methodology) around longline fishing gear and with faster acoustic source identification and tracking.
2. To facilitate the development and testing of a prototype two dimensional automated dolphin echolocation (i.e. impulsive sound) tracking system, to three dimensional situations around longlines, particularly during gear hauling operations.
3. To facilitate development of gear monitoring devices specifically related to toothed whale predation through Engineering Honours projects, including acoustically triggered predation timer and pinger devices, gear deployment monitoring systems, and acoustic predation mitigation devices.
4. To observe the behavioural and acoustic nature of terminal predation events in longline fisheries during peak fishery/predation periods, and to associate acoustic signals with toothed whale species.
5. To test a range of a small number of prototype predation mitigation devices (project designed, and modified by the manufacturer from suitable commercial acoustic systems) in the east coast tuna fishery for source level output and frequency including the known peak sensitivity of the two main species of toothed whales in tropical Australian waters.
6. To test mechanical predation mitigation devices developed in association with industry.
7. To observe the behavioural and acoustic reactions of mammals to various predation mitigation devices.
8. To achieve an industry Code of Practice for acoustic predation mitigation device setting to ensure a consistency of gear performance. Extension work of SEANET with the Eastern Tuna fishery would be required.
9. To provide a low-cost Spanish mackerel tracking pinger for use with the FRDC funded GENETAG project (FRDC 2002/011) to estimate short-term post-tagging mortality from conventional tagging systems.
10. An international expert with experience of acoustic methods to reduce marine mammal interactions to conduct a mid-project review
11. To review the literature on acoustic methods in use to reduce interactions between toothed whales and fishing gear
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-019
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Freshwater fish attracting structures (FAS): Evaluating a new tool to improve fishing quality and access to fisheries resources in Australian impoundments

This document has been compiled from various sources and, to the authors’ knowledge, represents the best advice currently available regarding the use of fish attracting structures to improve recreational angling in Australian impoundments. Although the principles outlined in this document may...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
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