4 results

Determining the spatial distribution and abundance indices for Moreton Bay Bugs, Thenus parindicus and Thenus australiensis in Queensland to improve stock assessment and management

Project number: 2020-020
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $596,710.00
Principal Investigator: Matthew McMillan
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 31 Aug 2020 - 30 Mar 2023
Contact:
FRDC
SPECIES

Need

Moreton Bay bugs (Scyllarid lobsters) are a commercially important fished resource in northern Australian coastal waters. About 600 tonnes of bugs is reported in logbooks annually, valued at about $15 million (~$25/kg) nationally. About 90% of the catch is taken in the Queensland east coast otter trawl fishery (QECOTF) (https://www.fish.gov.au/report/154-MORETON-BAY-BUGS-2018).

Historically, Moreton Bay bugs were retained as byproduct of prawn and scallop trawling, but over time their popularity and price have increased and they have become increasingly targeted by fishers. In recent years in the Queensland scallop fishery, the scallop catch has declined and fishers have targeted bugs to such an extent that their catch value now exceeds that of the scallops.

Quantifying the fishing effort targeted at bugs and differentiating it from the prawn and scallop effort is challenging. This complicates the estimation of reliable catch rate time series that can be used as an index of abundance for each group (i.e. bugs, prawns, scallops).

Despite their high value, Queensland has not previously undertaken a stock assessment of Moreton Bay Bugs, beyond yield-per-recruit analyses. This is largely because the Bug catch is composed of two species, reef bugs (Thenus australiensis) and mud bugs (Thenus parindicus) which are not differentiated by fishers in the logbook data. Mud bugs are the smaller of the two species and generally occur in depths of 10–30 m, while the larger reef bug generally occurs in depths of 30–60 m. Although there is some spatial separation of the species it is not possible to breakdown the catch of each from the logbook data alone.

This project aims to examine and define the spatial distribution of the two bug species. By surveying and sampling bugs, and examining seafloor properties, we hope to predict and map the distribution of each species. Once clear distinctions are made, we plan to use all available data on catch rates and gear technology used by the fleet, to derive standardised catch rate time series for each species, which can be used as indices of abundance for improved management and assessment.

Objectives

1. Implement a state-wide crew member program to obtain detailed photographic records of Moreton Bay bug catches, to assist with determining the species composition and distribution of catches.
2. Undertake a stratified survey of bug catch rates, species composition and seafloor properties in the main trawl fishing grounds off Townsville.
3. Use all available data sources to model, predict and map the spatial distribution of the two species of Moreton Bay bugs along the Queensland coast.
4. Produce long-term standardised catch rates for each bug species that can be used as an index of abundance for stock assessment and management.

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-6456352-1-8
Authors: McMillan M.N Leahy S.M. Daniell J. Louw N. Roberts E.M. Wickens M. Hillcoat K. O’Neill M.F
Final Report • 9.51 MB
2020-020-DLD.pdf

Summary

We report on the first comprehensive investigation into the spatial distribution of Moreton Bay Bugs within the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery. This research was a collaboration between the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and James Cook University, applying interdisciplinary approaches to successfully model habitat preferences of the two Moreton Bay Bug species and map their distributions along Queensland’s east coast. Historic catch records were then split according to each species’ spatial distribution. From these records, standardised catch rates were produced as indices of abundance for each species for use in future stock assessments of the Moreton Bay Bug fishery.

Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2016-015
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Proposed northern Australia water developments pertinent to the Northern Prawn Fishery: collation and review

The project reviewed the legislation dealing with Water Resource Management in each of Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia that effects the management of overland flow in catchments that empty into water managed as part of the Northern Prawn Fishery. The project...
ORGANISATION:
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart

Seventh International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management

Project number: 2003-301.90
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $2,992.93
Principal Investigator: Patrick Hone
Organisation: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Project start/end date: 28 Jun 2004 - 30 Jun 2004
Contact:
FRDC

Need

In 1999/2000 the estimated value of Australia’s rock lobster industry was $544 million and this represented 23% of the landed value of all Australian fisheries.

As Australia’s premier fisheries export there is a need to ensure that our lobster fisheries are managed sustainably and that they clearly demonstrate to the world that our research and management is ‘state-of-the-art’ and ‘worlds best practice’. By hosting this conference in Australia, it will enable the maximum number of fishery scientists, managers and industry representatives to attend and meet with scientists, managers and fishers associated with lobster fisheries around the world.

An area of particular interest to Australia includes lobster ecosystem models and assessment. There is a need in all of Australia’s lobster fisheries to address ecosystem issues for both Environment Australia and forthcoming ecological sustainable development requirements. In association with these requirements there is a need for Australia’s premier fisheries export industry to obtain and maintain industry accreditation for current and developing markets. Several Australian States, with the support of the FRDC Rock Lobster and Aquaculture Subprogram are investigating the potential for a rock lobster aquaculture industry. To aid this development there is a need to be abreast of the latest developments around the world.

The conference will also provide an opportunity to hear of the application of new technology and to form partnerships with experts pioneering new developments.

Objectives

1. To host the 7th International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management in Hobart.
2. To publish the proceedings in a peer reviewed scientific journal

Seventh International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management

Project number: 2003-301
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $20,000.00
Principal Investigator: Stewart Frusher
Organisation: University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Project start/end date: 29 Nov 2003 - 15 Nov 2005
Contact:
FRDC

Need

In 1999/2000 the estimated value of Australia’s rock lobster industry was $544 million and this represented 23% of the landed value of all Australian fisheries.

As Australia’s premier fisheries export there is a need to ensure that our lobster fisheries are managed sustainably and that they clearly demonstrate to the world that our research and management is ‘state-of-the-art’ and ‘worlds best practice’. By hosting this conference in Australia, it will enable the maximum number of fishery scientists, managers and industry representatives to attend and meet with scientists, managers and fishers associated with lobster fisheries around the world.

An area of particular interest to Australia includes lobster ecosystem models and assessment. There is a need in all of Australia’s lobster fisheries to address ecosystem issues for both Environment Australia and forthcoming ecological sustainable development requirements. In association with these requirements there is a need for Australia’s premier fisheries export industry to obtain and maintain industry accreditation for current and developing markets. Several Australian States, with the support of the FRDC Rock Lobster and Aquaculture Subprogram are investigating the potential for a rock lobster aquaculture industry. To aid this development there is a need to be abreast of the latest developments around the world.

The conference will also provide an opportunity to hear of the application of new technology and to form partnerships with experts pioneering new developments.

Objectives

1. To host the 7th International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management in Hobart.
2. To publish the proceedings in a peer reviewed scientific journal

Final report

ISBN: 1-86295-271-X
Author: Stewart Frusher
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