Golden fish: evaluating and optimising the biological, social and economic returns of small-scale fisheries
Fish and crustacean stocks are under pressure from a range of sources, such as a growing population, increased fishing pressure and anthropogenic changes. These pressures, and the small-scale nature of many fisheries in terms of their economic return, highlight the need to develop cost-effective tools for assessing and valuing these fisheries. Such tools should be able to estimate the social and economic contribution of commercial and recreational fisheries to communities (FRDC 2014/008). However, FRDC 2012/214 has highlighted that ‘poor quality data’ on the economic value of recreational and indigenous fishing limits the development of optimal policies for these fisheries. Advances in aquaculture provide ‘new’ options for managers and the ability to restore or enhance target populations by releasing cultured individuals. Increasing interest from recreational fishers in enhancing fishing experiences and the development of government policies for release programs in WA, NSW and Victoria, combined with the creation of Recreational Fishing Initiatives Funds (RFIF), have focussed attention on restocking/stock enhancement as a potential management option. To maximise the likelihood for success, tools are needed to evaluate the potential effectiveness of any release program in increasing target populations. Combining the results of release program bioeconomic models with social and economic data, such as the increased catch (revenue) generation for commercial fishers and the economic returns and social values of recreational fishing, provides managers with improved decision making abilities based on an understanding of the social and economic implications of those decisions. The ability to assess the social values and economic contributions of fisheries to communities also provides much needed information, particularly on the catch, effort and motivations of recreational fishers, which are currently lacking in WA and can be used in the harvest strategy component of the Marine Stewardship Council certification process and to develop social and economic performance indicators for fisheries (FRDC 2014/008). Recfishwest has committed $100,000 from the WA RFIF to this proposal in recognition of the need for this research.
Final report
eSAMarine – phase 1: the first step towards an operational now-cast/forecast ocean prediction system for Southern Australia
Isolating social and economic objectives within multiple stakeholder fisheries – a case study: the South Australian Marine Scalefish Fishery
Refining a Nordmøre grid to minimise the incidental catch of cuttlefish and crabs in the Spencer Gulf Prawn Fishery
The giant cuttlefish Sepia apama, which annually migrate to northern Spencer Gulf, South Australia, has recently undergone substantial declines in abundance and attracted significant media and public attention. Whilst it is accepted that the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-accredited SGPF, which has been operating and reducing its effort for almost 50 years, has not been the cause of the decline, several consecutive years of diminishing numbers and a particularly low population estimate in 2013 requires all efforts to be made to minimise the incidental catch of this species. The SGPF has been pro-active in taking steps to minimise interactions during this species’ annual migration. One such measure is the commitment to investigate the development of a bycatch reduction device (BRD). During its development, it would be prudent to also ensure that the BRD also reduces the bycatch of blue swimmer crabs Portunus armatus, because these require additional handling and, owing to their exoskeletons, physically damage the soft-bodied prawns and cuttlefish.
A recent pilot study (2013/052) identified the parameters within which a successful BRD should exist. This work involved testing two Nordmøre-grids over a few deployments, yet yielded promising results (i.e. both designs reduced the numbers and weights of cuttlefish, crabs and total bycatch, and one of the designs maintained prawn catches). Through rigorous testing of refined versions of these Nordmøre-grids across larger spatial and temporal scales, the proposed study aims to produce an optimal design for potential implementation in the fishery.
Final report
Relative to other fishing methods, prawn trawling is considered to be poorly selective, and can result in large quantities of bycatch being discarded, which sometimes includes charismatic species. Attempts at reducing bycatch or mitigating trawl impacts to the discarded bycatch have involved three broad techniques: (1) avoidance by spatial and/or temporal closures; (2) on-board handling procedures that minimise the mortality of discarded bycatch; and (3) retrospectively fitting BRDs into trawls. The latter approach can be particularly effective, with some BRDs reducing bycatches by up to 90%.
The aim of this study was to test incremental technical refinements to a generic Nordmøre-grid to identify an optimal design for the SGPF with respect to criteria of: (i) reducing total bycatch, with particular focus on maximising the escape of Blue Swimmer Crabs and Giant Cuttlefish; (ii) maintaining and improving the quality of Western King Prawn catches; and (iii) minimising technical handling issues in relation to the grid.
A double‐rigged trawler from the SGPF fleet was chartered for three experiments in northern Spencer Gulf over 13 nights (four in each of April 2015 and 2016, and five in November 2015). Each experiment involved paired comparisons between two or three grid configurations and a conventional codend (the control). Primary data collected from each codend were catch weights of Blue Swimmer Crabs, Giant Cuttlefish and broad categories for remaining bycatch (i.e. elasmobranchs, porifera, seagrasses/algae and teleosts), and Western King Prawns (including a breakdown by industry size grades and condition). In total, six grid configurations were tested over the course of the study; these were differentiated by the grid bar spaces, location of the horizontal support bar, area of the escape exit, and length of the guiding panel.
The effects of varying grid bar spaces, escape-exit areas and guiding-panel lengths were investigated. Compared to a control, the greatest reductions (by weight) in total bycatch (~80%), Blue Swimmer Crabs and Giant Cuttlefish (both ~90%), and elasmobranchs and porifera (almost 100%), were achieved with a large, low-angled Nordmøre-grid with 38-mm bar spaces, a support bar two thirds up the length, a 2.7-m guiding panel terminating ~0.6 m anterior to the grid base, and a large escape exit (≥0.8 m2). Importantly, this configuration did not negatively impact catches of prawns, but rather improved their quality and value (presumably owing to fewer crabs causing less damage).
While the bycatch reductions achieved in this study are impressive by world standards, an area of concern for industry relates to the dimensions (~2 × 1 m) and weight (~24 kg) of the grid and the operational difficulties and safety concerns they may pose to the crew, particularly under fishing conditions worse than those experienced during the study (e.g. winds >35 km h-1, swells >1.5 m). Acknowledging these concerns, an appropriate next step would be to test the preferred grid across broader spatio-temporal scales on a number of vessels in the fishery under various conditions. By including operational data with catch assessments, it should be possible to objectively assess any concerns fishers have with using the grid and perhaps modify deployment and on-board handling procedures so they are more acceptable/suitable to industry operations.
What data how? Empowering and engaging industry to ensure the needs of contemporary fisheries data are achieved
The proposed project responds to QFRAB Research Priority IV – Improve the relevance and quality of the data collected to underpin effective science based management of Queensland fisheries.
Traditionally fisheries data moved in a single direction, with fishers collecting data that are used by researchers and managers to manage fishers’ activities within sustainable long-term goals. Historically this was a sound system that informed the management of fisheries and enabled the development of suitable management objectives and tools (input and output controls).
A paradigm shift has occurred with contemporary fisheries data being utilised for multiple purposes other than QDAFF core business management and includes conservation objectives (EPBC Act), marine spatial planning, third party accreditation's, impact assessments and resource allocation. Not surprisingly, the quality and relevance of data collected is increasingly being questioned by all stakeholders. Given this notable shift in the interest and demands on fisheries data, it is timely that new and novel data and data collection methods are investigated, and existing systems are reviewed and improved to better meet contemporary needs. Further, increasing distrust of fisheries data by stakeholders is a significant hurdle in monitoring, assessing and managing fisheries. Concerns about the accuracy of commercial logbook data and catch estimates derived from recreational diary and phone surveys persist. Options for empowering all fishery stakeholders in the design of collection methods, data ownership and utility of data beyond core business requirements need to be explored to improve data quality and stewardship, and confidence in assessments/analyses that utilise these data.
Final report
RAC WA: Improving confidence in the management of the blue swimmer crab (Portunus armatus) in Shark Bay
There is a critical need to improve the management of the Shark Bay crab fishery, especially since its expansion to become the highest producing blue swimmer crab fishery in Australia. This rapid growth has caused scientific understanding of the stocks to lag behind, raising questions on the viability of current catch levels and a precautionary approach to management in the absence of adequate stock assessment. Recent declines in recruitment and catch rates have highlighted the need to address knowledge gaps on the factors influencing recruitment, biology and stock status of the Shark Bay crab fishery before a decision-rule framework can be developed to allow both sectors to fish this valuable resource to its sustainable level. A recent external scientific review confirmed this lack of knowledge is hindering the development of future effective management strategies and resource sharing arrangements. Determination of key fisheries and biological parameters and development of stock assessment models will empower scientists and managers to better understand the resource and make the best decisions for allocation between the trap, trawl and recreational sectors. A socio-economic analysis of individual fishers and collective industry business operations will identify the role, value and importance of blue swimmer crabs to the viability of the trap and trawl sectors. The social and economic role of the commercial and recreational crab fishery within the wider Gascoyne and Western Australian community will highlight direct and indirect benefits of this fishery, which are not fully understood at present.
Seafood CRC: accelerated new product development: blue swimmer crab pilot
Commonly, the success of new product development for the seafood industry has been hindered by the
business needing to commit significant financial outlay for production despite uncertainties of the
marketability of the product The innovative product development and marketing methodology to be
developed and piloted in this project aims to decrease the risk in product development. The method involves all of the participants in the supply chain, from manufacturer to consumer, working together for a short, intense period of product "ideation" and development before developing the agreed product concept. The process will exploit the natural entrepreneurialism of staff at Abacus Fisheries, plus experts brought in to assist. If successful, the technique may potentially be transferred to other sectors, increasing the chance of success of developing economically viable value-added seafood products
Final report
The aim of the project was to develop a new series of value added Abacus crab products that have been researched, developed, costed, branded and trialled in the marketplace prior to further large financial commitment to facilitate production. This new accelerated product development methodology, building the products from desk-top to cook-top, and improving the likelihood of market success prior to large scale production, represented an innovative approach to seafood product development in smaller businesses.
Using market expertise (focussed on food service market) and technical expertise there were a number of iterations which allowed the original number of 92 product concepts to be narrowed down to the final two commercially available and market acceptable products in less than 14 months. The multiple assessments both from a sensory and market acceptability perspective enabled renewed confidence in market attractiveness. The assessment also ensured that form, portion size and packaging were based on expert market opinion. Cost was also minimised by the four day ideation process. The process implemented also allowed for a comparison with currently available products early on in the development process.