There are multiple threats to ongoing access/operation of commercial inshore fisheries (finfish and crab) along Queensland’s east coast. These include port developments and expansions, coastal development, public perception (which influences management) and competition between fishing sectors (which also influences management). These threats to access could adversely affect not only commercial fishers themselves, but also secondary industries as well as the availability of seafood to local communities. It is now well documented that consumers prefer local seafood products, and are willing to pay more for seafood labelled ‘local’ (Tobin et al. 2010; Calogeras et al. 2011).

It could be assumed that reducing these threats and ensuring ongoing operation of commercial fisheries and local seafood supply is desirable, for many social and economic reasons. Yet there is little information about the value inshore commercial fisheries and fishing businesses provide to communities (aside from the much used GVP, which has long been recognised as a nonsensical measure of value (e.g. Edwards 1991, McPhee & Hundloe 2004)), or the relative value of local seafood compared to non-local seafood for consumers.

Without knowing the real economic value of commercial fisheries and local seafood for regional communities, decisions regarding management of, and access to, resources are likely to be ill informed. Real value information can be used to ensure appropriate access of fishers and consumers to fisheries resources, better assess the economic impacts of other coastal activities that negatively affect fishing, or better inform reallocation processes where necessary.

Indigenous commercial fishers* (ICF) make up a small percentage of commercial fishers in NSW. They are usually small operators that;

(i) derive a personal income, and

(ii) many cases, supply some catch for local indigenous community consumption.

The NSW Indigenous Fisheries Strategy 2002 emphasized the importance of indigenous participation in the commercial fishing sector. A workshop conducted with ICF in 2003 identified obstacles to ongoing and future participation in the sector. Several issues were identified see 'A Draft Discussion Document and Action Plan. Developing the participation of Indigenous people in commercial fishing. A Report commissioned by NSW Fisheries '. One of the main issues identified was;

'The gradual and continuing decline of Aboriginal commercial fishers in the industry means loss of an accessible and appealing employment base for Aboriginal communities'.

To date little has been done to address the decline and recent communication with some ICF, particularly in far northern NSW, indicate that it is continuing. ICF indicate that ongoing changes to management approaches in NSW are making it even more difficult for them to stay now then previously.

There is an urgent need to analyse the possible impacts of new management changes (structural readjustment in NSW - see the Pyrmont Pact) on indigenous participation in commercial fisheries and to develop revised strategies that seek to maintain the existing levels and where possible increase indigenous involvement in commercial fisheries so as to address (i) and (ii) above.

*Here we are talking about indigenous participation in commercial fisheries, not cultural fisheries.

This project is needed to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the efficiency of Australian mud crab fisheries. Pots are the main gear type used in most cases, but the type of pot used differs between jurisdictions and/or sectors. Commercial crabbers in the NT and much of the NSW fishery use rigid, galvanised wire mesh pots that are moderately selective. Despite this, large numbers of crabs must still be measured and released, introducing a source of handling and post-release mortality of unknown magnitude.

Another source of cryptic mortality is cannibalism of others in the pot (particularly soft and/or undersized crabs) but again, the extent of this problem is hard to ascertain. Ghost fishing by wire mesh pots is also a concern. However, the destructive effects of corrosion in conjunction with an access door that swings open once the retaining strap perishes, limits the ghost potting potential of this gear type.

Queensland and WA commercial crabbers and many NT and QLD recreational fishers use collapsible nylon mesh pots of various types. The mesh size of nylon pots is often smaller than that of wire mesh pots, meaning they are less selective. A secure pot closure mechanism in conjunction with a poorly biodegradable body also means there is little scope for organisms to escape from nylon pots, particularly if the gear is lost. This combination of factors suggests that cryptic mortality and ghost fishing may also be a problem where nylon pots are used.

One means to alleviate the problems mentioned above is to facilitate the exit of undersized crabs (and other bycatch) from pots by using more selective meshes or fitting escape vents (as used in crab and lobster fisheries elsewhere). This proposal seeks funds to quantify and improve the selectivity of gear used by Australian mud crab fisheries.

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.

The FRDC and the NT Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is seeking to engage an experienced and qualified consultancy to review the management and technical operations of the GDE mud crab pond farming project in Darwin and the BAC pen farming project in Maningrida since their inception about two years ago. This commission is needed to establish how best to take these projects forward – towards achieving socio-economic and environmentally sustainable viablity and stakeholders’ aspirations.