PROJECT NUMBER
•
2000-264
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
Agriculture Victoria
TAGS
SPECIES
6 results
The Tasmanian Freshwater Eel Industry - an industry development and directions plan
Project number:
2012-208
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$35,000.00
Principal Investigator:
John Purser
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
SPECIES
The Tasmanian Freshwater Eel Industry is based on a small fishery focussed on wild harvests of short- and long-finned eels. Although small from a national, regional and global perspective it is of untapped significant potential within the Tasmanian context. Declines observed in global eel resources have not been experienced in Tasmania. Industry has the opportunity to establish new markets and products whilst increasing traditional markets. Diversification of the product range may occur through by-catch species such as redfin and tench.
A partial but significant consolidation of industry participants via joint venture activities over the past three years has initiated a renewed interest in the potential for the fishery and industry. There are challenges in matching products with markets, value adding (including aquaculture), seasonal supply and logistical issues. It is critical to address these challenges and identify solutions and strategies to support industry development.
The industry has significant potential in Tasmania. A plan to develop and expand the industry is needed to:
1. Establish a common strategic vision and direction
2. Unify fishers, industry and resource managers towards a common goal
3. Identify issues, challenges, and barriers to industry development providing a planned prioritised approach to solutions
4. Provide a measured approach to industry expansion, whilst meeting goals for ecological sustainability
5. Provide guidance on the contemporary research needs for the industry based on an agreed direction.
A development plan will also assist investors, fishers, industry sub-sectors, resource managers, researchers understand the future directions for the fishery, it's challenges and needs.
1. Formulate a development and directions plan for the Tasmanian Freshwater Eel Industry. The goals of the development plan are as follows - (a) Establish a vision and focussed direction for the Tasmanian Freshwater Eel Industry, (b) Assess the approaches and techniques available in aquaculture and wild harvest to achieve a measured expansion of the industry with due consideration for ecological sustainability, (c) Identify strategies to maximise the economic potential of the eel industry whilst maintaining economic sustainability and viability, (d) Maintain current and create additional investment confidence and opportunties, (e) Identify strategies to position industry to take advantage of emerging opportunties in the global market and (f) Guide the research needs of the industry.
Final report
ISBN:
978-1-86295-736-7
Author:
Dr John Purser
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2021-027
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT
ORGANISATION:
University of Adelaide
SPECIES
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2010-304
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
ORGANISATION:
Southern Cross University (SCU) Lismore Campus
TAGS
SPECIES
Assessment of the impacts of hydro-electric dams on eel stocks in Tasmania and an evaluation and assessment of mitigation strategies
Project number:
2000-186
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$282,684.00
Principal Investigator:
Phillip Boxall
Organisation:
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
SPECIES
Stock enhancement strategies can be a cost-effective means of restoring or maintaining fisheries, and have proven essential in catchments with barriers to migration (Knights and White 1998). Regulation of natural river systems has obstructed eel migration in many catchments, and with the implementation of appropriate management tools such as fish passes / ladders and translocation through trapping / netting programs, restoration of stocks can be achieved. Such strategies have not only proven successful in increasing commercial fishery yields, but also contribute to enhanced spawning stocks and increased silver eel escapements.
Hydro electric operations (dams and power generating turbines) reduce the chance of successful emigration of silver eel, especially for larger female eel (Dekker 1999), and, depending on flow and turbine type and number, may represent a major source of mortality to pre-spawning adults (Ritter et al 1997).The design of downstream passage ways and the use of non-generating periods to reduce mortality have been trialled and implemented in New Zealand, the USA and Europe, but have yet to be adopted or investigated in Australia.
The sustainability of the eel resource in Tasmania and of existing (and potentially new) commercial eel fisheries in hydro-impounded catchments will ultimately depend on the implementation of appropriate and effective mitigation strategies (passage and/or translocations) specific to both upstream and downstream migrations.
This proposed program addresses the issue of sustainability by assessing both cause and effect of impacts and various mitigation options. It is envisaged that the results and recommendations arising from this proposed study will underpin the development of an integrated management strategy for managing eel fisheries in hydro-impacted catchments with direct benefits to managers and industry alike. Results from this study could be readily transferred to other States, with coordination and dissemination through the existing Australian and New Zealand Eel Reference Group (ANZERG).
REFERENCES
Dekker, W. 1999. Effects of Transfers and Restocking of Eel. Report of the EIFAC Working Group on Eels - Denmark, September 1999. Pp13-17.
Knights, B. and E. White, 1998. An appraisal of stocking strategies for the European eel, Anguilla anguilla - In Cowx, I.G. (ed): Stocking and Introduction of Fish. Fishing News Books. Pp 121-140.
Ritter, J.A., Stanfield, M. and Peterson, R.H. 1997. The American Eel in Eastern Canada - Stock Status and Management Strategies. Proceedings of Eel Workshop January 13-14 1997, Quebec City, QC. Can. Tech. Report 2196. 174p.
1. To assess the impacts of hydro-electric dams on eel migrations and eel population structure in Tasmania’s lakes and rivers and to assess the impact of past elver restocking practices in hydro-impounded catchments on eel populations within those catchments.
2. To assess the direct impacts of hydro-electric dams and associated operations (turbine intakes and water management practices) on adult ‘silver’ eel survival rates during their downstream spawning migrations
3. To evaluate various management tools (ladders / bypasses and passage
netting / trapping and translocation) to mitigate impacts and provide recommendations for implementation.
4. To review the management of barriers to eel migration, including overseas experience.
Final report
PROJECT NUMBER
•
2018-087
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED
Maximising the value of the NSW Longfin Eel catch through a whole of supply chain approach - Stage 1
Following a dramatic drop in demand for live wild-caught eels (Longfin Eel, Anguilla Reinhardtii) to be exported from NSW to China, fishing efforts have significantly reduced, and the fishery is now classed as underutilised. At the same time, there is a global shortage of eels, with demand...
ORGANISATION:
Honey and Fox Pty Ltd
TAGS
SPECIES
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