Egg distribution, reproductive parameters and spawning biomass of Blue Mackerel, Australian Sardine and Tailor off the East Coast during late winter and early spring
Knowledge of the winter/spring spawning patterns of Blue Mackerel and Australian Sardine is needed to underpin future assessment of these stocks and to underpin the ecologically sustainable development of pelagic fish resources off the East Coast of Australia.
Recent and robust estimates the population size of Blue Mackerel and Australian Sardine off the East Coast are needed to address community concerns regarding the potential ecological impacts of large scale fishing for small pelagic fishes off the East Coast.
Information on the egg distribution, reproductive parameters and spawning biomass of Tailor is needed to inform future management of this iconic recreational fishing species.
Final report
Improving the precision of estimates of egg production and spawning biomass obtained using the Daily Egg Production Method
A project to refine methods for estimating egg production in application of the DEPM is needed because:
1) spawning biomass estimates obtained using the DEPM are the key biological performance indicators in the SASF and SPF;
2) the DEPM is recognized as being imprecise and the main source of this imprecision is associated with estimation of mean daily egg production;
3) a range of field and statistical methods are used to estimate total daily egg production but there is no consensus about which approach is most appropriate for the range of circumstances that are encountered, with different methods currently used in the Americas, Europe and Australia.
Uncertainty in the method used to estimate the spawning biomass of Jack Mackerel off the east coast of Australia was raised as an issue of particular concern in the recent public debate associated with the introduction of a large factory trawler into the SPF.
That debate undermined public confidence in the stock assessment and management of the SPF and has the potential to undermine other fisheries species of small pelagic fishes.
Final report
Developing a rapid molecular identification technique to improve egg production based fish biomass assessments
Seafood CRC: optimising the size and quality of sardines through real-time harvest monitoring
Understanding the combined roles of fishing effort and environmental factors in determining the distribution and abundance of target-sized sardines is essential to the sustainable, ecological and economical, development of the fishery.
In response to recent fluctuations in fish size and quality, the SASF seeks to increase the productivity and profitability of the fishery through the development and implementation of an industry-led, real-time monitoring system for optimising the size, quality and quantity of sardines harvested.
To address these needs industry must: 1) establish the skills and systems required to conduct real-time monitoring of fish harvesting, 2) obtain advice on the key oceanographic factors affecting sardine size distributions, 3) gain ongoing access to information on oceanographic conditions in near real-time and, 4) develop systems for linking spatial fishery performance with oceanographic conditions to optimize the size and quality of fish harvested.
Final report
In order to improve the commercial profitability and sustainability of the South Australian Sardine Fishery (SASF) there was a need to establish improved monitoring and harvest management practices based on an understanding of Sardine habitat preferences. In this project, the South Australian Sardine Industry Association Inc. (SASIA) was empowered with the resources to autonomously implement near real-time monitoring of fish movement in relation to changes in environmental conditions. As a part of the harvest management optimisation, an understanding of the environmental conditions which characterise the habitat preferences of juvenile, adult and spawning Sardines was investigated.
This project was developed at the request of SASIA and comprises two inter-related components with the common objectives of improving the economic value and ecological sustainability of the fishery.
Firstly, the SASIA was assisted in developing and implementing an autonomous near real-time harvest management system. The system is composed of three inter-connected components; fish measurement, data storage and spatial mapping. SASIA collected data on fish length (caudal- fork length) are efficiently measured and stored directly into a database using an electronic fish measurement board. The database has been designed to store and present information related to the location and size of the commercial catch from which sample measures of fish length are collected. Finally, GIS spatial mapping software is linked with the database to provide maps showing the spatial distribution of target and non-target sized fish. Maps detailing changes in the spatial distribution of target and non-target size are updated fortnightly and used by the SASIA to optimise the size of fish harvested.
Secondly, to augment the adopted real-time harvest management system, habitat suitability studies using generalised additive models (GAMs) were undertaken to understand the environmental conditions that explain the habitat preferences of juvenile and adult Sardines, as well as the summer-time spawning habitat. Historical datasets used in the modelling studies included 1) Sardine egg densities and coincident oceanographic measurements made during Daily Egg Production Method (DEPM) surveys conducted since 2004, and 2) fish length measurements made by independent observers aboard commercial vessels since 2004 and corresponding satellite measures of sea surface temperature and surface chlorophyll a concentrations.
Small Pelagics Research Co-ordination Program
Several scientific studies have recently examined the effects of fisheries on small pelagic species (also sometimes called forage fish) and how they should be managed so as to avoid undesirable flow-on effects of these fisheries on the food web and ecosystem. There is now clear and widely agreed understanding about how these fisheries should be managed, and this understanding has a strong scientific basis (e.g. Smith et al. 2011). The latest and most comprehensive study and guidance comes from the Lenfest Forage Fish Task Force (Pikitch et al. 2012).
Although methods used to set the TAC in the SPF were consistent with this scientific advice, recent attempts to introduce a factory trawler into the fishery were met with intense public resistance. Much of the concern related to perceived risks of localised depletion and the impact that this would have on fisheries for predator species (eg SBT). Thus the interaction between commercial fisheries for small pelagics and commercial and/or recreational fisheries that target predators is pertinent.
There was also considerable debate over the stock status and assessment method (Daily Egg Production Method – DEPM). This highlighted a significant level of distrust in the science and management of small pelagics, something that is likely to continue unless a concerted effort is made to increase our understanding of small pelagic fisheries and to better communicate this knowledge to the community and other stakeholders.
The aim of this project is to build confidence in the science underpinning the sustainability of small pelagic fisheries in Australia.
Pikitch, E., et al. (2012) Little Fish, Big Impact: Managing a Crucial Link in Ocean Food Webs. Lenfest Ocean Program. Washington, DC. 108 pp. http://www.oceanconservationscience.org/foragefish/
Smith, A.D.M., et al. (2011) Impacts of fishing low-trophic level species on marine ecosystems. Science, 333: 1147-1150
Final report
Summer spawning patterns and preliminary Daily Egg Production Method survey of Jack Mackerel and Sardine off the East Coast: Vessel Charter
Summer spawning patterns and preliminary Daily Egg Egg Production Method survey of Jack Mackerel and Sardine off the East Coast: Vessel Charter - adult survey
Summer spawning patterns and preliminary Daily Egg Production Method survey of Jack Mackerel and Sardine off the East Coast
Knowledge of the summer spawning patterns of Jack Mackerel and Australian Sardine is needed to underpin future assessment of these stocks and to underpin the ecologically sustainable development of pelagic fish resources off the East Coast of Australia.
Methods for estimating the population size of Jack Mackerel and Australian Sardine need be established to address community concerns regarding the potential ecological and social impacts of large scale fishing for small pelagic fishes off the East Coast.
Final report
This study was undertaken collaboratively by fisheries scientists from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and the University of Tasmania. It was the first dedicated application of the Daily Egg Production Method (DEPM) to Jack Mackerel, Trachurus declivis. It successfully collected large numbers of samples of eggs and adults concurrently from the key spawning area off eastern Australia during what has been previously identified as the main spawning period. The study established an effective method for sampling adult Jack Mackerel and provides the first estimates for this species of the adult reproductive parameters required for application of the DEPM. The spawning biomass of Jack Mackerel off eastern Australia during January 2014 was estimated to be approximately 157,805 t (95% CI = 59,570 358,731). Most of the estimates of spawning biomass obtained in sensitivity analyses were between approximately 95,000 t and 215,000 t. Plausible values for only two parameters provide estimates of spawning biomass that were outside that range; both of these parameters were estimated with a high degree of confidence in the present study.
This was also the first study to investigate the spawning habitat of Australian Sardine Sardinops sagax off eastern Australia during summer. It showed that during January 2014 spawning occurred between northern Tasmania and southern Victoria. The spawning biomass at this location during this period was approximately 10,962 t. This estimate should be treated with caution as adult samples were not collected during the study. It also is important to note that this not an estimate of the total adult biomass of Australian Sardine off eastern Australia. It is only an estimate of the portion of the population that was spawning in this southern part of the range during that period. The main spawning area of Australian Sardine off eastern Australia occurs off southern Queensland and northern NSW during late winter and early spring.
Keywords: Jack Mackerel, Trachurus declivis, Australian Sardine, Sardinops sagax, Daily Egg Production Method, Spawning Biomass, Small Pelagic Fishery, eastern Australia, Tasmania, Bass Strait.
Seafood CRC: new product development for low value, high volume species - WA Sardines
Sardines have traditionally been an undervalued species in WA, with the majority of product going for
angler bait and tuna aquaculture feed at an average price of around $1.20/kg. It has been
recognised that there are opportunities in the human consumption market for this fish due to the
relatively high volumes of sustainable production and the perceived health benefits as an oily fish. As a
result some research has focused on increasing the value of sardines in WA, and indeed some
product development and consumer survey work has been undertaken and various value added
products produced (FRDC Project Report 95/142). Generally, however, these products have not had
long term success , partly due to the reduction in supply after the ‘pilchard kills’ of the 1990’s and partly to a disconnect in the production, processing and marketing chain. This project, using methods developed in the accelerated product development project CRC 2010/706, will increase the chance of producing products with market longevity by developing products and an aligned supply chain to meet a specific and pre-identified market opportunity.
To be successful, selling sardines for human consumption needs the expertise of project partners, through the whole chain to identify and exploit new market opportunities for Western Australian sardines. These potential partnerships are in place with this project encompassing producer, processor and distribution channel. Pilot production and market trials, encompassing through chain partnerships and agreed product development practices, protocols and specifications from catch to market are thus able to undertaken, improving the likelihood of market success from the value added sardine products prior to large scale production.
Seafood CRC: successful sardines - post-harvest optimisation and new product development for human consumption
Sardines are an undervalued species in South Australia, with the majority of the catch going for tuna feed for an average price of $0.72/kg. The industry has recognised the need to increase the value of the fishery, and that more of the catch has to be turned into value-added products for human consumption. In order to achieve this aim, it has targeted to use at least 10% of the TACC for value-adding.
Three of the licence holders have invested in equipment and processes to produce value-added products. However, individually these businesses are having limited success, struggling to adopt the technical and operational practices that are required to deliver safe, profitable products for human consumption markets both domestically and abroad. This project will provide technical expertise and experimental support to assist them in optimising raw materials, labour and equipment and to develop new products specifically for these markets.
There has been limited success in value-adding sardine products for human consumption in sardine fisheries in Australia. As a result, research has focussed on increasing the value of sardines but has not resulted in products being successfully test marketed/commercialised and evaluated. This is perhaps due to a disconnect in the supply chain between consumers, markets, distribution and processing. We now have the consumer/market intelligence to understand the barriers to sardine acceptability. We can develop products that will overcome these barriers and with the businesses already supplying into the human consumption markets, we have an identified route to market to commercialise and evaluate the success of these new products.
The project offers the opportunity for the three businesses to work together to achieve more than could be individually. They will benefit from the economies of scale that business partnerships have to ultimately deliver safe, profitable products to market for human consumption.
Movement patterns and stock structure of Australian sardine (Sardinops sagax) off South Australia and the East Coast: implications for future stock assessment and management
This project is needed to assess the potential for increasing catches of sardine in the fisheries off SA (i.e. SASF) and the East Coast (i.e. NSW Ocean Haul Fishery and SPF).
For the SASF, information on the patterns and rates of movement of sardines between the Great Australian Bight (where the majority of the spawning biomass is located) and southern Spencer Gulf (where most fishing is conducted) is needed to determine whether (or not) future potential increases in the TAC should be accompanied by the establishment of zones within the fishery.
For the NSW Ocean Haul Fishery and SPF, information on the patterns and rates of movement of sardines along the East Coast is needed to assess the extent to which estimates of spawning biomass from northern NSW and southern Qld waters reflect the size of the entire sardine stock off eastern Australia.
Final report
Seafood CRC: improving quality of Australian Sardines through utilization of flow-ice technology
This project will contribute toward Seafood CRC Program 1B:
Output 1.7 "Smart processing technologies and practices"
Milestone 1.7.2
Application of innovative technologies for controlling spoilage to enhance shelf-life and marketability
Milestone 1.7.6
Harvest, post-harvest and processing practices evaluated and enhanced to maximise and protect quality attributes
Milestone 1.7.8.
Technology and capability to support innovation of new seafood products developed
This project fits into the CRC “smart processing” theme
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Global economic factors and market forces warrant the need for a significant portion of the SASF harvest to diversify from the domestic tuna feed market into higher value markets. This need is in part driven by the strength of the Australian dollar. Over the last 24 months the volume of relatively cheap imported feed has forced a significant decrease in the beach price of locally caught sardines, necessary so local catch can maintain market share. The strength of the dollar is forecast to remain high.
The South Australian Sardine Industry needs to diversify its market base and increase the portion of the annual catch that is value-added to offset the issues described above, and the associated risks of sustained low returns.
The marketability of South Australian sardines is negatively affected by high volume of the nightly catch and the limited capacity of most sardine vessels to adequately chill fish on board. There is a need to trial technology that will remove heat from fish immediately postharvest more efficiently than current practices. This will reduce spoilage and extend the shelf-life for value-added grade fish.
The implementation of post-harvest technologies such as flow-ice at the point of capture will assist the production of a higher quality product which, in turn, should increase the GVP of the SASF.
Final report
This project assessed the utility of flow-ice in preserving the freshness of Australian Sardines from the point of harvest to processing, and wholesale and retail supply chains. Trials were carried out on the Gemma Marie (White Fisheries) based at Port Lincoln, South Australia. Experiments involved comparisons between flow ice (FI), ice slurry (IS) and refrigerated seawater (RSW) at a fish:cooling medium ratio of 1:1. Core temperatures were recorded from fish stored in FI and IS for up to two days; with associated shelf-life trials running up to six days. Fish were also sent to markets (SAFCOL, Angelakis and Cappo Bros in Adelaide, and Sydney Fish Market) for appraisal and sale.
The data collected indicated the greater cooling effectiveness of flow ice and its beneficial effect on fish quality (through lower Quality Index Method (QIM) scores). Sardines in FI reached 2°C after approximately nine minutes and O°C within 11 minutes. Fish in IS took 30 minutes to reach 2°C and few cooled beyond this point. All batches of fish chilled with FI that were sent to market as part of this study were better than average, and, in one case, the best they had seen in a long time. However, there was no difference in price between sardines chilled in flow ice and those chilled in ice slurry. The study was terminated due to persistent mechanical failures of the leased flow ice machine. Thus, further work is necessary to explore the potential of flow ice, particularly at higher fish:cooling medium ratios. It may be that auction market price is not the best indicator of product quality and it is therefore suggested that QIM and other tests such as further storage, and filleting and cooking trials be carried out using sardines treated with the technology.
Tactical Research Fund: Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) of the harvest strategy for the Small Pelagic Fishery
Commonwealth fisheries have been required to implement harvest strategies in accordance with the recently released Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy. The policy specifically requires that a MSE be conducted to demonstrate that each harvest strategy is robust to the uncertainty inherent in the assessment and management of the respective fishery.
In June 2008, the AFMA Board approved a harvest strategy for the SPF, which will be reviewed during 2008/09. In 2007, the SPFRAG and SPFMAC engaged a consultant to review the draft harvest strategy that had been developed for the fishery. Based on the outcomes of that review, which included a quantitative evaluation, SPFRAG and SPFMAC agreed to a harvest strategy. During 2008/09, further testing of the harvest strategy will be undertaken and various scenarios investigated. There is an urgent need to investigate the robustness of the harvest strategy under a range of harvest scenarios and to determine the implications of these harvest scenarios on the wider trophodynamic relationships (through linkages with the CSIRO project). The proposed project will develop an interactive tool that SPFRAG and SPFMAC can use to explore the robustness of the harvest strategy now and in the future.
Final report
In 2008, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) developed a harvest strategy for the Commonwealth’s Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF) (AFMA 2008) in accordance with the Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy (DAFF 2007). Before its completion, an independent review was conducted (Knuckey et al. 2008), which included a management strategy evaluation (MSE). The equations developed for the MSE were used in this report to establish a new MSE. The new MSE was used to further test the SPF Harvest Strategy and to investigate a range of alternative harvest strategies for consideration by the Small Pelagic Fisheries Resource Assessment Group (SPFRAG).
In this report, the sensitivities of the MSE were tested to determine how the various input parameters influenced the outcomes over a 30 year simulation period. A number of management/harvest scenarios were run through the MSE to explore options addressed in the SPF Harvest Strategy for each stock — redbait (east), redbait (west), blue mackerel (east), blue mackerel (west), jack mackerel (east and west treated the same) and Australian sardine (east). Themodel was found to be most sensitive to the steepness value in the stock recruitment relationship and to the value of the instantaneous natural mortality.
Tactical Research Fund: Assessment of the acoustic ability of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the development of acoustic mitigation measures to minimise their interaction with purse seine fisheries
On 25 August 2005, the SA Government closed the SASF in response to results from independent observer coverage in the fishery and concerns associated with encirclement and mortality rates of common dolphin.
The SASF TEPS Code of Practice developed prior to the fishery has been effective in reducing the encirclement and mortality rate initially reported but still requires improvement to ensure the fishery is operating sustainably.
Recent communication between PIRSA and SAMSSIA in relation to interim results from the observer program (July 2006 – June 2007) has highlighted that improvement of the SASF TEPS Code of Practice is an immediate priority.
Investigations by the SASF TEPS WG suggests there is scope to develop an acoustic mitigation signature that will further reduce the encirclement and mortality rate of common dolphins and improve the effectiveness of the TEPS Code of Practice.
Considering the importance the SA Government places on effective TEPS mitigation the development of underwater acoustic mitigation technology presents the greatest potential to improve the SASF’s TEPS Code of Practice.
This project will address FRDC’s strategic challenge to improve the management and use of aquatic natural resources to ensure their sustainability; has a high likelihood of success considering the success of acoustic behavioral modification on similar species(Leeney et al 2007) and in relation to the common dolphin (Morizur et al 2007) and has a high likelihood of adoption by industry as a successful outcome will be incorporated into the TEPS Code of Practice which is adhered to by 100% of the licence holders in the fishery.
The SASF is a key economic driver in the region and all efforts to maintain and secure access rights through the adoption of sustainable fishing practices are warranted.
Letters of support for this project from PIRSA Fisheries and SAMSSIA are attached to this application.
Establishing ecosystem-based management for the South Australian sardine fishery: developing ecological performance indicators and reference points to assess the need for ecological allocations
Provisions of the Commonwealth Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Act require strategic assessment and, if necessary, mitigation of the ecological effects of fishing, including trophic impacts.
The strategic assessment of the South Australian pilchard fishery identified the need to measure and minimize the impacts of the fishery
on the “broader ecosystem” and “to review the current ecological management objectives, management strategies and performance indicators”.
However, operational ecological performance indicators and mitigating strategies have not yet been established for any pelagic fishery in Australia, and there is no agreed scientific framework for establishing these tools.
In recognition of -
1) the high profile of the SA pilchard fishery (as Australia’s largest pelagic fishery);
2) the important ecological role of pilchards in the Flinders Current Ecosystem;
3) the high economic value and conservation significance of the region’s marine predators;
4) and the sophisticated (single-species) stock assessment procedures and management arrangements that have been established,
members of the South Australian pilchard fishery have identified the need to establish “world’s best practices” for managing the potential ecological impacts of the fishery. In response to this need, fishers have invested $620K to assess the role of pilchards in the Flinders Current Ecosystem and to begin to develop ecological performance indicators and reference points for their fishery.
Currently, there is no scientific framework to assess whether the management arrangements that have been established for the SA Pilchard Fishery are sufficiently conservative to ensure that fishery is managed according to the principles of ESD (i.e. that fishing does not significantly affect the status of other components of the ecosystem, Fletcher et al. 2002).
In recognition of the large data sets and extended timeframes that are needed to establish and assess ecological performance indicators and reference points for pelagic fisheries, members of the South Australian pilchard fishery have also agreed to invest a further $310K (cash) to support the additional ecological research that is outlined in this proposal.
This project addresses the pressing need to develop a scientific framework for establishing ecological performance indicators and reference points for pelagic fisheries. The focus on the SA pilchard fishery is necessary, as such a large and complex undertaking could only be contemplated in large and valuable fishery that has sophisticated stock assessment procedures and management arrangements in place, and can thus afford to allocate significant resources to support the establishment of an ecosystem-based management system.
This project is needed to refine the management plan for Australia’s largest fishery to include ecological perfomance indicators and reference points and to ensure that research and management systems for the fishery correspond with, or exceed, world’s best practice by incorporating scientifically-based approaches for assessing and, if necessary, mitigating, the fishery's potential trophic impacts.
Projects such as this are needed to maintain Australia’s position as the world leader in the ecosystem-based management of fisheries.
Final report
Aquafin CRC - SBT Aquaculture Subprogram: nutritional profiles of baitfish 3: effects of harvest and post-harvest processes on quality of local baitfish for feeding SBT
Trophodynamics of the GAB: assessing the need for an ecological allocation in the SA pilchard fishery
PIRSA Fisheries Policy Group and the SA pilchard industry have identified an understanding of the trophodynamic role of pilchards as a key management need for this fishery.
Strategic assessment of the fishery against ESD principles (e.g. Fletcher et al. 2002) is likely to identify the absence of knowledge of the ecological role of pilchards as a significant issue.
Provisions of the Commonwealth Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Act, and Environment Australia guidelines that require strategic assessment of the ecological impacts of fishing, including trophic impacts, are particularly relevant for large fisheries that target an important prey species, such as the SA pilchard fishery.
The potential trophic effects of fishing can be potentially overcome by establishing appropriate ecological allocations.
This project will collect, synthesize and interpret data on trophodynanamic processes in the GAB that are required to assess the need for an ecological allocation in the SA pilchard fishery.
The long-term project will also address the need for principles and guidelines to assessing the need for and size of ecological allocations in fisheries that may influence trophodynamic pathways and ecological interactions in ecosystems with high conservation value.
Final report
Optimising at-sea post harvest handling procedures for the pilchard (Sardinops sagax)
Two factories that process pilchards for bait and human consumption have recently been established in Port Lincoln, however a large proportion of the current harvest is still used to feed caged tuna (Ward et al. 2000; Davidson et al. 2000).
Over the last two years, considerable progress has been made towards the development of a manufactured feed for tuna mariculture. Skretting Australia has obtained successful outcomes from a pilot scale commercial trial. Research is increasingly focussing on matters relating to refinement (improved acceptance, better conversion rates) rather than on the identification of suitable feeds (S. Clarke, SARDI, pers. comm.). Over the next 2-3 years it is expected that the commercial use of artificial diets will increase, with a concomitant decrease in the use of fresh/frozen pilchards. The Tuna Industry has recently discussed bringing a pelleting plant on line in Port Lincoln in 2004/05. Such developments will result in a contraction of the market for South Australian pilchards and may impede further development of the industry.
Future development of the South Australian pilchard industry must involve increased utilisation of inter-state and inter-national markets for recreational bait and human consumption (Ward et al. 2000; Davidson et al. 2000).
As South Australian pilchard fishing grounds are often located 12-24 hours steaming away from local ports (cf 2- 3 hours in WA), the quantity and quality of product supplied to processing factories and markets for bait and human consumption will be largely determined by nature and quality of the at-sea post-harvest handling procedures (Ward et al. 2000; Davidson et al. 2000).
This project will occur in three phases:
Phase 1 (a) An audit of the SA pilchard fleet to assess current practices, quantify on-board processing gear, determine the capacity for improving the latter and assess onshore facilities capacity to process pilchards.
(b) An assessment of the marketing issues as they relate to the capacity of the Industry to develop new processes/products.
Phase 2 Once these are completed, the following will be carried out to optimise the handling procedures used in the South Australian pilchard fishery:
(a) An investigation of the biological and ecological factors that affect the rates of deterioration in pilchard quality in the immediate post-harvest period (i.e. net to processing factory); and
(b) Development of options for alternative handling procedures that optimise pilchard quality and economic return.
To achieve these objectives, information is needed on spatial and temporal variation in the biochemical composition of South Australian pilchards, especially with regard to the lipid:protein ratio and the free fatty acid content. These components are useful indicators of fish condition and the deterioration rate in fish quality during post-harvest handling (Fitz-Gerald and Bremner, 1994, NSC project 6). Knowledge of the taxonomic composition and biochemical characteristics of the gut contents of the South Australian pilchard is needed as these factors have been shown to affect the rates of deterioration of planktivorous pelagic fishes in the immediate post-harvest period (Stenstrom, 1965, Goldberg and Raa, 1980, Dr Bjordal Asmund, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, pers. comm..; Mr Ian Wells, Seafood Services Australia, unpub. data).
Phase 3
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the various processing options will have to be undertaken to assess the potential benefit of any changes in gear/practices. In order to do this a financial survey of licence holders, including measures of financial performance for the “average licence holder” will have to be carried out, and measures of economic performance of the fishery derived (i.e. gross value of production (GVP), economic rent, etc). This will be used to develop a model of the fishery linking biological and management parameters (CPUE, days fished, etc.) with the economic characteristics of the fishery. The model will be used to derive a baseline scenario, reflecting existing operator and fisheries management practices which will then be compared with scenarios reflecting the various processing options developed during the study.
Final report
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: pilchard herpesvirus infection in wild pilchards
This proposal seeks to continue the work begun at AAHL and Department of Fisheries. There is a need to independently validate the available tools from Western Australia and AAHL and to put them to use in elucidating the biology of the virus, including a survey of wild pilchards for the virus. This is especially important as a number of modeling papers have made inferences about the latency and infectivity of the virus which need to be verified. There is also a need to continue the sequencing of the viral genome which has been carried out both at AAHL and in WA, in order to design more specific tools and also to compare the virus obtained in 1995 with that collected in 1998. This work was identified as a national priority in 1998 and the need has not diminished. It was also recognised by the JPSWG, from the outset, that progress would be slow.