6,249 results
Quantitatively defining proxies for biological and economic reference points in data poor and data limited fisheries
Project number:
2010-044
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$320,429.00
Principal Investigator:
Shijie Zhou
Organisation:
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
Project start/end date:
30 Jun 2010
-
29 Jun 2012
Contact:
FRDC
The Commonwealth harvest strategy policy requires the estimation of specific reference points for each stock to which the policy applies. Unfortunately, it is impossible to estimate directly such reference points for many stocks due to limited, or absence of, economic data as well as biological data. In most cases, this is due to the relatively small size of the fishery or the relatively low economic importance of the species concerned, making the routine collection of appropriate data too costly. The current TIER system of assessment only attends to those fisheries that can either have a detailed quantitative assessment (TIER 1), have limited biological data but some ageing data (TIER 3), or have meaningful catch and catch rate statistics (TIER 4). The methods and proxies already in place provide a means of designating a target and limit in terms of catch rates and catches. However, these reference points are only useful for those species for which catch rate data are a meaningful reflection of stock status. There are many species for which catch rates, even if available are very poor performance measures. Alternative methods and proxies need to be developed for even lower TIERs that provide for a consistent and defensible approach across all data poor fisheries. In most of these fisheries, economic data will also be absent, so some consistent means of developing meaningful and defensible target reference points needs to be developed.
Recognizing these needs, ComFRAB called for two related proposals: “Incorporating economics into harvest strategies without bioeconomic models” and “Quantitatively defining proxies for limit and target reference points in data poor fisheries”. Because these two proposals are closely linked and overlap in many ways, we opted to combine them into one single proposal. This will facilitate the team to work closely and reduce the overall project cost.
1. Build on current work for species in data poor fisheries under harvest strategies that: (1) identify biological reference points with associated performance measures and proxies, and (2) test harvest strategies and quantitatively defines limit and / or target reference points in line with the settings of the Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy.
2. To identify cost-effective methods of incorporating economic indicators into biological reference points that could be determined in Objective 1.
3. To develop case studies that demonstrate how these methods could be implemented in other Australian fisheries.
Final report
Tactical research fund: Industry based size-monitoring and data collection program for albacore tuna in the ETBF
Project number:
2008-075
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure:
$39,009.00
Principal Investigator:
Jessica H. Farley
Organisation:
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
Project start/end date:
30 Nov 2008
-
29 Jun 2009
Contact:
FRDC
Dramatic increases in the catch of albacore occurred in the ETBF in 2006 as several domestic longliners switched from targeting broadbill swordfish to albacore tuna landing the catch in Mooloolaba. These high catches were maintained in 2007, and given that localised depletion of albacore has been observed in several Pacific island nations, it raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of the fishery and highlighted the pressing need to implement a Harvest Strategy. Industry have stated that albacore is now an important component of the economic viability of the fleet.
To determine target reference levels for albacore consistent with the Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy, data are required on the size composition of the catch, size/age-at-maturity, growth rates, fecundity and mortality (Campbell et al., 2007). A feasibility study (AFMA 2006-826) specifically identified “the need to revise the size monitoring protocols for albacore, and potentially other target species, to ensure that this important input data stream for the ETBF harvest strategy is providing a consistent and unbiased sample of the size structure of the commercial catch over time”. In addition, the study identified the need to collect substantially more biological samples and undertake research on direct ageing and reproduction to address key biological uncertainties for albacore in the region. In August 2007, the WCPFC Scientific Committee re-iterated the priority for biological information on albacore and noted that this work has "strong assessment implications with wide-spread benefits to a number of fisheries active in the WCPO".
Acknowledging this, the ETMAC identified the collection and analysis of data (including size, sex composition and biological data) for the ETBF as its highest priority. In addition, the ETMAC explicitly identified the determination of life-history parameters and improved stock assessments for albacore tuna as a High Priority project. This proposal addresses both these high priority research areas.
1. Design and implement, in consultation with Industry, a practical, cost-effective industry-based monitoring program for obtaining representative sized data for albacore in the ETBF.
2. In collaboration with SPC, develop a biological sampling program to ensure that unbiased estimates of biological parameters for albacore are also obtained for the southwest Pacific region.
3. Collect biological samples (otoliths, spines, gonads & muscle tissue) from at least 500 albacore caught in the ETBF in 2008/09.
Final report
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