20,690 results

Assess new technologies and techniques that could improve the cost-effectiveness and robustness of recreational fishing surveys

Project number: 2017-198
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $38,370.00
Principal Investigator: Mike A. Steer
Organisation: SARDI Food Safety and Innovation
Project start/end date: 1 Jul 2018 - 30 Aug 2018
Contact:
FRDC

Need

It is proposed that a national workshop is needed to: (1) explore options to improve the precision and cost-effectiveness of recreational fishing surveys; (2) consider the use of emerging technologies to support recreational fisheries science; and (3) identify engagement strategies.

Although all States are expected to benefit from the outcomes of the proposed workshop, South Australia is particularly reliant on the shared expertise, transfer of knowledge and advice regarding the execution of scientifically robust, routine recreational fishing surveys. The South Australian Government is committed to undertaking a recreational fishing survey every five years. All previous surveys have been carried out by interstate experts, however, there is a commitment by PIRSA/SARDI to develop recreational fisheries science capability at a sufficient level to undertake all future State-based surveys. It is expected that the workshop will establish South Australia’s role as an active participant in the national assessment of recreational fisheries, increase data harmonisation opportunities across the jurisdictions, and contribute in advancing recreational fisheries science.

Objectives

1. Identify options to improve the precision and cost-effectiveness of recreational fishing surveys
2. Identify strategies that positively engage the recreational sector in fisheries science and management.
3. Assess whether emerging surveillance technology can be feasibly integrated into future surveys.

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-876007-13-3
Author: Dr. Mike Steer
Final Report • 2019-03-21 • 4.52 MB
2017-198-DLD.pdf

Summary

Currently, the most significant gap in our knowledge in assessing the status of community-shared fisheries is determining the relative contribution by the recreational sector. To explore this issue, a two-day national workshop was held from 10-12 July 2018 at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). The key focus was advancing the ‘best practice’ approach in design, execution, and analysis of recreational fishing surveys as described in Georgeson et al. (2015; FRDC 2007-014). This project also builds on recent work by Griffiths et al. (2014; FRDC 2011-036) and Moore et al. (2015; FRDC 2012-022.20). The overarching aim of this workshop was to assess the usefulness of new technologies and techniques for enhancing the cost-effectiveness and reliability of recreational fishing surveys. The attendees included recreational fisheries scientists, managers, a national peak body representative, an international expert, representatives from Deckhand© and a Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) representative. 

The specific objectives of the workshop were to:

1. explore options to improve the precision and cost-effectiveness of recreational fishing surveys;

2. assess whether emerging technologies can be feasibly integrated into future surveys; and

3. identify strategies that positively engage the recreational sector in fisheries science and management.

Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2018-024
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Investigation and improvement of live Blue Swimmer Crab handling in NSW

This report presents pivotal findings from an in-depth investigation into optimising live handling practices for the commercial Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus) industry in New South Wales (NSW), with the overarching goal of unlocking high-value live trade opportunities. Initiated in...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-020
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Identification of muscle parasite in Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), and determination as to the efficacy of non-invasive screening technology for the purpose of identifying infected fish in a commercial fish processing environment

Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) and Mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are actively targeted by fishers in the warmer waters of northern NSW. Both species are becoming increasingly important to local fishers with escalating demand due to increased consumer awareness of the premium eating quality...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Environment

A study of the sand crab (Portunus pelagicus) and its exploitation in a sub-tropical multi-sector fishery

Project number: 1984-023
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $0.00
Principal Investigator: Mike Potter
Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (QLD)
Project start/end date: 28 Dec 1986 - 31 Dec 1986
Contact:
FRDC

Objectives

1. Compare, contrast life history parameters of sand crab in sub-tropical sth Qld vs. Gulf of Carpentaria & temperate waters.
2. Assess Moreton Bay sand crab stocks
relative impact of recreational, otterboard trawl & commercial crab pot fisheries
effectiveness existing mgt strategies & alternatives

Final report

Author: M.A. Potter W.D. Sumpton
Final Report • 1986-12-31 • 1.77 MB
1984-023-DLD.pdf

Summary

Based on logbook records the sand crab commercial pot fishery in Moreton Bay is worth in the vicinity of $2 million wholesale annually. Sand crabs are also taken as an incidental by-catch by otter trawlers and in addition Moreton Bay supports a substantial recreational fishery.

Sand crabs are caught throughout the year but fishing effort is greatest from October to June. Peak catches in the pot fishery occur during March and April when daily catch rates may exceed 3 legal males per pot. Gravid females are present throughout the year but the highest proportion of egg bearing females is found in the population during August and September. Peaks in mating activity occur in autumn and spring with recruitment of juvenile crabs commencing in November. The parasitic barnacle Sacculina granifera infects 3% of all sand crabs in Moreton Bay and a previously unreported microsporidian parasite is found in 0.7% of the population.

Tagging studies show that fishing effort and mortality of sand crabs is highly variable throughout the Bay. Recapture rates for different areas vary from 1% to 65% with an overall return rate of 14%. The pattern of tag returns does not indicate any ordered directional movement of crabs either into or out of the Bay.

Male and female sand crabs exhibit differences in preferred habitat. Large males are generally more abundant in deeper water, whereas females predominate in shallower water, particularly on the top of sand banks.

Management recommendations arising from the project work include a change in the method of sand crab measurement to the width at the base of the antero-lateral spines, lowering of the existing size limit, the introduction of a bag 1 limit for recreational fishermen and an abolition of the prohibition on taking females provided that suitable management conditions can be maintained.

Tactical Research Fund: Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Viral presence, prevalence and disease management in wild populations of the Australian Black Tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon)

Project number: 2013-036
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $100,000.00
Organisation: CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
Project start/end date: 15 Sep 2013 - 14 Mar 2015
Contact:
FRDC

Need

In 2012, diseased P. monodon from North-QLD farms were investigated by QDAFF, Townsville. All prawns tested negative using an OIE-endorsed YHV-1 specific PCR test but positive to GAV (YHV-2) and to YHV-1 using OIE-endorsed nested PCR tests designed to co-detect and differentiate YHV-1 from GAV. However, consistent with the YHV-1 specific PCR test data, none of the diseased P. monodon displayed histopathology consistent with acute YHV-1 infection.

Analyses undertaken at CSIRO-AAHL confirmed the presence of GAV but not YHV-1. In two OIE-endorsed PCR tests, GAV sequences were also amplified by primers supposed to be specific for YHV-1. When an OIE-endorsed PCR test designed to detect all YHV genotypes was applied to tissue from healthy P. monodon broodstock imported into QLD from NT, sequence analyses identified an undescribed unique genotype designated tentatively as YHV-7. YHV-7 was also amplified by a CSIRO in-house real-time PCR test designed to be specific to the YHV-1.

Wild QLD broodstock are increasingly being replaced by wild NT broodstock to produce resilient fast growing P. monodon for aquaculture. The finding of YHV-7, with unknown pathogenic potential and distribution, highlights the potential risks of translocated broodstock spreading unwanted new pathogens to regions with substantial aquaculture interest, and supports a need to update decade-old data on what viruses might exist in NT and QLD populations of P. monodon.

Collectively these discoveries highlight urgent needs to (i) re-evaluate genotype specificities of OIE-endorsed PCR tests for different YHV genotypes (ii) redesign PCR tests to improve their power to discriminate YHV-1 from less virulent genotypes and (iii) re-assess the prevalence of GAV and related genotypes (YHV-7) and other endemic viruses potentially problematic to aquaculture (MoV, MBV, HPV, SMV, IHHNV) in wild P. monodon broodstock sourced from the NT and QLD.

Objectives

1. Determine what GAV/YHV genotypes exist and their relative prevalence in wild P. monodon populations in NT/WA/QLD from which broodstock are captured for aquaculture purposes
2. Revise PCR test designs as necessary to ensure their specificity, particularly in discriminating the highly virulent YHV-1 strain that emerged in Thailand in the early 1990’s from GAV and the other known YHV genotypic variants that appear to be far less pathogenic, and make these tests available for publication in the OIE Diagnostic Manual for Yellow head disease
3. Acquire and/or generate appropriate control nucleic acids specific to the various YHV genotypes for use in YHV-1 or other genotype-specific PCR tests so that their diagnostic specificity can be validated at key diagnostic laboratories (eg. CSIRO-AAHL), and so they can be made available to state and international laboratories with needs for equivalent diagnostic capabilities.
4. Determine the existence and prevalence of other endemic viruses [eg. Mourilyan virus (MoV), Monodon baculovirus (MBV), Hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV), Spawner-isolated mortality virus (SMV) and Infectious hypodermal and haematopoetic necrosis virus (IHHNV)] in wild P. monodon populations in the NT and QLD. In addition, test samples for the exotic viruses WSSV and IMNV given some broodstock are sourced from waters with a higher than usual likelihood of incursion from these pathogens.
Communities
PROJECT NUMBER • 2016-400
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Sustainable Fishing Families: Developing industry human capital through health, wellbeing, safety and resilience

This project conducted the first national survey of the health, safety and wellbeing of the Australian professional fishing industry in 2017. The results of the survey provide a baseline for the state of the wild-catch industry members across a range of indicators, including reported physical and...
ORGANISATION:
Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus
Industry
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