129,954 results

Assessing compliance and efficacy of import conditions for green (raw) prawn in relation to White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)

Project number: 2016-066
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $106,070.00
Principal Investigator: Matthew A. Landos
Organisation: Future Fisheries Veterinary Service Pty Ltd (FFVS)
Project start/end date: 20 Dec 2016 - 27 Feb 2017
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
White Spot Disease
Trade
Toxin
Stakeholder
Market Opportunities

Need

Data is needed to assess the efficacy of the existing import controls. Australia's post-border testing and inspection measures on imported prawn commodities have not been subject to assessment of their efficacy in preventing WSSV stock reaching Australian retail outlets.
In light of the recent outbreak, a review of the application of protocols is warranted. Data is required to understand the extent of inspection processes for illegal prawn commodity importation, which may bypass the import testing protocols.

Objectives

1. Sample uncooked prawn commodities at retail outlets in Logan and Clarence River Catchments
2. Test commodities for presence of WSSV DNA using qPCR at NATA accredited laboratory
3. Review import testing and processes associated with import of prawns into Australia

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-9577587-8-0
Author: Matt Landos
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.

Project products

Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Final Report • 2017-04-01 • 2.60 MB
2016-066-DLD.pdf

Summary

Subsequently to the outbreak of WSD on Australian prawn farms in November-December 2016, this project was initiated to generate data on some of the likely entry pathways for WSSV to enter Australian waters via the retail purchase of uncooked prawns and crabs. The project also sought to compare the import procedures across different commodity types including chicken meat, pork, salmon and stock feeds to those which were being applied to prawns, prior to the WSD outbreak at the Logan River prawn farms.
Report • 2017-04-01 • 449.81 KB
2016-066-DLD-Supplementary Report.pdf

Summary

Additional tests were requested for samples of retail seafood product reported to be of Australian origin where a positive result for the qPCR test for WSSV DNA was obtained. A procedure for surface decontamination and dissection of internal tissue was implemented. This was intended to help distinguish natural infection with WSSV from surface contamination with the virus that could occur at any time during processing, offer for sale and processing for the survey.
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2016-064
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Field observations and assessment of the response to an outbreak of White Spot Disease (WSD) in Black Tiger Prawns (Penaeus monodon) farmed on the Logan River in November 2016

This report provides independent documentation and analysis of events related to a White Spot Disease (WSD) outbreak in Black Tiger Prawns (Penaeus monodon) cultured on the Logan River from late November 2016 until February 2017. Disease was first observed on the index farm (1IP) on 22nd...
ORGANISATION:
DigsFish Services Pty Ltd
TAGS
White Spot Disease
Trade
Disease
Biosecurity
Aquaculture
SPECIES
Black Tiger Prawn

Expert consultation to develop a common methodology to determine status of undefined species

Project number: 2016-063
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $31,852.83
Principal Investigator: Sevaly Sen
Organisation: Oceanomics Pty Ltd
Project start/end date: 13 Nov 2016 - 30 Mar 2017
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Workshop
Sustainability
Stock Assessment
Fisheries Management

Need

The SAFS assessments have provided assurance to seafood buyers regarding the stock status of many key Australian species and is a respected source of information used by the broader Australian community, including third party certification schemes,environmental NGOs, government, seafood retailers and food service companies.

However, the undefined status poses a problem for these stakeholders as they would like to buy many of these species but are constrained by how the interpretation of "undefined" may be viewed. The risk is that the stock may be overfished, underfished, it has no access to certification and there is no evidence base for the community to make an informed option.

There are also other stocks not included in the SAFS and falling under state jurisidictions which are also classified as undefined or unknown.

Given the variety of methods available, there is benefit of gaining agreement amongst scientists working in this area of methods to assess undefined stocks based on (a) the data and (b) the resources available. In some cases catch data may be available, but the resources required for catch only models may not be available. Also important is to increase focus on testing the performance of methods proposed for the assessment of data deficient fisheries (not a shortage of methods so much as a shortage of rigorous tests) . Gaining agreement on a risk based approach with agreed understanding on the interpretations of this approach would benefit SAFS users.

Objectives

1. Undertake a workshop to progress the development of assessment methods for undefined species in the Status of Australian Fish Stocks report and other data limited species/fisheries

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-6480476-0-5
Author: Sevaly Sen
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf
Final Report • 2017-05-10 • 13.07 MB
2016-063-DLD.pdf

Coordination of the National Priority 1 Subprogram: to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so

Project number: 2016-062
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $533,328.74
Principal Investigator: Sevaly Sen
Organisation: Oceanomics Pty Ltd
Project start/end date: 1 Jan 2017 - 19 Dec 2020
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Sustainability
Stock Assessment
Stakeholder
Fisheries Management
Community

Need

There are increasing community expectations about the social and environmental performance of fisheries and therefore the a growing need for accurate, timely, defensible information to defend the fishing industry, support good purchasing decisions by consumers, protect reputational integrity for the seafood businesses and growing. As these underlying concerns relate to industry-wide pre-competitive activities, collective investment and action focusing on provision of robust and credible information on sustainability and agreed assessment methodologies will reduce overall costs of fishery certification, internal species and fisheries assessments undertaken by seafood businesses and assessments required under the EBPC Act. SAFS is already considered a source of some of this information , but stakeholders require the inclusion of more species and fisheries , a reduction in the undefined species (as this status is difficult to communicate), habitat, TEPs, by-catch and expansion to include social and economic criteria.To reduce assessment costs there is also a need to develop a benchmark which recognises equivalence amongst third party certification and legislative assessment processes to reduce costs and avoid duplication. Progress has also been made on development and standardisation of approaches within all jurisdictions to ensure consistent language and approaches to defining sustainability and responsible fisheries management practices including data poor and inshore fisheries.

There is now a need to build on all this progress through effective and focused coordination and wherever possible, fast track developments by adapting existing international initiative such as the UKs Sustainable Seafood Coalition and the Responsible Fishing Vessel scheme to the Australian fisheries to achieve National Priority 1 objectives by 2020.

Linkages with National Priority 2 have to also be established to ensure that outcomes and outputs support the achievement of those goals i.e. demonstrate that increased productivity and profitability consistent with economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Objectives

1. Manage a portfolio of R&D projects that are directly concerned with National Priority 1 and are not managed by other FRDC subprograms, RAC's or IPA's
2. In consultation with key stakeholders develop strategic directions for R&D
3. Facilitate the dissemination of outputs (information and results) from R&D projects to key stakeholders
4. Collaborate closely with international initiatives on benchmarking and verifying sustainability of commercial fisheries

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-6480476-2-9
Author: Sevaly Sen
Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Final Report • 2022-02-01 • 2.40 MB
2016-062-DLD.pdf

Summary

The FRDC's RD&E Plan 2015-20 focused on maximising impacts by concentrating on knowledge development around three national priorities including National Priority 1(NP1): to ensure that Australian fishing and aquaculture products are sustainable and acknowledged to be so. 

 

In 2015 and 2016, FRDC held two NP1 workshops to bring together Principal Investigators on projects which were of direct relevance to this priority. Participants at these workshops emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address NP1 objectives and ensure that outputs and outcomes can be accessed and used by the community.

 

In response, this sub-program was established at the end of 2016 to support NP1 research outputs (including the Status of Australian Fish Stocks) so that credible information on sustainability was easily accessible, regularly updated, and trusted as a source. The sub-program was also tasked with identifying research which addressed emerging sustainability issues and the development of assurance tools. The expected users of sub-program outputs and information included seafood businesses, fishers, aquaculture enterprises, government agencies and non-government organisations. An important component of the subprogram was collaboration with international initiatives to ensure NP1 outputs were harmonised, aligned and/or exceeded international norms.

Healthcheck Phase 2

Project number: 2016-060
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $251,020.00
Principal Investigator: Alistair Hobday
Organisation: CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
Project start/end date: 29 Jan 2017 - 30 Jan 2019
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Training
Sustainability
Stock Assessment
Stakeholder
Health And Safety

Need

Sustainable fishing is typically used to imply sound use of a sustainable resource. Australian fisheries are recognized as world leading with regard to research and management, yet that message is still not being heard by many Australians, potentially eroding support for this industry. Recent events have shown that information about fishery performance with regard to target species is no longer sufficient for many Australians. Increasing attention in media and society-at-large is now given to a range of other fishery issues, including bycatch, economic performance, stock status and social/societal issues. Thus, for Australian fisheries, it is no longer just about catching fish - it is about a sustainable industry and management of a range of other issues. We lack a framework for transparently, independently and comprehensively reporting on these issues.
We will continue the development of a reporting framework for the status of Australian fisheries across a range of issues, as a companion to the ABARES-led stock status report (SAFS). This assessment template and the associated case studies will provide a holistic picture of the sustainability (biological, social and economic) of key Australian fish fisheries to inform the broader seafood sustainability debate. This will provide fisheries managers and other stakeholders with a clear view of successes, strengths, and challenges. We expect this template to form the basis for performance reporting on fisheries for use in other efforts such as State of Environment Reports. This work is needed to see Australian fisheries recognized more widely amongst the general public for the strong sustainability focus, and the strengths compared to other nations. This assessment will draw on a wide range of existing research and management outputs, be accessible, and through an inclusive development and consultative process, be trusted by the fishing sector and the Australian public.

Objectives

1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries
2. Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from all jurisdictions and upload to web-based application
3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stock status reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updating the reports into the future
4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating to this project and broader national initiatives

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-4863-1241-2 online
Authors: Alistair J. Hobday Jason R. Hartog Emily Ogier Linda Thomas Aysha Fleming Sara Hornborg
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.
Final Report • 2019-10-01 • 14.21 MB
2016-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

Sustainability is a broad and complex concept, and consideration of the diverse suite of factors involved in social, economic, ecological and governance arrangements is needed to create truly sustainable food production industries. Australian fisheries encompasses a much broader range of issues than just status of the target species. This recognition is important for the seafood industry and for stakeholders and customers nationally and internationally.
Provision of information on Australian fisheries that spans biological, economic, governance and social components is supported by the stakeholders involved in this research, consistent with international trends. Consistent comparative treatment of Australia’s national and state fisheries can allow comparisons with international fisheries.
Background
The first Healthcheck project (FRDC 2014-008) developed an approach to provide information on the performance of Australian commercial fisheries in four categories (biological, economic, governance and social) using a total of 32 indicators. The first phase also developed the mechanics to support a data repository and a draft web-portal providing the indicator data for Australian fisheries. The approach was tested on three fishery case studies which revealed some difficulty with obtaining data on all indicators, and a need for more work on the coverage of categories and indicators.
In the current project, the Healthcheck was expanded, updated, and tested on a wide range of case studies. The specific project objectives were:
  • Objective 1. In consultation with fisheries stakeholders refine a broad range of criteria and
    indicators for reporting the status of Australian fisheries.
  • Objective 2. (revised) Complete case studies for Australian fisheries drawn from alljurisdictions and upload to web-based repository.
  • Objective 3. Refine the pathway for linking these fishery-level reports with the stockstatus reports (SAFS) and handing over methods to appropriate jurisdictions for updatingthe reports into the future.
  • Objective 4. With the expert group provide input into sustainability discussions relating tothis project and broader national initiatives.
Implications for stakeholders
Community awareness and recognition of fisheries was perceived to be low based on the perceptions of the interviewed stakeholders. The Healthcheck can contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability, and illustrate the range of issues that are being addressed by fisheries and fisheries management agencies.
The Healthcheck as an information resource will provide transparency and trusted data across the spectrum of sustainability issues, for a wide range of users, including the fishing industry, fisheries managers, media, seafood certification schemes, the “informed” public, NGOs, other agencies with non-regulatory interests (e.g. Departments of Environment).
Recommendations
The remaining issues to address if the Healthcheck system were to be operational are related to Objective 3, the alignment and linking to existing data management and access.
 
Once updating and information delivery is finalised, then the number of fisheries considered can be increased. A similar prioritization as used by the SAFS approach (by value or volume) can be used to stage the work.
For this vision to be fully achieved, participatory processes that involve interested stakeholders in development of fishery assessment frameworks, prioritization of useful indicators and testing the systems for accessing and delivering the information, are needed.
This project has delivered a framework and an improved understanding of the need for broad sustainability reporting, however, without progressing to this next stage of development, the investment to date will not be fully realized.

Guidance on Adaptation of Commonwealth Fisheries management to climate change

Project number: 2016-059
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $271,499.79
Principal Investigator: Ryan Murphy
Organisation: Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)
Project start/end date: 31 Dec 2016 - 30 Nov 2018
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Rac Cmwth
Fisheries Management
Ecosystem
Climate Change
Climate Adaptation

Need

The existing research predicts that climate change will have both positive and negative impacts on reproduction, recruitment and distribution of biomass of Australia’s commercially important marine species. Many fishery stakeholders acknowledge that the issue of climate change should be a high priority issue for fisheries management. Current research highlights the potentially significant impacts of climate change on fisheries and fisheries management, but to date strategies for fisheries management to address climate change have been lacking. The current ability of fisheries management to cope with these changes is unknown and therefore must be assessed to test its resilience, ability to adapt and the changes that may be required. AFMA is a prime candidate for leading this assessment since it has substantive responsibility for those areas of the Australian fishing zone that are expected to be hot-spots for climate change effects, such as SE Australia, one of the fastest warming areas in the ocean. In addition, the issues of climate change are canvassed in draft government policies for fisheries and this project could form part of the response to those policy needs.

To-date no jurisdiction in Australia has assessed the resilience of its management system to these anticipated impacts and it is likely to break some new ground in what may need to be done for management systems to effectively adapt to climate change and the options that may be available. Engagement with and participation from key fishery stakeholders is essential for this project to be a success and to assist in any subsequent fisheries management change processes. Overall, this project has the potential to benefit the marine ecosystem and fisheries stakeholders with a vested interest in climate change adaptation, to increase the benefits and reduce the risks. While the production end of the supply chain is often the focus, this project will also consider the supply chain risks, following approaches developed in recent FRDC projects (Hobday et al. 2015; Fleming et al. 2014; Lim-Camacho et al. 2015; Plaganyi et al. 2014; van Putten et al. 2015)

Objectives

1. To assess how well the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework will cope with climate change impacts.
2. To develop a methodology and approach for AFMA and other fisheries to adapt their regulatory environment to climate change impacts on Commonwealth fisheries.
3. To develop strategies and priorities to account for effects of climate change in the management of Commonwealth fisheries

Report

ISBN: 978-1-925994-24-7
Authors: Fulton E.A. van Putten E.I Dutra L.X.C. Melbourne-Thomas J. Ogier E. Thomas L. Rayns N. Murphy R. Butler I. Ghebrezgabhier D. Hobday A.J.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Project products

Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.38 MB
2016-059-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is comprised of four key components:
(i) FRDC Final Report (Appendices 3-5 are provided as standalone documents);
(ii) Adaptation Handbook (designed to help fisheries managers, operators – and anyone else helping to support fisheries – step through a risk assessment and identify feasible adaptation options);  
(iii) Educational Excel Tool (to support the Handbook); and
(iv) Fact Sheet.
 
Climate change is presenting some of the greatest challenges faced by fisheries, especially in hotspot locations like Australia. This project found that the existing Commonwealth fisheries management framework has many vulnerabilities with respect to climate impacts and has many potential points of failure with respect to pursuing policy and legislated objectives and international obligations. While Commonwealth fisheries follow best practice management approaches, which means they are starting from the best possible response foundation (FAO in press) adaptive responses will be required to cope with the many faceted impacts climate change is having and is anticipated to have on Australian marine and coastal ecosystems (Creighton et al. 2016).

To assist the adaptation process, this project developed a process documented in an Adaptation Handbook (and associated excel tool). This process steps interested stakeholders, industry and managers through a structured process to rate  risks and identify adaptation options – both to do with fishery operations and management actions. The process and handbook were specifically developed with AFMA needs and Commonwealth fisheries in mind, but can be applied to fisheries in other jurisdictions. Users could adjust them as needed for the context of their fishery, adding/removing ecosystem factors, industry operations and management actions based on relevance to their fishery.

The project activities – the initial ecological sensitivity analysis undertaken for all Commonwealth fisheries, the assessment of potential risks to AFMA’s capacity to deliver on policy and legislated objectives and the initial illustrative implementations of the risk assessment and adaptation process – have highlighted some general adaptation options that are likely to be of value in many Australian fisheries.

Key findings are:
• All AFMA fisheries contain valuable species sensitive to climate change, with some of the most valuable fisheries amongst those fisheries showing the greatest sensitivity
• All fisheries, but especially short lived and invertebrate fisheries are likely to become far more variable into the future, that is, when, where and how much fish is caught
• Bycatch and TEPS are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change effects, meaning there will be a need to understand how that interacts with any fishing effects
• A shifting ecosystem state over multiple years (or decades) has the potential to go unnoticed and eventually undermine the sustainability of Australian fisheries and the businesses and livelihoods that depend upon them
• Cross jurisdictional management coordination will be required to improve adaptation to climate change, maximising flexibility needed for adaptive capacity and minimising the risks arising from cumulative effects
• Monitoring and forecast capacity will become key to understanding system change that supports evidence-based decision making, fishery sustainability and business profitability
• Australia needs to find a way of making monitoring and forecasting possible and supported long term to maintain our position and reputation as having well managed fisheries (Australia’s monitoring capacity is currently insufficient given the degree to which climate change will likely reshape Australian ecosystems).


Report • 2021-08-31 • 547.42 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix3-Climate-Sensitivity-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 3 summarises the exposure of AFMA managed fisheries to ecologically mediated climate change effects. The assessment was undertaken in 2020 based on best available information at the time, including:
• Expected trajectories of climate change (temperature, pH, oxygen, salinity, rainfall) as projected by (a) the modified Ocean Forecasting Australia Model version 3 (OFAM-v3) from the CSIRO Ocean Downscaling Strategic Project (and as reported in Fulton et al. 2018), which specifically focuses on fine scale ocean environment around Australia; and (b) the Australian region of the ensemble of climate model outputs available from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), which will inform the upcoming 2021 IPCC sixth assessment report (AR6)
• Extreme events projections made by Oliver et al. (2018)
• Biomass trajectories from species distribution models and various ecosystem models (as reported in Fulton et al. 2018); and
• Climate sensitivity assessments following the method of Pecl et al. (2014) applied to all species currently listed in the Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) level 2 productivity-susceptibility analysis for each fishery. Where species had been previously assessed (i.e. those species reported in the appendices of Fulton et al. 2018) the extant assessments were used. Where the sensitivity of a species had not previously been assessed an automated assessment was carried out using the criteria listed in Table 1-1 of Fulton et al. (2018) and the attribute values used in the ERAs.
 
Report • 307.75 KB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix4-Risk-of-Failure-to-Deliver-Objectives-Rating.pdf

Summary

Appendix 4 summarises the ways in which climate change exposes the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to the risk of failing to meet objectives laid out in federal policy, legislation (e.g. Fisheries Act or Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) and international obligations (due to international treaties and agreements). This assessment shows a number of points of potential failure. Fundamentally the abundance, distribution or behaviour of key Australia species and habitats is very likely to change in the short to medium term. This poses a number of risks to AFMA’s capacity to meet its current objectives.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.16 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part1- Regional-Projections-Northern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.1 provides regional projections for Northern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate change some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what northern Australia, from the Pilbara to Cape York and the Torres Strait, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 3.82 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part2-Regional-Projections-East-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.2 provides regional projections for Eastern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Eastern Australia, from Cape York to Tasmania, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species (especially pelagics) may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 1.98 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part3-Regional-Projections-Southern-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.3 provides regional projections for Southern Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what southern Australia may look like by 2040, from Busselton to Tasmania and up the east coast to the Queensland border.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2021-08-31 • 2.36 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part4-Regional-Projections-Western-Australia.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.4 provides regional projections for Western Australia.
Oceans and climate are tightly tied together. This means that as the world’s climate changes some of the biggest signatures of that will be in our oceans, affecting the ecosystems and fisheries there. Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what western Australia, from the Pilbara to Albany, may look like by 2040.
CSIRO has used four different kinds of models to look how species and ecosystems may respond into the future. Just looking at environmental conditions the species currently prefer suggests many species will decline in abundance. However, food web interactions (where prey increase or predators decrease) mean that some species may actually increase in abundance instead.
Report • 2.04 MB
2016-059-DLD-Appendix5-Part5-Regional-Projections-Kerguelen-Plateau.pdf

Summary

Appendix 5.5 provides regional projections for the Kerguelen Plateau (Heard Island and MacDonald Islands).
Understanding what that means for specific locations can be difficult, but we have some idea about what Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on the Kerguelen Plateau in the Southern Ocean may look like by 2040.
Handbook • 2020-11-30 • 4.21 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Updated_June11_2021_WEB.pdf

Summary

This Handbook was written as a core deliverable of the AFMA/CSIRO project Adaptation of Commonwealth fisheries management to climate change (FRDC project 2016-059).
 
The basic aim of that project is to understand the risks climate change presents to Commonwealth fisheries so that the following questions can be answered:
1. What changes does AFMA need to make to its regulatory system so that it can still effectively deliver its management objectives?
2. What are the consequences of those changes for the fishing industry and other fishery stakeholders?

However, this handbook has been designed to be used by a range of fishery stakeholders including industry, management, traditional and recreational sectors. While its development focussed on application to Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries it can equally be applied to fisheries managed by other jurisdictions.

The risk assessment has been designed in a series of steps, each focussing on a different aspect of a fishery’s operation. As a result, the assessment steps can be used in their entirety or specific steps can be undertaken as needed. For example, the fisheries risk management assessment could be used more generally as checklist on how climate proofed any new alternative management strategy under consideration would be. Or industry groups might want to take the ecological risk assessment and consider financial factors outside of management decision making.
Fact Sheet • 2021-09-14 • 1.20 MB
2016-059-Climate_Adaptation_Handbook_Factsheet_2021_WEB_14Sep2021.pdf

Summary

This fact sheet contains essential information on the Adaptation Handbook in a concise and simple language.
Guide • 2020-12-31 • 500.69 KB
2016-059-Handbook_Guide_Tool.xlsx

Summary

This excel tool has been compiled to assist users of the Adaptation Handbook work through the multi-step assessment process. 
Each step provides a structured approach for deriving a risk score. Ecological, fishery and management risk scores are then combined into an overall risk assessment score to help guide decision making.
Environment
Industry

What could Australia’s total sustainable wild fisheries production be?

Project number: 2016-056
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $157,000.00
Principal Investigator: Richard Little
Organisation: CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Hobart
Project start/end date: 29 Jun 2017 - 30 May 2018
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Sustainability
Stock Assessment
Oceanography
Marketing
Fisheries Management

Need

Australian fisheries are small by world standards, in terms of production, but have a large geographic, ecological, social and political footprint. Wild fisheries production averaged around 160,000 tonnes per annum between 2010-11 and 2012-13. The National Marine Science Plan notes that Australia needs to address our current and potential future gaps in food self-sufficiency and improve production as part of reducing our reliance on imports, as we currently import 72 per cent of our seafood. However, it has been reported in recent years that there is little scope for an overall increase in wild fisheries production. For example in Working Together: the National Fishing and Aquaculture RD&E Strategy 2010, it states “little opportunity exists to increase the volume from wild-catch fisheries”. Such statements have never been formally tested and could, if they are believed, constrain future investment by government and industry.
The aim of this project is to take the first national look at what sustainable national fisheries production could be. The project will consider catches of key commercial species at suitable target reference points. If, for a particular fishery or species, these are not identified then Bmsy will be the default. In addition, the potential for increased catches of selected by-product and by-catch species will also be considered. All jurisdictions will contribute to the project. The focus of this proposal is on the biological sustainability and limits to sustainable catches in the long term. Other factors such as whether there is a market for the potential production and whether the economic value will be optimal if production is maximized are clearly important, along with other market and economic issues, but will not be considered here.
This proposed project can be seen as a first stage. A second stage may be required if it is determined that there is potential for a large increase in production. A second stage project would look at species interactions (that could prevent all species being fished at their target reference points simultaneously), implications of an increased fishery footprint required to achieve the extra catch, and market issues.

Objectives

1. Develop a nationally agreed framework of methods to estimate sustainable yields
2. Review and identify species that may have potential for significant growth in catches
3. Application of methods to determine potential total sustainable yield from Australian fisheries
4. Identify next steps if a large potential increase in production is possible

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-925994-06-3
Authors: Smith D.C. Haddon M. Punt A.E. Gardner C. Little L.R. Mayfield S. O’Neill M. F. Saunders T. Stewart J. and B. Wise
Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

Final Report • 2020-04-02 • 2.04 MB
2016-056-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project was a first attempt at estimating the total potential maximum sustainable yield (MSY) from Australia’s commercial fisheries. The project considered only key commercial species and selected by-product species. Estimating equilibrium MSY where there was a formal stock assessment was relatively easy, as the assessment models provide this information.  Where existing MSY estimates were available, these were used.  In other cases, a multi-level assessment framework for estimating MSY was developed and related software addressed data-rich to data-poor assessment methods. 

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