Assessment of national-scale tracking of commercially important fish species
2018-091
Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS)
Michelle R. Heupel
Current
$85,000.00
Environment, Industry
The Research Providers Network has identified a list of key commercial, recreational and TEP species in which movements and also residency may be key. The Integrated Marine Observing System Animal Tracking Facility (IMOS ATF) has been collecting data on a range of commercially and recreationally important fish species over the last decade. These data have not been analysed relevant to fishery management requirements at a national scale and there are potential coverage gaps which could provide data essential to management. Following a presentation by IMOS , the RPN agreed there was both an opportunity and a need to use these data to inform the national telemetry approach as well as provide updated, dynamic fish movement data to fishery managers. As marine environments continue to change, understanding the occurrence and movement of fish stocks will be crucial to effective and sustainable management.
1. Use existing national acoustic telemetry data to examine movement patterns and connectivity of priority species identified by the Fisheries Research Provider Network
2. Determine where the national array can be improved to produce data for use by regional and national fisheries managers
3. Provide a national-scale update on telemetry data for priority species and a proposal to improve the network to increase fisheries benefits of the national tracking scheme