Giant Crab

This project will address the strategic challenge of identifying additional resources for the WCDSCMF. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, export markets in China closed, rendering the highly valued crystal crab fishery uneconomical. When the markets again opened within China and demand grew, the logistics of moving live crab to China became the next hurdle for the fishery due to a lack of air space and the related high cost of transport. Logistics remained difficult for all of 2020 and into 2021. Although fishers are now again able to sell their catch within this premium market, they have started to experience a cost squeeze, with rising costs associated with bait, salaries and their main input, diesel fuel. This fishery necessitates steaming large distances from port to the fishing grounds over expansive areas that they do not fish. If additional fishing gear could be deployed when traversing these distances, the fishery has the opportunity to expand its revenue with little increases in costs.
Using several different pots that have been successful around Australia and the world, this study will deploy these across a minimum of four latitudes along the west coast (additional latitudes added based on vessel behaviour) encompassed by the WCDSCMF. Across these latitudes, we will target 9 depth categories, starting at 150M to 1000M. Additionally, cameras and Conductivity Temperature and Depth (CTDs) loggers will be attached to the pots to analyse the species present, habitat and water chemistry, which allows better prediction of species associations. In doing this, this project will explore and identify possible viable commercial species that the WCDSCMF can include in their landings.

Objectives

1. Identification of potential new marine crustacean resources located within the water of the WCDSCMF.

2. Document associations between all marine crustacean species and their habitat within the grounds of the WCDSCMF to identify potential un-fished marine resources.

3. Trial modified traps designed to catch potential new crustacean stocks.

PROJECT NUMBER • 2024-009

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Exploring new resources for the West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery in Western Australia

1. Identification of potential new marine crustacean resources located within the water of the WCDSCMF.

ORGANISATION:

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Hillarys

PROJECT NUMBER • 2021-025

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Resolving the biological stock structure of Southern Ocean crab fisheries

1. Produce a regional map showing giant crab and giant spider crab biological stock structure and population connectivity (i.e., dispersal pathways)

ORGANISATION:

Deakin University Warrnambool Campus

PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-217

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

National Seafood Industry Leadership Program participant support for Morgan Hand

1. Participate in the Melbourne NSILP 8th-10th May

ORGANISATION:

Fiskehand Pty Ltd

Resolving the biological stock structure of Southern Ocean crab fisheries

Project number: 2021-025

Project Status:

Current

Budget expenditure: $398,737.00

Principal Investigator: Craig Sherman

Organisation: Deakin University Warrnambool Campus

Project start/end date: 28 Feb 2022 - 30 Mar 2024

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

SPECIES

Need

The ability of fisheries managers to control for sustainable harvest and reduce risks of fisheries overexploitation depends largely on an understanding of biological stock structure and recruitment dynamics. This information is critical for understanding the resilience of individual fishing stocks to fishing pressure and environmental disturbance, and the potential for stock replenishment through natural recruitment processes. At present this information is lacking for Australian giant crab (P. gigas) and giant spider crab (L. gaimardii) fisheries.

New opportunities have emerged that greatly enhance our ability to characterise patterns of biological stock structure in fine detail. Modern genomic technologies now allow for rapid and cost-effective assessments of genome wide variation within and between natural populations, allowing for spatial patterns of genetic structure to be characterised with unprecedented sensitivity. Additionally, advances in modelling capabilities are now allowing the unique integration of biological and physical oceanographic data to develop high-resolution models of larval dispersal in complex marine environments. Combining these new tools with traditional methods, such as stable isotopes and acoustic telemetry, provides a unique opportunity to undertake better assessments of biological stock structure and dynamics by accounting for both adult and juvenile dispersal stages.

Our team will leverage existing partnerships with industry stakeholders to undertake a comprehensive assessment of biological stock structure in the P. gigas and L. gaimardii fisheries. We proposed to adopt a multidisciplinary research program that will help to define the geographic boundaries of biological populations and the recruitment potential of individual fishing stocks. Outputs from this project will provide managers with a resource for establishing sustainable management programs in these fisheries that account for patterns of stock connectivity and the sensitivities of individual stocks to environmental disturbance and fishing pressure.

Objectives

1. Produce a regional map showing giant crab and giant spider crab biological stock structure and population connectivity (i.e., dispersal pathways)

2. Identify key stocks of giant crab and giant spider crab across Southern Australia that are major larval sources and well connected, whose careful management can facilitate greater resilience in the fishery

3. Provide a set of management recommendations based on our research findings that will promote more informed and sustainable fishing practices

PROJECT NUMBER • 2024-009

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Exploring new resources for the West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery in Western Australia

1. Identification of potential new marine crustacean resources located within the water of the WCDSCMF.

ORGANISATION:

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Hillarys

PROJECT NUMBER • 2021-025

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Resolving the biological stock structure of Southern Ocean crab fisheries

1. Produce a regional map showing giant crab and giant spider crab biological stock structure and population connectivity (i.e., dispersal pathways)

ORGANISATION:

Deakin University Warrnambool Campus

PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-114

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Giant Crab Enhanced Data Collection - Innovative approaches to enhance data collection in the Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian Giant crab fisheries

1. Develop effective low-cost data collection method specific to Giant Crab

ORGANISATION:

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Queenscliff

Giant Crab Enhanced Data Collection - Innovative approaches to enhance data collection in the Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian Giant crab fisheries

Project number: 2019-114

Project Status:

Current

Budget expenditure: $325,241.00

Principal Investigator: Ewan Flanagan

Organisation: Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Queenscliff

Project start/end date: 27 Jan 2021 - 30 Aug 2024

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

SPECIES

Need

Giant Crabs are a long, lived, slow reproducing xanthoid crab distributed from southern Western Australia to central New South Wales that are considered to be a single stock across southern Australia.

The giant crab fishery (GCF) across southern Australia has a small tonnage of large, individually valuable animals. Despite the implementation of harvest strategies and management plans guiding the setting of conservative TACC’s, declining trends are evident across the shared Southern Australian resource.

The fishery has had ongoing problems collecting quality stock assessment data, leading to uncertainty in the assessment and management. Owing to the size of the fishery, and the remote nature of the fishing operations, assessments now rely on fisher dependant catch rate data with an inherent high level of volatility due to the small number of operators.

Attempts to improve the collection of fishery data over the years have been challenging, in particular for fisher-based collection of length-frequency data from volunteer measuring programs.

Innovative data collection methods for small scale fisheries such as the GCF are required to improve the monitoring of stock status of this important commercial fishery and enhance long-term sustainability of the Giant Crab resource.

A length based model has previously been developed and was designed to integrate assessments across the jurisdictions. The model for giant crab and was being used for South Australia and Tasmania but was not applied to Victoria due to data limitations. In recent years the modelling has discontinued in SA and Tas because of insufficient length frequency data, which compounded uncertainty present due to weak growth data. The lack of length data in previous years was the critical change that has forced the model to be discontinued.
So our ability to understand changes in the stock has become weakest at precisely the period in the history of the fishery when information is most needed. This project is designed specifically in response to this need to address the lack of data through development of an efficient method to collect LF information, with minimal burden on fishers to improve accuracy of stock assessments.

Objectives

1. Develop effective low-cost data collection method specific to Giant Crab

2. Trial and refine new data collection method

3. Analysis of fishery-independent biological data and investigation of usability to enhance assessment of Victorian, Tasmanian and South Australian giant crab fisheries

PROJECT NUMBER • 2021-025

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Resolving the biological stock structure of Southern Ocean crab fisheries

1. Produce a regional map showing giant crab and giant spider crab biological stock structure and population connectivity (i.e., dispersal pathways)

ORGANISATION:

Deakin University Warrnambool Campus

PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-114

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Giant Crab Enhanced Data Collection - Innovative approaches to enhance data collection in the Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian Giant crab fisheries

1. Develop effective low-cost data collection method specific to Giant Crab

ORGANISATION:

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Queenscliff

PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-217

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

National Seafood Industry Leadership Program participant support for Morgan Hand

1. Participate in the Melbourne NSILP 8th-10th May

ORGANISATION:

Fiskehand Pty Ltd

National Seafood Industry Leadership Program participant support for Morgan Hand

Project number: 2017-217

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $2,171.50

Principal Investigator: Morgan Hand

Organisation: Fiskehand Pty Ltd

Project start/end date: 3 May 2018 - 1 Nov 2018

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

SPECIES

Need

I feel the national seafood industry is still behind the ball when it comes to public perception. Other primary industries seem to enjoy a much better public reputation than Australian fisheries even though we can be proud of having some of the best managed and successful fisheries as well as some of the worlds most sought after seafood. I think that this is one of the largest challenges facing the industry currently, and threatens jobs in seafood. I also feel that there are more improvements and innovations that can be had, and often those come from getting together and talking with other members of the seafood industry to discuss your challenges and successes. I hope over my career in the industry that I can help to change this even in some small way, and I think this program will provide me with some tools and connections to better achieve that goal.

Objectives

1. Participate in the Melbourne NSILP 8th-10th May

2. Participate in the Sydney NSILP 13th-16th August

3. Participate in the Canberra NSILP 23rd-25th October

PROJECT NUMBER • 2024-009

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Exploring new resources for the West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery in Western Australia

1. Identification of potential new marine crustacean resources located within the water of the WCDSCMF.

ORGANISATION:

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Hillarys

PROJECT NUMBER • 2023-072

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

Educational travel trip for Ocean Trap and Line industry development to explore alternative fishing practices which help prevent TEP species interactions and ghost fishing

1. Enable Australian fishing industry representatives to attend the 2023 Ropeless Consortium conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia (and industry meetings)

ORGANISATION:

OceanWatch Australia Ltd

PROJECT NUMBER • 2023-051

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Ecologically sustainable aquaculture growth through Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) – Incorporating IMTA nutrient modelling into regulatory frameworks.

1. Review current literature on IMTA, including existing models and data requirements.

ORGANISATION:

Flinders University

Status of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS) reports 2018, and further development of the SAFS production and dissemination system

Project number: 2017-100

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $1,158,699.89

Principal Investigator: Carolyn L. Stewardson

Organisation: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

Project start/end date: 31 Aug 2017 - 30 Mar 2019

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

SPECIES

Ballot's Saucer Scallop

Need

The current application is to produce the SAFS reports in 2018 and address strategic issues outlined above. In order to ensure the continuation of SAFS beyond 2020, it is essential for jurisdictions to develop ownership of the reports and to embed SAFS processes in core business, and for efficiencies in production and report management to continue to progress. As documented in the independent audit of SAFS 2016 (FRDC project 2016-143), the process of compiling SAFS on a co-operative basis between FRDC, Australian government agencies and all fisheries jurisdictions has led to greater joint collaboration, as well as transfers of methodologies and processes, to deliver higher quality and more credible stock status reporting which can be accessed nationally and internationally, as well as assisting in policy decisions regarding changes to particular fisheries management arrangements and in research priorities. Primary drivers for National reporting of the SAFS include: (i) the State of the Environment Report 2011, i.e., ‘lack of a nationally integrated approach inhibits effective marine management’; (ii) a recommendation of the House of Representatives Inquiry into the Role of Science for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Netting the Benefits Report 2012), i.e., ‘producing national status report regularly’; (iii) the Australian Fisheries Management Forum national statement of intent, i.e. a key outcome of ‘Goal 1’ is the National Status of Australian Fish Stocks Report; (iv) the National Fishing and Aquaculture Strategy 2015–20, i.e., ‘Goal 1’ of this strategy will be partially measured by an increased number of fisheries assessed as environmentally sustainable in the Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports (this includes reducing the number of stocks assessed as uncertain); (v) the FRDC RD&E Plan 2015–20, i.e., key targets for deliverables against National Priority One include (i) “Increase the number of species to 200 in the national Status of Australian Fish Stocks Reports” and (ii) “Reduce the number of species classified as ‘undefined’ from the current figure of approximately 30 per cent to less than 10 per cent”.

Objectives

1. Continue to develop a set of robust and consistent national stock status reports and a strong sense of report ownership by jurisdictions

2. To produce a fourth edition of the SAFS reports in 2018

3. Increase the number of species in SAFS to provide a comprehensive coverage of species of interest to stakeholder groups that will refer to the reports for information on sustainability and management success.

4. Reduction in the number (percentage) of species classified as 'undefined' where possible using data-poor assessment methodology

PROJECT NUMBER • 2024-087

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Snapper Science Program: Theme 3 - Monitoring and Assessment

1. Develop annual length and age structures for each regional Snapper population in 2023/24 and 2024/25 to monitor trends in population demographics and recruitment to the fishable biomass.

ORGANISATION:

Flinders University

PROJECT NUMBER • 2023-199

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Gulf of Carpentaria King Threadfin (Polydactylus macrochir) - addressing the knowledge gaps to support assessment, management and sustainable harvest

1. Evaluate the spatial stock structure and the connectivity and movement of King Threadfin between regions within the Gulf of Carpentaria to inform meta-population dynamics.

ORGANISATION:

Department of Primary Industries (QLD)

PROJECT NUMBER • 2023-173

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Science to support Australia's Southern Oceans Fisheries 2024-2028

Commercial in confidence

ORGANISATION:

Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)

Status of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS) reports 2016, and further development of the SAFS production and dissemination system

Project number: 2015-034

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $743,470.71

Principal Investigator: Carolyn L. Stewardson

Organisation: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)

Project start/end date: 30 Sep 2015 - 29 Jun 2017

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

Sustainability

Stock Assessment

Fisheries Management

SPECIES

Ballot's Saucer Scallop

Need

The inaugural SAFS reports (2012) demonstrated the value and potential impact of national reporting by providing an easy to access, consistent national picture of wild-capture fish stock sustainability. The SAFS reports 2014 continued this progress by maintaining consistency and reporting an increased number of species.

The reports now classify the status of 68 species, consisting of 238 fish stocks across Australian jurisdictions, covering over 90% of the commercial gross value of production and catch by volume. The SAFS reports are key, scientific evidence that contributes to demonstrating the sustainability credentials of Australian fisheries. The production of these reports supports the AFMF national goals, of ‘Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture industries are managed, and acknowledged, to be ecologically sustainable’.

The SAFS project in 2014 also addressed strategic issues relating to national reporting; including discussions on how to report against broader ecologically sustainable development (ESD) objectives and improvements to the SAFS classification system. This work resulted in improvements to the SAFS classification system that the Advisory Group endorsed, and close links between SAFS and projects intended to progress the production of companion reports addressing additional aspects of fishery ESD.

The current (base funding) application is to produce the SAFS reports in 2016. To ensure the continuation of SAFS beyond 2020 it is essential for jurisdictions to develop ownership of the reports and to embed SAFS processes in core business, and for efficiencies in production and report management (such as an online production and data management portal) to continue to progress. Some jurisdictions have already adopted aspects of the agreed national reporting framework, which will support improved alignment between jurisdictional reporting and simplify production of future SAFS reports. SAFS 2016 will continue these biennial stock status reports, and further progress streamlining SAFS to a national business-as-usual reporting process.

Objectives

1. Continue to develop a set of robust and consistent national stock status reports and a strong sense of report ownership by jurisdictions

2. To produce a third edition of the SAFS reports in 2016

PROJECT NUMBER • 2024-087

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Snapper Science Program: Theme 3 - Monitoring and Assessment

1. Develop annual length and age structures for each regional Snapper population in 2023/24 and 2024/25 to monitor trends in population demographics and recruitment to the fishable biomass.

ORGANISATION:

Flinders University

PROJECT NUMBER • 2024-027

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Centro Workshop - Actions and management outcomes for Longspined Sea Urchin

1. 1. Collaboration to determine centro management activities that can be delivered in the short to mid-term.

ORGANISATION:

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Queenscliff

PROJECT NUMBER • 2023-111

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Mitigating threatened species bycatch in gillnet fisheries

1. Comprehensively test two novel mitigation devices (deterrents) to provide industry and managers with scientifically robust tested measures with the potential to be implemented throughout a wide variety of gillnet fisheries.

ORGANISATION:

Charles Darwin University (CDU)

Fisheries biology of the giant crab (stage 2)

Project number: 1997-132

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $554,497.00

Principal Investigator: Andrew Levings

Organisation: Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus

Project start/end date: 9 Aug 1997 - 29 Jun 2004

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

SPECIES

Need

The development of this proposal is strongly supported by the Australian Southern Rock Lobster Council who want sustainable development. The council realises the need for research, monitoring and extension, so that future management issues inherited with the OCS transition can be addressed. Issues such as limitation of access, pot numbers, sustainable yield, compliance with regulations and optimisation of product value, will all require a firm knowledge base for consideration.

The major problem is to establish the intermoult period so that growth rates can be established.

In terms of population structure we have a reasonable picture so far, however the price differential for the crabs indicates product value could be optimised by selective harvest of a range of smaller sizes. This option could not be initiated without real time data on population structure. Given the current history of depletion in some areas of the fishery, the consideration of this option in the absence of such information, would lead to overfishing and mismanagement.

The crabs wide geographic distribution (straddling 11 management areas), the changeover in jurisdictional responsiblity, its status as a developing fishery and its $11 million per annum value are justification for a continued effort on the species. It would be foolish to squander an Australia-wide effort involving industry, scientists and government, at the time when states are working to formalise managment of the fishery; to discontinue research when information is most needed. Managers will not have the advice they need if the resource is handled peicemeal by the new array of jurisdictions, however this project offers an existing cost effective network and an overview that will provide most of the information needed to deal with the fundamental issues.

The future of the Giant Crab fishery is a national resource development issue.

Objectives

1. To determine intermoult period and complete the essential information needed to establish growth rates.

2. To determine the continuing effects of fishing on population structures an implications for sustainability.

3. To determine the effects on yield per recruit of moult timing and therefore the catch available to the commercial fishery.

4. To model the fishery using two methods a)an individual based model b)a spatial dynamic fishery population model patterned after the rock lobster model of SA.

5. To assess moult timing and the development of a condition index as a layman's guide for selection of premoult crabs from the wild harvest for holding in sea cages for a single moult to value add.

6. To improve genetic analysis of giant crab populations using DNA rather than protein based techniques to provide information of high resolution.

7. To continue to document the development of the fishery and its realtionship with the southern rock lobster fishery.

8. To oportunistically conduct preliminary modelling of the spiny crab (hypothallassis amata) in regard to size, sex, reproductive state and shell state, coincident with giant crab catch sampling in southern WA.

9. To oportunistically build an experiment with seafloor collectors to determine effectiveness of catching giant crab larvae.

Final report

ISBN: 0-7300-2527-6

Author: Andrew Levings

Final Report • 2001-09-13 • 6.96 MB

1997-132-DLD.pdf

Final Report • 2001-09-13 • 6.96 MB

1997-132-DLD.pdf

Final Report • 2001-09-13 • 6.96 MB

1997-132-DLD.pdf

Final Report • 2001-09-13 • 6.96 MB

1997-132-DLD.pdf

Final Report • 2001-09-13 • 6.96 MB

1997-132-DLD.pdf

Final Report • 2001-09-13 • 6.96 MB

1997-132-DLD.pdf

Final Report • 2001-09-13 • 6.96 MB

1997-132-DLD.pdf

Final Report • 2001-09-13 • 6.96 MB

1997-132-DLD.pdf

PROJECT NUMBER • 2021-025

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Resolving the biological stock structure of Southern Ocean crab fisheries

1. Produce a regional map showing giant crab and giant spider crab biological stock structure and population connectivity (i.e., dispersal pathways)

ORGANISATION:

Deakin University Warrnambool Campus

PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-114

PROJECT STATUS:

CURRENT

Giant Crab Enhanced Data Collection - Innovative approaches to enhance data collection in the Victorian, South Australian and Tasmanian Giant crab fisheries

1. Develop effective low-cost data collection method specific to Giant Crab

ORGANISATION:

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Queenscliff

PROJECT NUMBER • 2017-217

PROJECT STATUS:

COMPLETED

National Seafood Industry Leadership Program participant support for Morgan Hand

1. Participate in the Melbourne NSILP 8th-10th May

ORGANISATION:

Fiskehand Pty Ltd

Development of the tools for long term management of the giant crab resource: data collection methodology, stock assessment and harvest strategy evaluation

Project number: 2001-042

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $246,572.00

Principal Investigator: Caleb Gardner

Organisation: University of Tasmania (UTAS)

Project start/end date: 29 Jun 2001 - 31 Mar 2008

Contact:

FRDC

TAGS

SPECIES

Need

The ability to conduct stock assessments of the giant crab resource and to evaluate management strategies is fundamental for sustainable development of this resource.

Stock assessment of giant crabs across southern Australia is not formalised although this is a requirement for state management and is also required to meet Federal expectations on export of wildlife under Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act. Our ability to conduct assessments is limited by the data and analytical tools that are available.

Agencies involved in managing giant crabs require information on the setting of meaningful fishery performance indicators, and they also require ongoing information collection to evaluate these indicators. It is important to have the ability to track changes in biomass (or an index of biomass), recruitment of sized animals into the fishery, and reproductive output. Managers require information to balance the goals of optimising yields and ensuring adequate reproductive output is maintained.

Regardless of the management system implemented, all States require the ability to evaluate different harvest strategies such as the impact of closed seasons, different size limits and different TACs. While egg and yield per recruit analyses have been completed, there is a need for information to set TACs using best available knowledge on the state of the fishery.

An over-riding need for assessment of giant crab fisheries is that it be low cost. This is not a high value fishery and biologists conducting future assessments will have access to only low levels of funding. Placing observers on board vessels is not cost effective for the long term. Future assessments will be reliant on commercial log book data and on industry data collection programs to be developed through this proposal.

Objectives

1. To develop a low cost, long term, giant crab resource assessment and data collection methodology.

2. To quantify biases in the historical log book data to increase its value for resource assessments.

3. To obtain industry's understanding/observations of basic biological and market processes (eg. moulting, egg-bearing, mating, migration, beach prices influences) and how their fishing practices are adapted to this knowledge (eg. targeting of size classes, seasonality of effort, etc.).

4. To develop the ability to investigate alternative harvest strategies (sustainability of different TACs

closed seasons etc.).

Final report

ISBN: 9781862954311

Author: Caleb Gardner

Final Report • 2008-03-31 • 10.86 MB

2001-042-DLD.pdf

Summary

The project has developed tools for low cost assessment of the giant crab resource across southern Australia.

Stock assessment and management response is now increasingly based on biomass estimates from this project. Risk of poor management decisions is thus reduced, which contributes to greater business certainty.

This project was constructed with the awareness that the resource was small and the fishery would have little ability to fund expensive data collection systems in the future, beyond catch rate data from logbooks. Size structure data from the fishery was considered the main data type to be valuable for ongoing assessment, but also expensive to collect. Fishers have adopted electronic calipers combined with an electronic data logger, the solution developed in this project. This system has dispensed with paper records so that work at sea is easier, and costs for data management (e.g. data entry) are reduced.

Specialised software was developed for conducting model runs to facilitate altering parameters, running a range of alternative scenarios, and plotting outcomes.

Giant crab stock assessments are utilizing outputs from this model. The fishery performance indicators in Tasmania are being re-written in a new management plan to formalize the adoption of the model outputs.