East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery · Annual status report 2009 East Coast Inshore Fin Fish...
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Annual status report 2009 East Coast
Inshore Fin Fish Fishery
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Annual Status Report 2009—East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 1
Fishery profile 2008
Key species
Commercial–sea mullet, shark, whiting, bream, flathead tailor, small mackerels, threadfins, barramundi and garfish
Recreational–whiting, bream, trevally, flathead, dart, tailor, barramundi, grunters, threadfins and small mackerels
Total number of commercial licences in 2008
485 net fishery symbols, 1543 line fishery symbols and 378 charter licences
Total harvest from all sectors
9039 t
Commercial licences accessing the fishery in 2008
448 net fishery symbols, 385 line fishery symbols and 235 charter licences
Commercial harvest
5955 t
Fishery symbols
‘N’, ‘L’ or ‘K’ fishery symbols
Recreational harvest
No estimate; in 2005 approximately 3000 t harvested and 4400 t released
Monitoring undertaken
Yes. Grey and spotted mackerels, sand whiting, yellowfin bream, dusky flathead, tailor, barramundi and sea mullet.
Charter harvest
84 t
Fishery Observer Program - days monitored in 2008
104 observer sea days
Indigenous harvest
No estimate available
Accreditation under the EPBC Act
Yes1–Expires: 28 February 2012
Commercial Gross Value of Production (GVP)
$22.4 million
Logbook validation
Nil
Allocation between sectors
The ECIFFF commercial sector contributes the most to the total harvest of mullet and shark on the Queensland east coast. The recreational sector substantially exceeds the commercial harvest of a number of species: notably tailor, bream and trevally.
Fishery season
Annual seasonal closures apply to barramundi fishing between 1 Nov and 1 Feb. A general seasonal fishing closure applies to near shore waters between Indian Head and Waddy Point, Fraser Island, from 1 August to 30 September.
Total exports
Export markets for mullet roe, shark and small mackerel products. No estimate available.
Quota managed
Spotted mackerel (240 t) and tailor (120 t) for the reporting year 2008. Commencing 1 July 2009, Total Allowable Commercial Catch levels in place for sharks and Rays (600 t), grey mackerel (250 t).
1 Wildlife Trade Operation approval granted 28 February 2009 Approved under Part 13 of the EPBC Act subject to conditions applied under section 303FT.
Annual Status Report 2009―East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 2
Key fish resources Stock status
Spotted Mackerel Scomberomorus munroi Sustainably Fished
Comments: At current fishing levels Spotted mackerel is considered sustainably fished.
Trevally complex Carangidae spp. No Assessment Made
Comments: Time series of individual species is needed. Based on line fishery catches only. Both net and line components of
the trevally harvest will be combined in the stock status assessment planned for 2010.
Other target species Not yet assessed
Comments: The key resources listed above will be assessed as a part of the Fisheries Queensland stock status workshop
during 2010–11.
Annual Status Report 2009—East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 3
Annual Status Report 2009―East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 4
Introduction The East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) is
Queensland’s largest and most diverse fishery and
comprises commercial, recreational, charter and
Indigenous sectors. The commercial sector is
Queensland’s third most valuable commercial fishery,
targeting a number of fin fish species, using a variety of
different net fishing methods. Some species are also taken
commercially by hook and line.
This report covers fishing activity during the 2008 calendar
year and any changes to management arrangements up to
August 2009.
Fishery description The area of the ECIFFF includes all tidal waters along
Queensland’s east coast eastward of 142º09’E near Crab
Island (approximately 11.0ºS) to the boundary of the
Offshore Constitutional Settlement to the New South Wales
border (Figure 1). Different fishery symbols allow different
gear to be used commercially in different areas: ‘N’
symbols allow the use of mesh, haul (seine), and tunnel
nets in inshore, estuarine and offshore waters (Figure 1);
‘K’ symbols allow the use of seine nets on ocean beaches
(Figure 2); and ‘L’ fishery symbols allow the use of line
fishing gear throughout the fishery area (Figure 3).
The ECIFFF is a multi-species, multi gear fishery. Gear
permitted in the commercial fishery includes mesh, haul
(seine), tunnel and cast nets as well as hook and line. Most
commercial fishers prefer to use net sizes that selectively
catch fish of a certain size to meet market demand. The
number of nets permitted to be used, mesh size and length
is dependent on the species being targeted and whether
the fisher is operating in near-shore or offshore waters.
Permitted net and line fishing gears are currently
prescribed under the Fisheries Regulation 2008.
Fishing area and methods
Recreational gear includes cast nets, small seine (bait)
nets and hook and line.
Indigenous communities use traditional subsistence
fishing methods for traditional and customary purposes to
supply product solely for community use, as well as
recreational fishing practices to catch ECIFFF species.
Figure 1: ECIFFF Net fishery areas.
Figure 2: ECIFFF Ocean Beach fishery areas
The commercial fishery comprises a number of types of
fishing operations that differ fundamentally on the basis of
the fishing gear used to target regionally important
species.
Key species
The following information was adapted from Williams
(2002).
Barramundi
The barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a large predatory fish
species that can grow to 150 cm TL, 60 kg and over 30
years of age. It is found in coastal regions of tropical
Australia and throughout much of the Indo-West Pacific
and is dependent on fresh and estuarine waters to
complete its life cycle. Barramundi generally spawn around
river mouths and the post-larvae and juveniles migrate to
nearby coastal swamps, lagoons and upstream freshwater
areas that serve as protected, food rich nursery habitats.
Tropical sharks
Commercial harvest of sharks consists mainly of whaler
sharks, in particular the Australian Blacktip whaler
(Carcharhinus tilstoni) and Spot tail whaler (Carcharhinus
sorrah). The sharks that dominate the east coast fisheries
generally attain sexual maturity at over 1 m in total length
at around 3–4 years of age. They are viviparous, generally
producing three to five pups during summer months after a
7–12 month gestation. Tropical shark species generally
have an Indo-West Pacific distribution.
Grey mackerel
Grey mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) is a pelagic
species endemic to waters across northern Australia and
adjacent PNG and larvae and juveniles are dependent on
estuarine and inshore habitats (Cameron & Begg 2002).
They are a fast growing species with total length (TL) at first
maturity for females of 75 cm TL and males of 65 cm TL at
between one and two years of age.
Spotted mackerel
Spotted mackerel (Scomberomorus munroi) are pelagic
predators that feed exclusively on open water baitfish
(anchovies, herring and pilchards). They are distributed
across the northern coast of Australia to Coffs Harbour in
central New South Wales. They are a schooling species
preferring the clear oceanic-influenced waters as juveniles
and adults.
Spotted mackerel undertake a major seasonal migration
along the east Queensland coast and appear to form a
single stock. They spawn in northern Queensland waters
between August and October then migrate south. They are
fast growing, with length at first maturity for females
estimated at 61 cm and males at 50 cm total length (TL) at
about two years of age.
Yellowfin bream
Yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis) are found in the
coastal and estuarine waters of the eastern coast of
Australia from Queensland to Victoria. In southern
Queensland yellow-fin bream spawn between May and
August in the vicinity of surf bars. They reach minimum
legal size (23 cm TL) at around three to five years of age.
The proportion of female yellowfin bream increases with
fish size. The smallest mature female yellowfin bream are
usually found at about 24 cm total length, and males at a
slightly smaller size. Yellowfin bream are omnivorous,
eating small crustaceans, molluscs and fish as well as
algae, seagrass and mangrove leaf litter.
Whiting
There are four main species in the “inshore whiting” group.
The species are golden-lined (Sillago analis), sand (S.
ciliata), trumpeter (S. maculata) and northern (S. sihama)
whiting.
Golden-lined whiting spawn between July and March.
Spawning areas and times are similar to that of the sand
whiting. Juveniles and adults both inhabit areas of mud-
sandy substrate. Total length at first maturity of golden-
lined whiting is around 22 cm, which corresponds to an
age of two to three years.
Sand whiting school and spawn from September to March.
Juvenile and adolescent sand whiting prefer shallow
waters in rivers and creeks over seagrass beds, and
adjacent mangroves. Adults share these juvenile habitats,
but tend to move to deeper water as they grow. Estimated
total lengths at first maturity for male and female sand
whiting range from 20 to 28 cm. Age at maturity is about 2
to 3 years.
Trumpeter whiting spawn between July and February with a
peak in September–October Juvenile fish are most
abundant in estuaries and shallow water, especially in
seagrass beds during the summer months. They move into
deeper water as they mature. Length at first maturity has
been estimated at 13 cm total length for males and 14 cm
for females in southern Queensland, and 20 cm in New
South Wales.
Annual Status Report 2009—East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 5
Northern whiting most likely spawn during September to
October. They have rapid growth, attaining sexual maturity
at 15 to 20 cm at about 1 to 2 years of age and have a
maximum size of about 30 cm.
Flathead
Flathead are found along the coast of Queensland.
Flathead are dependent on estuarine and inshore coastal
habitat throughout its life cycle. Dusky flathead are
reasonably fast growing, with length at first maturity for
females being 45 cm total length (three years old). Females
grow to a greater size and at a faster rate than males. The
commercial and recreational harvests are dominated by
the dusky flathead species (Platycephalus fuscus) with
bar-tailed flathead (P. endrachtensis and P. indicus) and
sand flathead (P. arenarius).
Sea mullet
Sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) are distributed through most
coastal waters and estuaries from Townsville to the New
South Wales Border. They inhabit inshore marine waters,
estuaries, lagoons, and rivers. They spawn in schools from
March to September.
Tailor
Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) is a schooling, migratory
species of fish occurring in waters south of Fraser Island on
the east coast and Onslow on the west coast (Kailola et al.
1993). Tailor mature in their second year of life, when many
enter the fisher and are highly fecund. Tailor can grow to
about 120cm TL (12–14 kg).
Main management methods used
Fisheries Queensland manages the commercial,
recreational and Indigenous components of the ECIFFF
through the Queensland’s Fisheries Act 1994 and the
Fisheries Regulation 2008.
Closures to various forms of fishing are also in place under
Queensland and Commonwealth marine parks legislation.
A number of changes to the management of the fishery
were approved in 2009 and included new and amended
bag and size limits, new netting arrangements and
improvements to the management of shark resources.
These measures were developed in close consultation with
stakeholders and the Australian Government over two
years and will significantly improve sustainable
management of the fishery. Fisheries Queensland
published a set of Guidelines for commercial operators in
the East Coast Fin Fish Fishery (DEEDI 2009) to provide all
commercial fishers with a summary of management
arrangements as implemented post 1 March 2009. Refer to
the section on ‘Changes to management arrangements’ for
more information.
Catch statistics Commercial
Approximately 5955 t of fin fish were retained by the
commercial fishery in 2008, a slight (8%) increase on
reported 2007 landings (Figure 3). During the period 2002–
08, annual commercial harvest estimates were variable for
the main species (Table 1). Net effort (days) have been
similar from 2005 to 2008 although line effort has been
decreasing (Figure 3).
Mullet species (mainly sea mullet) harvested in the
represent the largest component of the ECIFFF commercial
catch. Smaller quantities of shark, ocean beach-caught sea
mullet, barramundi and threadfin also make up a
significant part of the commercial catch (Table 1). Spotted
mackerel and other small mackerels, baitfish (mainly
garfish) and a collection of minor species make up the
remainder of the commercial catch.
0
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2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Effo
rt (d
ays)
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Catc
h (t
)
Effort (net) Effort (line) Catch (t)
Figure 3: Total estimated commercial catch and effort for the ECIFFF 2002-08 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 30 September 2009).
Annual Status Report 2009―East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 6
Table 1: Composition of commercial harvest in the ECIFFF from 2006–08 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 15 March 2010).
Total (net, line) in tonnes Common name/group
2006 2007 2008
Bait fish - sardine 8 (7, <1) 10 (10, <1) 9 (9, <1) Bait fish - scad 20 (14, 6) 17 (12, 5) 28 (22, 5) Bait fish - unspecified 173 (172, <1) 188 (187, <1) 174 (174, <1) Barracuda 10 (10, <1) 4 (4, <1) 3 (3, <1) Barramundi 219 (219, 0) 255 (255, 0) 287 (287, 0) Batfish 1 (1, <1) 1 (1, <1) 2 (2, <1) Bonito 38 (26, 11) 34 (26, 9) 16 (9, 7) Bream 176 (175, <1) 260 (258, 1) 203 (202, <1) Catfish 17 (17, <1) 20 (19, <1) 24 (24, <1) Dart 40 (40, <1) 50 (50, <1) 28 (28, <1) Eel 1 (1, <1) 1 (1, <1) 3 (3, <1) Estuary cod 4 (1, 3) 10 (<1, 10) 11 (<1, 10) Fish - unspecified 77 (59, 18) 75 (67, 8) 75 (68, 6) Flathead 77 (77, <1) 72 (72, <1) 66 (66, <1) Garfish 223 (222, <1) 162 (161, <1) 170 (170, <1) Grunter 29 (29, <1) 31 (30, 1) 30 (29, 1) Guitarfish 2 (<1, <1) 2 (2, <1) 3 (2, 1) Jewfish - unspecified 18 (15, 4) 21 (18, 4) 39 (31, 8) Luderick 11 (11, <1) 14 (14, <1) 13 (13, 0) Mackerel - blue 2 (<1, 1) 2 (<1, 2) 3 (<1, 3) Mackerel - grey 332 (327, 5) 332 (325, 7) 390 (386, 4) Mackerel - school 156 (113, 42) 123 (99, 24) 143 (120, 23) Mackerel - shark 41 (<1, 41) 40 (0, 40) 48 (<1, 48) Mackerel - spotted 56 (6, 50) 55 (4, 51) 58 (6, 52) Mackerel - unspecified <1 (<1, <1) 7 (<1, 7) 8 (1, 6) Mangrove jack 1 (<1, <1) 4 (3, <1) 7 (5, 2) Mullet 2013 (2012, <1) 1493 (1493, <1) 1859 (1859, 0) Queenfish 102 (101, <1) 126 (125, <1) 121 (121, <1) Rabbitfish 93 (93, <1) 74 (74, 0) 33 (32, <1) Ray - unspecified 7 (7, <1) 21 (21, <1) 25 (25, <1) Scat 8 (8, <1) 7 (7, 0) 11 (11, 0) Shark - blacktip 227 (199, 29) 221 (217, 4) 267 (262, 4) Shark - blue whaler 12 (12, 0) 4 (3, <1) 7 (7, <1) Shark - bull 8 (8, 0) 8 (8, <1) 13 (13, <1) Shark - hammerhead 4 (4, 0) 80 (80, <1) 148 (148, <1) Shark - school 4 (3, <1) 5 (5, <1) 4 (4, 0) Shark - unspecified 60 (42, 18) 72 (45, 27) 66 (39, 27) Shark - whaler unspecified 513 (503, 11) 581 (569, 12) 576 (572, 4) Shark - white cheek 4 (4, 0) 2 (2, 0) 3 (3, 0) Silver biddy 10 (10, 0) 11 (11, 0) 13 (13, 0) Tailor 85 (84, <1) 96 (95, <1) 119 (117, 1) Threadfin - blue 165 (165, <1) 175 (175, <1) 181 (181, <1) Threadfin - king 130 (130, <1) 167 (167, <1) 187 (187, <1) Threadfin - unspecified 6 (4, 2) 12 (11, <1) 14 (14, <1) Trevally 143 (61, 82) 141 (68, 73) 111 (45, 65) Tripletail 2 (2, 0) <1 (<1, 0) 3 (3, 0) Tuna 45 (23, 21) 38 (20, 18) 42 (23, 19) Wahoo 4 (<1, 4) 3 (0, 3) 9 (7, 2) Whiting 298 (297, 1) 290 (290, <1) 256 (255, 1) Wolf herring 10 (10, <1) 13 (12, <1) 17 (16, <1) Other minor species 161 (159, 2) 66 (62, 4) 15 (11, 4) Grand Total 5856 (5495, 361) 5508 (5190, 318) 5955 (5645, 310)
Annual Status Report 2009—East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 7
Recreational
Refer to the 'Recreational' section of the 2008 ECIFFF
Annual Status report for estimated weights of ECIFFF
species caught by recreational fishers based on the
Recreational Fishing Information System diary surveys
conduced in 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2005.
In 2010 Fisheries Queensland will commence a new
statewide recreational fishing survey. This survey will
provide current and robust data about the recreational
harvest of ECIFFF species and other species by
Queenslanders. The results of this survey will be available
by the end of 2011.
Charter
The total charter catch reported through logbooks has
declined by about 46% since 2004 (Figure 4). While the
proportional difference in discards compared to fish
harvested has varied between 20% and 40% since 2003.
Trevally, tuna, unspecified fish and barramundi were the
inshore species groups most often caught by the
recreational fishers on charter boats in 2008 (Figure 5). It
should be noted that the trevally species group represents
all trevally caught along the east coast of Queensland and
is likely to also include some reef associated trevally
species.
Indigenous
There are no estimates available of inshore fin fish catches
by Indigenous fishers within the ECIFFF area for 2007.
Limited information is available on past Indigenous fish
catches throughout the northern part of the fishery area
from the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing
Survey conducted in 2000/2001 and released in 2003
(NRIFS) (Henry & Lyle 2003).
Spatial issues / trends
No new spatial issues or trends to report.
Socio-economic characteristics and trends
Gross Volume of Production (GVP) in the ECIFFF has been
steady in recent years coinciding with total catches in the
fishery (2006—$22.7 million; 2007—$22.4 million; 2008—
$23.7 million).
l
0
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2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Catc
h (t
)
Retained Released
Figure 4: Reported charter harvest of inshore species and release total estimates in the ECIFFF 2002–2008 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 15 March 2010).
0
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Trev
ally
Tuna
Fish
- un
spec
ified
Barr
amun
diM
acke
rel -
sha
rkW
ahoo
Tailo
rM
acke
rel -
uns
peci
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Man
grov
e ja
ckBr
eam
Estu
ary
cod
Que
enfis
hGr
unte
rFl
athe
adM
acke
rel -
sch
ool
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acud
aM
acke
rel -
spo
tted
Shar
k - u
nspe
cifie
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Repo
rted
cat
ch (t
)
Retained Released
Figure 5: Reported catch of inshore species by charter fishers in 2008 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 15 March 2010).
Biological and ecological information Monitoring programs
Commercial fishery catch and effort information for the
ECIFFF continues to be monitored through the compulsory
daily logbooks in the commercial and charter sectors. The
development of a new net fishery logbook with the
intention of providing greater level of catch and effort
detail in the ECIFFF is under consideration to meet
increased needs for logbook data associated with the new
management arrangements.
Fisheries Queensland collects biological data for a number
of fin fish species to complement the information obtained
from commercial logbooks and recreational fishing diaries
for various Queensland fisheries. These data include
ength, sex and age composition of the retained catch.
Species monitored in the ECIFFF include barramundi, tailor,
sea mullet, spotted and grey mackerel, yellowfin bream,
whiting (sand, golden-lined and winter) and dusky
Annual Status Report 2009―East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 8
flathead. Annual Status Reports for the ECIFFF aim to
provide general information on the sampling programs
currently underway as well as detailed data summaries for
a few species when available. Recent biological data from
2008 include those for sea mullet and spotted mackerel
(Tables 2 and 3, Figures 6 and 7).
Sea Mullet
Results for sea mullet indicate there is little difference in
the age structure of males compared with females in the
commercial catch (Figure 6). Sea mullet sampled by the
program have been estimated to be as old as 14; however,
fish seven years or older make up only a small proportion
of the catch. Young fish (age groups 2–6) dominate the
catch of both sectors. Results also indicate that female sea
mullet tend to grow faster than males.
2006
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14
Age Group
Prop
ortio
n
Female n=37785
Male n=51072
2007
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14
Age Group
Prop
ortio
n
Female n=45913
Male n=59689
2007
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14
Age Group
Prop
ortio
n
Female n=4946
Male n=2933
2008
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14
Age Group
Prop
ortio
n
Female n=31709
Male n=59875
2008
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14
Age Group
Prop
ortio
n
Female n=7011
Male n=6756
Ocean Beach Estuarine
Figure 6: Age frequency of sea mullet sampled from ocean beach and estuarine catches between 2006 and 2008
Table 2: Summary of sampling for sea mullet from the commercial sector between 2006 and 2008.
Year Fishery Sector Number of Catches
Sampled Number of Fish Measured Number of Fish Aged
2006 Ocean Beach 18 7229 595
Estuarine 33 3392 670 2007
Ocean Beach 17 3382 800
Estuarine 37 3661 757 2008
Ocean Beach 20 4173 990
Annual Status Report 2009—East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 9
Table 3. Number of spotted mackerel measured (catches in brackets) by sampling year, sector and spotted mackerel reporting region and
number of otoliths collected and read by sampling year (C = Commercial; R = Recreational).
Number of fish measured
Year
Sect
or
Tow
nsvi
lle
Bow
en
Mac
kay
Rock
ham
pton
Fras
er-B
urne
tt
Mor
eton
Oth
er
Tota
l
Oto
liths
col
lect
ed
Oto
liths
read
C 142(9) 89(3) 0(0) 1(1) 534(12) 306(15) 0 1072(40) 2006–07
R 47(12) 44(19) 18(9) 144(52) 62(29) 337(109) 1(1) 653(231) 474 474
C 380(8) 0(0) 0(0) 2(2) 573(18) 37(12) 0 992(40) 2007–08
R 101(29) 223(81) 3(1) 1(1) 66(14) 19(13) 0 413(139) 337 336
C 439(16) 24(1) 28(3) 124(7) 1132(23) 299(18) 3(1) 2046(70) 2008–09
R 59(34) 27(20) 5(4) 3(3) 48(14) 154(62) 0 296(137) 470 470
Commercial
2006-07
0
0.1
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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Prop
ortio
n
2007-08
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Prop
ortio
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2008-09
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Age Group
Prop
ortio
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Recreational2006-07
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Prop
orti
on
2007-08
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orti
on
2008-09
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Prop
orti
on
Figure 7: Age structures (proportions) of spotted mackerel by sector (regions combined) for 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 sampling years.
Spotted mackerel
The annual age structures of the spotted mackerel catch
for each sector are similar (Figure 7). The relatively small
differences that occur in the age structures between
sectors in each year are most likely a result of spatial
differences in the fishing activities between sectors
recreational catch is indicative of the spotted mackerel
population, the population appears to be predominantly
comprised of young fish, mainly within the 1–4 year old
age groups (Figure 7).
(Table 3). Assuming that the combined commercial and
Annual Status Report 2009―East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 10
Table 5: Summary of sampling from commercial, recreational and charter sectors from 2006-2008 for yellowfin bream, sand whiting and dusky
flathead.
Commercial Recreational Charter
Species Year No of catches
No of fish
measured No of catches
No of fish
measured No of catches
No of fish
measured
2006 10 881 23 71 0 0
2007 87 4565 687 2666 35 184 Yellowfin bream
2008 94 3721 742 2884 26 120
2006 10 1291 9 39 0 0
2007 106 11333 256 1234 4 6 Sand whiting
2008 107 8194 310 1097 2 3
2006 14 421 19 40 0 0
2007 103 2050 435 830 29 101 Dusky flathead
2008 116 1887 406 674 21 69
Annual Status Report 2009—East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 11
Tailor
Biological data have been routinely collected since 1999,
especially from the recreational catch on Fraser Island.
Commercial and recreational catches from estuarine areas
have been monitored since June 2006. The data collected
are currently being used to help assess the status of the
east coast tailor stock, and the results of the assessment
will be known by early 2010.
Bream, whiting and flathead
Biological data have been collected routinely for yellowfin
bream, sand whiting and dusky flathead (among others)
since 2006 to estimate the length, age and sex structure of
the retained catch of these species (Table 5).
At-sea observing
The Fisheries Queensland at-sea observers recorded
fishing activity for a total of 104 observer sea days on 22
individual trips in 2008. Observer surveys were focused
where substantial shark catches have been reported.
During 2008, ECIFFF observers recorded 91 different
species caught. In terms of numbers of fish, 73 % were
retained as target product and 27% as bycatch (comprised
of 2% unwanted target product, <1% SOCI, and 24% other
bycatch). The most common species groups captured and
their representation in the total catch were: whaler sharks,
55%; grey mackerel, 10%; hammerheads, 9% and
threadfins, 7%.
Species of Conservation Interest (SOCI) interactions
observed in 2008 from 270 observed net sets, involved five
turtles (80% released alive), one green sawfish (released
deceased) and four narrow sawfish (75% released
deceased). The FOP ensures fishers are educated and kept
up to date on best practice handling and release
techniques for SOCI to maximise their post-capture
survival and fisher safety.
On 1 July 2009, under new management arrangements for
the ECIFFF, a new fisheries symbol ‘S’ was introduced to
allow eligible fishers to retain more than ten sharks and
rays by net or more than four by line, subject to several
conditions. Participation in the observer program is one of
these conditions. An annual target of 120 observer days
has been set for ‘S’ symbol holders (July 2009 - June 2010)
based upon a statistically robust observer program design.
Sustainability Assessment Performance against fishery objectives
The Performance Measurement System (PMS) for the ECIFFF
was implemented on 1 July 2009 following extensive
consultation with stakeholders. The purpose of the ECIFFF
PMS is to establish a set of reference levels in key fishery
indicators (e.g. catch and catch rate) to provide a
consistent basis for annual review of the fishery. The PMS
includes preliminary criteria to monitor the sustainability
of interactions with retained species, non-retained species
(bycatch) and protected species within the fishery area. It
also includes a process for reviewing and planning
appropriate management action in response to
performance of fishery indicators assessed against the
criteria. Further development of socio-economic indicators
Annual Status Report 2009―East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 12
and reference limits progressed through 2009 in a
collaborative Fisheries Queensland/FRDC funded research
project led by James Cook University. This project along
with a new suite of socio-economic indicators to
incorporate into the PMS is expected to be finalised in
2010.
Current sustainability status and concerns
The ECIFFF is managed using a variety of input and output
controls and is regarded as having a management regime
in place that does not adversely affect the survival or
recovery of species listed under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. 2
However, there are some concerns for the sustainability of
certain species of sharks, which take a long time to
mature, give birth to few young and have a relatively long
life span compared with other fish. Increased catches over
recent years resulted in the issue of an investment warning
for fishers in 2002, advising against any further expansion
of fishing effort towards shark.
New management arrangements developed for the ECIFFF
were implemented in mid 2009. These measures
significantly improve management of species that are a
greater sustainability risk. Queensland’s network of state
and Commonwealth Marine Parks further improves the
sustainable management of this fishery.
Concerns have been raised over recent harvesting trends
for several species in the ECIFFF. Fisheries Queensland is
ensuring that the management of these species is
responsive to these concerns and is adequate for their
sustainable use. The new management arrangements
address some specific concerns, particularly for tailor.
Given their biology, some shark species are more
vulnerable to overfishing than other more productive shark
and fin fish. The Queensland Government introduced a
number of management measures in 2009 to enhance
sustainable outcomes for shark harvesting including
protection of more vulnerable species such as sawfish, a
maximum size limit to protect larger breeding sharks and
restricted access to shark through a new fishery symbol
(endorsement). Greater certainty about the sustainability
status of harvested shark species will be an outcome of the
Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facilities (MTSRF)
2 http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/qld/east-coast-finfish/index.html
tropical shark inshore research project. By 2010 it is
expected that the project will build upon the results of an
earlier shark risk assessment project (Salini et al. 2006)
and provide information for ongoing sustainable
management of shark stocks.
The most recent (2004) stock assessment for tailor
indicated that the stock is heavily exploited. Following
consultation with stakeholders, Fisheries Queensland has
recommended an increased minimum legal length (MLL) to
35 cm at which tailor may be retained. A guiding principle
for setting size limits is to allow the fish to grow to maturity
before capture. Concerns for a number of other pelagic
species have also been responded to through introducing
or modifying the MLL and/or bag limit. Management
responses to increasing grey mackerel and sea gar catches
have also been accommodated in the new management
arrangements for the fishery.
Quantitative assessments to monitor stock sustainability
status are regularly undertaken for target species in the
fishery. Barramundi, tailor, mullet and spotted mackerel
have been assessed over recent years. The tailor resource
assessment is expected to be completed in 2010.
Bycatch
Bycatch levels in the ECIFFF net fishery are low when
compared to the retained component of the catch,
indicating the gear and methods used in net fishing are
highly selective at harvesting the target species. Research
by Halliday et al. (2001) found that bycatch levels in east
coast commercial netting operations for mullet, whiting,
small mackerels, barramundi and mixed estuary species is
low relative to other commercial fisheries. Fisheries
observers also reported 27% total bycatch in net
operations targeting sharks although these are preliminary
results only. A statistically robust observer program was
implemented from 1 July 2009 and will provide more
comprehensive and representative estimates of bycatch
that will be reported on in the 2010 annual status report.
Interactions with protected species
In 2003, a Species of Conservation Interest (SOCI) logbook
was introduced to record interactions with all species that
are of conservation concern. SOCI data indicates that
interactions with turtle species occur more frequently than
with other protected species (Table 6). The number of fatal
interactions in 2008 for all SOCI species combined was
very low (4%).
Ecosystem impacts
Commercial net fisheries target high order predator fish
species and use highly selective fishing gear types that
typically results in small amounts of bycatch. Due to the
low levels of discards, there is limited potential to
supplement additional food resources for other marine
species through discarding. It is likely that ECIFFF discards
present only a minor ephemeral food source for
opportunistic scavenging species. Long term changes in
densities of these species as a result of discard
provisioning are unlikely.
Research Recent research and implications
Fisheries Queensland, James Cook University (JCU) and
CSIRO Marine Research are collaborating on an evaluative
study of the impacts from industry and community uses on
inshore marine biodiversity adjacent to the Great Barrier
Reef. The study is due for completion in 2010. Preliminary
results have described the species composition and length
distribution of shark and fish species caught by
commercial net fishers within the Great Barrier Reef World
Heritage Area (GBRWHA) from Princess Charlotte Bay to
Gladstone.
Researchers from the Fishing and Fisheries Research
Centre, JCU commenced development of a risk assessment
framework for inshore species in June 2008. The project is
planned for completion in 2010 and will also include an
investigation of potential strategies to mitigate the impacts
of industry and community use on inshore resources within
the GBRWHA.
Research to determine the spatial management units for
king and blue threadfins across northern Australia is
underway. Preliminary results suggest the likelihood of
several different stocks for both species in northern
Australia. This project also includes biological research for
king and blue threadfins to provide relevant estimates of
longevity, growth, size-at-maturity and size-at-sex change.
This research will conclude in 2010.
Further FRDC research will determine the stock structure
and biology of three commercially important shark
species/groups on the east coast. These sharks are the
milk shark (Rhizoprionodon acutus), scalloped
hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), and black tips
(Carcharhinus tilstoni and C. limbatus). This research will
conclude in 2010 and will also support stock assessment
for sharks.
Table 6: Reported interactions with species of conservation interest during 2008. (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 5 June 2009).
Species Returned dead Returned live
Dugong - 1
Green Turtle - 274
Hawksbill Turtle - 1
Loggerhead Turtle 12 11
Saltwater Crocodile 1 1
Marine Turtle–unspecified - 1
Total 13 289
Annual Status Report 2009—East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 13
Collaborative research
Researchers from the Fishing and Fisheries Research
Centre, JCU are collaborating with Fisheries Queensland in
assessing the impacts of inshore fisheries on marine
biodiversity in the Great Barrier Reef region. The research
focuses on better understanding the biological and
ecological traits of important target species including
numerous inshore shark species, threadfins, grunter,
queenfish, fingermark bream, garfish, grey mackerel and
other less common species in the east coast inshore net
and line fisheries. Once the biology and ecology of these
species is better understood, researchers will then conduct
a ‘whole-of-fishery’ ecological assessment that will include
information on the effectiveness of inshore marine parks.
When completed in 2010, project results will be used in
future sustainability assessments of these species.
Further research collaboration with JCU has collected
socio-economic data for Queensland east coast inshore
recreational, charter and commercial fishers as well as
Queensland seafood consumers. These data will be used
as a baseline with which to compare similar information
following implementation of the new ECIFFF management
arrangements, and to assist in developing long term socio-
economic indicators for this fishery.
Scientific collaboration between Fisheries Queensland and
New South Wales researchers continues with quantitative
assessment of the shared east coast tailor stocks. The
project is planned for completion in 2010.
.
Table 7: Offences recorded in the ECIFFF for 2008.
OFFENCE FIN Prosecution Caution
Take/possess/sell regulated fish 121 3 73
Left fish in fishing apparatus out of water - 1 -
Contravened a regulated waters declaration 10 2 2
Contravened a regulated fishing apparatus or regulated fishing declaration 11 2 4
Use more than the prescribed number of apparatus (recreational fisher) - - 1
Use more than the prescribed number of apparatus (commercial fisher) - 1 -
Use/possess prohibited fishing apparatus (eg. net). (recreational fisher) 2 - 1
Take fish for trade/commerce with fishing apparatus not marked in the prescribed way 3 - -
Boat mark not placed correctly 5 - -
Use/possess commercial fishing apparatus without an authority 1 - 1
Contravened a condition of an authority - 4 -
Contravened a fishery provision - 1 -
Did an act that may only be done by the holder of an authority - - 1
Fail to have a document required to be available for immediate inspection 4 1 1
Failed to comply with an information requirement 1 2 1
Unlawfully interfere with fishing apparatus 2 - -
TOTAL 160 17 85
Note: The majority of prosecutions recorded here are still pending. In addition to the above offences 83 unlawful nets, four set lines and one
drum line were seized during the period for which no owner could be identified.
Fishery management Compliance report
During 2008, 18 163 units, including 71 commercial line
fishing vessels and 358 commercial net fishing vessels,
were inspected in the ECIFFF, with an associated
compliance rate of approximately 99.0% on units
inspected. The majority of inspections were of recreational
fishers. A summary of offences is provided in Table 7.
Offences are reported as either a Fisheries Infringement
Notice (FIN); Caution (FIN Caution or official written
caution); or Prosecution (to proceed by complaint
summons).
A compliance risk assessment was conducted for this
fishery in June 2009 to determine compliance priorities
and allow the most effective use of Queensland Boating
and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) resources. The assessment
identified the following activities in the ECIFFF as having
the highest level of risk:
• Use of unauthorised apparatus;
• Take/possession of regulated fish;
• Compliance with Information requirements;
• Take/sale of fish by unlicensed operators;
• Compliance with regulated waters provisions;
and
• Quota compliance.
The QBFP will direct their compliance resources to
addressing the highest risks. Moderate risk activities will
be addressed at a lower priority. Detailed strategies to
address risks identified by this assessment have been
developed through QBFP strategic and operational
planning processes. The risk assessment will be reviewed
every three to five years or earlier if there are major
changes to the management arrangements for the fishery.
Education forms an important component of the
compliance strategy for all of Queensland’s fisheries. QBFP
are proactive in their education programs which include
attending events, such as boating and fishing shows, to
liaise with fishers, delivering lectures, utilising various
forms of media to release important information,
answering enquiries and conducting extensive one on one
education with fishers during the course of field patrols
and inspections. During inspections officers hand out
recreational fishing guides and flyers which contain
Annual Status Report 2009―East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 14
information on size and in-possession limits. Education
plays a particularly important role when new legislation is
implemented and QBFP make every effort to ensure that
fishers have a good understanding of their rights and
responsibilities
Fishery management Changes to management arrangements
The Queensland Government implemented a number of
changes to current management of the ECIFFF in 2009. The
majority of the arrangements commenced on 1 March
2009, with some commercial arrangements commencing
on 1 July 2009. There’s also at least 1 that will commence
this year -2010 (e.g. tailor size limit).
Changes to the fishery include:
• new and amended size and bag limits;
• revised netting arrangements;
• a package of arrangements for more precautionary
shark management;
• Total Allowable Commercial Catch levels in place for
sharks and rays (600 t), grey mackerel (250 t);
• closure of three rivers to netting in Princess Charlotte
Bay;
• minor changes to closures to clarify boundaries.
Fisheries Queensland conducted a comprehensive
consultation process with fishery stakeholders to develop
the new management arrangements for the fishery. For
more information on the new management arrangements
including size limits refer to the Fisheries Queensland
website (www.dpi.qld.gov.au).
Given the importance of the fishery and the level of interest
in future management, the Australian Government
commissioned an independent review of the proposed
management arrangements for the fishery, with a
particular focus on protected species, shark management
and commercial fishing effort (Gunn, Meere & Stevens
2008). The results of the independent review were made
publicly available in November 2008.3
Communication and education
Fisheries Queensland published a set of Guidelines for
commercial operators in the East Coast Finfish Fishery to
3 http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/qld/east-coast-finfish/pubs/east-coast-finfish-review.pdf
provide stakeholders with a summary of management
arrangements as implemented post March 31 2009. Online
copies of the booklet can be viewed at
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/Fisheries_Commer
cialFisheries/Commercial-Fisheries-handbook.pdf
Fisheries Queensland’s Fisheries Observer Program held
‘hands-on’ Shark identification workshops in 2009 for
commercial fishers and Queensland Boating and Fisheries
Patrol (QBFP) officers State wide. The workshops will
continue in 2010.
The workshops aim to:
• provide fishers retaining sharks and QBFP officers with
expert training in shark identification, so they can
accurately fulfill their responsibilities and duties
accordingly (e.g., completion and compliance checks of
logbooks and monitoring Regulated shark species);
• provide fishers with an opportunity to meet
Queensland fisheries observers face-to-face and
address any concerns they may have with regard to
participating in the Fisheries Observer Program;
• provide a forum with direct links to fisheries
management to highlight and address stakeholder
concerns.
Complementary management
Queensland continues to work with NSW fisheries
management officers on complementary arrangements for
shared stocks. In particular, the two management agencies
have discussed complementary size and bag limits for
species caught in both jurisdictions. The fishery agencies
have also agreed to seek mutual beneficial approaches to
meeting recommendations for management under DEWHA
approvals. Fisheries Queensland and NSW Fisheries have
also discussed management of shark stocks on the east
coast.
Annual Status Report 2009—East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 15
References
DEEDI 2009, Guidelines for commercial operators in the East Coast Finfish Fishery, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Brisbane.
Gunn, J, Meere, F & Stevens, J 2008, Independent Review Proposed Management Arrangements for Queensland’s East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery, Canberra.
Halliday, IA, Ley, JA, Tobin, A, Garrett, R, Gribble, NA & Mayer, DG 2001, The effects of net fishing: addressing biodiversity and bycatch issues in Queensland inshore waters (FRDC Project no. 97/206), Department of Primary Industries, Queensland.
Henry, GW & Lyle, JM 2003, The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, FRDC Project No. 99/158, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.
Salini, J, McAuley, R, Blaber, S, Buckworth, R, Chidlow, J, Gribble, N, Ovenden, J, Peverell, S, Pillans, R, Stevens, J, Stobutzki, I, Tarca, C & Walker, T 2006, Northern Australian sharks and rays: the sustainability of target and bycatch species, phase 2. Project No. 2002/064 Final Report, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.
Williams, LE 2002, Queensland's fisheries Resources - Current condition and recent trends 1988 - 2000, Department of Primary Industries Queensland., Brisbane.
Information compiled by
Anthony Roelofs
Acknowledgements
Brad Zeller, Kate Yeomans, Nadia Engstrom, Dr Tracey Scott-
Holland, Michael O’Neill, Dr Jonathan Staunton-Smith, Jason
McGilvray, Jonathan Yantsch, Darren Roy, Jason Stapley, Dr Julia
Davies, Mark Lightowler and Anna Garland.
Image
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
Annual Status Report 2009―East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 16