Submission for reassessment of export approval under the ......Catch controls are used in preference...

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Submission for reassessment of export approval under the EPBC Act

North West Slope and Western Deepwater Trawl Fisheries

http://www.afma.gov.au/

http://www.afma.gov.au/

Contents

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3

2 Description of the Fishery ................................................................................................. 3

2.1 Fishing Area ............................................................................................................. 3

2.1.1 North West Slope Fishery Area .......................................................................... 3

2.1.2 Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery Area ............................................................. 3

2.2 Governing Legislation ............................................................................................... 6

2.3 Fishing methods and management arrangements ..................................................... 6

2.4 Allocation between sectors....................................................................................... 8

2.5 Target species .......................................................................................................... 8

2.5.1 Target species of the North West Slope Trawl Fishery ......................................... 8

2.5.2 Target species of the Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery ..................................... 9

2.6 Bycatch species ........................................................................................................ 9

2.7 Changes to management arrangements .................................................................. 10

2.7 Statement of the performance of the fishery against objectives, performance indicators and performance measures. .............................................................................. 12

2.8 Compliance risks .................................................................................................... 13

4. Catch data and stock status ........................................................................................ 13

4.1 North West Slope Trawl Fishery .............................................................................. 13

4.2 Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery .......................................................................... 20

5 Ecosystem impacts ........................................................................................................ 27

5.1 Bycatch reduction .................................................................................................. 27

6 Reporting against the conditions and recommendations from the 2012 assessment ......... 31

References ........................................................................................................................... 40

1 Introduction

This re-assessment covers the method of trawling in two relatively small-scale

Commonwealth fisheries, the North West Slope Trawl Fishery (NWSTF) and the

Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery (WDTF). The trawl fisheries run adjacent to one

another at longitude 114ºE and both operate in waters off the continental slope of

Western Australia.

The fisheries were first assessed in November 2004 under parts 10, 13 and 13A of

the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) in

accordance with the Australian Government Guidelines for the Ecologically

Sustainable Management of Fisheries. The NWSTF and WDTF were declared an

approved Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO), under Part 13A of the EPBC Act. This

declaration allowed the export of product from the NWSTF and WDTF for three

years. The most recent export approval was provided through a WTO in 2012 for

three years. This was approval extended and is now expiring in November 2016.

2 Description of the Fishery

2.1 Fishing Area

2.1.1 North West Slope Fishery Area

The NWSTF extends from 114°E to about 125°E off the Western Australian coast

between the line approximating the 200 metre isobath and the outer limit of the

Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ), but taking into account Australian-Indonesian maritime

boundaries (Map 1). Fishing is primarily conducted with demersal crustacean trawls

along bathometric contours depending upon the target species sought.

2.1.2 Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery Area

The WDTF is located off the Western Australian coast, from the line approximating the

200 metre isobath to the edge of the AFZ (Map 2). Its northern most point is the

boundary of the AFZ to longitude 114°E and southern most point at the boundary of

the AFZ to longitude 115°08’E.

Map 1. Area of the North West Slope Trawl Fishery

Map 2. Area of the Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery

2.2 Governing Legislation

The NWSTF and the WDTF are managed by the Australian Fisheries Management

Authority (AFMA) in accordance with the Fisheries Management Act 1991, the

Fisheries Management Regulations 1992, and the Western Trawl Fisheries Statement

of Management Arrangements 2012.

While they are not managed under formal management plans, a number of

management arrangements are in place through licence conditions and legislative

instruments. An Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OCS) arrangement is also in

place with Western Australia, detailing joint management arrangements between the

Commonwealth fisheries and adjacent state fisheries.

2.3 Fishing methods and management arrangements

A key aspect of the management of the NWSTF and the WDTF is the harvest strategy,

a policy which establishes target and limit reference points, trigger limits and

management responses for key commercial species. The first harvest strategy was

first implemented in January 2008 and then comprehensively revised in 2011.

The 2011 Harvest Strategy (Attachment 1) focuses on managing the key commercial

species captured in the fisheries as well as any species identified as high risk in the

ecological risk assessment (Smith et. Al. 2007). In taking this approach, it is assumed

that controls on the subset of key commercial species will indirectly control the level

of fishing pressure on other low value by-product and bycatch species.

For both fisheries catch and catch per unit effort reference points and indicators have

been developed to monitor catches of key commercial species. Catch limits have also

been prescribed for key species shared with Western Australia and species identified

as conservation dependent. Catch controls are used in preference to effort controls

because they can be more feasibly and directly monitored and enforced, and they are

more appropriate for the spatial and temporal variability within the fishery. They also

allow for the operator’s ability to target a range of different species. The Harvest

Strategy will be reviewed, following planned changes to the 200m isobath line under

the OCS (see section 2.7 changes to management arrangements).

The use of an integrated computer vessel monitoring system (VMS) has been

compulsory in all AFMA fisheries since 1 July 2004. The NWSTF and WDTF are also

required to complete a daily fishing logbook for every day of trawl fishing.

Spatial closures to meet conservation objectives under the EPBC Act are being

implemented by the Department of the Environment and Energy through the Marine

Bioregional Planning process. Following final roll-out of the Marine Bioregional

Planning process and establishment of the network of representative Commonwealth

Marine Reserve networks, AFMA will consider the need for any further closures

within of the NWSTF and WDTF to address any fisheries-related issues.

2.3.1 North West Slope Trawl Fishery methods and arrangements

The fishery is informally managed via permit conditions and there is no season (i.e.

permit holders can fish all year). Permit holders generally access the fishery on a part

time or opportunistic basis as an adjunct to other Commonwealth fisheries, or in

response to consumer demand for specific products (one vessel fished in the period

2008-2015). Fishing effort in the NWSTF is generally minimal during April, September

and October while permitted vessels operate in the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF).

The fishery is managed via limited entry (7 permits with a 5 year duration) and controls

on cod end mesh size (maximum mesh size of 50mm). There are no other input

controls (including no restrictions on headrope length) and no output controls (i.e. no

TACs). There are no spatial or regional management, or temporal closures, however

move on provisions exist around the take of coral or sponge. Permits enable only one

vessel to operate under each at any one time but are fully transferable between

vessels. There are three Commonwealth marine protected areas (MPAs) within the

area of operation of the fishery; commercial fishing is prohibited in these areas.

Generally, the fleet are all-steel construction 20–25 metre prawn trawlers modified for

deepwater trawling. Either demersal fish trawls or crustacean trawls are typically

utilised. Permit conditions restrict the codend mesh size in the fishery to 50 millimetres.

The nets are typically towed at three knots along relatively flat mud or silt substrates.

Hard bottom areas or rocky outcrops are avoided as these areas are not ideal scampi

habitat and also lead to snaring and damage of nets. Shot duration is typically 3–5

hours with a combined shoot-away and haul-up time of around one hour at 500 metres

(Evans, 1992).

Stock assessments were undertaken for the scampi fishery in 1992, 1998, 2000 and

2004 (Lynch and Garvey 2005), but adjustments need to be made for changes in

fishing impact if estimates of stock status are to be robust. Shot-by-shot catch and

effort logbooks were introduced at the beginning of the fishery. There is little data from

infrequent fishery-independent surveys.

2.3.2 Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery methods and arrangements

The WDTF is open to fishing the entire year however, operators have generally chosen

to access the fishery on a part time or opportunistic basis. Such a diverse range of

vessels has operated in the fishery since its inception that it is impossible to

characterize vessels. No mesh size limits are currently regulated in the WDTF. The

fishery is informally managed via limited entry (11 permits with a 5 year duration

subject to conditions, although only the western region of the WDTF has frequently

active vessels between 2005-2014 (1-2 boats). No boats operated in the WDTF in

2015. There are also restrictions regarding the take of deepwater dogfish during each

fishing trip. There are no other input controls and no output controls. Management

indirectly relies on external regulating factors including the part-time participation and

spatial refuge of stocks yet to be efficiently targeted.

The main information sources for the fishery have been the AFMA WDTF logbooks

and some State logbooks. A stock assessment has been undertaken only for ruby

snapper (Dichmont et al. 2002) and an Honours thesis examined the community

ecology of demersal ichthyofauna (Ford 2006). There is limited information regarding

the biological dynamics of the WDWTF resources. Further research is needed to

determine the stock status of target species. A strategic data plan to identify gaps in

knowledge, improve logbook data collection and gather basic biological information on target

species is also a priority. However, the low GVP of the fishery limits the extent of research that

can be undertaken.

2.4 Allocation between sectors

Where target species form shared stocks between Western Australia (WA) and the

Commonwealth, estimates of an acceptable catch range have been developed. An

annual catch limit of 44 tonnes of Goldband Snapper and 12 tonnes of Red Emperor

has been implemented for the NWSTF Kimberley Zone. These limits are loosely

based on the relative geographic area of overlap (9.4%) between the NWSTF and

Fishing Area 2 Zone B (the overlapping area) of the WA Northern Demersal

Scalefish Fishery for which the assessment was conducted.

2.5 Target species

2.5.1 Target species of the North West Slope Trawl Fishery

The NWSTF has historically been based on commercial stocks of deepwater

crustaceans, principally scampi and prawns, but has recently included some finfish

species as bycatch, including pink ling. There are three commercially important

species of scampi (M. velutinus, M. australiensis, and M. boschmai) which are taken

from different depth distributions between 260 to 500 metres (Wallner & Phillips, 1995).

Historically, the fishery has also taken a combination of other scampi species (Wallner

& Phillips, 1995, Moore et al. 2007a).

The biological characteristics of scampi are indicative of low sustainable yields and

illustrate that they are susceptible to overexploitation if not managed appropriately.

Furthermore, fishing for scampi and deepwater prawn stocks has been confined to

relatively small areas within the NWSTF, principally the waters adjacent to Rowley

Shoals and the Scott and Ashmore Reefs. The aggregation behaviour of crustaceans

in these areas increases their susceptibility to local depletion by intense fishing

(Staples et al. 1994).

The scampi stock was assessed in 2010 by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and

Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) using a surplus production model. This

assessment suggested that scampi biomass at the end of 2008 was probably between

65 per cent and 85 per cent of unfished biomass. Fishing mortality in recent years is

estimated to have been well below the fishing mortality rate that achieves Maximum

Sustainable Yield (MSY) (Woodhams et al. 2011).

In the NWSTF, Red Carid Prawns (Heterocarpus woodmasoni), Royal Red Prawns

(Haliporoides sibogae), Red Prawns (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and Red Striped

Prawns (Aristeus virilise) comprise the majority of the total prawn catch. While

deepwater prawns have previously been the primary target species of the fishery,

they are currently only taken as a by-product. Little information or knowledge exists

on the biology of deepwater prawn species. Compared with inshore relatives,

deepwater prawns have a relatively low productivity. The annual take of deepwater

prawn for the last five years has ranged from three to six tonnes.

2.5.2 Target species of the Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery

The marine habitat of the WDTF ranges from temperate-subtropical in the south and

tropical in the northern region of the fishery. It spans a large depth range from 200

metres to greater than 1,500 metres. Consequently, catch patterns are not clearly

defined as a diverse range of species are captured across the fishery and targeting is

opportunistic with few specific grounds identified (Evans, 1992, Moore et al. 2007b).

The WDTF can be defined as a by-product or multispecies fishery due to the wide

range of species taken in low volumes.

In the west region of the WDTF, commercially important species include Bugs

(Ibacus spp), Deepwater Flathead (Platycephalus conatus), Boarfish

(Pentacerotidae sp.) and Mirror Dory (Zenopsis nebulosus). Several other species,

including Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus), have historically been taken in

commercial quantities, but do not represent recent targeting practices in the fishery.

In the Gascoyne region of the WDTF (see Section 4.2 below) commercially

important species also include Ruby Snapper (Etelis carbunculus), Tang’s Snapper

(Lipocheilus carnolabrum) and Longtail Ruby Snapper (Etelis coruscans).

Dichmont et al. (2002) produced a stock assessment for Ruby Snapper inhabiting the

grounds of the WDTF. Given a lack of information on the growth, natural mortality and

length-weight relationship of Ruby Snapper in Western Australian waters, the

assessment incorporated biological parameters from Ruby Snapper inhabiting other

Indo-Pacific regions. However, since no vessels focussed on catching Ruby Snapper

for more than three consecutive years and a clear lack of knowledge of the local

biological parameters for Ruby Snapper existed, no meaningful advice on sustainable

yields could be established and a high level of uncertainty shrouded results. This

limited the ability of the stock assessment to provide robust management advice. It

was noted that throughout the Pacific that Ruby Snapper abundance has shown rapid

decline in response to high fishing pressure. Furthermore, Ruby Snapper has been

known to form large spawning aggregations in the WDTF which increases the

susceptibility of this species to trawling (Dichmont et al. 2002)

2.6 Bycatch species Bycatch information is primarily collected through logbooks for the NWSTF and WDTF,

with some augmenting observer coverage. Section 5.1 of this report gives a detailed

account of bycatch taken in the NWSTF and WDTF.

2.7 Changes to management arrangements

AFMA has an adaptable management framework with the ability to amend permit

conditions. In response to changing fishery dynamics and available knowledge, AFMA

may implement amendments to improve management efficiency. For example, in 2011

AFMA implemented new permit conditions regulating compulsory observer

requirements and move-on provisions for interactions with vulnerable marine

ecosystems for shallow waters of the NWSTF.

In 1995, an OCS arrangement was put in place between the Commonwealth and

Western Australia, which sought to align the inshore boundaries of these two

Commonwealth managed fisheries (WDWTF and NWSTF) as closely as possible to

the 200m isobath (depth contour). This division would allow State trawl fishers to

operate within waters less than 200 metres depth and Commonwealth trawl fishers to

operate in waters deeper than 200 metres.

Following the gazettal of the agreements in 1995, it was discovered that the line

agreed to in the OCS did not follow the 200m isobath, and in some areas would allow

commonwealth fishers to operate in waters shallower than 200m, and some areas

prevent them from operating in waters greater than 200m.

The Commonwealth undertook negotiations with Western Australian Government to

amend the formal boundaries of the Offshore Constitutional Settlement to be more

consistent with the 200 metre isobath, reflecting the intention of the original

agreement. The Western Australian Government has given in principle agreement to

the amendments, however we are awaiting final sign off of the decision.

AFMA implemented a closure in October 2007 in the area of the NWSTF shallower

than 200 metres which remained in place until December 2010. The last extension of

the closure was made on the basis that if the OCS issue was not resolved, the area

would open and sustainable catch levels set for key species. In late 2010

Commonwealth fishers, in the spirit of collaboration with Western Australia, voluntarily

closed the area. This closure still remains in place. Once the decision comes through,

these other interim arrangements to address the 200m isobath will be removed.

AFMA, in consultation with the Western Australia Department of Fisheries, has

reviewed the NWSTF and WDTF Harvest Strategy to ensure sustainable harvest of

species within waters defined as Commonwealth jurisdiction in the current OCS

arrangement. The AFMA Commission endorsed the revised harvest strategy in August

2011, which came into effect on 1 October 2011. From 1 October 2011, permit holders

in the NWSTF have been able to operate in all waters in the fishery, including those

shallower than 200 metres. Permit holders are required to operate in accordance with

the revised harvest strategy and in line with the fishing permit conditions which specify

mandatory observer coverage and move on provisions for interactions with vulnerable

marine ecosystems in this area.

Management measures for a range of species including scampi, deepwater prawns

and finfish species have been included in the harvest strategy. The harvest strategy

has been designed to enable the sustainable utilisation of fishery resources and has

applied an ERA and Ecological Risk Management response to potential negative

fishing impacts including to habitats and communities. The target and limit reference

points for key commercial species, management controls for Western Australian key

indicator species and ERA high risk species are detailed in the harvest strategy.

Once the amendments are made to the line formally, some changes will be made to

the Harvest Strategy, as certain species which are currently managed will no longer

be accessible in depths greater than 200m. This is likely to be during 2017.

2.7 Statement of the performance of the fishery against objectives, performance indicators and performance measures.

The NWSTF and WDTF do not have formal objectives and performance indicators; however AFMA works to manage all of its fisheries under five objectives. The objectives are (as set out in the Fisheries Administration Act 1991) in essence:

Objective Performance measure Level of activity against performance

measures and objectives

Efficient and cost—

effective fisheries

management

Implement efficient and cost—effective fisheries management arrangements. Ensure such arrangements and related activities implement Australia's obligations under relevant international agreements.

Due to the low level of effort in the fishery, AFMA continue to minimise administrative burden on permit holders in these fisheries, while working with the adjacent jurisdiction of WA to ensure sustainable fisheries management.

Ecologically

sustainable

development

Ensure fishing and related activity is consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development, including exercise of the precautionary principle, with regard to the long term sustainability of the marine environment.

A harvest strategy is in place for the fishery, which is pending review (following OCS decision) to ensure best practice fisheries management is still occurring.

Maximise net

economic returns

Maximise net economic returns to the Australian community from the management of Australian fisheries.

Accountability

Ensure accountability to the fishing industry and to the Australian community in our management of fisheries resources.

The harvest strategy for the fishery sets a range of trigger and reference points to ensure sustainable and efficient fisheries management.

Cost recovery

Achieve government targets in relation to recovery of costs. These fisheries are cost recovered through permit fees. There are currently minimal costs in management due to the low effort in the fishery.

2.8 Compliance risks

The NWSTF and WDTF fall under the compliance risk assessment undertaken for all

AFMA managed fisheries. These fisheries are considered low risk, given the number

of boats active in the fishery. The compulsory VMS systems and logbook requirements

provide adequate protection for the fishery. The compliance risk assessment is

updated periodically to ensure the fishery risks are suitably managed.

4. Catch data and stock status

The catch of target species in the WDWTF and NWSTF fluctuates greatly from year

to year as demand for product and effort in the fishery is so variable (Tables 1-9 and

Figures 1-3). The tables and figures following include detailed catch information for

“target” species and byproduct species and effort for each fishery and region.

Scampi have been assessed through the Fisheries Status report 2015 as not

overfished and not subject to overfishing. Ruby snapper and deepwater bugs have

been assessed as uncertain in biomass, and not overfished or subject to overfishing

under fishing mortality.

4.1 North West Slope Trawl Fishery

Total effort and catches of target species in the Kimberly region increased from 2012-

2014, and reduced again in 2015 (Table 1).

Within the Kimberley Region, there are two main areas: waters of depth greater than 200m and waters less than 200m. Finfish are primarily targeted in shallower waters with scampi and deep water prawns targeting in the deeper water. There was no targeting of finfish in waters shallower than 200m in 2012. The main byproduct species (goldband snapper) are a target species for Western Australia, so are monitored in these fisheries. There were no catches in 2013 or 2015. Total catches of target and byproduct species have increased in the Pilbara region

with a slight dip in 2014 (Table 3). The increase is at least partially linked to the

increased effort in the 2015 fishing season (Figure 2).

Table 1. Catches of target and byproduct species (kg) in the NWST Kimberly region for 2012-2015.

2012 2013 2014 2015

Australian Scampi 0 2556 2744 2256

Boschmas Scampi 5202 0 4293 0

Other 1308 1785 4494 3824

Scampi mixed 111 25 0 0

Velvet Scampi 126 5319 2226 3656

Total 6747 9685 13757 9736

Byproduct species

Goldband snappers 5202 0 4293 0

Table 2. Catches of byproduct species (kg) in the NWST Kimberly region for 2012-2015. Goldband

snapper is a byproduct species for this fishery, but a key species for Western Australia.

Species 2012 2013 2014 2015

Goldband

snappers 5202 0 4293 0

Table 3. Catches of target and byproduct species (kg) in the NWST Pilbara region for 2012-2015.

Species 2012 2013 2014 2015

Target species

Australian

Scampi 7915 19311 12159 22911

Boschmas

Scampi 0 3402 3832 0


Striped Prawn

Red Striped

Prawn 2 1792 943 1594

Velvet Scampi 3015 3474 2628 4742

Other 2188 3600 4801 11607

Total 5621 12432 12204 18284

Byproduct Species

Giant Scarlet

Prawn 0 24 98 18

Red Carid 1479 2691 3286 3627

Red Prawn 0 0 54 864

Royal Red

Prawn 125 529 580 521

Striped Prawn

Red Striped

Prawn 2 1792 943 1594

Total 1606 5036 4961 6624

The CPUE limit control rule used under the harvest strategy in these fisheries is

designed to ensure that the stock stays above the Limit CPUE at least 90% of the time

(i.e. a one in ten year risk that stocks will fall below).If triggers are hit two years in a

row, a management response is triggered.

Triggers were reached for three species or species groups in 2012 in the NWSTF

Pilbara region (Table 4). These were; Scampi mixed, Red Striped Prawn and Royal

Red Prawn. The catch rate for Red Striped Prawn fell below the Limit CPUE in 2012,

the first time in the two years of monitoring. However given the extremely low catch

(2kg), the catch rate is not considered a good indicator of stock health.

Scampi mixed is the only species with a catch rate below the limit reference point for

two consecutive years, which occurred in both the Kimberly (Table 5) and Pilbara

regions for 2012 and 2013. Because no report was produced in 2013, nothing was

progressed regarding this. In the Kimberly region, the trigger hasn’t been reached

since 2013. However in the Pilbara region, the trigger was not reached in 2014, but

reached again in 2015. Fisheries managers are recommending that despite the

triggers being reached in 2012-2013, that no action be taken at this time given the low

level of effort and ambiguity around catches of mixed scampi, which have been erratic

for the last 15 years. Catches of mixed scampi are also more difficult to monitor,

because they are a mixed bag group and catches can vary greatly from year to year

depending on people’s ability/ willingness to identify specific species.

The catch rate of total scampi also remains well above the limit. This may present a

difference in the classification of catch within commercial logbooks.

Table 4. Total annual catch and catch rates (CPUE) for key commercial species in the Pilbara Region of the

NWSTF between 2011 and 2015, compared to the Limit CPUE value. Green indicates that the Limit

reference point (LRP) was not triggered; orange = LRP triggered in one year; red = LRP triggered in two

consecutive years. MHC = Maximum Historic Catch trigger levels.

Species Limit RP

(kg/vessel_day)

MHC

(mt)

MHC

x2

(mt)

Year Annual CPUE

(kg/vessel_day)

Catch

(mt)

Australian

Scampi 31.9 30 60

2011 256.0 21.504

2012 219.9 7.915

2013 227.2 19.311

2014 196.1 12.159

2015 210.2 22.911

Boschmas

Scampi 25.4 10 20

2011 94.5 0.756

2012 na na

2013 126.0 3.402

2014 201.7 3.8

2015 na na

Velvet

Scampi 21.2 15 30

2011 180.0 3.600

2012 167.5 3.015

2013 89.1 3.474

2014 93.9 2.628

2015 94.8 4.7

Scampi

mixed 30.5 30 60

2011 na na

2012 19.8 0.416

2013 14.9 0.164

2014 na na

2015 17.1 0.341

Total Scampi 39 85 170 2011 284.2 25.860

2012 257.9 11.346

2013 271.7 26.351

2014 258.6 18.619

2015 252.2 28.0

Giant Scarlet

Prawn 6.4 5 10

2011 na na

2012 12.0 0.024

2013 12.3 0.098

2014 na na

2015 9.0 0.018

Red Carid 6.8 5 10

2011 44.9 2.065

2012 40.0 1.479

2013 35.4 2.691

2014 63.2 3.286

2015 46.5 3.627

Red Prawn 11.5 5 10

2011 25.0 0.050

2012 na na

2013 na na

2014 18.0 0.054

2015 30.9 0.864

Royal Red

Prawn 16.5 30 60

2011 21.4 1.308

2012 7.8 0.125

2013 23.0 0.529

2014 24.2 0.6

2015 18.6 0.521

Red Striped

Prawn 5.9 5 10

2011 21.3 0.659

2012 1.0 0.002

2013 48.4 1.792

2014 21.4 0.9

2015 29.0 5.900

Total

Deepwater

Prawns

18.2 50 100

2011 54.4 4.082

2012 39.2 1.606

2013 58.6 5.036

2014 71.9 5.0

2015 64.3 6.624

Table 5. Total annual catch and catch rates (CPUE) for key commercial species in the Kimberly Region of

the NWSTF between 2011 and 2014, compared to the Limit CPUE value. Green indicates that the LRP was

not triggered; orange = LRP triggered in one year; red = LRP triggered in two consecutive years. MHC =

Maximum Historic Catch trigger levels.

Species Limit RP

(kg/vessel_day)

MHC

(mt)

MHC

x2

(mt)

Year Annual CPUE

(kg/vessel_day)

Catch

(mt)

Australian

Scampi 24.3 20 40

2011 118.6 2.727

2012 na na

2013 142.0 2.556

2014 137.2 2.744

2015 132.7 2.3

Boschmas Scampi 46.5 10 20

2011 na na

2012 371.6 5.202

2013 na na

2014 357.8 4.293

2015 na na

Velvet Scampi 27.4 15 30

2011 138.9 0.972

2012 42.0 0.126

2013 221.6 5.319

2014 318.0 2.226

2015 304.7 3.656

Scampi mixed 27.7 25 50

2011 na na

2012 11.1 0.111

2013 8.3 0.025

2014 na na

2015 na na

Total Scampi 33.1 70 140

2011 142.3 3.699

2012 388.5 5.439

2013 232.4 7.900

2014 250.4 9.263

2015 211.1 5.912

Redspot Emperor 101.2 35 70

2011 228.6 1.600

2012 na na

2013 na na

2014 na na

2015 na na

Saddletail

Snapper 67.6 15 30

2011 406.7 8.540

2012 na na

2013 na na

2014 na na

2015 na na

4.2 Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery The majority of effort in the WDTF occurs in the western region, however there was no effort

in the WDTF during 2015, and only one boat operated in the western region during 2014

(Figure 1). Negligible effort has occurred in the Gascoyne region since 2010 (Figure 1).

The main target species in the western region are bugs, with catches for 2013-2015 reflecting

fluctuating effort levels (Table 6, Figure 1 - 3).

Table 6. Catches (kg) in the WDTF west region for 2012-2015.

Species 2012 2013 2014 2015

Boarfishes 0 163 0 0

Bugs Shovel nosed and slipper lobsters 8930 330 4883

0

Deepwater Flathead 0 750 0 0

Gemfish 0 189 0 0

Mirror Dory 0 2565 0 0

Orange Roughy 0 0 0 0

Other 642 338 1450 0


Smooth Oreodory 0 0 0 0

Table 7. Catches (kg) in the WDTF Gascoyne region for 2012-2015.

Species 2012 2013 2014 2015

Boarfishes 0 10 0

0

Bugs Shovel nosed and slipper

lobsters 630 5 0

0

Other 90 1509 0

0

Ruby Snapper 0 648 0

0

Scampi mixed 81 0 0

0

Tangs Snapper 0 315 0

0

Even with the observed increase in effort for 2012 no triggers under the harvest

strategy were reached with catch rates for target species above the Limit CPUE. The

trigger was reached for bugs in both regions in 2013, however have not been reached

again since. Under the harvest strategy, triggers must be reached two years in a row

to trigger a management response.

Table 8. Total annual catch and catch rates (CPUE) for key commercial species in the Gascoyne Region of the WDTF between 2011 and 2015, showing trigger values for the Limit CPUE. Green indicates that the LRP was not triggered; orange = LRP triggered in one year; red = LRP triggered in two consecutive years). MHC = Maximum Historic Catch trigger levels.

Species Limit RP

(kg/vessel_day)

MHC

(mt)

MHC

x2

(mt)

Year Annual CPUE

(kg/vessel_day)

Catch

(mt)

Scampi

mixed 23.7 10 20

2011 na na

2012 40.5 0.081

2013 na na

2014 na na

2015 na na

Bugs 103.8 100 200

2011 na na

2012 315.0 0.630

2013 2.5 0.005

2014 na na

2015 na na

Boarfishes 6.3 5 10

2011 na na

2012 na na

2013 10.0 0.010

2014 na na

2015 na na

Tangs

Snapper 19.4 15 30

2011 na na

2012 na na

2013 63.0 0.315

2014 na na

2015 na na

Ruby

Snapper 80.6 55 110

2011 na na

2012 na na

2013 162.0 0.648

2014 na na

2015 na na

Table 9. Total annual catch and catch rates (CPUE) for key commercial species in the West Region of the WDTF between 2011 and 2015, showing trigger values for the Limit CPUE. Green indicates that the LRP was not triggered; orange = LRP triggered in one year; red = LRP triggered in two consecutive years). MHC = Maximum Historic Catch trigger levels.

Species

Limit RP

(kg/vessel_day)

MHC

(mt)

MHC

x2

(mt)

Year Annual CPUE

(kg/vessel_day)

Annual

Catch

(mt)

Scampi

mixed 14.4 10 20

2011 40.5 0.162

2012 68.9 0.758

2013 na na

2014 106.5 0.639

2015 na na

Bugs 78 90 180

2011 915.0 3.660

2012 744.2 8.930

2013 66.0 0.330

2014 813.8 4.883

2015 na na

Deepwater

Flathead 93.6 40 80

2011 na na

2012 na na

2013 125.0 0.750

2014 na na

2015 na na

Boarfishes 22.7 10 20 2011 na na

2012 na na

2013 81.5 0.163

2014 na na

2015 na na

Gemfish 18.6 10 20

2011 na na

2012 na na

2013 47.3 0.189

2014 na na

2015 na na

Mirror Dory 13.6 5 10

2011 na na

2012 na na

2013 366.4 2.565

2014 na na

2015 na na

Figure 1. Total fishing effort (trawled hours) in the NWSTF and WDTF fisheries (top panel) and by fishery

sub-region (middle and bottom panel) for the period 2000-2015.

Figure 2. Total retained catch (mt) in the NWSTF and WDTF fisheries (top panel) and by fishery subregion

(middle and bottom panel) for the period 2000-2015.

Figure 3. Total retained catch (mt) by species in the NWSTF and WDTF sub fisheries for the period

2000-2014.

5 Ecosystem impacts

The Western Fisheries Harvest Strategy has a trigger when 2t of any ERA level 2 high

risk species is caught. The response to the trigger is to:

Investigate spatial distribution of the catches to attempt to determine why the

trigger has been reached.

If catches are spatially or temporally aggregated, impose a spatial and/or

seasonal closure.

If the trigger has been reached because a market has opened up for that

species, add the species to the list of “key commercial species” and establish

revised control rules.

If the catch is spatially and/or temporally patchy or random, consult with

experts and if there are no concerns, report as such.

Reconsider the trigger limit value in light of the outcomes above.

Only one species (mirror dory) was triggered for the WDWTF in 2013, where 2.65t

was caught (Table 10). No management action was taken regarding this trigger at the

time. The trigger has not been reached again and AFMA does not consider

management action is required at this time given it was a singular spiked trigger.

Further AFMA is about to start a review on the triggers within the harvest strategy to

ensure they are taking into account singular events versus repeated triggers.

5.1 Bycatch reduction

AFMA established a bycatch and discarding program in February 2007 to provide

additional resources and direction for pursuing policy and legislative objectives in

relation to bycatch and discarding. The bycatch and discarding program is aimed at

assisting fisheries tackle bycatch and discarding issues in a focused and cost-

effective way.

The NWSTF and WDTF bycatch and discarding work plans were first developed in

2008, but last updated in 2011. They are available for download at

http://www.afma.gov.au/managing-our-fisheries/environment-and-

sustainability/bycatch-and-discarding/

The work plans focus on developing management measures to reduce and monitor

interactions with high risk and protected species and discarding of key target species.

Work plans are reviewed annually to assess any specified milestones, incorporation

of new bycatch information or need for new research.

http://www.afma.gov.au/managing-our-fisheries/environment-and-

Table 10. Total annual catch between 2011 and 2015, as reported on logbooks and by observers, for species determined by Level 2 ERA assessments to be at high

risk from fishing in the WDTFF. Green indicates that the logbook reported catch has not exceeded the 2mt trigger reference point. Red indicates catch did exceed the

trigger reference point.

Logbook

Catch

(mt)

Observed

Catch (mt)

Fishery Species Name (HS)

Scientific

Name

Species

Name (QS)

Species Name

(OB) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

WDWTF Platypus shark

Deania

quadrispinosa

Platypus

Sharks

mixed NA

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Dusky shark

Carcharhinus

obscurus NA NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Brier shark Deania calcea NA NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Bight ghost shark

Hydrolagus

lemures Ghostsharks

Blackfin

Ghostshark 0 0 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF School shark, Tope shark

Galeorhinus

galeus

School

Shark NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Ornate angel shark

Squatina

tergocellata

Ornate

Angelshark

Ornate

Angelshark 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Green-eyed dogfish

Squalus

mitsukurii

Greeneye

Dogfish NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Piked dogfish

Squalus

megalops

Piked

Spurdog Piked Spurdog 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Endeavour dogfish

Centrophorus

moluccensis

Endeavour

Dogfish

Endeavour

Dogfish 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Longspine chimaera Chimaera sp NA NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Whitefin chimaera Chimaera sp NA NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Australian Tusk

Dannevigia

tusca Tusk Tusk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Chinaman/Leatherjacket

Nelusetta

ayraudi NA NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Gemfish Rexea solandri Gemfish Gemfish 0 0 0.189 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Jackass Morwong

Nemadactylus

macropterus

Jackass

Morwong NA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Mirror Dory

Zenopsis

nebulosus Mirror Dory Mirror Dory 0 0 2.625 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Tang Snapper

Lipocheilus

carnolabrum

Tang

Snapper Tang Snapper 0 0 0 0 0

WDWTF Yellow-spotted boarfish

Paristiopterus

gallipavo NA

Yellowspotted

Boarfish 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NWSTF Scarlet Prawn

Aristaeopsis

edwardsiana NA NA 0 0 0.024 0.17 0.018 0 0 0.00059 0 0

Issue

Condition Progress against conditions and recommendations

General Management

Export decisions relate to the

arrangements in force at the time of

the decision. To ensure that these

decisions remain valid and export

approval continues uninterrupted,

the Department of Sustainability,

Environment, Water, Population and

Communities needs to be advised of

any changes that are made to the

management regime and make an

assessment that the new

arrangements are

equivalent or better, in terms of ecological

sustainability, than those in place at the time

of the original decision. This includes

operational and legislated amendments that

may affect sustainability of the target

species or negatively impact on byproduct,

bycatch, protected species or the

ecosystem.

Condition 1:

Operation of the North West Slope Trawl Fishery

and the Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery will be

carried out in accordance with the management

regime,

in force under the Fisheries Management Act 1991

and the Fisheries Management Regulations 1992.

Condition 2:

The Australian Fisheries Management

Authority to advise the Department of

Sustainability, Environment, Water,

Population and Communities of any intended

material change to the legislated

management regime and management

arrangements of the North West Slope Trawl

Fishery and the Western Deepwater Trawl

Fishery that could affect the criteria on which

Environment Protection

and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

decisions are based.

The western fisheries continued to operate under the Statement of Management Arrangements 2012 and harvest strategy.

6 Reporting against the conditions and recommendations from the 2012 assessment

Issue Condition Progress against conditions and recommendations

Annual reporting

It is important that reports be produced and presented to the department annually in

order for the performance of the fishery and progress in implementing the conditions

and recommendations in this report and other managerial commitments to be

monitored and assessed throughout the life of the declaration.

Annual reports should include: a description of the fishery, management

arrangements in place, research and monitoring outcomes, recent catch data for all

sectors of the fishery, status of target stock, interactions with protected species,

impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem in which it operates and information outlining

progress in implementing conditions and recommendations resulting from the

previous assessment of the fishery (for a complete description of annual reporting

requirements,

see Appendix B of the ‘Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable

Management of Fisheries – 2nd Edition’ available from the department’s

website at

http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/publications/guidelines.html).

Condition 3:

The Australian Fisheries

Management Authority

to produce and present

reports to the

Department of

Sustainability,

Environment, Water,

Population and

Communities annually

as per Appendix B of the

‘Guidelines for the

Ecologically Sustainable

Management of

Fisheries – 2nd Edition’.

This report meets with this condition.

http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/publications/guidelines.html)

http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/publications/guidelines.html)


Impacts of demersal trawling on bottom habitats in waters shallower than 200 metres

Demersal trawl fishing has the potential to

cause significant impacts on the seafloor

by reducing the structural complexity of

the benthic environment. The department

recognises that, as required under fishing

permit conditions, for operations of the

North West Slope Trawl Fishery in waters

shallower than 200 metres there must be

100 per cent observer coverage.

Additionally, the Australian Fisheries

Management Authority has implemented,

also via permit conditions, a ‘move on’ five

nautical miles provision to areas where a

trigger limit of 50 kilograms of coral or

sponges in one shot has been reported. The

Australian Fisheries Management Authority

has advised the department that any coral

or sponges caught in nets must be returned

to the water immediately. The department

understands that the same demersal trawl

gear used to target scampi in deeper waters

of the North West Slope Trawl Fishery is

being used to target demersal finfish

species in shallower waters.

Condition 4:

Should fishing effort in waters

shallower than 200 metres in the

north east portion of the

North West Slope Trawl Fishery exceed

2011 levels in a given season, the


to review the ecological risk assessment for

this fishery to include analysis of the impact

of demersal trawling on bottom habitats in

this area of the fishery.

Effort has not exceeded 2011 levels in any season.


While fishing effort in the northeast portion of

the North West Slope Trawl Fishery was low

in 2011, the ‘Harvest Strategy for the

Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery and

North West Slope Trawl Fishery 2011’ notes

the potential for effort levels in the fisheries

to increase in future. The department

recognises that the ecological risk

assessment (ERA) of the North West Slope

Trawl Fishery, which has been used for

informing the development of the harvest

strategy, does not assess the impacts of

fishing upon bottom habitats found in waters

shallower than 200 metres in the north east

portion of the fishery. Given that:

these demersal ecosystems

support stocks of demersal finfish

harvested in the North West Slope

Trawl Fishery, and

these demersal ecosystems

are of importance in

supporting stocks of fish

harvested by fisheries

managed by other

jurisdictions,

the department considers it important for

Australian Fisheries Management


Authority to review the ecological risk

assessment for the North West Slope

Trawl Fishery to allow sufficient

assessment of the potential risks

associated with demersal finfish trawling

on bottom habitats in waters shallower

than 200 metres.


Data validation

Previous Australian Government

assessments of the North West Slope Trawl


Fishery under the Environment Protection

and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

included recommendations for the


to:

validate catch and effort information

collect information on bycatch, interactions with protected species, and

Recommendation 1:


Authority to continue to validate catch and

effort information collected with

independent observer data for target,

byproduct and protected species when

undertaking the annual review against the

‘Harvest Strategy for the Western

Deepwater Trawl Fishery and North West

Slope Trawl Fishery 2011’.

AFMA continues to use observer data to validate catches from logbooks. Information regarding triggers in the harvest strategy is reported under sections 4 and 5 of this report.


ensure a minimum of five per cent observer coverage.

In 2007, the department noted that, while

effort in the fisheries had been low, it was

unclear how observer data was being used

to validate information recorded in

logbooks, and therefore recommended that

the Australian Fisheries Management

Authority validate catch and effort

information. Since this time, the department

recognises that the Australian Fisheries

Management Authority validated North

West Slope Trawl Fishery logbook data

using observer data in the review of 2011

catch data against the harvest strategy.

The ‘Harvest Strategy for the Western

Deepwater Trawl Fishery and North West

Slope Trawl Fishery 2011’ specifies a

commitment to providing observer

coverage on a minimum of six per cent of

fishing operations. Observer data for the

North West Slope Trawl Fishery was used

in the 2011 review of catch data to verify

fishers’ logbook information, which was

subsequently used to determine if any

triggers were reached under the harvest

strategy. The department recommends

that where observer data is available,


validation also be undertaken for the

Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery in

annual reviews.

The harvest strategy relies strongly on

logbooks for determining whether or not

reference points have been reached. The

department notes that increases in data

requirements are specified in the harvest

strategy once reference points are reached

and until such time as these reference

points are reached, the Australian Fisheries

Management Authority has informed the

department that annual validation and

review of catch and effort information is

sufficient to provide assurance that the data

is robust.


Complementary management of shared stocks

The Offshore Constitutional Settlement

(OCS) arrangement between the

Commonwealth and Western Australian

governments was originally drafted in 1995

with the intention that Commonwealth trawl

operators would operate seaward of the 200

metre depth contour. This was expressed in

the 1995 arrangement as a reference to the

200 metre isobath in conjunction with a

series of latitudes and longitudes. In 1998,

when the OCS arrangement was amended,

any reference to the 200 metre isobath was

removed, leaving the series of latitudes and

longitudes as the boundary of the North

West

Slope Trawl Fishery and the Western

Deepwater Trawl Fishery. It has since been

found that the series of latitudes and

longitudes do not reflect this intent, and as

such, there are waters shallower than

200 metres that Commonwealth permit holders have access to, and waters deeper

Recommendation 2:


Authority to continue to work with other

jurisdictions to actively pursue consistent

and/or complementary research and

management arrangements to account for

stocks harvested in overlapping or adjacent

jurisdictions to the North West Slope Trawl


Fishery.

AFMA regularly liaises with Western Australia to pursue cross jurisdictional management of the fishery. A meeting will be held in late 2016/ early 2017 to review the harvest strategy and cross jurisdictional management arrangements. One of the main topics of conversation will be regarding the changes to the 200m line and associated stock management.


than 200 metres

from which Commonwealth permit holders are excluded from.

Fishing by Commonwealth permit holders in

waters shallower than 200 metres in the

North West Slope Trawl Fishery occurred in

2007. These waters were closed to fishing

up until October 2011 via a series of

gazetted and voluntary closures imposed

for trawling. In October 2011, coinciding

with the implementation of the ‘Harvest

Strategy for the Western Deepwater Trawl

Fishery and North West Slope Trawl Fishery

2011’, operators recommenced activity in

this area, primarily targeting finfish,

including goldband snapper and red

emperor, which are shared stocks with a

number of Western Australian managed

fisheries, such as the Northern Demersal

Scalefish Fishery and the Pilbara Fisheries

(Fish Trawl, Trap and Line fisheries).

Under the harvest strategy, annual catch

limits have been set at 44 tonnes for

goldband snapper and 12 tonnes for red

emperor based on results of stock

assessments undertaken by the

Department


of Fisheries, Western Australia using

Northern Demersal Scalefish Fishery data

collected up until 2007. The stock

assessments indicated that the Western

Australian managed fishing levels in 2007

were likely not to be depleting the spawning

biomass below threshold limit levels. In

2010, catch limits in the Northern Demersal

Scalefish Fishery were lowered by ten per

cent. In 2011, the Australian Fisheries

Management Authority set the catch limits

mentioned above based on the relative

geographic area of overlap (9.4 per cent)

between the North West Slope Trawl

Fishery and Fishing Area 2 Zone B (the

overlapping area) of the Northern

Demersal Scalefish Fishery for which the

stock assessment was conducted. These

catch limits are 9.4 per cent of the catches

of the species taken in Fishing Area 2 Zone

B (the overlapping area) of the Northern

Demersal Scalefish Fishery recorded for

2009.

References

Dichmont, D., Hunter, C., Venables, B. (2002). Ruby Snapper Stock Assessment, Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery. CSIRO Division of Marine Research Draft Report, Cleveland. 39pp.

Evans, D. (1992). The Western Deep Water Trawl and North West Slope Trawl Fisheries, pp. 19-27. In The fisheries biology of deepwater crustacea and finfish on the continental slope of Western Australia, Rainer, S.F. (ed). Final Report FRDC Project 1988/74, 308pp.

Smith, A., A. Hobday, H. Webb, R. Daley, S. Wayte, C. Bulman, J. Dowdney, A.

Williams, M. Sporcic, J. Dambacher, M. Fuller, D. Furlani, T. Walker. (2007)

Ecological Risk Assessment for the Effects of Fishing: Final Report R04/1072 for

the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Canberra.

Ford, B. 2006. Community ecology of the Western Australian continental slope

demersal ichthyofauna. Honours thesis, University of Western Australia.

Lynch, A.W. and Garvey, J.R. 2005. North West Slope Trawl Fishery Scampi Stock

Assessment 2004. Data Group, Australian Fisheries Management Authority,

Canberra.

Moore, A.S., Gerner, M and Patterson, H.M. 2007a. Western Deepwater Trawl

Fishery Data Summary 2006. Australian Fisheries Management Authority,

Canberra.

Moore, A.S., Gerner, M and Patterson, H.M. 2007b. North West Slope Trawl

Fishery Data Summary 2006. Australian Fisheries Management Authority,

Canberra.

Staples, D., McLoughlin, K., Newton, G., Rainer, S., Wadley, V., Garvey, J. (1994). North West Slope Trawl, pp. 103-108. In Fishery Status Reports 1993 ⎯ Resource Assessments of Australian Commonwealth Fisheries, McLoughlin, K., Staples, D. and Maliel, M. (eds). Bureau of Resource Sciences, Canberra. Wallner, B.G. and Phillips, B.F. (1995). Development of a trawl fishery for deepwater metanephropid lobsters off the northwest continental slope of Australia:designing a management strategy compatible with species life history. ICES mar. Sci. Symp., 199:379-390.

Woodhams, J, Stobutzki, I, Vieira, S, Curtotti, R & Begg GA (eds) 2011, Fishery Status reports 2010: status of fish stocks and fisheries managed by the Australian Government, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra

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