East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery · Annual status report 2009 East Coast Inshore Fin Fish...

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.



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.


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

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

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ays)

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8000

Catc

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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).


http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/Fisheries_CommercialFisheries/Commercial-Fisheries-handbook.pdf


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)


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).

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180

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

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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

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Tuna

Fish

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Tailo

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acke

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eam

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enfis

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unte

rFl

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adM

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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


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


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

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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Prop

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2007-08

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2008-09

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Recreational2006-07

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2007-08

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2008-09

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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


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


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


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


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


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.


http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/



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)


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