East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery Annual Status … The Queensland commercial fishery mainly...

Annual status report 2010 East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery

Annual status report 2010– East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery

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Annual status report 2010–East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery 1

Fishery Profile 2009–10

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 2009–10

485 net fishery symbols, 1543 line fishery symbols and 414 charter licences

Total harvest from all sectors

7928 t

Commercial licences accessing the fishery in 2009–10

406 with net fishery symbols, 360 with line fishery symbols and 210 charter licences

Commercial harvest

4843 t

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 to protect spawning tailor.

Recreational harvest (2005)

In 2005 approximately 3000 t harvested and 4400 t released

Fishery symbols

‘N’, ‘S’, ‘L’ or ‘K’ fishery symbols

Indigenous harvest

No estimate available

Monitoring undertaken

Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program. Grey and spotted mackerels, sand whiting, yellowfin bream, dusky flathead, tailor, barramundi and sea mullet.

Charter harvest

85 t

Fishery Observer Program days monitored in 2009–10

97 days

Allocation between sectors

The ECIFFF commercial sector contributes the majority of the total harvest of mullet, small mackerels and shark on the Queensland east coast. The recreational harvest is likely to substantially exceed the commercial harvest of a number of species: notably sand, northern, goldenline and trumpeter whiting, tailor, bream, flathead and trevally.

Accreditation under the EPBC Act

Yes1–Expires: 28 February 2012

Total exports

Export markets for mullet roe, shark and small mackerel products. No estimate available.

Logbook validation

Logbook validation for S symbol hoders conducted by onboard observers.

Commercial Gross Value of Production (GVP)

$19.6 million

Quota managed (1 July to 30 June each year)

Total allowable commercial catch (TACC) limits: Sharks and Rays (600 t), grey mackerel (250 t), spotted mackerel (240 t) and tailor (120 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. Management arrangements also accredited under Part 13a.


Key fish resources Stock status

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) Sustainably Fished

Comments: Commercial catches are stable and within historical levels. There is a good range of fish lengths and ages in

several years of sampled populations. Studies of barramundi in the Fitzroy catchment indicate harvest levels are below

sustainable yield estimates.

Bream–yellowfin (Acanthopagrus australis) Sustainably Fished

Comments: Commercial catches and catch rates are stable. Good representation of ranges of fish lengths and ages in the

sampled populations over time. Total mortality estimates are below upper limits. Precautionary management arrangements

introduced on 1 March 2010 increase the proportion of female fish that are likely to have spawned before recruiting to the

fishery.

Bream–other (Acanthopagrus spp. and Rhabdosargus sarba) No assessment made

Comments: The Queensland commercial fishery mainly harvests yellowfin bream although pikey bream (A. berda) is a major

component of the recreational catches in north Queensland. Should commercial or recreational interest in other bream

species increase significantly, these may be considered in future assessments of stock status.

Dart (Trachinotus spp.) No assessment made

Comments: Reported commercial catches are low, however the recreational fishing survey indicted 120 t of dart were

harvested in 2005. Catches of dart will be monitored and a threshold harvest level be developed for inclusion in the

Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) for the East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF).

Flathead–dusky (Platycephalus fuscus) Sustainably Fished

Comments: Commercial catches and catch rates are stable. Fishery predominantly harvests female fish. Nearly all male and

large fecund female fish are protected by minimum and maximum size limits. Conservative bag limits are also in place. Age

and length information indicate healthy stocks.

Flathead–other (Platycephalus spp.) No assessment made

Comments: The commercial fishery mainly harvests dusky flathead. Should commercial or recreational interest in other

flathead species increase significantly, these may be considered in future assessments of stock status.

Garfish (Hemiramphidae) No assessment made

Comments: The complex comprises five distinct species across a number of different habitats. No reasonable assessment of

stock status could be made for the complex given this diversity. Attempts will be made to separate the commercial and

recreational reporting of these species with a view to assessing individual species in subsequent stock status workshops.

Javelin (Pomadasys spp.) Uncertain

Comments: Grunter (= javelin) is a complex of important recreational species, especially in north Queensland. Although

commercial catches and catch rates are steady, the magnitude of the recreational catch on a regional basis is not known at

this stage. The stock status is ‘uncertain’ until an updated recreational harvest estimate is available.

Mackerel–grey (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) Uncertain



Comments: There is uncertainty in the assessment of current catch trends and stock status given the commercial fishery

fundamentally changed with the introduction of new conservative quota management arrangements on 1 July 2009. Only two

years of routine biological data (length of fish caught in the fishery) were available which is insufficient to assess trends.

Mackerel–school (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) Uncertain

Comments: While it is likely that the school mackerel harvest is sustainable, there are contradictory signals in the

commercial catch rates for the net and line sectors. The status of school mackerel is ‘uncertain’ until there is greater

confidence in the commercial catch rate data and better quantification of the recreational harvest.

Mackerel–shark (Grammatorcynus bicarinatus) No assessment made

Comments: Commercial catch around 36 t in 2008–09. Shark mackerel reported in the recreational surveys was allocated on

a proportional basis from the unspecified mackerels; therefore there is not a lot of confidence in recreational harvest

estimates. No biological information available.

Mackerel–spotted (Scomberomorus munroi) Sustainably Fished

Comments: Predominantly a line fished species since 2004. Age, length, sex structure and mortality estimates are available.

Species-specific recreational estimate also available. Total mortality rate estimate indicates fishing is occurring at upper

levels.

Sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) Sustainably Fished

Comments: Stock is shared with New South Wales. Queensland’s catches are stable and within historical levels. Sea mullet

was recently assessed by New South Wales as ‘fully fished’ due to a long history of stable landings and catch rates for estuary

and ocean fisheries in both jurisdictions.

Shark–blacktip complex Common blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) and

Australian blacktip shark (Carcharhinus tilstoni); Shark–spot-tail shark (Carcharinus

sorrah)

No assessment made

Comments: Assessment of blacktip sharks and spot tail whalers is being undertaken by the Fisheries Queensland Shark

Working Group that has been established to provide advice to fisheries managers. An assessment of the commercial harvest

of sharks is planned at the end of 2010.

Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) Sustainably Fished

Comments: The tailor stock is shared with New South Wales and is considered ‘sustainably fished’. Preliminary results of a

recent stock assessment (2009) indicate that the combined Queensland–New South Wales total harvest of tailor is below the

estimated maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and above 50% of virgin biomass.

Threadfin–blue (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) Sustainably Fished

Comments: Commercial catches and catch rates are stable since 2002. Life history characteristics are resilient to fishing

pressure. There are no indications of stock declines.

Threadfin–king (Polydactylus macrochir) Uncertain



Comments: No trend in commercial catches and catch rates. Highest catches occur in the Capricorn region. Recent research

suggests king threadfin may have highly localised populations and may be under high fishing pressure in some areas.

Sustainability reference points in the PMS are not monitored at a regional level so it is not possible to determine overall catch

trends or stock status at this time.

Trevally complex Carangidae spp. No assessement made

Comments: The commercial time series data includes many species with different life history characteristics; a meaningful

stock status assessment is not possible given the heterogeneity in this group. Better species resolution through commercial

logbooks or recreational diaries would not be achievable; information collected through the Fishery Observer Program will be

investigated over time to determine whether stock or risk assessments can be made in the future.

Whiting–sand (Sillago ciliata) Sustainably Fished

Comments: Commercial catches and catch rates appear stable. Comprehensive span of ages and lengths in the sampled

population and it is evident that reasonable recruitment is occurring. The minimum size limit is set at size-at-first maturity

which increases the opportunity for fish to spawn before recruiting to the fishery. Bag limits introduced on 1 March 2009.

Whiting–other (Sillago spp. other than S. robusta and S. ciliata) No assessement made

Comments: The commercial fishery mainly harvests sand whiting. Should commercial or recreational interest in other whiting

species increase significantly, these may be considered in future assessments of stock status.


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 2009–10

financial year for quota species and 2009 calendar year

for certain species monitored through the Fisheries Long

Term Monitoring Program. Changes to management

arrangements up to December 2010 are also reported.

eries Long

Term Monitoring Program. Changes to management

arrangements up to December 2010 are also reported.

Fishery description Fishery description The area of the ECIFFF includes all Queensland tidal

waters east of longitude 142°31'49'' east, other than tidal

waters of waterways that flow to the sea west of

longitude 142°31'49'' east. Different commercial 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 from ocean beaches (Figure 2); and ‘L’ fishery

symbols allow the use of line fishing gear throughout the

fishery area (Figure 3).

The area of the ECIFFF includes all Queensland tidal

waters east of longitude 142°31'49'' east, other than tidal

waters of waterways that flow to the sea west of

longitude 142°31'49'' east. Different commercial 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 from ocean beaches (Figure 2); and ‘L’ fishery

symbols allow the use of line fishing gear throughout the

fishery area (Figure 3).

Fisheries Queensland created a new ‘S’ symbol on 1 July

2009 to allow commercial fishers to target sharks and

rays using line or net apparatus. Fishers without a S

symbol are restricted to a possession limit of ten net-

caught and four line-caught sharks. This target fishery is

subject to a competitive total allowable catch limit of

600 t divided into a 480 t northen (north of Baffle Creek)

and a 120 t southern component. Detailed information on

the management arrangements for ECIFFF can be found in

the Guidelines for commercial operators in the East

Fisheries Queensland created a new ‘S’ symbol on 1 July

2009 to allow commercial fishers to target sharks and

rays using line or net apparatus. Fishers without a S

symbol are restricted to a possession limit of ten net-

caught and four line-caught sharks. This target fishery is

subject to a competitive total allowable catch limit of

600 t divided into a 480 t northen (north of Baffle Creek)

and a 120 t southern component. Detailed information on

the management arrangements for ECIFFF can be found in

the Guidelines for commercial operators in the East

Coast Fin Fish Fishery (DEEDI 2009).

The ECIFFF is a multi-species, multi-sectoral, 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 and to avoid size regulated

species. 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

Figure 2: ECIFFF Ocean Bea

Regulation 2008.

Figure 1: ECIFFF Net fishery areas.

ch fishery areas

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













Fishing methods

Recreational gear includes cast nets, small seine (bait)

nets and hook and line. Recreational fisheries are boat-

or shore-based.

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.

The commercial fishery comprises a number of types of

both shore-based and boat-based fishing operations that

differ fundamentally on the basis of the fishing gear used

to target regionally important species.

Key species

The following background information was adapted from

Williams (2002).

Barramundi

The barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a large predatory fish

species that can grow to 150 cm total length (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 Blacktip whaler species complex

(Carcharhinus limbatus + tilstoni)2and 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 three to four years of age.

They are live bearing, 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.

2 A recent genetics research study has shown that the Australian blacktip and the common blacktip whalers are hybridizing along much of the Queensland east coast. (Jessica Morgan and Jenny Ovenden, DEEDI, pers comm. 2010). This makes identification of the species without detailed examination impossible at sea.

Grey mackerel

Grey mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) is a

pelagic species endemic to waters across northern

Australia and adjacent Papua New Guinea and larvae and

juveniles are dependent on estuarine and inshore

habitats (Cameron & Begg 2002). They are a fast growing

species with fork length (FL) at first maturity for females

of 65–70 cm FL and males of 55–60 cm FL 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 yellowfin 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 TL, 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 two to three 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 one to two years of age

and have a maximum size of about 30 cm.

Flathead

Flathead are found along the entire coast of Queensland.

Dusky flathead are dependent on estuarine and inshore

coastal habitats throughout their life cycle. Dusky

flathead are reasonably fast growing in subtropical and

tropical waters, 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

dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus) with bar-tailed

flathead (P. endrachtensis and P. indicus) and sand

flathead (P. arenarius) also caught.

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 school and 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 120 cm 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 “Guidelines for commercial operators in the

East Coast Fin Fish Fishery” (DEEDI 2009) to provide

commercial fishers with a summary of management

arrangements as implemented post 1 March 2009.

Catch statistics Commercial

The ECIFFF operated under new management

arrangements for the first time in 2009–10. The most

significant changes that impact on overall catches relate

to the restricted harvest of sharks3 and grey mackerel, all

of which are now subject to precautionary a Total

Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC). While it is too early

to compare catch trends for these species under the new

arrangements with previous years (a minimum three

years of data required), this section provides a snapshot

of fishery performance in 2009–10.

The ECIFFF has seen a substantial decrease in overall

harvest in 2009–10 compared with previous years (Figure

3), commensurate with the implementation of new more

precautionary management arrangements. The overall

harvest decreased by 22% to 4843 t in 2009–10. The

majority of the decrease (68%) comprised the TACC

managed grey mackerel (- 251t) and shark (- 467t).

3 The term ‘shark’ refers to all Chondrichthyan fishes which includes all sharks, rays and chimaeras.




Figure 3: Total estimated commercial catch and effort for the ECIFFF 2001–02 to 2009–10 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 31 January 2011).

Mullet species continue to be the most harvested

species in the ECIFFF by weight (Table 1). Other important

key species (whiting, bream, flathead tailor, spotted and

school mackerel, and barramundi) were all within the

range of catches from the previous three years while king

and blue threadfins were slightly lower.

Sharks and rays

In late 2010, Fisheries Queensland reviewed performance

of the fishery for sharks under the new licence

arrangements implemented on 1 July 2009. A preliminary

report was reviewed by the independent Shark Panel

established by Fisheries Queensland to oversight

implementation of the new management arrangements.

The final report was provided to SEWPaC to meet the

requirements of Condition 8 of the WTO.

The report presented catch and effort data for the period

1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 and assessed:

• compliance with the total allowable commercial catch

(TACC)

• the species composition of catch

• changes in operating behaviour (e.g. targeting,

methods employed, regions fished).

The following provides a summary of the report findings.

From 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010, fishery logbooks

recorded approximately 500 t of shark catch (Table 2).

The introduction of more restrictive management

arrangements controlling the harvest of sharks have

reduced catches substantially from previous years

(Table 3).

Reported logbook weights for shark (501 t) varied slightly

from those reported through quota usage (508 t). This is

not unexpected given that logbook weights are estimated

only. Quota usage quantities are based on more accurate

weights measured on land when product is unloaded.

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

2001-2002

2002-2003

2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

2007-2008

2008-2009

2009-2010

Effo

rt (d

ays)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

Catc

h (t

)

Effort (net) Effort (line) Catch (t)

The proportion of sharks harvested using line and net

methods was similar to previous years; 95% (475 t) of

shark catch by net and 5% (25 t) by line. The catch

proportion between regions was also similar to recent

years. The northern region (waters north of Baffle Creek)

accounted for 77% of shark catch and the southern

region (waters south of Baffle Creek) accounted for 23%.

New, more detailed shark logbooks commenced on 1 July

2009 and have provided far greater resolution of the

harvest of different species encountered than previous.

The acceptance and use of the new logbooks can be

partially demonstrated by the substantial reduction in

the reporting of ‘unspecified’ shark catch which has

dropped from 584 t in 2008–09 to 82 t in 2009–10

(Table 1).

Excluding the unspecified species component of shark

catch (10% of northern net catch and 5% of southern net

catch), the dominant shark taxa taken by net were

blacktip whaler and graceful shark complex;

hammerhead sharks (including scalloped); spinner

shark; spot-tail shark; and milk, sharpnose and

hardnose sharks (Figures 4 and 5). The range of

dominant species compares favourably with previous

research results and the major species are currently

listed as priority species for assessment.

Fisheries Queensland conducted a validation exercise

based on a full year of at-sea observations of S symbol

holders in late 2010. It found that shark species were

being identified and reported reasonably accurately

overall. There were some exceptions however. Notably,

the exercise noted a degree of confusion in fishers’

separation of black tip reef sharks from black tip whalers

in logbook entries, with the latter regularly reported by

some fishers working in reef areas as black tip reef

sharks. It is therefore likely that the catch of black tip

reef sharks reported in 2010 is an over-estimate.

Fisheries Queensland is continuing its education

program in at-sea shark identification with a particular

focus on improving this situation.

The review of shark and ray harvest in the ECIFFF

concluded that, based on current catch and effort levels,

the fishery is performing wthin its sustainability

performance targets, with no immediate need for an

alteration to existing management interventions.


Table 1: Composition of commercial harvest in the ECIFFF from 2006–07 to 2009–10 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 31 January 2011). Note: Interpretation of species specific harvest of shark prior to 2009–10 should consider the changed reporting arrangements resulting from the introduction of a shark specific logbook for S symbol holders. Reporting of shark harvest prior to this date was less specific with no requirements of fishers to record species level information.

Total (net, line) in tonnes Common name/group

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Bait fish 197 (196,1) 168 (168,<1) 163 (163,<1) 127 (126,<1) Barracuda 9 (9,<1) 5 (4,<1) 5 (4,<1) 6 (5,<1) Barramundi 239 (239,0) 285 (285,0) 307 (306,<1) 234 (234,<1) Bonito 52 (39,13) 10 (5,5) 21 (10,12) 42 (19,23) Bream 185 (184,1) 264 (264,<1) 171 (170,1) 165 (164,<1) Bream - butter 1 (1,0) 1 (1,<1) 2 (2,0) 3 (3,0) Catfish 17 (17,<1) 19 (18,<1) 23 (23,<1) 16 (16,<1) Cod <1 (0,<1) <1 (0,<1) <1 (0,<1) 2 (0,2) Dart 63 (63,<1) 27 (27,<1) 30 (30,<1) 27 (27,<1) Estuary cod 8 (<1,8) 10 (<1,9) 9 (<1,9) 6 (<1,6) Fish - unspecified 82 (68,15) 66 (62,5) 70 (62,8) 76 (69,6) Flathead 76 (76,<1) 67 (66,<1) 66 (65,<1) 57 (56,1) Garfish 180 (180,0) 168 (167,<1) 174 (174,<1) 146 (145,<1) Grunter 29 (29,<1) 32 (31,<1) 28 (26,2) 22 (19,4) Guitarfish 1 (<1,<1) 4 (3,<1) 1 (<1,<1) 15 (14,<1) Jewfish - unspecified 16 (13,3) 28 (24,4) 39 (29,10) 18 (10,8) Luderick 12 (12,<1) 16 (16,<1) 14 (14,0) 20 (20,0) Mackerel - grey 350 (343,7) 356 (350,6) 444 (438,6) 193 (181,12) Mackerel - school 144 (107,38) 129 (107,22) 141 (119,22) 136 (114,21) Mackerel - shark 49 (<1,49) 33 (<1,33) 52 (<1,52) 51 (2,49) Mackerel - spotted 59 (6,53) 26 (4,22) 73 (8,66) 100 (12,88) Mackerel - unspecified 2 (<1,2) 9 (<1,9) 9 (1,8) 5 (<1,5) Mangrove jack 2 (1,<1) 7 (5,1) 12 (9,4) 5 (2,3) Milkfish 10 (10,0) 1 (1,0) 1 (1,0) 4 (4,0) Mullet 1587 (1587,<1) 1835 (1835,0) 1862 (1861,<1) 1754 (1754,<1) Queenfish 122 (121,<1) 108 (108,<1) 130 (129,<1) 128 (126,2) Ray - unspecified 8 (8,<1) 30 (30,<1) 17 (17,<1) 5 (4,<1) Sardine 9 (7,2) 15 (15,<1) 4 (4,<1) 6 (6,<1) Scad 21 (13,8) 16 (13,3) 27 (22,5) 19 (15,4) Scat 10 (10,0) 9 (9,0) 10 (10,0) 9 (9,0) Shark - blacktip reef - - - 27 (27,<1) Shark - blacktip whalers and graceful 222 (206,16) 244 (239,5) 212 (208,4) 171 (161,10) Shark - bull and pigeye 8 (7,<1) 10 (10,<1) 32 (32,<1) 20 (19,<1) Shark - creek whaler - - <1 (<1,0) 4 (4,<1) Shark - dusky - - <1 (<1,0) 3 (2,<1) Shark - hammerhead 7 (7,0) 153 (153,<1) 152 (151,<1) 47 (45,3) Shark - milk, sharpnose and hardnose 2 (2,0) <1 (<1,0) 2 (2,0) 18 (17,<1) Shark - scalloped hammerhead 112 (111,<1) 16 (16,<1) - 19 (19,<1) Shark - snaggletooth and weasel - - - 3 (3,<1) Shark - spinner <1 (<1,0) <1 (<1,0) 2 (2,0) 38 (38,<1) Shark - spot tail 6 (6,0) 8 (8,0) 7 (7,0) 21 (20,<1) Shark - tiger 9 (8,<1) 3 (3,<1) <1 (<1,<1) 18 (18,<1) Shark - unspecified 62 (40,22) 72 (43,28) 57 (34,23) 24 (16,8) Shark - whaler unspecified 565 (544,21) 577 (574,3) 527 (525,2) 58 (57,<1) Shark - white cheek 2 (2,0) 2 (2,0) 3 (3,0) 4 (4,0) Silver biddy 12 (12,0) 9 (9,0) 12 (12,0) 6 (6,0) Tailor 82 (82,<1) 107 (106,<1) 107 (106,2) 118 (114,4) Threadfin 6 (4,2) 13 (13,<1) 13 (12,<1) 6 (6,<1) Threadfin - blue 178 (178,<1) 181 (181,<1) 173 (173,<1) 152 (151,<1) Threadfin - king 147 (147,0) 185 (185,<1) 174 (174,<1) 135 (135,<1) Trevally 158 (61,97) 116 (62,54) 120 (52,69) 140 (64,76) Tuna 46 (23,23) 27 (13,14) 55 (31,24) 43 (25,18) Wahoo 4 (<1,4) 3 (<1,3) 10 (7,3) 4 (0,4) Whiting 296 (296,<1) 268 (267,<1) 290 (289,1) 339 (339,<1) Wolf herring 15 (14,<1) 12 (12,<1) 16 (15,<1) 10 (10,<1) Minor species (< 2t per species) 46 (44,2) 36 (33,3) 29 (26,3) 19 (16,3)

Grand Total 5528 (5135,393) 5787 (5549,238) 5900 (5559,341) 4843 (4472,370)


Table 2: Reported catch and effort for shark and ray species on the Queensland east coast by method and logbook type for 2009–10 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database, 4 November 2010).

Logbook Type Method Licences Days Number Weight (t)

LF (general line fishing) Line 119 712 1594 10

SR (shark/ray) Line 19 275 3465 15

SR (shark/ray) Net 123 3228 77131 438

NC (net/crab) Net 143 1528 Not reported 37

Table 3: Reported net and line catch (tonnes) for shark and ray species in the ECIFFF by region, logbook type and method from 2006–07 to 2009–10 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database, 4 November 2010).

Authority Region Method 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 S-symbol North Line 6 5 5 12 Net 672 771 654 340 Combined 678 776 659 352 South Line 3 11 60 3 Net 141 123 86 98 Combined 144 134 146 101 Subtotal 821 910 805 453 No S-symbol North Line 13 18 14 6 Net 47 71 78 27 Combined 60 89 92 32 South Line 41 13 12 5 Net 83 102 59 11 Combined 124 114 71 16 Subtotal 184 204 163 48 Total 1005 1114 968 501

41%

16%

10%

7%

5%

5%

3%

3%3%

3% 1% 1%

Blacktip whaler complexHammerheadsUnspec whalersBlacktip reef sharkSorrah (spot-tail) whalerTiger sharkGuitarfishes shovelnoseSpinner sharkPigeye & bull sharksMilk, sharpnose, hardnose sharksCreek whalerWhitecheek sharkWhite tip reef sharkDusky whalerLemon sharkUnspec raySnaggletooth & weasel sharksShark raySpotted eagle rayUnspec sawfishSliteye sharkSandbar sharkGrey reef sharkWinghead sharkMako sharkFossil shark

Figure 4: Composition by weight of net caught shark and ray species in the northern quota region in the ECIFFF (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database, 4 November 2010).


Spinner sharkBlacktip whaler complex

27%

26%9%

7%

5%

5%

4%

3%

3%

3%3% 2% 1%

Milk, sharpnose, hardnose sharksPigeye & bull sharks Unspec whalers

Blacktip reef sharkSorrah (spot-tail) whaler

HammerheadsSnaggletooth & weasel sharks

Unspec rayGuitarfishes shovelnose Dusky whalerScalloped hammerhead Sliteye sharkCreek whaler Lemon shark

Colclough's SharkFossil shark

Eagle rayWhitecheek shark

Mako sharkBlind shark

Nervous sharkWobbegong

Figure 5: Composition by weight of net caught shark and ray species in the southern quota region in the ECIFFF (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database, 4 November 2010).

Recreational

Refer to the 'Recreational' section of the 2008 ECIFFF

Annual Status Report (ASR) for estimated weights of

ECIFFF species caught by recreational fishers based on

the Recreational Fishing Information System diary

surveys conducted in 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2005.

Fisheries Queensland commenced a new statewide

recreational fishing survey of both participation and also

catch and effort in 2010. This survey will provide timely,

robust data about the recreational harvest of major

ECIFFF species by Queenslanders4. The results of this

survey will be available in 2012.

Charter vessels

The total charter catch reported through logbooks has

been stable since 2007–08 (Figure 6). Approximately

14% more fish were released than harvested in 2009–10

(Figure 6). This matches the 10 year average of 14%.

Trevally5, unspecified mackerel, tuna, spotted mackerel

4 Catches by interstate and international tourists and other visitors will not be obtained from this survey but was estimated in the 2000–2001 National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (Henry and Lyle 2003). 5 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.

and barramundi were the top five inshore species groups

most often caught by the recreational fishers on charter

boats in 2009–10 (Figure 7). The greatest increase in the

reported harvest of individual species was for spotted

mackerel which has increased by approximately 9 t since

2008–09. Shark (unspecified) continues to be a minor

component of charter harvest and release.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2001-2002

2002-2003

2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

2007-2008

2008-2009

2009-2010

Catc

h (t

)

Retained Released

Figure 6: Reported charter harvest of inshore species and release total estimates in the ECIFFF from 2001–02 to 2009–10 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 15 February 2011).


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80Tr

eval

lyM

acke

rel -

uns

peci

fied

Tuna

Mac

kere

l - s

potte

dBa

rram

undi

Fish

- un

spec

ified

Mac

kere

l - s

hark

Tailo

rBr

eam

Man

grov

e ja

ckQ

ueen

fish

Mac

kere

l - s

choo

lGr

unte

rEs

tuar

y co

dW

ahoo

Flat

head

Scad

Thre

adfin

Shar

k - u

nspe

cifie

d

Repo

rted

cat

ch (t

)

Retained Released number of fin fish species through the Fisheries Long

Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) to complement the

information obtained from commercial logbooks and

recreational fishing diaries for various Queensland

fisheries. These data include length, 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 trumpeter) and dusky flathead. ASRs

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 2009 include

those for barramundi, tailor and spotted mackerel.

Figure 7: Reported catch of inshore species by charter vessels in 2009–10 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 15 February 2011).

Indigenous

Bream, whiting and flathead There are no estimates available of inshore fin fish

catches by Indigenous fishers within the ECIFFF area for

2009–10. 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 and Lyle 2003).

Biological data have been collected routinely for

yellowfin bream, sand whiting and dusky flathead since

2006 to estimate the length, age and sex structure of the

retained catch of these species (Table 4).

Dusky flathead

There appears to be little difference in the age

distributions of dusky flathead between the commercial

and recreational sectors (Figure 8). The distributions

terminate at age group 8, due to the regulated upper size

limit of 75 cm. Variation in year class strength is evident

in the distributions, with the three year age group in

2007, following through to the four and then five years

age groups in 2008 and 2009.

Spatial issues/trends

Fisheries Queensland scientists participate in the New

South Wales Resource Assessment Workshop on an

annual basis to ensure that species with cross

jurisdictional stock boundaries are considered in

sustainability assessments and management

arrangements.

Socio-economic characteristics and trends Sand whiting

Gross Volume of Production (GVP) in the ECIFFF

decreased in 2009–10 in response to the decreased

(quota managed) harvest of grey mackerel and shark

(2007–08: $23.1 million; 2008–09: $23.9 million; 2009–

2010: $19.6 million). The GVP is calculated on the price

paid to fishers at the first point of sale (i.e. beach price).

The commercial sector tends to catch younger sand

whiting than the recreational sector (Figure 9). The

proportions of age group 3, 4 and 5 year old fish have

remained relatively constant for the years 2007 to 2009.

The lack of strong and weak year classes is evident in the

proportion of age group 2 fish progressing to age group 3

the following year. Biological and ecological information Yellowfin bream

Monitoring programs Yellowfin bream have a highly variable length for a given

age, which results in a particular year class not being

fully available to the fishery until it reaches and age of 6

or 7 years (Figure 10). High proportions of fish in the age

groups of 4 and 5 years (all fish this age not yet caught in

the gear but likely to be mature), indicate annual

recruitment to the stock is occurring. There is also

evidence of variation in year class strength, in particular

the 7 year age class in 2007.

Fishery Dependent Sampling

Commercial fishery catch and effort information for the

ECIFFF continues to be monitored through the

compulsory daily logbooks in the commercial and charter

sectors.

Fisheries Queensland collects biological data for a


Table 4: Summary of fishery dependent catch sampling from 2006–2009 for yellowfin bream, sand whiting and dusky flathead.

Figure 8: Age frequency distribution per fishery sector of dusky flathead from 2007 to 2009. The charter sector was excluded from analysis due to low the numbers of fish measured.

Figure 9: Age frequency distribution per fishery sector of sand whiting from 2007 to 2009. Note that the charter sector was xcluded from analysis due to low the numbers of fish measured.

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

No. of

fish aged

2006 10 881 23 71 - - -

2007 87 4565 687 2666 35 184 287

2008 94 3721 742 2884 26 120 288

Yellowfin

Bream

2009 74 3020 720 2906 10 46 316

2006 10 1291 9 39

2007 106 11333 256 1234 4 6 306

2008 107 8194 310 1097 2 3 360

Sand

Whiting

2009 93 7706 296 1365 4 8 380

2006 14 421 19 40 - - -

2007 103 2050 435 830 29 29 260

2008 116 1887 406 674 21 21 283

Dusky

Flathead

2009 79 1047 377 659 10 13 270

Dusky Flathead - 2007

0.000.100.200.300.400.50

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Prop

ortio

n Commercial

Recreational


0.000.100.200.300.400.50

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Prop

ortio

n Commercial

Recreational


0.000.100.200.300.400.50

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Age Group (yrs)

Prop

ortio

n Commercial

Recreational

Sand Whiting - 2007

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Prop

ortio

n Commercial

Recreational

Sand Whiting - 2008

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Prop

ortio

n Commercial

Recreational

Sand Whiting - 2009

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Age Group (yrs)

Prop

ortio

n Commercial

Recreational


range with a primary peak at 700 mm.

commercial fishing method for grey mackerel in 2008–09 and 2009–10.

Figure 10: Age frequency distribution per fishery sector of yellowfin bream from 2007 to 2009. Note that the charter sector was excluded from analysis due to low the numbers of fish measured.

Grey mackerel

Monitoring of east coast grey mackerel commercial

landings began in July 2008. Samples are collected from

three regions to ensure coverage of the major stocks

found north and south of Bowen as well as the

convergence area off Bowen. From 2010, additional effort

has been placed in the Bowen region to increase

samples from this region for assessment purposes. Table

5 provides a summary of data collected by the monitoring

program. The age structure of the landings is not yet

available. The LTMP plans to have age data available for

input into a stock assessment scheduled for late 2011.

A bimodal size structure was evident for grey mackerel

landings from the north-east in 2008–09 with peaks in

the 650 mm and 800 mm (FL) size classes (Figure 11). The

subsequent year was more evenly distributed across all

size classes from 650 to 800 mm. Grey mackerel landed

from the north-east region ranged from 450 to 900 mm

while the south-east region ranged from 550 to 1050 mm.

A bimodal size frequency was also evident in the south-

east region during 2009–10 with a primary peak at the

650 mm size class and a smaller secondary peak in the

800 mm size class.

Size frequencies of grey mackerel landings from

recreational catches indicate that most fish landed

during 2008–09 ranged from 450 to 900 mm although

sample size was low (Figure 12). A larger sample from

2009–10 showed most fish in the 650 to 900 mm size

Figure 11: Length frequency distribution by

Yellowfin Bream - 2007

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Prop

ortio

n

Commercial

Recreational


0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Prop

ortio

n Commercial

Recreational


0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16Age Group (yrs)

Prop

ortio

n Commercial

Recreational

0

10

20

30

40

400450

500550

600650

700750

800850

900950

1000

1050

Perc

enta

ge

Gill Net LineNorth-east region 2008-09

0

10

20

30

40

400450

500550

600650

700750

800850

900950

1000

1050

Perc

enta

ge

Gill Net LineSouth-east region 2008-09

0

10

20

30

40

400450

500550

600650

700750

800850

900950

1000

1050

Fork Length (50mm size class)

Perc

enta

ge

Gill Net LineSouth-east region 2009-10

0

10

20

30

40

400450

500550

600650

700750

800850

900950

1000

1050

Perc

enta

ge

Gill Net LineNorth-east region 2009-10


able 5: Summary of grey mackerel monitoring 2008–09 and 2009–10. T

Number of catches sampled Number of fish measured

Recreational Commercial Recreational Commercial Region Year

ne Spea ne Net ne SpeaLi r

fishing

Li Li r

fishing

ne NetLi

2008–09 4 3 4 23 24 28 1 2 North-east

2009–10 6 - 21 1 13 - 149 59

2008–09 13 - 1 18 - 6 - Bowen

2009–10 34 - 1 53 - 2 -

2008–09 5 1 8 26 566 6 1 76 South-east

2009–10 8 1 5 34 12 2 41 615

Figure 12: Length frequ ution for the recreat nal

nd has collected barramundi

n in a

t

al harvest of barramundi

in Queensland is dominated by 3–6 year old fish. In the

North East Coast sampling area there is a bimodal age

distribution peaking in the 8–11 year age group (Figure

14). The bimodal age distribution may be attributed to

stronger age groups or to a market for smaller size

barramundi early in the year when catches are high and

fishers being less discriminatory on fish size later in the

barramundi fishing season.

The age distribution of samples from the recreational

fishery was found to be similar to that of the commercial

fishery in the North East Coast (data not present here).

This distribution may also be attributed to a strongre age

Figure 13: Fisheries LTMP barramundi sampling areas

0

10

20

30

40

400450

500550

600650

700750

800850

900950

1000

Perc

enta

ge

Grey mackerel 2008-2009

0

10

20

30

40

400450

500550

600650

700750

800850

900950

1000

Fork Length (50mm size class)

Perc

enta

ge

Grey mackerel 2009-2010

group or targeted fishing.

ency distrib iocatch of grey mackerel in 2008–09 and 2009–10.

Barramundi

Fisheries Queensla

recreational and commercial biological informatio

revised program since 2007 (Table 6). The program

collects samples from three regions for Queensland

barramundi defined by Keenan (1994) (Figure 13).

Samples from the North east coast and Central coas

sampling areas from commercial and recreational

fisheries are presented here.

The recreational and commerci


asurements obtained in the commercial and recreational fishery during

frequency distribution for barramundi sampled from the commercial fishery in the 2008 and 2009 fishing seasons.

Fisheries Queensland has monitored tailor since 1999. A

species. The number of fish measured in the recreational

s increased annually from 2007 to 2009

er

y fish

,

class strength is evident in the fishery with the two year

old age group in 2007 and 2008 moving through the

Table 6: The number of catches sampled and barramundi meFisheries Queensland monitoring.

Figure 14: Age

Tailor

stock assessment is currently being finalised for this fishery as three year olds in 2008 and 2009.

sector ha

(Table 7). In the commercial ocean beach and estuarine

sectors, the number of catches sampled and the numb

of fish measured peaked in 2008.

The age structure of the tailor catch is dominated b

in the two year old age group for all sectors of the fishery

with very few fish aged four or above (Figure 15). Year

Number of

catches measured Number of fish measured

Region Year

Commercial Recreational Commercial

Number of

otoliths Recreational

2007 31 1 781 3 596

2008 51 17 1208 30 750 Central

coast 2009 62 45 571 51 446

2007 18 27 315 33 165

2008 82 113 1106 154 849 North east

coast 74 163 1992 278 2009 873

2007

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1 2 3 4 5 6

Prop

ortio

n


Figure 15: Age frequency distribution for tailor by fishery sector (combined regions) for 2007, 2008 and 2009 sampling years. Proportions have been weighted for harvest in each region using CFISH data for each year and RFISH data from 2005.

Table 7: Number of representative tailor catches sampled and number of fish measured for each sampling year by fishery sector, and the number of otoliths aged by sampling year. Recreational figures are inclusive of charter caught fish.

Year Fishery Sector

Number of

catches

sampled

Number of

fish

measured

Number

of fish

aged

Recreational 477 3908

Ocean Beach 9 1623 2007

Estuarine 73 2417

514



Estuarine 79 2762

660



Estuarine 75 2442

599

At-Sea Observing

Estuarine The Fisheries Observer Program (FOP) conducted at-sea

observation on S endorsed vessels, including N4

operators, during the 2009–10 financial year period. The

data collected were presented to the Shark Panel in

November 2010. The Shark Panel were satisfied with the

level of observer coverage presented, and with the

detailed level of information related to the harvest of

sharks. Fisheries Queensland plan to have a report on

shark catches in the fishery and on observed interactions

with species of conservation interest over this period

publicly available by mid 2011.

Ocean BeachRecreational

2008

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1 2 3 4 5 6

Prop

ortio

n

EstuarineOcean BeachRecreational

In addition to observing net fishing activities, the

observers carried out major extension work among

commercial fishers to assist in understanding of the

changes brought in to management arrangements

including the higher level of detail required in logbooks.

This included: 2009

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1 2 3 4 5 6

Age Group (yrs)

Prop

ortio

n

• Seven hands-on shark identification workshops for S

symbol holders along the east coast and at the annual

Gulf of Carpentaria Fishing Association Meeting.

EstuarineOcean BeachRecreational

• Six hands-on shark identification workshops for

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers.

• Assisting fishers with logbook completion at sea, call-

in protocols for quota reportingand other 'new'

compliance areas that were introduced as a result of

the new ECIFFF management arrangements.

The educational role of the FOP continues as the program

enters its second year of observation in this fishery.

Interactions with protected species

Species of Conservation Interest (SOCI) logbook data

indicate that interactions with turtle species occur more

frequently than with other protected species (Table 8). A

similar pattern occurred in 2008. The number of fatal

interactions in 2009–10 for all SOCI species combined

was very low (6%) although there were more dugong

deaths in nets than were released alive.


Table 8: Reported interactions with species of conservation interest during 2009–10. (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 1 March 2011).

Ecosystem impacts

Commercial net fisheries generally 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.

Given the scale of current fishing activities spatially and

temporally, it is likely that ECIFFF discards present only a

minor ephemeral food source for opportunistic

scavenging species. Long term changes in relative

abundances of these species as a result of discard

provisioning seem unlikely. The nature of the fishing gear

means that limited interaction with the seabed and

associated habitat occurs in this fishery.

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. An

assessment of the fishery in meeting its management

objectives is provided in Table 9. The ECIFFF PMS can be

found at

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

nableFishing/ECIFFF-Perf-Measure-System.pdf

Table 9: Performance measures and outcomes for the East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery.

Performance measure Performance

General fishery

Commercial net fishing effort

The number of days fished in the net commercial

fishery exceeds 28 150 days in any year.

Not triggered

Effort in the net fishery did not exceed 28150 days over the

previous three years

Year Days 2007–2008 27 314 2008–2009 26 125 2009–2010 22 562

Recreational harvest

The total annual recreational harvest weight exceeds

4 000 tonnes in any year.

Not measured

The latest estimate of recreational harvest was made in 2005.

Fisheries Queensland commenced a new statewide recreational

fishing survey in 2010. The results will be publicly available in

2012.

Logbooks

The percentage of logbooks correctly completed is

less than 95%.

Not triggered

Line fishers: >99% compliance

Net fishers: >99% compliance

(see Compliance section for further detail)

Species Injured Whole

Dead

Whole

Live

Total

Dolphins -

unspecified - - 1 1

Dugong - 3 2 5

Green turtle - 1 119 120

Leatherback turtle - - 1 1

Loggerhead turtle - 1 3 4

Sawfish -

freshwater 2 2 - 4

Sawfish - narrow - 1 6 7

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/Fisheries_SustainableFishing/ECIFFF-Perf-Measure-System.pdf

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/Fisheries_SustainableFishing/ECIFFF-Perf-Measure-System.pdf



Retained species: target and by-product

All shark

1) Maintain commercial harvest of shark at a

precautionary level.

1a) The commercial annual harvest exceeds the

legislated TACC: 480 t north of Baffle Creek or 120 t

south of Baffle Creek; and

1b) There is a reduction in commercial harvest rate

above 30% over 3 years.

1c) There is a significant change in species

composition of the commercial and/or recreational

catch.

2) Constrain recreational and charter harvest to

within historical levels.

2a) There is a change in recreational harvest or

release above 50% between consecutive surveys; and

2b) There is a change in charter harvest rate above

30% over 3 years.

1a) Triggered–south only

Region Harvest Performance

North 387 t Not triggered

South 121 t Triggered

Total 508 t TACC = 600t

The southern zone quota triggered by one tonne in 2009–10.

Fisheries Queensland monitored harvest regularly through out

this effort year and advised the Shark Panel of the likelihood of

this minor overrun before the end of the quota year. The Shark

Panel agreed that this overrun was acceptable considering the

minor quantities involved and that the total TACC was not likely

to be reached.

Fisheries Queensland is collecting more detailed, species

specific information on the harvest of sharks through logbooks

for S symbol holders through the observer program and relevant

research projects. These data will be incorporated into future

stock assessments to ensure harvest of major shark species in

the ECIFFF remains sustainable.

1b) Not measured

There are no data currently available to assess changes in the

commercial harvest rate for shark species. A minimum of three

years of data is required. New more detailed shark fishery

logbooks able to provide this level of species specific

information were only implemented from 1 July 2009.

1c) Not measured

There are no data currently available to assess changes in the

species composition of the shark catch for either sector. A

minimum of three years of data is required from the fishery and

additional research is also underway. Fisheries Queensland’s

recent assessment of the shark catches noted that the major

species caught in 2009–10 were similar to previous research

results.

2a) Not measured



2012.

2b) Not triggered

Charter fishery harvest rates for sharks (a single reporting

category) decreased by 11% from 2007–08 to 2009–10.



3) Maintain historical proportions of the harvest

between S symbol holders and non S symbol

holders.

The ratio of non S symbol to S symbol landings

exceeds 0.1.

4) Reduce illegal finning at sea.

The percentage of vessels with illegally finned sharks

in possession is more than 5%.

3) Not triggered

The ratio of total landings by non S to S symbol holders in

2009–10 was 0.1 (1:10).

4) Not triggered

No offences relating to illegal finning were detected in 2009–10

(see Compliance section for further detail).

Bait species

1) Maintain commercial harvest of garfish and

other bait species at current levels.

A change in commercial harvest or harvest rate of

garfish or other specified bait species/species groups


2) Constrain effort in the commercial bait fishery at

precautionary levels.

Annual effort increases by more than 10% over 2

consecutive years for individual bait species, or the

bait fishery as a whole.

1) Triggered

Catches of the following species/groups changed by more than

30% since 2007–08 (see table below):

Australian anchovy, giant herring, longtom, rainbow runner,

sardines and silver biddies.

Note the very low total catches of some of these species (eg

rainbow runner). Catches of these species have been variable

over the last three years. There was a 19% decline in the

reported harvest of bait species overall.

Table showing change in harvest (t) of major bait species/groups in the ECIFFF from 2007–08 to 2009–10.

2) Triggered

Only one species showed greater than 10% increase over 2

consecutive years–see table below. With such low effort levels

(max. 3 days difference between years) Fisheries Queensland

do not consider these changes warrant further investigation.

Group 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 % change

Australian anchovy 0.2 1.6 0.1 -36

Bait fish–other 167.6 163.3 126.6 -24

Barracuda 4.6 4.8 5.8 25

Garfish 167.6 174.3 145.5 -13

Giant herring 0.1 0.1 0.1 -34

Longtom 0.6 0.2 0.1 -76

Rainbow runner 0.0 0.1 0.2 449

Sardine 15.2 3.9 6.3 -58

Scad 16.0 27.1 19.0 19

Silver biddy 9.3 11.8 5.7 -39

Wolf herring 12.0 15.6 9.9 -18

Total 393.2 402.8 319.4 -19

Group 2007–08 2008–09 200–10 % Yr1 % Yr2

Giant herring 1 4 6 300 50



Barramundi, threadfin and grunter

1) Maintain commercial harvest of barramundi,

threadfin and grunter at current levels


barramundi, grunter, king threadfin or blue threadfin


2) Maintain recreational catch of barramundi,

threadfin and grunter at sustainable levels.

A change (increase or reduction) in recreational

harvest OR release of barramundi, grunter, king

threadfin or blue threadfin above 30% over two

estimate years.

1) Triggered—threadfin (unspecified) catch only

Catch

Harvest of threadfin (unspecified) in 2009–10 decreased by 51%

from 2007–08. This is within the range of harvest since 2001–

02 (from 4.4 to 13 t) and does not warrant further immediate

investigation. Over the same period, harvest of barramundi and

grunter (unspecified) decreased by 18 and 30% respectively.

Standardised catch rate

Changes in catch rates (kg/100 m net/day) for these species

decreased over the three year period, ranging from 5% to 17%.

2) Not measured




2012.

Whiting, bream and flathead

1) Maintain commercial harvest of whiting, bream

and flathead at current levels.


whiting, bream or flathead above 30% over 3 years.

2) Maintain recreational catch of whiting, bream,

flathead and mangrove jack at sustainable levels.

A change (increase or reduction) above 30% in

recreational harvest OR release of whiting, bream,

flathead, or mangrove jack over consecutive surveys.

1) Triggered—bream (catch only)

Commercial harvest of bream (all species combined) in 2009–

10 decreased by 37% from 2007–08. Over the same period

catch rate (kg/100 m net/day) doubled. At the 2010 Stock

Status workshop an expert panel assessed yellowfin bream (the

major bream species) as ‘sustainably fished’. A further

assessment of these species is planned for mid 2011.

Commercial harvest of flathead decreased by 14% and whiting

increased by 27% over the same three year period and changes

in catch rates were below the 30% threshold.

2) Not measured




2012.

Mullet, tailor and dart

1) Maintain commercial harvest of mullet, tailor

and dart at current levels.

a) Annual commercial landings of sea mullet (from

Qld and NSW) exceed the recommended total

allowable catch of 3620 t (Bell et al. 2005); and

b) Annual commercial tailor landings exceed the

legislated 120 t TACC; and

1a) Not triggered

Total commercial landings (Qld and NSW combined) of mullet

(3590 t) were lower than the recommended total allowable

catch. No estimate is available for 2009–10 for NSW catches.

Stock of sea mullet is shared with New South Wales.

Queensland’s catches are stable and within historical levels.

Sea mullet was recently assessed by New South Wales as ‘fully

fished’ due to a long history of stable landings and catch rates

for estuary and ocean fisheries in both jurisdictions.



c) Annual commercial tailor landings are not greater

than 50% of the legislated TACC; and

d) A reduction in commercial harvest or harvest rate of

mullet, tailor and dart above 30% over 3 years.

2) Constrain recreational harvest to within

historical levels.

A change (increase or reduction) above 30% in

recreational harvest OR release of tailor and dart over

two consecutive surveys.

1b) Not triggered

Total landing of tailor (118 t) did not exceed the TACC.

1c) Not triggered

Total landing of tailor comprised 97.5% of the TACC.

1d) Triggered – mullet and dart (catch rate only)

Mullet (unspecified) harvest rate increased by 60% since 2007–

08 while catches have decreased by 4%. Sea mullet (Mugil

cephalus) comprise the largest catch by weight of all species in

the ECIFFF and was recently assessed as ‘Sustainably fished’ at

the 2010 Stock Status expert workshop. Although the majority

of harvest of mullet is reported as ‘unspecified’, it is likely this

mostly comprises sea mullet. Fisheries Queensland plan to

reassess the stock status of sea mullet in mid 2011.

Dart harvest and harvest rate has decreased by 1% and 31%

respectively since 2007–08.

Both harvest and harvest rate for tailor increased by 10% over

the same period.

2) Not measured




2012.

Grey and school mackerel

1) Maintain harvest of net caught grey mackerel

and school mackerel at current levels.

1a) Annual commercial grey mackerel landings exceed

the legislated 250 t TACC; and

1b) Annual commercial grey mackerel landings are not

greater than 50% of the legislated TACC; and

1c) A reduction in commercial harvest or harvest rate

of net caught grey mackerel or school mackerel above

30% over 3 years.

1a) Not triggered

Annual landings of grey mackerel (193 t) did not exceed the

TACC.

1b) Not triggered

Annual landings of grey mackerel reached 77% of the TACC.

1c) Triggered for grey mackerel (catch only)

Grey mackerel harvest in 2009–10 decreased by 46% from

harvest levels in 2007–08. Over the same period catch rate

(kg/100 m net/day) increased by 7%. This decrease in catch of

grey mackerel was expected given the introduction of the TACC

of 250 t in 2009–10 when the previous three years’ catches had

exceeded 300 t. This is also impacted on by the shark TACC as

both species are often caught at the same time. The TACC

represents a 30% reduction from previous catch levels.

There is likely to be a period of adjustment in the fishery

following the recent significant management changes. The

harvest of grey mackerel is regularly reviewed by Fisheries

Queensland through the annual Stock Status Assessement



2) Maintain harvest of net caught school mackerel

at sustainable levels.

[Future measure] Further performance indicators

linked to outputs of regional (South East Qld) stock

assessment for spotted mackerel.

program and their biology monitored through the LTMP to

ensure the fishery is sustainable. Fisheries Queensland do not

intend to investigate this reference point triggering further but

will maintain a watching brief on the species through the Stock

Status Assessment program.

2) Not measured–future potential measure to be considered. A

stock assessment of spotted mackerel is scheduled for 2012.

Spotted, school, shark mackerel and trevally

Maintain commercial harvest of spotted mackerel,

school mackerel, shark mackerel and trevally at

current levels.

Maintain recreational harvest of spotted mackerel

and school mackerel at sustainable levels

1a) Annual commercial spotted mackerel landings

exceed the legislated 140 t TACC; and

1b) Annual commercial spotted mackerel landings are

not greater than 50% of the legislated TACC

2a) The combined catch of spotted mackerel from all

sectors exceeds the recommended catch limit of 296 t

(age based production model versus historical proxy

method (Begg et al. 2005)); and

2b) The biomass of the east coast spotted mackerel

stock is estimated to be less than 40% of virgin

biomass (Begg et al. 2005 reported a range between

33–63%) in subsequent stock assessments; and

2c) The combined catch of spotted mackerel from all

sectors exceeds the legislated TACC, and

2d) A change in commercial harvest or harvest rate of

school mackerel, shark mackerel or trevally above

30% over 3 years.

3) A change in recreational harvest OR release above

30% over 2 estimate years for spotted mackerel,

school mackerel, shark mackerel or trevally.

1a) Not triggered

Annual landings of spotted mackerel (100 t) did not exceed the

TACC.

1b) Not triggered

Annual landings of spotted mackerel reached 71% of the TACC.

2a) Not measured

There are no recent recreational estimates of harvest to provide

a combined catch level:

• Commercial line and net landings:100 t

• Charter landing: 11 t

• Recreational: no estimate for 2009–10.

2b) Not measured

There are no current estimates of available biomass to measure

against this indicator.

2c) Not measured

As for 2a there are no estimates of recreational harvest to

provide a combined catch level.

2d) Triggered

Commercial harvest of shark mackerel in 2009–10 (50 t)

increased by 53% compared with 2007–08. Over the same

period, school mackerel and trevally catches increased by 5%

and 21% respectively.

The significance of the increased harvest of shark mackerel will

be considered at the 2011 Stock Status Assessment program.

3) Not measured



fishing survey in 2010. Results will be publicly available in 2012.



Other species

Maintain harvest of other species at current levels

There is an increase or decrease in the combined

harvest from all sectors above 30% over two estimate

years (for which estimates from all sectors are

available).

Not measured

The combined commercial and charter harvest of species other

than the target and by-product mentioned above decreased by

2% from 2008–09 to 2009–10.

The latest estimate of recreational harvest was made in 2005

and is not considered relevant to 2010.

Bycatch and protected species

1) Minimise the percentage of commercial catch

that is bycatch.

1a) The percentage weight and/or number of teleost

and elasmobranch bycatch species in the total

commercial catch should not exceed levels in Halliday

et al. (2001) by 20%; and

1b) The percentage of bycatch increases in each

consecutive year over three years.

2) Minimise the recreational and charter bycatch of

species that have high release mortalities

Any increase in the release rate (number released as a

proportion of the total caught) of species with high

release mortalities over two consecutive annual

estimates in the recreational or charter sector.

1a) Not measured

No systematic bycatch monitoring programs were implemented

in 2009–10 that covered the commercial barramundi, spotted

mackerel, ocean beach and grey mackerel/shark sectors. FOP

resources were dedicated to observing S symbol holders in the

ECIFFF and overall species composition of the observed catch is

expected to be available in mid 2011.

1b) Not measured – see above

2) Triggered–tailor (charter only)

The release rate increased from 42% to 81% from 2008–09 to

2009–10.

Not measured for recreational harvest as there are no recent

data. Results from the next State Wide Recreational Fishing

Survey underway in 2010–11 will be available in 2012.

1) Minimise interactions between protected

species and net and line gears in the ECIFFF.

Total number of interactions within each category of

protected species exceeds the maximum annual

number of interactions recorded in 2005 and 2006.

1) Triggered–sawfish and dugong only

Maximum no. recorderd

for

2005–2006

2009–10 Species

group

Net Line Net/Line

Triggered

Sea snakes 17 0 0 No

Sea turtles 294 0 125 No

Cetaceans 1 4 1 No

Marine birds 3 0 0 No

Dugong 2 0 5 Yes

Sawfish 0 0 11 Yes

Sharks 0 0 0 No

The triggering of the measure for sawfish should not be

interpreted as a real increase. Sawfish were regulated as a no-

take species in 2009. Prior to this date, fishers were allowed to

retain sawfish which were recorded in logbooks under ‘shark’.

Fisheries Queensland will continue to educate fishers on safe

handling and release of sawfish from fishing gear to limit the



2) Enhance survival of released protected species

in the net and line gears in the ECIFFF.

Percentage of each category of protected species

released alive falls below 90%.

3) Maintain high compliance with proposed net

attendance rules and recognised Bycatch

Reduction Devices (BRDs).

a) Percentage of compliance with net attendance

rules does fall below 95%; and

b) Percentage uptake/compliance with recognised

BRDs does not fall below 80%.

4) Review the risk level to SOCI species.

A species is assigned a higher EPBC or National

Conservation Act 1992 (Qld) risk ranking.

number of fatal interactions that occur in the ECIFFF.

In relation to dugong, Fisheries Queensland has been working

with industry to address these interactions with a desire to

minimise them. In the Bowling Green Bay region new measures

are being considered to close an area to net fishing and further

restrict the gear that may be used in another area to minimise

interactions between nets and dugong and to provide greater

opportunity for dugong survival should they interact with nets.

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) has

also funded a research project looking at the application of

breakaway panels in nets that collapse if struck by a large

animal. Fisheries Queensland will consider the results of the

research in the future management of net fishing in

Queensland.

2) Triggered

Species group No. of interactions % alive Triggered

Cetacean: 1 100 No

Dugong 5 40 Yes

Sea Turtles 125 98 No

Sawfish 11 73 Yes

See comments relating to sawfish and dugong above.

3a) Not triggered

A total of 33 offences related to net attendance were reported in

2009–10: this equates to a compliance rate of 95% of all units

inspected.

3b) Not measured

There are no BRDs defined for the fishery. Research is being

undertaken to develop gear modifications to reduce bycatch in

nets.

4) Not triggered

There were no changes to the conservation status or risk

ranking for listed species with which the ECIFFF interacted.

Ecosystem impacts

Maintain ecosystem structure

A change in similarity measures relating to the

species composition of the catch by sub-fishery/gear.

Not measured

Information neccessary to measure against this indicator were

not collected due to the change in focus of the Fisheries

Observer Program.


Current sustainability status & concerns

The stock status of 20 key target and by-product

species/species groups in the ECIFFF were assessed by

an expert panel in 2010. The panel determined eight of

the species/species groups to be ‘sustainably fished’,

four were considered ‘uncertain’ and for a further eight

where no assessment was made. Some concerns were

raised regarding the susceptibility and local issues for

king threadfin population in the 2010 assessment—this

is further discussed in the ‘Recent research and

implications’ section below.

Assessing stock status is an annual process and

represents Fisheries Queensland’s primary method for

determining the sustainability status for all major

species/species groups. Further detail regarding the

assessed status of each species is presented earlier in

this report. Additional information on these species and

on the stock status procedures can also be found at

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_16916.htm

In addition to the stock status process, quantitative

population modelling to inform sustainability

assessment is regularly undertaken for some major

target species (inc. quota species) in the fishery.

Barramundi, tailor, mullet and spotted mackerel have

been assessed over recent years. Population modelling

of grey mackerel and commercially important shark

species is scheduled to commence in 2011 and 2012

respectively.

Research Recent research and implications

Recent research suggests king threadfin may have highly

localised populations and may be under high fishing

pressure in some specific local areas (Welch et al. 2010).

These concerns were discussed at the stock status

meeting in 2010.

Sustainability reference points in the PMS are not

designed to be used at a regional level so it has not been

possible to provide estimates of local catch or catch

trends. A review of the PMS is planned for 2011 and will

consider the feasibility of developing regional reference

points.

Collaborative research

Fisheries Queensland identifies and advertises its

priority research needs through the Queensland Fisheries

Research Advisory Board to the FRDC as well as through

other major multi-annual research plans such as the

recentl completed MTSRF program. There were several

collaborations with other research agencies and

universities on a number of research projects in the

reporting year. These included:

• Determination of management units for grey mackerel

fisheries in northern Australia.Fisheries Research and

Development Corporation Project No 2005/010 ((Welch

et al. 2009).

• Defining the stock structure of northern Australia’s

threadfin salmon species. Fisheries Research &

Development Corporation, Project 2007/032. (Welch et

al. 2010).

• A Quantitative Ecological Risk Assessment of Sharks

and Finfish of Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Inshore Waters. A tool for fisheries and marine park

managers: identifying species at risk and potential

mitigation strategies. Marine and Tropical Sciences

Research Facility Project 4.8.4 Evaluation of the

impacts from industry and community uses on inshore

biodiversity.

• Defining life history traits of fishery targeted

elasmobranches and finfish within the Great Barrier

Reef World Heritage Area. Critical information for

sustainable management. Marine and Tropical

Sciences Research Facility Project 4.8.4 Evaluation of

the impacts from industry and community uses on

inshore biodiversity.

• Whose fish is it anyway? Investigation of co-

management and self-governance solutions to local

issues in Queensland`s inshore fisheries Fisheries

Research & Development Corporation, Project

2009/211. McPhee Research Consultants P/L.

• Habitat ecology of the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas,

on urban coasts in Eastern Queensland, Australia. Phd

Thesis J Werry.

Outcomes of these research projects are considered in

annual Stock Status Assessment meetings, referenced in

population modelling and inform reviews of the

management of Queensland’s fisheries.

Fishery management Compliance report

Line component

During the 2009–10 financial year, 13 952 units (this

total includes all recreational and commercial line

components of fisheries on the east coast of

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_16916.htm


Queensland), including 99 commercial fishing vessels,

were inspected in the line component of the ECIFFF.

Offences are reported as either a Fisheries Infringement

Notice (FIN); Caution (FIN Caution or official caution

issued by Legal); or Prosecution (to proceed by complaint

summons).

A total of 326 offences were detected during the course

of these inspections corresponding to a compliance rate

of 98% on units inspected (Table 10). Of these offences,

ten were by the commercial sector comprising of five

operators.

Net component

During the 2009–10 financial year, 733 units, including

331 commercial fishing vessels, were inspected in the net

component of the ECIFFF. A total of 108 offences were

detected during the course of these inspections

corresponding to a compliance rate of 89% on units

inspected (Table 11). Nine prosecution offences recorded

here are still pending. Of these offences, 42 were by the

commercial sector comprising of 26 operators.

Table 10: Offences recorded in the line component of the ECIFFF for 2009–10.

Offences Caution FIN Prosecution Unattended equipment

Commercial fisher take/possess regulated fish. 2 1

Commercial fisher takes/possesess up to 3 fish regulated by size or up to 3 fish more than the regulated number.

1 4

Contravene a regulated fishing apparatus declaration (rec fisher). 7

Fail to give required information to the Chief Executive in stated way or by stated time. 1 3

Fail to produce a document required to be available for immediate inspection. 1 1

Purchase, sell, possess, use a net that is a commercial fishing apparatus. 1 1 3

Recreational fisher contravenes a regulated waters declaration. 11 5

Recreational fisher takes or posseses regulated fish. 137 137

Contravene a condition of an authority involving use of fishing apparatus 1

Fail to obtain or keep required information in the approved form (not related to abalone) 2

Possess coral reef fin fish not in a permitted form. 1

Take/possess/sell fish regulated by form 1

Take/possess/sell fish regulated by number 1

Take/possess/sell fish regulated by size 2

Fail to comply with regulated fishing apparatus or regulated fishing declaration 2

Table 11: Offences recorded in the net component of the ECIFFF for 2009–10.

Offences Caution FIN Prosecution Unattended Equipment

Commercial fisher contravenes a regulated waters declaration 1 1

Commercial fisher take/possess regulated fish 2 1

Contravene a condition of an authority involving boat marks 1 1

Contravene a condition of an authority involving quota requirements 2

Contravene a condition of an authority involving use of fishing apparatus 4 7

Contravene a regulated fishing apparatus declaration (rec fisher) 3

Fail to give required information to the Chief Executive in stated way or by stated time 1 6

Fail to produce a document required to be available for immediate inspection 1 1

Purchase, sell, possess, use a net that is a commercial fishing apparatus 4 14 5

Rec fisher contravenes a regulated waters declaration 1

Recreational fisher takes or posses regulated fish. 1 2

Commercial fisher take/possess up to 3 fish regulated by size or up to 3 fish more than the regulated number

1

Conduct charter fishing w/out charter licence/undertake commercial fishing while auth suspended

1

Contravene a regulated fishing method declaration (crab hook, jagging, underwater breathing apparatus)

3

Holder of authority fail to give written particulars of a change to prescribed circumstances within

1


Offences Caution FIN Prosecution Unattended Equipment

Interference with aquaculture activity or fishing apparatus 1 1

Contravened a condition of an authority 4

Fail to comply with regulated fishing apparatus or regulated fishing declaration 5 27

Provided false, misleading or incomplete documents 2

Take/possess/sell fish regulated by gender 1

Take/possess/sell fish regulated by size 1

Use or possess a restricted thing to take fish 1

Changes to management arrangements in the reporting year

Fisheries Queensland published Guidelines for

commercial operators in the East Coast Finfish Fishery to

provide stakeholders with a summary of management

arrangements as implemented from 31 March 2009.

Online copies of the booklet can be viewed on the

internet at

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

ercialFisheries/Commercial-Fisheries-handbook.pdf

No additional changes to the management arrangements

were made in 2009–10.

Communication and education

Fisheries Queensland’s Fisheries Observer Program

conducted ‘hands-on’ shark identification workshops in

2009 for commercial fishers and Queensland Boating

and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers across the state.

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 Progra;

• Provide a forum with direct links to fisheries

management to highlight and address stakeholder

concerns.

Complementary management

Fisheries 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 attached to Wildlife

Trade Operation approvals under the Commonwealth

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation

Act 1999. Fisheries Queensland and NSW Fisheries have

also discussed management of shark stocks on the east

coast.

References

Cameron, D & Begg, G 2002, Fisheries biology and interaction in the northern Australian small mackerel fishery. Final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Projects 92/144 & 92/144.02, Department of Primary Industries, Queensland.

DEEDI 2009, Guidelines for commercial operators in the East Coast Finfish Fishery, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Brisbane.

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.

Kailola, PJ, Williams, MJ, Stewart, PC, Reichelt, RE, McNee, A & Grieve, C 1993, Australian Fisheries Resources., Bureau of Resource Sciences, Department of Primary Industries and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.

Welch, D, Ballagh, A, Newman, S, Lester, R, Moore, B, van Herwerden, L, Horne, J, Allsop, Q, Saunders, T, JM, S & Gribble, N 2010, Defining the stock structure of northern Australia’s threadfin salmon species. Final Report to the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, Project 2007/032. Fishing & Fisheries Research Centre Technical Report No. 10, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.

Welch, D, Buckworth, R, Ovenden, J, Newman, S, Broderick, D, Lester, R, Ballagh, A, Stapley, J, Charters, R & Gribble, N 2009, Determination of management units for grey mackerel fisheries in northern Australia. Final report, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Project No 2005/010, Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre Technical Report No. 4, Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.

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

Tara Smith, Dr Jonathan Staunton-Smith, Sue Helmke, Jason

McGilvray, Lenore Litherland, Stuart Hyland, Nadia Engstrom,

Kate Yeomans, Mark Lightowler, Dr Malcolm Dunning.

Front cover image

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

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