Annual status report 2009 Mud Crab Fishery

Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, part of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), seeks to maximise the economic potential of Queensland’s primary industries on a sustainable basis.

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Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 1

Fishery profile 2008

Species targeted Fishery season

Mud crab All year round

Total harvest from all sectors Commercial licences active in 2008

Approximately 1676 t1 531 as of December 20082

Commercial harvest Commercial licences accessing the fishery in 2008

1025 t 431

Recreational harvest (2005) Fishery symbol

638 t C1

Indigenous harvest (2001) Monitoring undertaken

3 12 t Commercial logbooks (CFISH), fishery independent monitoring

Charter harvest Accreditation under the EPBC Act

1.2 t Expires 21 August 2012

Commercial Gross Value of Production (GVP) Logbook validation

Approximately $16.4 million Yes–completed May 2007

Sector contribution to total catch Quota managed

Predominately commercial No

Key fish resources Stock status

Mud crab (Scylla spp.) Not assessed

Comment: Mud crab will be assessed as a part of the QPIF stock status reporting program roll out in 2009–10.

1 For the purpose of this report, the total harvest estimate for 2008 includes the recreational harvest estimate from 2005, based on the assumption that the subsequent years of catch would be similar. 2 Approximately one third of C1 licences have been removed through the ongoing latent effort process. 3 The indigenous estimate is derived from the 2000-01 National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (NRIFS). There are no indications to suggest that harvest levels will have changed significantly between 2001 and 2008.

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 2

Introduction Key species Mud crabs (Scylla spp.) are found throughout the Indo- The target species of the Queensland Mud Crab Fishery is Pacific region. In Australia, mud crabs are found in Scylla serrata, a portunid crab known as a mud crab. tropical and subtropical areas in association with mangrove-lined estuaries from southern New South Information contained in this section of the report was Wales, north to the Exmouth Gulf in Western Australia. sourced from Gribble, Brown and Williams 2002. Mud crabs are highly desired in both the commercial and Mud crabs are widely distributed throughout coastal recreational sectors. Queensland is unique among Queensland waters. Juveniles and adults generally Australian states in protecting all female mud crabs and occupy the same habitat within sheltered estuaries, tidal only allowing males to be harvested. reaches of mangrove-lined rivers and streams, mangrove

This report covers the 2008 calendar year. forests and mud flats. Mud crabs are omnivorous scavengers consuming a diet Fishery Description of barnacles, molluscs and carrion. Mud crabs are also Fishing area and methods known cannibals, readily eating other crabs. Claws aid in the eating process, the larger claw is often used for Commercial operators are permitted to use traps and crushing shellfish such as mussels, while the smaller crab pots (with rigid or collapsible frames). In addition to claw is used for biting, cutting and manipulating the pots and traps, recreational fishers are also permitted to food. Mud crabs are nocturnal feeders and usually use dillies.4 Crab pots are defined as a fishing apparatus remain in the protection of their burrow during the day, comprising a cage; dimensions of the pots vary but most emerging in the early evening and just before dawn to are cylindrical and have two entrance funnels. Mud crabs feed. are enticed into the pot or trap by bait attached to the inside of the apparatus. Mature crabs mate when the female is in the soft-shell condition. Sperm is stored until the eggs are extruded. The fishing area covers the majority of Queensland tidal The female remains in the shelter of the burrow, under waters, except closed waters (Figure 1). the protection of the male, for several days until her new shell has hardened. Multiple spawning events in the one season may follow a single mating, with each egg mass containing from two to eight million eggs—dependant on the size of the female. Egg-bearing females migrate to deep waters offshore to spawn.

Embryonic development takes approximately two to four weeks—dependant on water temperature—after which time the eggs hatch and enter a four stage pelagic existence. The larvae drift inshore via currents and transform into a semi-pelagic state before settling onto suitable substrate in shallow water. At approximately five to twelve days they metamorphose into juvenile crabs.

As with other crustaceans, growth occurs through moulting. This involves the shedding of the hard shell, and then swelling of soft body tissues to expand the new soft shell before it hardens. Growth is seasonal, with

Figure 1: Boundary and regional delineations of moulting occurring mainly between the months of the Mud Crab Fishery.

4 Inverted dillies or ‘witches hats’ are currently being phased out, and will be prohibited by April 2010.

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 3 September and January. Growth rate appears to be Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 and the Queensland accelerated in warmer northern and Gulf waters. Brown Marine Parks Act 2004). (1993), summarised a number of studies on mud crab growth and sexual maturity from a variety of latitudes, Catch statistics and found a considerable degree of variation in both age The majority of mud crabs are taken commercially (61%), and size at which mud crabs reach maturity. with just over a third of the total harvest retained by the Scylla olivacea, the brown mud crab, is also found within recreational sector (38%). Compared with the harvest by Queensland waters in the northern part of the Gulf of the commercial and recreational sectors, the annual Carpentaria. Scylla olivacea requires low salinity harvest of mud crabs by the Indigenous and charter estuarine habitats and therefore its distribution and sectors is considered very low (less than 1%). abundance is limited. Physically this species is Commercial extremely similar to—and as a result is often mistaken Whole fishery for—Scylla serrata; however, Scylla olivacea rarely grows to minimum legal size (15cm carapace width). Due to the The annual reported commercial mud crab catch in geographical limitations of Scylla olivacea, commercial Queensland increased from 963 t 5 in 2007 to 1025 t in fishers typically only harvest small quantities of this 2008 (Table 1, Figure 2). In 2008, the Queensland Mud species. Crab Fishery recorded 431 active fishers; this is the highest number of active participants since 2004. Fast growth rates, early maturity, wide distribution and high fecundity are all biological characteristics that Table 1: Catch and effort data for the commercial harvest of Mud Crabs, 1998–2008 (Source: QPIF CFISH database, contribute to the resilience of mud crabs to harvest. 31 July 2009). CPUE Main management methods used Year Licences Days Weight (t) (kg/day) Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF), 1998 436 31909 676 21.19 manages the Queensland Mud Crab Fishery in 1999 448 37057 838 22.62 accordance with ecologically sustainable development 2000 464 39574 1035 26.14 2001 488 39452 1029 26.09 (ESD) principles. The fishery is managed under the 2002 481 40753 1014 24.89 Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 and in accordance with 2003 499 48934 1149 23.49 the Queensland Fisheries Regulation 2008. 2004 496 46701 1178 25.22 A range of input and output controls are in place to 2005 424 40412 969 23.97 manage the harvest of mud crabs by commercial and 2006 425 39557 983 24.86 recreational fishers, including: 2007 423 38413 963 25.06 2008 431 38002 1025 26.97 • a minimum legal size limit that applies to both commercial and recreational fishers (150 mm carapace A pattern exists in monthly mud crab harvest fo r the width) fishery; logbook data shows record high catches of mud crab during the summer and autumn months (between • a prohibition on taking female crabs December and May). Catches during these months • apparatus restrictions (50 pots per licence for the contribute between 66-72% of the total reported commercial fishery and four pots per person for the commercial catch for the year (range calculated using recreational fishery) 2004–08 data).

• limited entry to the commercial fishery (C1 In 2008, a decrease in fishing effort (days) and increase endorsement required) in retained weight has resulted in an increase in catch per unit effort (CPUE). CPUE increased from 25.06 kg/day • prescriptions on the size of the float that may be used in 2007 to 26.97 kg/day in 2008 (Table 1, Figure 2). This • closures (Eurimbula Creek and all adjoining waterways are closed to the harvesting of mud crabs, along with closures enforced through marine park zoning 5 Reported catch for 2007 has increased since QPIF’s established under the Australian Government Great previously stated catch due to late logbook returns from a small number of fishers.

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 4 continued increase in commercial CPUE contributes to a Gulf of Carpentaria steady three year increase between 2005 and 2008 The Gulf of Carpentaria is defined as intertidal waters (Figure 2). This stability in yield is mirrored when CPUE is from the tip of Cape York to the Northern Territory border. calculated as kg/pot lift, though these data are less reliable and therefore not presented in this report. The Gulf of Carpentaria typically contributes only a small proportion to the total commercial harvest of mud crabs Catch (t) CPUE (kg/day) 1400 30 in Queensland; in 2008 the Gulf of Carpentaria contributed 17% to the total commercial harvest. The 1200 25 annual reported commercial mud crab catch for the Gulf 1000 20 of Carpentaria increased from 135 t in 2007 to 173 t in 800 15 2008 (Figure 4). The reported increase in catch is 600 Catch (t) Catch paralleled by an increase in fishing effort (days), from 5

10 (kg/day) CPUE 400 308 in 2007 to 5 595 in 2008. 200 5 CPUE (kg/day) in the Queensland Mud Crab Fishery has 0 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 fluctuated immensely between 1998 and 2008 (Figure 4). In 2008, CPUE increased from 25.4 kg/day in 2007 to Figure 2: Reported commercial catch and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of Mud Crabs, 1998–2008 (Source: QPIF 30.9 kg/day in 2008. CFISH database, 31 July 2009).

Catch (t) CPUE (kg/day) East coast 200 40

180 35 The east coast of Queensland is defined as waters 160 30 between the New South Wales border and the tip of Cape 140 120 25 York. 100 20

The east coast has recorded fluctuating levels of mud (t) Catch 80 15 60 (kg/day) CPUE crab catch between 1998 and 2008; averaging 10 40 approximately 836 t annually. The annual reported 20 5 commercial mud crab catch for the east coast increased 0 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 from 828 t in 2007 to 852 t in 2008 (Figure 3). Inversely, Figure 4: Reported commercial catch and catch per unit the number of fishing effort (days) decreased, from 33 effort (CPUE) of Mud Crabs in the Gulf of Carpentaria, 105 in 2007 to 32 424 in 2008. CPUE (kg/day) on the east 1998–2008 (Source: QPIF CFISH database, 31 July 2009). coast has continued to increase since 2005; in 2008 CPUE reached 26.3 kg/day. Recreational

The recreational harvest of mud crabs is lower than the Catch (t) CPUE (kg/day) commercial harvest, contributing approximately 38% to 1200 27 the total fishery harvest. 26 1000 25 The most recent Recreational Fishing Information System 800 24 (RFISH) diary survey was conducted during 2005. Refer to 600 23 the ‘Recreational’ section of the 2008 Mud Crab Annual Catch (t) Catch 22

400 (kg/day) CPUE Status report for previous figures and catch statistics. 21 200 20 QPIF are currently planning a state-wide recreational

0 19 survey that will provide accurate recreational catch 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 estimates. Figure 3: Reported commercial catch and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of Mud Crabs from the east coast of Queensland, Charter 1998–2008 (Source: QPIF CFISH database, 31 July 2009). The charter component of the Mud Crab Fishery represents the smallest portion of the total annual mud crab harvest at approximately 1.2 t. Data from

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 5 compulsory charter logbooks indicates that in 2008, 1517 kg of mud crabs were caught, of which 315 kg were released (Table 2). In 2008 there were only 146 charter fishing effort days attributed to retained and released mud crabs; this is the least number of days since 2003.

Table 2: Charter catch and effort 2003–08 (Source: QPIF CFISH database, 31 July 2009).

Retained Released No. of No. of days Year catch catch operators fished (kg) (kg)

2003 1250 360 15 571

2004 1586 765 20 586

2005 1186 399 13 469

2006 1260 506 12 286 Figure 5: Spatial distribution of commercial pot catch (tonnes) in the Mud Crab Fishery in 2008 2007 1469 446 13 162 (Source: QPIF CFISH database, 31 July 2009).

2008 1202 315 12 146 Socio-ecSocio-econonomicomic characteristics andan trend trendsds

The majority of mud crabs are sold to local and interstate IndigenIndigenoousus markets and are an important ‘icon’ species to the tourist and hospitality trade. There is a small live export The most recent estimates of Indigenous mud crab trade to Asia from northern Queensland centres. Most harvest were compiled in the 2000-01 National often, the crabs are sold whole; either live or cooked and RecreationalRecreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (NRIFS). chilled. Fishers were paid between $10/kg and $20/kg Refer to the Indigenous section of the 2007 Mud Crab for mud crabs in 2008 depending on the quality and Fishery Annual Status Report for the most recent figures availability of the product, the time of year and the and catch statistics. product form. The average price paid to fishers was Spatial issues/trenissues/trenddss $16/kg.

FiguFigurere 5 illustrates the spatial distribution of Figure 6 shows the income distribution for the commercially caught mud crabs in 2008. The four high commercial sector of the Mud Crab Fishery from 2006- harvest regions in 2008 were Moreton Bay, Gladstone, 08.

Broad Sound (north of Rockhampton) and Hinchinbrook 2006 2007 2008 Island (north of Townsville). 20 18 16 The high catch associated with Moreton Bay, Gladstone, 14 12 Broad Sound and Hinchinbrook Island is a factor of 10 8 environment type and an increase in fishing effort. These 6 areas offer favoured mud crab environments; sheltered 4 2 creeks and waterways, and large mangrove areas. Proportion of mud crab fleet(%) 0

K K K K K 10 0 0K 0K 0K 0K 0K < 2K 4 60K 80 150 0 Habitat type has given rise to the mud crab population 2 - 5K 5 - - 2 - - 10 125 300K 40 50 0 - - - - 250K - - 6 10 2 40 60 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 8 00 25 50 0 0 which in turn has enticed fishers to harvest within the 1 1 150 - 200K200 2 3 4 50 700 - 800K areas. Figure 6: Income distribution in the Mud Crab Fishery in 2006– 08 (Source: QPIF CFISH database, 31 July 2009).

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 6 Approximately 55% of fishermen who operate in the North East Queensland Queensland Mud Crab Fishery earn between $2 000 and Bizant River Bowling Green Hinchinbrook Trinity Inlet 5 $40 000. An additional 25% earn between $40 000 and $125 000. At the top end of the income bracket, 5% of 4 fishermen are earning over $125 000. All figures have 3 remained relatively stable between 2006 and 2008. 2

Biological and ecological 1 information 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Monitoring Programs Gulf of Carpentaria

Staaten River Weipa Mitchell River Norman River Fishery independent monitoring 2

QPIF has monitored the statewide population of mud crabs, Scylla spp. since 1999 (Department of Primary

Industries and Fisheries, 2005). The primary objectives 1 of the fishery independent monitoring program are to collect length, sex and catch rate data to be used in Catch rate (crabs pot) per determining the population status of the species 0 (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, 2005). 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 South East Queensland Sampling is undertaken in areas of known high Moreton Bay Hervey Bay Gladstone commercial harvest and areas close to large human 2 populations (assumed high recreational harvest).

In 2007, a review of the monitoring program was undertaken instead of the regular sampling activities. In 1 2008, sampling was again undertaken with all regions sampled successfully. Additional data (fishery dependent) were collected by asking selected 0 commercial fishers to fill in monitoring logbooks. These 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 logbooks aimed to collect numbers of retained and released Scylla spp., as well as other bycatch, on a Figure 7: Standardised mean catch rate with 95% confidence intervals, of mud crabs (Scylla spp.) from QPIF fishery weekly basis, for a period of two months before and after independent surveys 2000-2008. Note: The survey was not QPIF sampling activities. undertaken in 2007.

The catch rate of Scylla spp. showed variation at many The size frequency of male and female Scylla spp. was levels (Figure 7) – recorded during the 2008 QPIF fishery independent mud crab surveys (Figure 8). The monitoring program is not • Between years, for a given site e.g. Bizant River, designed to compare regions but rather to annually • Between sites, within a region e.g. Bizant vs document the catch within a region. Bowling green, The proportion of crabs in each of the size classes was • Between years, within a region (all sites relatively uniform in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In north east combined) e.g. north east Queensland, Queensland there was a distinct peak in the 150mm to

• Between years, between regions e.g. north east 159mm size class. South east Queensland catches Queensland in 2000 vs south east Queensland showed an increase in the proportion of females in 2000. recorded in the 150mm plus size classes compared to the smaller size classes.

Although comparisons between regions are difficult due to variances in sampling methods (Department of

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 7 Primary Industries and Fisheries, 2005), Jebreen et al. discards are released undamaged, thereby increasing (2005) surmised that some of the differences in the their survival rate (McCormack, 2005). composition of the mud crab catch could be related to Figure 9 illustrates that female and undersized male mud proximity to population centres and fishing pressure. crabs made up the majority of the bycatch (number of This could account for the low percentage of legal sized individuals). male mud crabs observed during the south east Queensland surveys.

Gulf of Carpentaria Undersized males 30% n=100 Legal sized males 240 pot lifts Females Gulf of 25% Carpentaria 20%

15%

10% n= 254

5%

0%

North East Queensland 30% n=396 240 pot lifts 25% North East Queensland 20%

15%

10% n= 367

Percentage of total catch (%) 5%

0%

South East Queensland 30% n=689 25% 779 pot lifts

20% South East 15% Queensland 10%

5%

0% 9 9 9 n= 881 79 99 8 99 : 69 : : 89 10 119 :139 :14 :159 169 1 0 0 0: 0: 0 0: 0:1 6 70 8 90: 40 8 90: 00:209 10 11 120:12913 1 150 16 170:1791 1 2 Size class (mm) Other crabs

Figure 8: Size frequency of male and female mud crab (Scylla Fish spp.) from the 2008 QPIF fishery independent surveys in the Gulf of Carpentaria, north east Queensland and south east Sharks and rays Queensland. Female and undersized Based on the size frequency graphs the mud crab mud crabs

population in the areas surveyed appears to be Figure 9: Composition of bycatch (number of sustainable as there is still a high proportion of recruits individuals) from the 2008 QPIF fishery independent mud crab surveys in the Gulf of (crabs <150mm) entering the fishery. Carpentaria, northern east Queensland and south east Queensland. Bycatch

The majority of the bycatch from the QPIF mud crab The number of fish caught in the Gulf of Carpentaria sampling was similar to that observed in previous years. (33%) was more than double that caught in north east The apparatus used in the sampling and the sampling Queensland (10%) and south east Queensland (12%). methods (as per LTM section above) ensures the

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 8 Catfish made up 70% of the fish caught in the Gulf of pots to aid in the solution to minimising ghost fishing; Carpentaria. such industry driven initiatives aid in the long term sustainability of the Mud Crab Fishery. Interactions with protected species Last year, OceanWatch Australia acquired funding In 2008, there were three reported interactions with through the Australian Government’s ‘Envirofund’ grant species of conservation interest. scheme to set up a Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) The reported interactions were with a saltwater crocodile library. 7 This BRD library provides commercial fishermen (dead), an unspecified crocodile (dead) and a pelican with the latest bycatch reduction devices and equipment (live). to trial. As part of this funding, several innovative commercial fishers in the Blue Swimmer Crab Fishery Ecosystem Impacts have initiated trials of the turtle-smart crab pots which are designed to reduce interactions with protected The fishery’s impact on the ecosystem is considered to species, specifically turtles, and to reduce the loss of be negligible. The lightweight structure of crab fishing crab pots and subsequent ghost fishing. These apparatus is considered to impart little, if any, impact on modifications to the fishing gear are potentially the muddy substrates of the estuaries or foreshore areas beneficial in the Queensland Mud Crab Fishery. in which they are set. Daily pot checks and frequent pot repositioning, which is standard practice in both the Mangrove habitats play an important role in mud crab commercial and recreational fisheries, further reduces life cycles, and as such the species can be susceptible to the potential for long-term impacts to benthic habitats impacts from habitat modification or pollution. More and communities, or to water quality in general. detailed information regarding other ecosystem impacts can be found in the Annual status report 2007 - Mud One issue that may pose a potential risk to the broader Crab Fishery (Hill 2007a). marine ecosystem is ghost fishing6 by lost or abandoned crab pots (Campbell and Sumpton 2009; Hill 2007b). To Sustainability Assessment combat this, a number of commercial fishers employ bio­ degradable components on their crab pots, reducing the Performance against fishery objectives longevity of the pots and reducing their ghost fishing Performance measures for the Queensland Mud Crab potential, if lost (Campbell and Sumpton 2009; Fishery (Table 3) were developed in collaboration with OceanWatch 2009). Without these components, the Crab Management Advisory Committee (CrabMAC) OceanWatch (2009) has suggested that pots may and other stakeholders, including members of the continue to catch for several months, even years. QPIF commercial fishing sector, fishery managers, researchers encourages the use of biodegradable materials in crab and assessment and monitoring staff.8

Table 3: Performance measures for the Mud Crab Fishery.

Performance Measure Performance

Target Species

1a. An annual limit reference point (LRP) of 30% above or • Whole fishery – Not triggered 30% below the average commercial catch and catch rate • East Coast – Not triggered for the previous five years; for the whole fishery, the east coast and Gulf separately, and for the regions. • Gulf – Not triggered

• Regions within areas – Triggered

7 The full article can be found at www.oceanwatch.org.au/documents/TSCP.pdf 8 The PMS for the Mud Crab Fishery is available online at: 6 Ghost fishing is covered in detail in Sumpton et al. 2003. www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 9 Target Species

1b. Increasing or decreasing trends in catch rate over the • Whole fishery – Not triggered preceding five years for the whole fishery, the east coast • East coast – Not triggered and Gulf separately, and for the regions. • Gulf – Not triggered

• Regions within areas – Triggered

There has been a continual decline in catch rate between 2004 and 2008 in the Northern Wet region.

Bycatch Species

2a. The risk ranking assigned to bycatch species in the Not measured ERA process increases from the previous assessment. An Ecological Risk Assessment was completed in 2007 for the Mud Crab Fishery. QPIF intends to review risk assessments every 3-5 years.

Protected Species

3a. Interactions with turtles or crocodiles do not exceed Not triggered the highest historical number of interactions reported Only two interactions with crocodiles and none with turtles through Species of Conservation Interest (SOCI) logbooks occurred during the 2008 calendar year. These figures do (2003–05). not exceed the highest historical number of interactions reported through the SOCI logbook.

3b. The risk ranking assigned to protected species in the Not measured ERA process increases from the previous assessment. An Ecological Risk Assessment was completed in 2007 for the Mud Crab Fishery. QPIF intends to review risk assessments every 3-5 years.

Input from a broad range of stakeholders was sought to necessary to address the triggered performance ensure the Performance Measurement System (PMS) was indicators in 2007. meaningful, defensible and precautionary, taking into Discussions of the 2009 Mud Crab Fishery PMS triggers account data limitations but incorporating the most (focusing on 2008 calendar year data) will be held during appropriate information available. The PMS was late 2009. The actions of these discussions will be approved by a delegate of the Chief Executive and is a summarised in the ‘Response to 2009 triggers’ section in formal instrument for measuring performance of this the 2010 Mud Crab Fishery Annual Status Report. fishery.

A review of the Mud Crab Fishery PMS was conducted in Current Sustainability status and concerns 2008; no changes to the measures/indicators were The Queensland Mud Crab Fishery is managed in a more deemed necessary. The next annual review of the Mud precautionary manner than any other Australian mud Crab Fishery PMS is scheduled for late 2009. crab fishery—this produces confidence in its Response to 2008 triggers sustainability. The prohibition on taking female and undersize crabs protects the spawning capacity of the Following initial consideration by the fishery manager stock from increases in effort. Significant areas where after seeking scientific advice from the CrabMAC mud crabs occur in coastal inshore waters are also Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) in 2008, no immediate protected by fisheries and marine park closures. management responses were proposed or considered

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 10 Mud crab pots are a non-destructive fishing apparatus as priorities have focused on the need for sound scientific they function by trapping. Crabs are enticed into the pots advice on the effects of relaxing the single-sex harvest with bait and their escape is restricted. Considered in policy (SSHP), as Queensland is the only Australian State combination with the general practice of daily pot with this management arrangement for its Mud Crab checking, mud crab pots impart little physical damage to Fishery. As a result of a successful FRDC application, either mud crabs or bycatch, resulting in high DEEDI Fisheries Research staff will run a workshop in survivability in released undersize and female mud crabs November 2009 to examine the risks and benefits of and other bycatch species. some level of relaxation of the SSHP. Should the meeting agree to progress the matter further, it will then develop DEWHA’s reassessment of the Mud Crab Fishery in a strategy for implementing a state-wide adaptive October 2007 identified latent effort in the fishery as a management experiment to field-test the effect of a risk to the long-term sustainability of Queensland’s crab management change on the resource and its market. stocks9. In July 2008, QPIF implemented the Policy for the Removal of Excess Fishing Capacity in Queensland’s Fishery Management Line, Crab, Beam Trawl and Eel Fisheries. The implementation of this Policy has removed a significant Compliance Report number of crab fishery symbols (approximately 30%). During 2008, 5 557 units were inspected in the The Policy will continue to be implemented during 2009 Queensland Mud Crab Fishery, including the Gulf of and QPIF will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Carpentaria. Of these, 455 were commercial vessel Policy on reducing latent effort in the Mud Crab Fishery. inspections. The majority of the remaining inspections were of recreational fishers, with the remainder Research comprising camp sites, show sites, fishing clubs, Recent research and implications charter/tour operators, private property, motor vehicles and marketing premises. Carl Walters from the University of British Columbia, Canada, has recently developed a stock assessment and During this period, 323 offences were detected in policy simulation package which utilises a high association with 249 inspections, corresponding to a resolution age-sex structure population model. This compliance rate of 95.5% on units inspected. This does resource assessment model is known as the Growth Type not include offences relating to unattended, incorrectly Group (GTG) model and divides age/size cohorts into marked equipment. growth type groups based on species biological growth Table 4 displays a summary of offences, reported data. separately for the east coast and Gulf of Carpentaria The new GTG model will be the centre-piece of the FRDC funded Mud Crab Assessment Workshop to be held at Offences are reported as either a Fisheries Infringement the Southern Fisheries Centre in late 2009. Notice (FIN); Caution (FIN Caution or official written caution); or Prosecution (to proceed by complaint Collaborative research summons). In addition to the above inspections and offences, a total of 731 incorrectly marked crab pots were A FRDC-funded project investigating the effect of climate seized from tidal waters in Queensland, including the variability on mud crab stocks is being carried out by Gulf of Carpentaria, in relation to the Mud Crab Fishery Griffith University researcher Jan-Olaf Meynecke. While during 2008. links between climate and mud crab stocks in Queensland have already been examined and published, A compliance risk assessment was conducted for this this project will build on this information by fishery in November 2006 in order to determine incorporating Northern Territory fishery data and some compliance priorities and allow the most effective use of updated Queensland data. QBFP resources. Outcomes of the assessment are outlined in the 2008 Mud Crab Annual Status Report. QPIF and QSIA research and development (R&D)

9 Available online at: www.environment.gov.au/ coasts/fisheries/qld/index.html

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 11 Table 4: Offences recorded in the Queensland Mud Crab Fishery (East coast and Gulf of Carpentaria) for 2008.

East Coast Gulf of Carpentaria

OFFENCE FIN Prosecution Caution FIN Prosecution Caution

Take, possess or sell regulated mud crabs 158 19 23 10 1 2

Contravened a regulated fishing apparatus or regulated 57 - 22 4 - - fishing method declaration

Contravened a regulated waters declaration 2 - - - - -

Boat mark not placed as required 5 - 1 - - -

Failed to obtain/keep/give required information in the 2 - - 1 - - approved form

Failed to produce a document required to be available for 2 - 2 - - - immediate inspection

Unlawfully interfered with fishing apparatus 5 1 1 - - -

Destroyed marine plants - 1 - - - -

Obstructed an inspector - 2 - - - -

Did an act that may only be done by the holder of an - - - - - 2 authority

TOTAL 231 23 49 15 1 4

Note: Several of the prosecutions recorded here are still pending.

Changes to management arrangements in of all Queensland fisheries and prioritises issues the reporting year associated with it accordingly. Once fisheries management priorities have been determined, the There were no changes to management arrangements in department may establish a small number of 2008. Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) to provide Communication and education technical information that will assist QPIF to pursue these priorities (which may or may not impact the Promotion of regulations applying to both commercial Mud Crab Fishery). and recreational fishers, including those relating to mud crabs, is an ongoing role for QPIF. • The Department may also establish technical working groups to generate information upon which Consultation with stakeholders in this fishery occurs to base decisions. These groups may be permanent through many mechanisms: or adhoc and can be fishery-specific or broader. • On a strategic level the Queensland Fisheries They may be established to provide advice to the Management Advisory Committee (QFMAC) Department or to inform the decisions of a body considers the Mud Crab Fishery in the context such a QFMAC.

• The department consults directly with industry members through attendance at industry

Annual Status Report 2009—Mud Crab Fishery 12 association meetings, port visits, newsletters and OceanWatch Australia, Delivering on-ground support to the by other means. commercial crab pot fishery (Queensland), viewed on 20 July 2009 http://www.oceanwatch.org.au/documents/TSCP.pdf There are also legislated requirements for consultation; such as Regulatory Impact Statements (RIS) that ensure stakeholders in the fishery are consulted about Information complied by significant changes in management arrangements. Anna Garland Complementary management Acknowledgements QPIF continues to collaborate with other states on complementary management arrangements to enable a Jason McGilvray, Dr Sue Helmke, Dr Neil Gribble, Dr Ian Brown, more complete assessment of mud crab stocks. The Dr Tracey Scott-Holland, Phillip Gaffney, Mark Lightowler and Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia Lew Williams. government officers meet annually at the Northern Australian Fisheries Managers Forum to discuss the Front cover image management of shared stocks, including those of mud Mud Crab (Scylla serrata) crabs.

References

Brown, I. W. 1993, Mangrove Crabs (pp 609-42) in Nearshore Marine Resources of the South Pacific. Institute of Pacific Studies (Suva), Forum Fisheries Agency (Honiara) and the

International Centre for Ocean Development (Canada).

Campbell, M. J. and Sumpton, W. D. 2009, Ghost fishing in the pot fishery for blue swimmer crabs Portunus pelagicus in Queensland, Australia. Fisheries Research vol. 95, pg. 246 -253.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. 2005, Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol – Mud Crab

(2000-2005) Section 1. Department of Primary Industries and

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