Stock Status of Queensland's Fisheries Resources 2012

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012

cs2309 03/13

Great state. Great opportunity.

This publication has been compiled by Bonnie Holmes, Megan Leslie, Malcolm Keag, Anthony Roelofs, Michelle Winning and Brad Zeller of the Fisheries Assessment Unit of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

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Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2011 1 Contents Glossary ...... 4 Fishery acronyms...... 5 Introduction...... 6 Key outcomes in 2012...... 7 Queensland Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey...... 7 Stock status of Queensland fishery resources in 2012 – summary table ...... 8 Stock background and status determination summary pages...... 11 Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) East Coast ...... 12 Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) East Coast...... 13 Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) Gulf of Carpentaria...... 16 Blue Eye Trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) East Coast...... 18 Bonito (Sarda spp.) East Coast...... 19 Bream–Yellowfin (Acanthopagrus australis) East Coast ...... 20 Bugs–Balmain (Ibacus chacei and I. brucei) East Coast...... 22 Bugs–Moreton Bay (Thenus australiensis & T. parindicus) East Coast...... 24 Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) East Coast...... 26 Coral Trout (Plectropomus spp. and Variola spp.) East Coast...... 27 Crab–Blue Swimmer (Portunus armatus) East Coast...... 28 Crab–Mud (Scylla spp.) East Coast ...... 29 Crab–Mud (Scylla spp.) Gulf of Carpentaria ...... 31 Crab–Spanner (Ranina ranina) East Coast ...... 33 Crab–Three-spotted (Portunus sanguinolentus) East Coast...... 34 Cuttlefish (Sepia spp.) East Coast ...... 36 Freshwater Eel (Anguilla australis & A.reinhardtii) East Coast...... 38 Emperor–Grass (Lethrinus laticaudis) East Coast ...... 39 Emperor–Red (Lutjanus sebae) East Coast...... 40 Emperor–Red (Lutjanus sebae) Gulf of Carpentaria...... 41 Emperor–Redthroat (Lethrinus miniatus) East Coast ...... 42 Emperor–Spangled (Lethrinus nebulosus) East Coast...... 43 Flathead–Dusky (Platycephalus fuscus) East Coast ...... 44 Groper–Bass (Polyprion americanus) East Coast ...... 46 Javelin (Pomadasys spp.) East Coast...... 47 Javelin (Pomadasys spp.) Gulf of Carpentaria...... 48 Kingfish–Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) East Coast ...... 49 Lobster–Red Champagne (Linuparus trigonus) East Coast...... 50 Mackerel–Grey (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) East Coast ...... 52 Mackerel–Grey (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) Gulf of Carpentaria ...... 54 Mackerel–School (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) East Coast ...... 56 Mackerel–Shark (Grammatorcynus bicarinatus) East Coast...... 57 Mackerel–Spanish (Scomberomorus commerson) East Coast...... 58 Mackerel–Spanish (Scomberomorus commerson) Gulf of Carpentaria...... 60

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 2 Mackerel–Spotted (Scomberomorus munroi) East Coast...... 62 Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) East Coast...... 64 Octopus (Octopodidae) East Coast ...... 65 Pearl Perch (Glaucosoma scapulare) East Coast ...... 67 Prawn–Banana (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis) East Coast...... 69 Prawn–Coral (Metapenaeopsis spp.) East Coast ...... 71 Prawn–Eastern King (Melicertus plebejus) East Coast...... 72 Prawn–Endeavour (Metapenaeus endeavouri and M. ensis) East Coast ...... 74 Prawn–Greasyback (Metapenaeus bennettae) East Coast ...... 76 Prawn–Northern King (Melicertus longistylus and M.latisulcatus) East Coast ...... 78 Prawn–School (Metapenaeus macleayi) East Coast...... 80 Prawn–Tiger (Penaeus esculentus and P. semisulcatus) East Coast ...... 82 Rockcod–Bar (Epinephelus ergastularius and E. septemfasciatus) East Coast...... 84 Scallop–Mud (Amusium pleuronectes) East Coast ...... 85 Scallop–Saucer (Amusium balloti) East Coast...... 86 Sea Cucumber–White Teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva) East Coast...... 88 Sea Cucumber–Burrowing Blackfish (Actinopyga spinea) East Coast...... 89 Sea Mullet (Mugil cephalus) East Coast...... 90 Shark (Elasmobranchii) East Coast and Gulf of Carpentaria...... 92 Snapper (Pagrus auratus) East Coast...... 93 Snapper–Crimson (Lutjanus erythropterus) East Coast...... 95 Snapper–Crimson (Lutjanus erythropterus) Gulf of Carpentaria...... 96 Snapper–Goldband (Pristipomoides multidens) East Coast ...... 97 Snapper–Hussar (Lutjanus adetii and L. vitta) East Coast ...... 98 Snapper–Rosy (Pristipomoides filamentosus) East Coast...... 99 Snapper–Saddletail (Lutjanus malabaricus) East Coast...... 100 Snapper–Saddletail (Lutjanus malabaricus) Gulf of Carpentaria...... 101 Snapper–Stripey (Lutjanus carponotatus) East Coast...... 102 Squid–Pencil (Uroteuthis spp.) East Coast...... 103 Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) East Coast ...... 104 Teraglin (Atractoscion aequidens) East Coast...... 106 Threadfin–Blue (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) East Coast ...... 107 Threadfin–Blue (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) Gulf of Carpentaria ...... 108 Threadfin–King (Polydactylus macrochir) East Coast ...... 109 Threadfin–King (Polydactylus macrochir) Gulf of Carpentaria ...... 111 Trevally (Carangidae) East Coast ...... 112 Trochus (Trochus niloticus) East Coast ...... 113 Tropical Rocklobster (Panulirus ornatus) East Coast ...... 114 Tuskfish (Choerodon spp.) East Coast ...... 115 Whiting–Sand (Sillago ciliata) East Coast...... 116 Whiting–Stout (Sillago robusta) East Coast ...... 118

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 3 Glossary

Annual status report (ASR) / Annual reports developed for each of Queensland’s major fisheries that provide catch Fishery update statistics and Performance Measurement System reporting. Fishery Updates replaced Annual Status Reports in 2012.

Commercial catch The retained portion of a commercial fishers’ catch, which is recorded in a daily logbook for that fishery. Sometimes referred to as the harvested or landed component.

Catch rate and standardised The number or weight of fish caught by a unit of fishing effort. Often used as a catch rate measure of fish abundance. Sometimes referred to as catch per unit effort (CPUE). Catch rates may be ‘standardised’ to allow for known variable factors such as location and season, or ‘nominal’ where no adjustments are made.

Charter catch The retained portion of a charter boat’s catch, which is recorded in a daily Queensland Commercial Fishing Tours logbook. Charter fishing is recreational fishing conducted from an appropriately licensed charter vessel.

East Coast The east coast of Queensland, from the Queensland/New South Wales border to the tip of Cape York in the north.

Ecological risk assessment A tool commonly used in fisheries management that identifies the issues or source of (ERA) the risk which could impact on objectives (e.g. in a fisheries content, overfishing), assesses the consequence and likelihood associated with the issue, and then determines the relative risk (in a fisheries context, this could be risk to target and bycatch species, as well as the habitat). Can be qualitative or quantitative, and generally involves multiple stakeholders in a workshop. This process enables management agencies to identify priorities for monitoring and management action.

Fishery-dependent data Data (e.g. biological information on length and age) collected from commercial fishers or processors and recreational fishing activities.

Fishery-independent data Data collected by systematic survey, carried out by research vessels or contracted commercial fishing vessels, to gather information independently of normal fishing operations.

Gulf of Carpentaria The region from the western tip of Cape York to the Northern Territory border.

In-possession limit The maximum number of fish that a person is allowed to have in their possession at any time. It discourages the accumulation of large quantities of fish by recreational fishers.

Performance measurement An assessment tool developed for each fishery to monitor and measure fishery system (PMS) performance against a range of operational objectives. It defines the objectives, indicators and performance measures for that fishery.

Performance measure A parameter used to assess the performance of a fishery against predetermined objectives.

Fishery symbol A fishery symbol indicates where a commercial fisher is able to fish, the regulated apparatus and what they are able to retain. Refer to the Fisheries Queensland website for the full description of fisheries symbols in Queensland www.daff.qld.gov.au

Minimum legal size (MLS) The minimum size that can be retained for a given species as defined in the Fisheries Regulations 2008. For some species, a maximum legal size also applies.

Maximum economic yield The sustainable catch level for a commercial fishery that allows net economic returns (MEY) to be maximised.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 4 Maximum sustainable yield Maximum annual catch that can be harvested without impacting on the long-term (MSY) productivity of the stock under prevailing environmental conditions.

Biomass at MSY (Bmsy) Average biomass corresponding to maximum sustainable yield.

‘Other species’ quota (OS) Refers to the quota for coral reef fin fish other than Coral Trout and Redthroat Emperor. Coral reef fin fish are outlined in the Fisheries Regulation 2008.

Queensland Fisheries Joint The harvest of certain species in the Gulf of Carpentaria is managed jointly by the Authority (QFJA) State, Territory and Commonwealth governments through the Queensland Fisheries Joint Authority (QFJA). Fishing licences operating in a fishery over which the QFJA has authority must have an endorsement from the QFJA to take those species.

Recruitment A growth related term defining the age at which fish first become susceptible to the fishery.

Recreational harvest Retained portion of the recreational catch estimated from a representative sample of estimate recreational fishers who are Queensland residents.

Relative standard error The standard error expressed as a percentage of the estimate for which it was (RSE) calculated. It is a measure which is independent of both the size of the sample and the unit of measurement and as a result, can be used to compare the reliability of different estimates. The smaller an estimate's RSE, the more likely it is that the estimate is a good proxy for the whole population.

Statewide Recreational The Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey conducted in 2010 provides reliable catch Fishing Survey (SWRFS) estimates for fish species commonly caught by Queensland's recreational anglers. The survey combines diary and telephone surveys to collect high-quality data over 12 months. To access the full report, visit www.daff.qld.gov.au

Total allowable catch (TAC) An output control on fishing that establishes the total quantity of a given fish stock that the fishing industry are permitted to retain in a given year. For Queensland fisheries this catch limit only applies to the commercial sector and expressed as a total allowable commercial catch (TACC).

Total mortality estimate (Z) The instantaneous rate of mortality for a given stock, including both natural (M) and fishing induced (F) mortality causes.

Fishery acronyms BSCF Blue Swimmer Crab Fishery CCRF Commercial Crayfish and Rocklobster Fishery (formerly TRLF) CRFFF Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery DWFFF Deep Water Fin Fish Fishery ECIFFF East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery ECOTF East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery ECSMF East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery FFTF Fin Fish (Stout Whiting) Trawl Fishery GOCDFFTF Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery GOCIFFF Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery GOCLF Gulf of Carpentaria Line Fishery MCF Mud Crab Fishery QEF Queensland Eel Fishery Rec recreationally targeted species RIBTF River and Inshore Beam Trawl Fishery RRFFF Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery SCF Spanner Crab Fishery

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 5 Introduction

In November 2009, Fisheries Queensland (now part of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) 1 embarked on a process to assess the exploitation status (stock status) of Queensland’s key fish stocks . This process provided a comprehensive assessment of the status of our key stocks in response to increasing stakeholder interest in the sustainability of Queensland fisheries.

The Stock Status Assessment Framework documents the transparent and consistent process used to determine a comprehensive statement on the status of key fish stocks in Queensland waters. The framework builds on a wide range of assessment tools already used by Fisheries Queensland to review the sustainability of fishing activities on fish stocks and the broader ecosystem.

An expert panel of departmental scientists and managers has assigned an appropriate exploitation category 2 for a given species using a weight-of-evidence approach . This involved reviewing available biological and fishery information against a set of exploitation criteria (refer to Stock Status Assessment Framework for detailed explanation of the criteria). The review of information sources reviewed included biological monitoring data (e.g. length and age), commercial catch and effort data from logbooks, recreational catch diaries, at-sea observer data, quantitative stock assessment results, research data, ecological risk assessments and performance indicator results. Assessment of the status of each stock also considered a wider range of factors including market drivers, fisher behaviour and weather effects. Table 1 summarises the exploitation categories.

The 2012 report outlines the results of the third round of stock status assessments.

Table 1: Description of exploitation categories used in the Queensland stock status assessment process

Category Definition Overfished Harvest levels may be exceeding sustainable levels and/or yields may be higher in the long term if the effort levels are reduced. The stock may still be recovering from previous excessive fishing pressure. Recovery strategies will be developed for all overfished stocks to reduce fishing pressure within prescribed timeframes. Sustainably fished Harvest levels are at, or close to, optimum sustainable levels. Current fishing pressure is considered sustainable. Not fully utilised Resource is underutilised and has the potential to sustain harvest levels higher than those currently being taken. Uncertain There are inconsistent/contradictory signals in the information available that preclude determination of exploitation status with any degree of confidence. Undefined Some information is available but no reasonable attempt can been made to determine exploitation status at this time. This may be due to the need for additional information or analyses to adequately determine stock status against the criteria.

Note on stocks classified as ‘uncertain’ or ‘undefined’

It is important to note that an ‘uncertain’ or ‘undefined’ status does not necessarily mean that the stock is at high risk from fishing activities. Rather, it highlights where additional information is required to reduce uncertainty or make an assessment. Fisheries Queensland can use these identified data needs when prioritising future data collection activities.

1 Throughout this document the term ‘stock’ can represent a single species, a separate genetic or geographical stock or a group of species used for fisheries management purposes. 2 A ‘weight-of-evidence’ approach assesses a species based on the evidence considered and meeting agreed criteria, decided by workshop participants with expertise in biology and/or the fishery for the species. Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 6 Key outcomes in 2012

Fisheries Queensland conducted four workshops using the most recent data to determine the status of key stocks harvested in the line, pot, net, trawl and hand-harvest fisheries. The key outcomes were:

• 75 stocks were assessed in total (65 east coast (EC) and 10 Gulf of Carpentaria (GOC) stocks), compared to 78 in 2011. Three were considered again in 2012 but not examined further for reasons outlined in Table 3.

• 28 stocks were considered ‘sustainably fished’, compared to 24 in 2011.

• 3 stocks were considered ‘not fully utilised’, compared to 4 in 2011 (Endeavour Prawn moved to ‘sustainably fished’.

• 34 stocks did not have enough information available to be assessed against the criteria and were ‘undefined’.

• 9 stocks were considered ‘uncertain’. This was down from 19 in 2011 primarily because a number of line-caught stocks moved from the ‘uncertain’ to ‘undefined’ status based on the revised definitions

• Spanish Mackerel in the Gulf of Carpentaria moved from ‘uncertain’ to ‘sustainably fished’.

• Four stocks (Balmain Bugs, Grey Mackerel–east coast stock, Northern King Prawns and White Teatfish) moved from ‘undefined’ to ‘sustainably fished’ based on new information.

• Coral trout moved from ‘sustainably fished’ to ‘uncertain’ due to depressed catches and catch rates, as well as triggered performance measures. Fisheries Queensland is investigating further, with a Coral Trout stock assessment due for completion in late 2012.

• Blue swimmer crab moved from ‘sustainably fished’ to ‘uncertain’, due to declining catch and catch rates. These trends may be due to recent floods affecting juvenile survival and adult distributions. The species will be a focus in the 2013 stock status process.

• Snapper was again the only stock considered ‘overfished’ against the criteria. Queensland Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey

The inclusion of data from the 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey addresses an information gap in the stock status assessment process. The survey collected comprehensive information on the number of Queensland residents who fished recreationally, where they fished and what species they caught. The survey used a two-part design: an initial telephone survey and a follow-up fishing diary survey run over 12 months. This survey design allowed direct comparison to the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey which took place in 2000-2001. To access the full report, visit www.daff.qld.gov.au

Recreational harvest numbers presented in this report include an indication of the mathematical reliability of the estimate (relative standard error (RSE)). This is shown by the number of # marks.

No #: RSE – estimate is considered reliable

#: RSE 25 to 50% – use with caution

##: RSE > 50% – unreliable for general use.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 7 Stock status of Queensland fishery resources in 2012 – summary table

A summary of the stock status assessments is provided in Table 2. Greater detail regarding status determination can be found in dedicated page(s) for each stock.

A number of stocks were considered in this year’s process but did not meet the criteria for further assessment (Table 3). These stocks will continue to be monitored each year and considered in subsequent status assessments should catches increase above defined levels or risks to sustainability are identified. Table 2: Fisheries Queensland stock status summary 2012

Stock Status Species Stock Principal fishery 2010 2011 2012 Snapper (Pagrus auratus) EC RRFFF/ Rec Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) GOC GOCIFFF Bream–Yellowfin (Acanthopagrus australis) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Bugs–Balmain (Ibacus chacei and I. brucei) EC ECOTF Bugs–Moreton Bay (Thenus australiensis and T. parindicus) EC ECOTF Crab–Mud (Scylla spp.) GOC MCF Crab–Three-spotted (Portunus sanguinolentus) EC ECOTF / BSCF Flathead–Dusky (Platycephalus fuscus) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Freshwater Eel (Anguilla australis and A. reinhardtii) EC QEF Mackerel–Grey (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) EC ECIFFF Mackerel–Spanish (Scomberomorus commerson) EC ECSMF/ Rec Mackerel–Spanish (Scomberomorus commerson) GOC GOCLF Mackerel–Spotted (Scomberomorus munroi) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Prawn–Banana (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis) EC ECOTF/ RIBTF Prawn–Eastern King (Melicertus plebejus) EC ECOTF Prawn–Endeavour (Metapenaeus endeavouri and M. ensis) EC ECOTF NFU NFU Prawn–Northern King (Redspot and Blue Leg) (Melicertus EC ECOTF longistylus and M. latisulatus) Prawn–Tiger (Penaeus esculentus and P. semisulcatus) EC ECOTF Scallop–Saucer (Amusium balloti) EC ECOTF Sea Cucumber–White Teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva) EC ECBDMF Sea Mullet (Mugil cephalus) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Snapper–Stripey (Lutjanus carponotatus) EC CRFFF Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Threadfin–Blue (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) EC ECIFFF Threadfin–Blue (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) GOC GOCIFFF Tropical Rocklobster (Panulirus ornatus) EC CCRF Whiting–Sand (Sillago ciliata) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Whiting–Stout (Sillago robusta) EC FFTF Crab–Spanner (Ranina ranina) EC SCF NFU NFU NFU Emperor–Redthroat (Lethrinus miniatus) EC CRFFF NFU NFU NFU Trochus (Trochus niloticus) EC ECTF NFU NFU Coral Trout (Plectropomus and Variola spp.) EC CRFFF/ Rec Crab–Blue Swimmer (Portunus armatus) EC BSCF/ Rec Crab–Mud (Scylla spp.) EC MCF/ Rec Emperor–Red (Lutjanus sebae) GOC GOCDFFTF/ GOCLF Mackerel–Grey (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) GOC GOCIFFF Pearl Perch (Glaucosoma scapulare) EC RRFFF/ Rec Snapper–Crimson (Lutjanus erythropterus) GOC GOCDFFTF/ GOCLF

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 8 Stock Status Species Stock Principal fishery 2010 2011 2012 Snapper–Saddletail (Lutjanus malabaricus) GOC GOCDFFTF/ GOCLF Threadfin–King (Polydactylus macrochir) GOC GOCIFFF Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) EC RRFFF/Rec Blue Eye Trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) EC DWFFF Bonito (Sarda spp.) EC RRFFF/ ECIFFF Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) EC RRFFF/ Rec Cuttlefish (Sepia spp.) EC ECOTF Emperor–Grass (Lethrinus laticaudis) EC RRFFF/Rec Emperor–Red (Lutjanus sebae) EC CRFFF/Rec Emperor–Spangled (Lethrinus nebulosus) EC CRFFF Groper–Bass (Polyprion americanus) EC DWFFF Javelin (Pomadasys spp.) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Javelin (Pomadasys spp.) GOC GOCIFFF/ Rec Kingfish–Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) EC RRFFF/Rec Lobster–Red champagne (Linuparus trigonus) EC ECOTF Mackerel–School (Scomberomorus queenslandicus) EC ECIFFF/ Rec Mackerel–Shark (Grammatorcynus bicarinatus) EC ECIFFF / Rec Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) EC RRFFF/Rec Octopus (Octopus spp.) EC ECOTF / FFTF Prawn–Coral (Metapenaeopsis spp.) EC ECOTF Prawn–Greasyback (Metapenaeus bennettae) EC ECOTF / RIBTF Prawn–School (Metapenaeus macleayi) EC ECOTF / RIBTF Rockcod–Bar (Epinephelus ergastularius and E. septemfasciatus) EC DWFFF/ CRFFF Scallop–Mud (Amusium pleuronectes) EC ECOTF Sea Cucumber–Burrowing Blackfish (Actinopyga spinea) EC ECBDMF Shark EC & GOC ECIFFF/ GOCIFF Snapper–Crimson (Lutjanus erythropterus) EC CRFFF/ Rec Snapper–Goldband (Pristipomoides multidens) EC CRFFF/ DWFFF Snapper–Hussar (Lutjanus adetii and L. vitta) EC CRFFF Snapper–Rosy (Pristipomoides filamentosus) EC CRFFF/ DWFFF Snapper–Saddletail (Lutjanus malabaricus) EC CRFFF/ DWFFF/ Rec Squid–Pencil (Uroteuthis spp.) EC ECOTF/Rec Teraglin (Atractoscion aequidens) EC RRFFF / Rec Threadfin–King (Polydactylus macrochir) EC ECIFFF Trevally (Carangidae) EC ECIFFF/ RRFFF/ Rec Tuskfish (Choerodon spp.) EC CRFFF / Rec

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 9 Table 3: Species and species groups examined but not considered further

Species (all East Coast stocks) Reason for not being considered further

Prawn–tiger (black) (Penaeus monodon) Black Tiger Prawn is a minor component of the commercial fishery.

Bream complex (other than Yellowfin Bream) The Queensland commercial fishery mainly harvests Yellowfin Bream (Acanthopagrus spp.) although pikey bream (A. berda) is a major component of recreational and commercial catches in north Queensland. Flathead complex (other than Dusky Flathead) The commercial fishery mainly harvests Dusky Flathead. (Platycephalidae) Whiting complex (Sillago spp. other than S. The commercial fishery mainly harvests Sand Whiting. robusta and S. ciliata) Sea cucumber–black teatfish (Holothuria The fishery for black teatfish is effectively closed with the total whitmaei) allowable catch currently set at zero tonnes. Sea cucumber–sandfish (including Holothuria Sandfish, as identified by fishers in compulsory daily logbooks, scabra) represents a suite of species. There has been a varying level of reporting accuracy for sandfish in recent years and fishers have been unable to separate the harvest at the species level. The combined harvest has not reached any of the sustainability reference points for the individual species in recent years. Dart complex (Trachinotus spp.) Reported commercial catches are low, with the recreational fishing survey indicating that approximately 100,000 dart were harvested in 2010. Garfish complex (Hemiramphidae) The complex comprises five distinct species across a number of different regions. No reasonable assessment of stock status could be made for the complex given this diversity. Rockcod–goldspotted This species is predominantly a recreational species, more commonly known as estuary cod. No reasonable assessment of stock status could be made as recreational catch estimates are not directly attributable to this species (only recorded as ‘cod’). Snapper – Moses (Lutjanus russelli) The species is not a target in any of the fishing sectors although it is often caught while targeting other reef species. Because it is not a target species, catch and catch rates may be poor indicators of species abundance and there is no other monitoring available to determine stock status. Squid–tiger (Sepioteuthis lessionana) Tiger squid is not a key species in any commercial fishery, making up only a minor component of the catch in net, line & beam trawl fisheries. It is a minor recreational species.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 10 Stock background and status determination summary pages

The following stock status summary pages outline the following:

Stock status 2012 – determination in 2012 made using 2010-11 or 2011 data. Stock status 2011 – determination in 2011 made using 2009-10 or 2010 data.

Principal fishery – the Queensland fishery in which the stock is primarily harvested.

Justification – outlines key reasons supporting the stock status determination.

Information sources – information/data considered by the workshop panel to determine status.

Comments – provides background information regarding the stock and greater detail supporting the key reasons for stock status determination.

Future assessment needs – outlines future information inputs that would support current or future stock status assessments. Fisheries Queensland will consider these information needs when prioritising future research and information collection programs.

Management response – for stocks that are considered overfished or where sustainability issues have been identified, a management response to address this will be provided.

Further reading – provides a list of background and associated research articles for the stock.

For more information about stocks, principle fisheries, updates and survey results visit www.daff.qld.gov.au

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 11 Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial catches have steadily increased since 2003, ranging from 10–15 t per year. Commercial fishing appears to be market driven. Fisheries Queensland has collected limited length data but this may not be representative of the population. The 2010 recreational estimate for Amberjack had a high standard error, because of the low numbers caught. Charter catches are also variable. No immediate sustainability concerns, however the drop in minimum legal size limit means fish are still immature where recruited to fishery.

Information sources

Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) • Commercial logbook catch 18 45 16 40 • Recreational catch estimates 14 35 • Charter logbook catch 12 30 10 25 • Performance measures Catch (t) 8 20

Comments 6 15 (kg/day) rate Catch 4 10 Since 2003 commercial catches of Amberjack have 2 5 increased from around 5 t per year to around 15 t per 0 0 year (Figure 1). 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Commercial catches are likely to be market driven, and therefore sporadic due to targeting behaviour by fishers. Figure 1: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of There may be the potential for high fishing pressure on Amberjack, reported in logbooks 1990–2011. local populations. The recent drop in the size limit for Amberjack (from 75 cm to 50 cm) means that smaller fish recruited to the fishery may still be immature.

The 2010 recreational fishing survey estimate for Amberjack harvest had a high relative standard error (67%), because of the low numbers caught. This is likely due to identification issues with Amberjack, Samsonfish and Yellowtail Kingfish. Charter catches in 2011 were around 7 t. Although there are currently no sustainability concerns for this stock, it was considered ‘undefined’ against the criteria.

Future assessment needs

Amberjack will continue to be monitored through the annual stock status process, and through the annual performance measures calculations.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 12

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial catches reached record levels in 2011 and catch related performance measures triggered in 2011. This was a direct consequence of the spill over of Barramundi stocked in Awoonga Dam near Gladstone. An estimated 30 000 large stocked Barramundi entered the estuarine system over late 2010 and early 2011. Commercial catches in the central region increased proportional to this influx. All other regional harvest levels were within historical limits. Fishery-dependent biological monitoring indicated that fish lengths have not significantly changed for several years in both sampled regions. Strong recruitment was evident in the northern genetic stock. Estimates of fishing mortality were less than natural mortality and current fishing pressure is unlikely to lead to overfishing.

Information sources increase was attributed to stocked Barramundi entering the system, there are no sustainability concerns for the • Commercial logbook catch and effort unprecedented catch levels reported in 2011. • Recreational harvest estimates An assessment of harvested Barramundi age • Charter logbook catch and effort structures indicated strong recruitment into the fishery • Performance measures in the north east region in 2009 and the central region • Fishery-dependent length and age information in 2010 (see 2011 stock status report). Although otolith (2007–11) from two of the four genetic stocks samples for 2011 had not been aged at the time of this assessment, the stock status workshop noted that fish • Published local biological information lengths over several years in the sampled populations Comments have been stable in both regions (Figures 4 & 5). The

The 2011 Barramundi season was remarkable for the most recent assessment estimated that fishing mortality inflated catches in the central coast region. This localised is less than natural mortality. This level of fishing increase caused catch and catch rate performance mortality is unlikely to lead to overfishing. measures for the entire fishery to trigger. Overall catches Regionally separated estimates of recreational harvest in 2011 increased by 88% over the previous three years of Barramundi are now available for 2000 and 2010. (Figure 2). Commercial catch rates also increased by a These data suggest that the recreational catch along similar amount (80%) over the same period. The the east coast has reduced from 47 000 to 38 000 fish increases are a direct consequence of an influx of large caught over this period. The SWRFS also noted a 7% stocked Barramundi washed over the spillway from the overall decrease in the number of residents Awoonga Dam near Gladstone (central region). This participating in recreational fishing across east coast resulted in an estimated 30 000 Barramundi from the dam Queensland and a 30% decrease in total fishing days entering the local estuarine system between late 2010 over the same period which may account for some of and early 2011 (see report). Commercial catches in the the observed catch decrease. To find out more about central region subsequently increased (Figure 3). All the survey refer to www.daff.qld.gov.au other regional harvest levels were within historical limits. Given the underlying cause of the catch and catch rate Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 13

Future assessment needs • New performance measures developed at appropriate spatial scales that mirror genetic stocks. The following information will improve stock status certainty: • Validation of commercial logbook data (see Campbell et al. 2008). • A stock assessment of east coast Barramundi that takes into account environment variables that affect Further reading

recruitment as well as stocked fish periodically Campbell, AB, O’Neill, MF & Officer, R 2008, ‘Assessment of entering the estuarine fishery. the Barramundi fishery in Queensland, 1989–2007’, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.

Line Net Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) Central Coast - line (t) Central Coast - net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m/day) 600 45 350 90 40 80 500 300 35 70 400 30 250 60 25 300 200 50

20 Catch (t) Catch (t) 40 200 15 150 30 10 100 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) (kg/100m rate Catch

100 20 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 5 50 0 0 10 0 0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Figure 2: Commercial net and line catch (t) and nett catch rates Figure 3: Commercial line net catch (t) and net catch rates (kg/100 m net/day) for Barramundi reported in logbooks 1992– (kg/100 m net/day) for Barramundi reported in logbooks for the 2011. central coast region 1992–2011.

Commercial East Coast - North Recreational 40 2008 2008 30 20 10 0

40 2009 2009 30 20

10 0

40 2010 2010 30 20 Percentage of catch of Percentage 10 0

40 2011 2011 30 20 10 0 118+ 118+ 58-62 63-67 68-72 73-77 78-82 83-87 88-92 93-97 58-62 63-67 68-72 73-77 78-82 83-87 88-92 93-97 98-102 98-102 103-107 108-112 113-117 103-107 108-112 113-117 Total length (cm)

Figure 4: Length frequency of Barramundi sampled from the northern stock on the Queensland east coast between 2008 and 2011. Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 14

Commercial East Coast - Central Recreational 40 2008 2008 30 20

10 0

40 2009 2009 30

20 10

40 2010 2010 30

20 Percentage ofcatch 10

40 2011 2011 30 20

10 0 118+ 118+ 58-62 63-67 68-72 73-77 78-82 83-87 88-92 93-97 58-62 63-67 68-72 73-77 78-82 83-87 88-92 93-97 98-102 98-102 103-107 108-112 113-117 103-107 108-112 113-117 Total length (cm) Figure 5: Length frequency of Barramundi sampled from the central stock on the Queensland east coast between 2008 and 2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 15

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (GOCIFFF) Commercial catches increased to historically high levels in 2011. Catch and catch rate performance measures were not triggered. The range of fish lengths and ages has not Justification changed significantly in several years of sampled populations indicating a stable population biomass. The most recent estimates of fishing mortality suggest that there are no sustainability concerns for Barramundi stocks in the Queensland section of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

natural mortality. This level of fishing mortality is Information sources unlikely to lead to overfishing. • Commercial logbook catch and effort data Regionally separated estimates of recreational harvest • Recreational catch estimates of Barramundi are now available for 2000 and 2010. • Charter logbook catch and effort data These data estimate that the recreational catch in the # • Fishery-dependent length, age and mortality Gulf of Carpentaria has reduced from 38 000 to # information (2007–11) from one of the two genetic 22 000 over this period. stocks Future assessment needs

• Performance measures The following information will improve stock status Comments certainty:

Assessment of recent information sources suggests that • New performance measures developed at Barramundi stocks in the Gulf of Carpentaria are appropriate spatial scales sustainably fished. Commercial harvest of Barramundi in • Validation of commercial logbook data (see the GOCIFFF increased in 2011 to the highest level Campbell et al. 2008) observed (979 t) in 20 years. Catch rates (CPUE) also • A stock assessment of GOC Barramundi increased although performance measures did not trigger (26% over three years). The above evidence suggests • Annual estimates of fingerlings stocked within that the overall biomass of the Barramundi stocks is impoundments/open systems and quantifying this being fished sustainably. into commercial and recreational catches.

There are two main genetic stocks in the Gulf of Further reading Carpentaria fishery with the north-south separation point Campbell, AB, O’Neill, MF & Officer, R 2008, ‘Assessment of at about Weipa (approx. 13° S). Regional separation of the Barramundi fishery in Queensland, 1989–2007’, catch and catch rates indicates that nearly all of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane. Barramundi harvest (99%) was taken from the southern Roelofs, AJ 2003, ‘Ecological Assessment of the Gulf of stock in 2011 (Figures 6 & 7). Carpentaria Inshore Finfish Fishery–A report to Environment Australia on the sustainable management of a multi-species Good recruitment was evident in southern stock but less tropical gillnet fishery’, Department of Primary Industries and so in northern stock (Figure 8). There has been no Fisheries, Brisbane. significant change in the range of fish lengths and ages in several years of sampled populations. The most recent assessment estimates that fishing mortality is less than Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 16

Net catch north of 13° S (t) Net catch rate (kg/100m net/day) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 1200 35 80 30

70 1000 30 25 60 25 20 800 50 20

Catch (t) 600

Catch (t) 40 15 15 30 10 400 10 20 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) (kg/100m rate Catch 5 200 10 5 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day)

0 0 0 0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 6: Barramundi (northern stock) —reported commercial net Figure 7: Barramundi (southern stock)—reported commercial harvest (t) and catch per unit effort (CPUE) in kg/100m/day from net harvest (t) and catch per unit effort (CPUE) in kg/100m/day the GOC Barramundi stock north of 13° S from 1992–2011. from the GOC Barramundi stock north of 13° S from 1992– 2011).

Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Recreational 40 2008 2008 30

40 2009 2009 30

40 2010 2010 30

20 Percentage of catch 10

40 2011 2011 30

1 3 5 7 9 1113151719 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 Age Group (years) Figure 8: Age frequency of Barramundi sampled in the Gulf of Carpentaria between 2008 and 2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 17

Blue Eye Trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Deep Water Fin Fish Fishery (DWFFF) Justification Blue Eye Trevalla catch declined from 36 t in 2009–10 to 13 t in 2010–11. No local biological information is available. The species is at its northern limit in Queensland, and it should be noted that New South Wales (NSW) has assigned a status of ‘fully fished’ to their stocks. No additional observer information from the DWFFF was gathered in 2011.

Information sources In 2011, the Fisheries Observer Program focused its efforts on Queensland’s line fisheries to better quantify • Commercial logbook catch and effort catch composition and effort in deeper waters. This • Published international biological information was done primarily on L1 boats targeting deeper waters • NSW stock status results with mechanical reels, rather than in the L8 multi-hook fishery. Of the 69 boats observed in 2011, there were Comments only 3 Blue Eye Trevalla reportedly harvested. Blue Eye Trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) is Further reading considered a primary commercial species in the DWFFF. The majority of commercial harvest occurs in the White, E & Sumpton, W 2002, ‘Assessment of the Deep Water southern part of the state, with southern Queensland Line Fishery in Queensland’, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane. considered the northern limit of the species. In 2010–11, 13 t of Blue Eye Trevalla was reported in the DWFFF (L8) logbook (Figure 9). 80 70 There is currently no information available regarding the 60 50 level of recreational take for this species, with no new 40 Catch (t) estimates from the 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing 30 Survey. In 2009–10, NSW fisheries resource assessment 20 10 results listed Blue Eye Trevalla as ‘fully fished’ and in the 0 Commonwealth Trawl and Scalefish Hook sectors it is considered ‘not overfished/not subject to overfishing’. In 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Queensland waters, Blue Eye Trevalla was considered Figure 9: Commercial catch (t) of Blue Eye Trevalla, reported ‘undefined’ due to a lack of local biological information to in logbooks 1999–00 to 2010–11. assess against the criteria.

Future assessment needs

The current commercial fisher logbook for the deep water fishery was only introduced in 2007. Better estimates of species specific catch and effort in the DWFFF are now being collected.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 18

Bonito (Sarda spp.) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF) Justification South East Queensland is the northern extent of the species range. Better species resolution in reporting is required. If catches continue to become insignificant the species group will not likely be assessed through the stock status process in the future. Species complex Australian Bonito (Sarda australis), Leaping Bonito (Cybiosarda elegans), Striped Bonito (Sarda orientalis)

Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch Better species resolution in reporting would be

• Charter logbook catch advantageous, however if catches continue to be minor then the species will likely not be assessed through the • NSW stock status results stock status process in future. Comments

After the highest historical reported commercial catch of 45 Line Net Bonito in 2010 (40 t), catch declined significantly in both 40 35 the line and net commercial sectors in 2011 (from 23 to 30 10 t, and 16 to 1 t, respectively) (Figure 10). The Bonito 25 stock are believed to be at their most northern range in Catch (t) 20 south east Queensland. 15 10 The 2010 recreational fishing survey estimate for Bonito 5 harvest had a high relative standard error, because of the 0 low numbers caught. Reporting of Bonito is likely to include other small scombrids including mackerel tuna, 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 and vice versa. Figure 10: Commercial catch (t) of Bonito by line (L1, L2 and In 2009–10, NSW fisheries resource assessment results L3 symbols) and by net, reported in logbooks 1988–2011. listed Bonito (Sarda australis) as ‘fully fished’. There are no sustainability concerns relating to this species complex.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 19

Bream–Yellowfin (Acanthopagrus australis) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Recreational Justification Yellowfin Bream commercial catches and catch rates increased slightly in 2011 after falling in 2010, however the catch performance measures triggered. The Minimum Legal Size (MLS) increase from introduced in 2010 coupled with the closure to fishing of areas of the Moreton Bay in 2009 are the likely causes for the lower catches. The evidence suggests that the biomass of the stock is unlikely to be recruitment overfished. Estimates of total mortality show a decreasing trend and remain below upper limits. The current level of fishing pressure is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment overfished.

measure (Figure 11). The decrease is likely due to a Information sources combination of the increased MLS in 2010 and fishing • Commercial logbook catch and effort closures associated with the Moreton Bay Marine Park • Recreational harvest estimates since 2009 where much of the commercial harvest of Yellowfin Bream occurred. This situation also applies to • Charter logbook catch and effort the recreational sector. The above evidence suggests • Fishery-dependent length and age information that the biomass of the stock is being fished (2007–11) sustainably. • Published local biological information Fishery-dependent biological monitoring of commercial • Performance measures and recreational catches indicates Yellowfin Bream Comments populations are healthy and estimates of total mortality

Yellowfin Bream is considered a primary recreational are below upper threshold limit of twice the natural species and a secondary commercial species in the mortality (Figure 12). The minimum legal size of 25 cm ECIFFF. The recent SWRFS estimated that the statewide allows most fish to spawn for two to three years before recreational harvest of Yellowfin Bream was they are legally allowed to be retained. The current approximately #545 000 fish in 2010. This is much lower level of fishing mortality is unlikely to lead to than estimated in 2000 which was between 1,300,000 overfishing. and 930 000 fish. The SWRFS also estimated a 22% Future assessment needs drop in the fishing effort in the southern regions where the • a stock assessment of Yellowfin Bream majority of harvest occurs. Despite the decrease, recreational fishers caught more Yellowfin Bream (208 t) • separation of Yellowfin Bream from other bream in compared to commercial operators (115 t) over the commercial logbooks, including regional analysis of survey period. catch and catch rates

The decrease in commercial catch observed in 2010, • long term trends in recreational fishing club catches persisted in 2011 and triggered the catch performance and catch rates

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 20

Line (t) Net (t) Net catch rate (kg/day) 300 60

250 50

200 40

Catch (t) 150 30

100 20

50 10 Catch rate(kg/100m net/day)

0 0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 11: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates (kg/day) of Yellowfin Bream reported in the logbook by net and line.

Commercial Recreational 40 2007 2007 30 20 10 0

40 2008 2008 30 20 10 0

40 2009 2009 30 20 10 0

Percentage of catch 40 2010 2010 30 20 10 0

40 2011 2011 30 20 10 0 19-20 21-22 23-24 25-26 27-28 29-30 31-32 33-34 35-36 37-38 39-40 41-42 43-44 45-46 47-48 49-50 19-20 21-22 23-24 25-26 27-28 29-30 31-32 33-34 35-36 37-38 39-40 41-42 43-44 45-46 47-48 49-50 Total Length (cm) Figure 12: Relative abundance of Yellowfin Bream in different age groups, 2007 to 2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 21

Bugs–Balmain (Ibacus chacei and I. brucei) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably Fished

Stock status 2011 Undefined

Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF)

Justification Two species were considered in the assessment but landings are dominated (80%) by I. chacei. Catches and catch rates in Queensland and New South Wales trawl fisheries are stable. A minimum legal size applied to both species enables spawning to occur before harvest. Prohibited take of egg-bearing females, the annual southern trawl closure and deepwater refugia limit fishing mortality.

Species complex Smooth Bug (Ibacus chacei) Shovel-nosed Bug (Ibacus brucei)

Information sources Bugs, making it less profitable to catch and market them.

• Commercial logbook catch and effort Other factors sustaining Balmain Bug stocks include: 1) • Performance measures minimum legal sizes of 105 mm and 75 mm CW for • Published local biological information smooth Bugs and for shovel-nosed Bugs respectively; 2) • ECOTF ecological risk assessment findings prohibited take of egg bearing females; 3) untrawlable

Comments deepwater refugia along the continental slope; and 4) lowered fishing mortality during the 20 September-31 Balmain Bugs are taken by commercial otter trawl October annual southern trawl closure which partially fisheries in Queensland and New South Wales (NSW). excludes trawling from waters in depths <50 fathoms Almost all Balmain Bugs landed in Queensland are south of 22ºS. taken in the ECOTF which harvested 99 t of Balmain Bugs in 2011 (Figure 13). Negligible quantities (<0.5 t Future assessment needs per year) are landed in the Fin Fish (Stout Whiting) More precise definition of the spatial distribution of Trawl Fishery. In 2010–11, NSW Balmain Bug landings Balmain Bug catches, catch and effort data from high were about 40% of Queensland levels. catching areas and collection and analysis of length-

There is sufficient evidence to classify the stock status frequency data are required to more effectively assess of Balmain Bugs as ‘sustainably fished’. Since 2000, the the sustainability status of Balmain Bugs. annual Queensland Balmain Bug catch has averaged 99 t (the same as the 2011 catch) and ranged from 56– 140 t. From 2005, catch, effort and nominal catch rate have been relatively stable compared to earlier years. Catch and nominal catch rates in NSW are also stable.

Although an estimate of the Balmain Bug biomass within Great Barrier Reef Marine Park closures is not available, the majority of the catch (about 70%) is taken in waters south of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where the risk of overfishing Balmain Bugs is considered to be low. This is mainly due to their smaller size and lower meat yield compared to Moreton Bay

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 22

Further reading Catch Catch rate Effort

) 160 18

Haddy, JA, Courtney, AJ & Roy, DP 2005, ‘Aspects of the 140 16 reproductive biology and growth of Balmain Bugs (Ibacus spp.) 120 14 ) 12 (Scyllaridae)’, Journal of Crustacean Biology, vol. 25, pp. 263– 100 10 273. 80 8 60 Pears RJ, Morison, AK, Jebreen, EJ, Dunning, M, Pitcher, CR, 6 40 4 (kg/day rate Catch Courtney, AJ, Houlden, B, & Jacobsen, IP, 2012, ‘Ecological 20 2

Risk Assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the (Days/100 Effort & (tonnes) Catch 0 0 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’, Technical Report, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville. 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Rowling, K, Hegarty, A & Ives, M (eds) 2010, ‘Bugs (Ibacus Figure 13: Commercial otter trawl catch (t), effort (days where spp.)’ pp 61–64, in Status of Fisheries Resources in NSW Bugs were caught divided by 100) and catch rate (kg/day) of 2008/09, Industry & Investment NSW, Cronulla, Australia. Balmain Bugs, reported in logbooks 1990–2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 23

Bugs–Moreton Bay (Thenus australiensis & T. parindicus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished

Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished

Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF)

Justification A high proportion of Moreton Bay Bug biomass in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) is located within areas closed to trawling, which significantly lowers the likelihood of their overfishing. Introduction of a minimum legal size (MLS) based on yield-per-recruit modelling and use of square mesh cod ends has reduced the risk of capturing small Bugs. When used in combination with turtle excluder devices, square mesh cod ends reduce some of the legal Bug catch. Landings are steady while catch rates are near historical highs. Fishing effort (i.e. days where Bugs were reported in the ECOTF catch) continues to decline. On the evidence provided, the status of Moreton Bay Bugs is sustainably fished.

Species complex Reef Bug (Thenus australiensis), Mud Bug (Thenus parindicus)

biomass (i.e. 54% of Reef Bug biomass and 45% of Information sources Mud Bug biomass) in the GBRMP is located in areas • Commercial logbook catch and effort closed to trawling, significantly lowering the likelihood • Great Barrier Reef Seabed Biodiversity Study biomass of overfishing Moreton Bay Bug stocks. Introduction of estimates a minimum legal size (MLS) based on yield-per-recruit modelling and experiments on use of square mesh • Performance measures codends have a large effect in reducing the risk of • Published local biological information capturing immature Moreton Bay Bugs. Other • ECOTF ecological risk assessment findings experiments indicate that the catch of legal Bugs may be reduced where square mesh codends and turtle Comments excluder devices operate together in otter trawls Moreton Bay Bugs are harvested almost exclusively in (Courtney et al. 2007). the ECOTF. Catches increased steadily from 1990 to Moreton Bay Bugs are considered ‘sustainably fished’ 1993 and then stabilised til 1999 -2002 when they because of 1) stability in total landings since 2002, 2) declined to their lowest historical level (222 t). Catches consistently high catch rates, 3) reduced effort in the recovered since and have been steady in recent years, fishery, 4) high proportions of stocks in areas closured ranging from 314–480 t. A slight decrease in catch to fishing, 5) exclusion by BRDs and 6) a 75 mm occurred in 2011 when 294 t were harvested (Figure 14). carapace width minimum size limit. From 2000-10, catch rate generally increased Future assessment needs (Figure 14). The 2011 catch rate was only slightly down on the previous year which at a historically high level. Additional analysis of catch and effort data from Effort (i.e. days where Moreton Bay Bugs are reported in historically high catch areas off Gladstone and the catch) has declined almost every year since 2003. Townsville would enable development of improved performance measures. Risk assessment findings determined that the risk of overfishing is considered low in the GBRMP, where most of the Moreton Bay Bug harvest is taken (Pears et al. 2012). This was mainly due to scientific estimates made by Pitcher et al. (2007) that a high proportion of Bug Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 24

Further reading Catch Catch rate (kg/day) Effort 800 40 Courtney, AJ 2002, ‘The status of Queensland’s Moreton Bay 700 35 Bug (Thenus spp.) and Balmain Bug (Ibacus spp.) stocks’, Agency for Food and Fibre Sciences, Department of Primary 600 30 Industries, Brisbane. 500 25

400 20 Courtney, AJ, Haddy, JA, Campbell, MJ, Roy, DP, Tonks, ML,

300 15 Catch rate (kg/day) Gaddes, SW, Chilcott, KE, O’Neill, MF, Brown, IW, McLennan, 200 10 M, Jebreen, JE, Van Der Geest, C, Rose, C, Kistle, S, Turnbull, Catch (tonnes) & effort (days/50) CT, Kyne, PM, Bennett, MB & Taylor, J, 2007, ‘Bycatch weight, 100 5 composition and preliminary estimates of the impact of bycatch 0 0

reduction devices in Queensland’s trawl fishery’,, final report to 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Project Figure 14: ComCommercialmercial otter trawl catch (t), effort (days where 2000/170, DEEDI, Brisbane. Bugs were caught divided by 50) and catch rate (kg/day) of Jones, C 1988, ‘The biology and behaviour of Bay Lobsters, Moreton Bay Bugs, reported in logbooks 1990–2011. Thenus spp. (Decapoda: Scyllaridae), in Northern Queensland, Australia’, Department of Zoology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. PhD Thesis.

Pears RJ, Morison, AK, Jebreen, EJ, Dunning, M, Pitcher, CR, Courtney, AJ, Houlden, B, & Jacobsen, IP, 2012, ‘Ecological Risk Assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’, Technical Report, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.

Pitcher, CR, Doherty, P, Arnold, P, Hooper, J, Gribble, N, Bartlett, C, Browne, M, Campbell, N,Cannard, T, Cappo, M, Carini, G, Chalmers, S, Cheers, S, Chetwynd, D, Colefax, A, Coles, R, Cook, S, Davie, P, De'ath, G, Devereux, D, Done, B, Donovan, T, Ehrke, B, Ellis, N, Ericson, G,Fellegara, I, Forcey, K, Furey, M, Gledhill, D, Good, N, Gordon, S, Haywood, M, Jacobsen, I,Johnson, J, Jones, M, Kinninmoth, S, Kistle, S, Last, P, Leite, A, Marks, S, McLeod, I, Oczkowicz, S, Rose, C, Seabright, D, Sheils, J, Sherlock, M, Skelton, P, Smith, D, Smith, G, Speare, P, Stowar, M, Strickland, C, Sutcliffe, P, Van der Geest, C, Venables, W, Walsh, C,Wassenberg, T, Welna, A, Yearsley, G, 2007, ‘Seabed Biodiversity on the Continental Shelf of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area’, AIMS/CSIRO/QM/QDPI CRC Reef Research Task Final Report, 315 pp.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 25

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF) / Recreational / East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery Justification Historical catch rates are variable. Limited biological information has been collected for this species, however, there is low sustainability concern due to fast growth of juveniles—fish recruit to the fishery within 12 months. Updated recreational harvest estimates were low, but a subsequent survey is required to assess trends over time. Information sources No sustainability concerns have been raised regarding • Commercial logbook catch and effort Cobia, particularly given the fast growth of juveniles,

• Recreational catch estimates which recruit to the fishery within approximately 12 months. Cobia was considered ‘undefined’ in the • Charter logbook catch and effort 2008–09 NSW stock status assessment. Based on the • Fishery-dependent length information (2006–10) limited biological data available, is still considered • Performance measures undefined.

Comments Future assessment needs

Commercial Cobia catch has increased since 2003, Fisheries Queensland collects Cobia otoliths following changes to management arrangements. Peak opportunistically as part of its fishery dependant catches occurred in 2006 and 2008 (37 t and 39 t sampling (targeting other species). Considering the respectively) (Figure 15). Catch in 2011 decreased to small number of samples collected and the low around 19 t, corresponding with an effort decrease. Cobia sustainability concerns for Cobia, it is unlikely these catches (by weight) make up the third biggest component otoliths will be aged in the immediate future. of the commercial RRFFF, after Snapper and Pearl Perch. Charter catch increased slightly to 13 t in 2011. Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) The 2010 recreational fishing survey estimate for Cobia 40 40 # harvest was 5 400 fish. Using an average weight of 35 35 7.4 kg per fish, based on 2010 size structure estimates 30 30 from Fisheries Queensland fishery-dependent sampling, 25 25 approximately 39 t of Cobia was harvested by weight. 20 20 Catch (t) This harvest estimate is considerably smaller than 15 15 previous recreational estimates using different survey 10 10 (kg/day) rate Catch methods. Subsequent surveys using the 2010 method will 5 5 allow for future trends in catch to be observed. The 0 0

minimum legal size for Cobia is 75 cm. Cobia attracts a 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 beach price of around $6/kg. Figure 15: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of Fishery-dependent surveys indicated a range of size Cobia, reported in logbooks 1988–2011. classes in the retained catch of Cobia from commercial, recreational and charter sectors. However, due to the small samples sizes it is uncertain how accurately the data represents the size structure of the stock.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 26

Coral trout (Plectropomus spp. and Variola spp.) East Coast

Stock status 2011 Uncertain Stock status 2010 Sustainably fished Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) / Recreational Justification Catch decreased from 941 t in 2009–10 to 796 t in 2010–11, with only 59% of quota taken. Effort has also decreased following the impact to fishing grounds by Tropical Cyclone Hamish in March 2009. Performance measures relating to catch and catch rate have triggered. Independent fisheries surveys ceased in 2009 due to budgetary constraints, and updated biological data has not been collected. Updated recreational harvest estimate from the 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey was 105 000 Coral Trout. Species complex Common Coral Trout (Plectropomus leopardus), barcheek Coral Trout (Plectropomus maculatus), bluespotted Coral Trout (Plectropomus laevis), passionfruit Coral Trout (Plectropomus areolatus), yellowedge coronation trout (Variola louti), white-edge coronation trout (Variola albimarginata).

available for the stock in 2011. However, a three-year Information sources Fisheries Research and Development Corporation • Commercial logbook catch and effort (FRDC) funded project to define the monitoring and • Coral trout quota usage management requirements for Coral Trout is underway, • Recreational catch estimates called ‘Evaluating Candidate Monitoring Strategies, • Charter logbook catch and effort Assessment Procedures and Harvest Control Rules in the Spatially Complex Queensland Coral Reef Fin Fish • Fishery-independent length and abundance information (2005–09) Fishery’. • Performance measures The research will use the Effects of Line Fishing • Published local biological information Simulation (ELFSim) tool developed previously to develop a harvest strategy for the fishery and develop a Comments cost-effective monitoring program. The annual catch of Coral Trout decreased in the last two quota years, with less than 60% of the 1350 t quota being Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) utilised in 2010–11 (Figure 16). Catch rates (kilograms Dory catch rate (kg/day) Standardised catch rate (kg/day) 2400 140 per day) and dory catch rates calculated from logbook 2100 120 data also indicated a decline. Recent cyclonic events are 1800 100 believed to be responsible damaging fishing grounds and 1500 80 reducing fishing effort. The Coral Trout stock is now 1200 60 considered ‘uncertain’ based on inconsistent signals in Catch (t) 900 600 40 (kg/day) rate Catch available data. While effort has declined along with 300 20 reported catches, performance measures relating to 0 0 standardised catch rates (kg/day) have triggered.

Future assessment needs 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

In 2010 Fisheries Queensland ceased its fishery- Figure 16: Historical commercial catch (t) and catch rate independent surveys of Coral Trout and Redthroat (kg/boat day and kg/dory day) and standardised catch rate Emperor due to budgetary constraints. As such, no (kg/day) of Coral Trout reported in the logbook from 1987–88 updates to length, age or mortality estimates are to 2010–11. Note that standardised catch rate is calculated from when quota was introduced in 2003–04. Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 27

Crab–Blue Swimmer (Portunus armatus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery Blue Swimmer Crab Fishery (BSCF) / Recreational Justification This species moved from ‘sustainably fished’ to “uncertain” due to commercial catch and catch rates decreasing although fishery-independent surveys indicate a fairly constant abundance of juveniles. Reported annual commercial catch in 2011 was the lowest in over a decade. Recent floods may have affected adult distribution and pre-recruit crab populations. There are currently sustainability concerns for this species given the falling catch and catch rates. A more reliable index of commercial effort would result in a more confident catch rate estimate and improve stock status determination.

Information sources The 2010 recreational fishing survey estimate for Blue Swimmer Crab harvest had a high relative standard • Commercial logbook catch and effort error (86%), due to the complex targeting behaviour of • Recreational harvest estimates recreational anglers who harvest crab. • Charter catch estimates Despite conservative management arrangements, • Performance measures there is increasing concern about the sustainability of • Published local biological information the Blue Swimmer Crab stock. The estimated level of available recruits appears inconsistent with declining Comments catch and catch rates in the fishery. As a result, the The annual commercial catch of Blue Swimmer Crabs stock status of Blue Swimmer Crab is ‘uncertain’. decreased from 537 t in 2010 to 354 t in 2011 (pot and Future assessment needs trawl combined) (Figure 17). Fishing effort also decreased between 2010 and 2011 with fishing effort Fisheries Queensland seeks to improve the index of days dropping 21% and 9% in pot and trawl fisheries, fishing effort to evaluate catch rate reliability and verify respectively. existing trends. Credible index of abundance and reliable recreational harvest estimate are also needed. Regional breakdown of commercial logbook data continues to identify two high catch and effort regions— Pot Catch (t) Trawl Catch (t) Pot standardised catch rate (kg/day) Trawl standardised catch rate (kg/day) Sunshine Coast to Fraser and Moreton Bay (refer to the 1600 60 Fisheries Update for regional map). Commercial harvest 1400 50 in these regions contributed over 93% of the annual Blue 1200 40 Swimmer Crab harvest for the east coast. 1000 800 30 In 2011, performance measures relating to annual Catch (t) 600 20 commercial standardised pot total catch triggered for the 400 (kg/day) rate Catch 10 whole fishery, Capricorn, Moreton Bay and Sunshine 200 Coast regions. Annual commercial standardised pot catch 0 0 rate also triggered for the whole fishery, Capricorn and 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Moreton Bay regions. Consecutive decreases in Figure 17: Total commercial pot and trawl catch (t) and catch commercial pot total catch over the past five years also rate (kg/day) reported in logbooks 1990–2011. occurred in the Sunshine Coast to Fraser and Gulf of Carpentaria regions. Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 28

Crab–Mud (Scylla spp.) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Mud Crab Fishery (MCF) / Recreational Justification In 2011, 1215 t of Mud Crabs were commercially harvested on the Queensland east coast, which is the highest annual catch reported in the last decade. Commercial catch has steadily increased since 2005 and catch rate continues to increase with the highest catch per day reported in 2011. A more reliable index of commercial effort would result in a more confident catch rate estimate and strengthen any identified trends in the data. Updated recreational harvest estimate from the 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey was 360 000 Mud Crabs. Species complex Mud Crab (Scylla serrata), orange Mud Crab (Scylla olivacea) year, there was also loss of male Mud Crabs in the Information sources larger size classes (Figure 19). • Commercial logbook catch and effort

• Recreational catch estimates Most of the new performance measures used in 2011 triggered with respect to catch and standardised catch • Charter catch estimates rates in the total east coast fishery and main east coast • Fishery-independent data (2000–09) regions.

• Performance measures Although there is no evidence to suggest any chronic or • Published local biological information incremental changes which would indicate sustainability concerns for Mud Crabs, the status of the Comments east coast stock is considered uncertain because of the According to the commercial logbook data, catches and suggestion that the stock has been increasing over the nominal catch rates of Mud Crabs have been increasing past half-decade, and because of known issues with steadily since 2005 (Figure 18). In 2011, the east coast the reporting of fishing effort. component of the MCF recorded increases of 14% in the Future assessment needs total annual catch and 10% in catch rates which suggests a steady increase in stock size and/or an increase in the An improved index of relative population abundance is catchability of individuals. The majority of Queensland’s required to improve the reliability of MCF stock Mud Crab harvest is caught from the east coast (88% in assessments. If commercial logbooks continue to be 2011). Commercial fishers typically only harvest small relied upon as the prime source of stock assessment quantities of Scylla olivacea due to geographical data in this fishery, a far more reliable measure of limitations and the fact that this species rarely grows to fishing effort is needed. The task of identifying how this minimum legal size (15 cm carapace width). is to be achieved will be an important part of Fisheries Queensland’s 2012 Crab Fishery Review. The estimated recreational Mud Crab catch declined from 612 000 in 2000 to 360 000 in 2010. Fishery-independent monitoring data collected between 2000 and 2009 indicated that while there were stable size distributions (carapace width classes) of Mud Crabs on the east coast and a high number of recruits entering the fishery each

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 29

Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) Standardised catch rate (kg/day)

1,400 40

1,200 35 30 1,000 25 800 20

Catch (t) 600 15 400 10 (kg/day) rate Catch 200 5 0 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 18: Total commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of east coast Mud Crabs reported in logbooks, 1990 to 2011.

2006 300 Female Male Pots Lifted=1058 250

200

150

100

2008 300 Female Male Pots Lifted=959 250

200

150

100

Number of crabs caught of caught crabs Number 0

2009 300 Female Male 250 Pots Lifted=900

200

150

100

Carapace length class (mm) Figure 19: Number of Mud Crabs caught from each size group in 2006, 2008 and 2009 by independent sampling. This distribution pattern was reflected in the previous sampling years (2001–05, not shown).

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 30

Crab–Mud (Scylla spp.) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery Mud Crab Fishery (MCF) Justification Historical commercial catch levels and catch rates are variable. Between 2008 and 2011 the harvest of Mud Crabs in the Gulf of Carpentaria (GOC) was high, but within historically sustained levels. Catch rates continue to illustrate fluctuating trends. Size frequencies show no significant change in the distribution of individuals across size classes and consistently show a high representation of large males. Updated recreational harvest estimate from the 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey was approximately 7000 Mud Crabs. Species complex Mud Crab (Scylla serrata), orange Mud Crab (Scylla olivacea)

Information sources Fishery-independent monitoring data collected between 2000 and 2009 indicates that there has been no • Commercial logbook catch and effort significant change in the size distributions of Mud • Recreational catch estimates Crabs in the GOC (Figure 21). The GOC shows a • Charter catch estimates higher number of males in the larger size classes than

• Fishery-independent data (2000–09) the east coast, which may be due to lower fishing pressure in the area. Fishery-independent catch rate • Performance measures has been variable over time, which may reflect • Published local biological information environmental factors such as river/freshwater flows or Comments consistency in sampling.

Commercial catch and catch rate of Mud Crabs in the In 2011, new performance measures were used. Both GOC has been variable over the long term (Figure 20). In the whole fishery area, and the north region, recorded recent years (2008–11) total annual catch has been high catch rates above the trigger limits. Fisheries but within historically sustained levels—potentially Queensland will continue to monitor catches in 2012. resulting from an increase in fishing effort, a larger Future assessment needs abundance of legal size males and/or an increase in the Updated fishery-independent data is now required in catchability of individuals. In 2011, Mud Crab catch in the order to maintain biological monitoring of the stock. GOC contributed approximately 12% to the total Queensland catch.

Regional breakdown of the GOC logbook data identifies the GOC South as the high catch region, taking approximately 93% of total GOC catch. Commercial fishers typically only harvest small quantities of Scylla olivacea due to geographical limitations and the fact that this species rarely grows to minimum legal size (15 cm carapace width). Updated recreational harvest estimate from the 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey was #7000 Mud Crabs from the Gulf region.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 31

Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) Standardised catch rate (kg/day) 200 35 180 30 160 140 25 120 20 100 Catch(t) 80 15

60 10 (kg/day) rate Catch 40 5 20 0 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 20: Total commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of GOC Mud Crabs, reported in logbooks 1990–11.

2006 Female Male 60 Pots Lifted=237 50

Female Male 2008 60 Pots Lifted=240 50

10 Number of crabs caught 0

2009 Female Male 60 Pots Lifted=240 50

Carapace length class (mm) Figure 21: Number of Mud Crabs (GOC stock) caught from each size class in 2006, 2008 and 2009 by independent sampling. This distribution pattern was reflected in the previous sampling years (2001–05, not shown).

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 32

Crab–Spanner (Ranina ranina) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Not fully utilised Stock status 2011 Not fully utilised Principal fishery Spanner Crab Fishery (SCF) Justification Current commercial catch levels are significantly less than historically sustained levels. Fishers are catching Spanner Crabs to meet the current market demand, which is lower than in previous years. Size frequency graphs show a broad distribution of individuals across size classes, with a higher representation of females during the 2010 survey than in previous years. Total allowable catch (TAC) is currently underutilised. In 2011, the annual commercial catch was 1275 t, equating to approximately 66% of the available quota. There are currently no sustainability concerns for this species.

Information sources There is currently no evidence to suggest any • Commercial logbook catch and effort sustainability concerns for this stock.

• Quota usage Further reading

• Stock indicators and Total Allowable Catch (TAC) Brown, IW 2010, ‘Queensland Spanner Crab annual status review reports report and TAC review for TAC period June 2010 to May 2012’, Crab Scientific Advisory Group Report 2010/01, • Recreational catch estimates Department of Employment, Economic Development and • Fishery-independent data (2000–10) Innovation (Queensland) Report.

• Performance measures Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/dilly lift) • Published local biological information 4000 1.6 3500 1.4 Comments 3000 1.2 The SCF TAC has not been reached in the past decade. 2500 1 In 2011, the commercial harvest of Spanner Crabs was 2000 0.8 Catch (t) approximately 66% of the available quota. Recent 1500 0.6

decreases in catch in 2009 and 2010 were associated 1000 0.4 ) lift (kg/dilly rate Ccatch with a decrease in market demand, resulting in reduced 500 0.2 saleable quantities of Spanner Crabs by the fleet. In 2011 0 0

the nominal catch rate per day has increased slightly 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11

(Figure 22), whilst individual catch rate per pot lift 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 decreased slightly (1.28 kg/pot lift to 1.18 kg/pot lift). Figure 22: Total commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/dilly Regional breakdown of logbook data continues to identify lift) of Spanner Crabs reported in logbooks. Region 4 as the highest catch and effort location in the SCF (refer to Fisheries Update for regional breakdowns and management areas).

Fishery-independent monitoring data collected annually between 2000 and 2010 indicates stable size distributions. Catch rates during the 2010 survey were higher than those of the previous year in all management regions. Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 33

Crab–Three-spotted (Portunus sanguinolentus) East Coast

R Jeyabaskaran ©NIO India

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) / Blue Swimmer Crab Fishery (BSCF) Justification Catch rates in the ECOTF have long been in decline while those of the BSCF have been erratic. The risk of overfishing Three-spotted Crabs in the ECOTF is considered to be low due to 1) high survival rates of discarded individuals, 2) a conservative MLS of 100 mm CW, and 3) prohibition on egg-bearing females. Extensive flooding in southeast Queensland likely impacted the fishery and the BSCF in 2011, resulting in historically low reported landings of Three- spotted Crab and the lowest commercial catch of Blue Swimmer Crabs since 1997. The Three- spotted Crab stock is considered to be sustainably fished.

(i.e. 95% of Three-spotted Crab landings are taken Information sources from inshore waters off southern Queensland), there is • Commercial logbook catch and effort no scientific evidence or recent management change • Performance measures that would indicate that the species status should be shifted from a “sustainably fished” status. • Published local biological information

• ECOTF ecological risk assessment findings Further reading

Comments Courtney, AJ & Haddy, JA 2007, ‘The biology, population dynamics and minimum legal size of three spot crabs The commercial Three-spotted Crab is a by-product Portunus sanguinolentus’, in Courtney, AJ, Haddy, JA, species in the ECOTF and the BSCF. In 2011, the total Campbell, MJ, Roy, DP, Tonks, ML, Gaddes, SW, Chilcott, Three-spotted Crab catch was at or near to historical KE, O’Neill, MF, Brown, IW, McLennan, M, Jebreen, JE, Van Der Geest, C, Rose, C, Kistle, S, Turnbull, CT, Kyne, PM, lows, despite having increased in recent years (Figure Bennett, MB & Taylor, J, ‘Bycatch weight, composition and 23). Catch rates in the ECOTF have been in long term preliminary estimates of the impact of bycatch reduction decline while in the BSCF they have been erratic. It is devices in Queensland’s trawl fishery’, final report to Fisheries likely that extensive flood plumes of turbid freshwater Research and Development Corporation, Project No. from south east Queensland rivers in January contributed 2000/170, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, to lower Three-spotted Crab catches and catch rates Brisbane. compared to the recent past (see also Blue Swimmer Hill, BJ and Wassenberg, TJ 2000, The probable fate of Crab chapter in this report). discards from prawn trawlers fishing near coral reefs: A study in the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Fisheries Like other swimming (portunid) crabs, it is expected that Research, 48, 277-86. Three-spotted Crabs display high survival rates following Hill, BJ and Wassenberg, TJ 1990, Fate of Discards from discarding (Hill and Wassenberg, 2000; Hill and Prawn Trawlers in Torres Strait. Australian Journal of Marine Wassenberg 1990). Since 2002, a 10 cm carapace width and Freshwater Research, 41, 53-64. MLS based on yield-per-recruit modelling, and a Sumpton, W.D., Smith, G.S., Potter, M.A., 1989. Notes on the prohibition on egg-bearing females has reduced the risk biology of the portunid crab Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst) of overfishing to a low level. in subtropical Queensland waters. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 40, 711-717. Notwithstanding the unfavourable 2010-11 environmental conditions that prevailed over the main fishery area

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 344

Otter trawl catch Pot catch 90 40 Otter trawl catch rate Pot catch rate 80 35

70 30 ) 60 25 50 20 40 Catch (t) 15 30

20 10 Catch rate (kg/day 10 5 0 0 0 1 2 8 9 0 2 3 4 7 8 9 0 1 88 89 93 94 95 96 97 01 06 9 9 99 99 99 9 9 9 9 9 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 199 199 200 2 200 200 200 200520 200 200 200 201 201

F igure 23: Figure 23: ComCommmerciaercial potpol and otterot trawwltratter catchesl catches (t) and catch rates (kg/da(kg/day) ofy) of ThreeThree--spspotted Cotted Crrabs,abs, reportereportedd in logbooks 2 001–1 1. 2001–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 355

C u ttle fis h Cuttlefish ((Sepia sppspp..) East CoastCoast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) Justification Several Cuttlefish species are harvested in Queensland mostly by commercial trawling in the ECOTF. Since 2002, landings and catch rates have been steady. ECOTF ecological risk assessment results indicate a low risk to the sustainability of Cuttlefish. However biological information on Cuttlefish species and their relative composition in the catch is limited. While there are no sustainability concerns for Cuttlefish, there is insufficient information to shift from an “undefined” status. Larger species are most likely to be retained including: Sepia opipara, S. plangon, S. rozella, S. Species complex whitleyana and S. papuensis

Information sources In 2011, the reported commercial Queensland catch was 24 t. • Commercial logbook catch and effort

• Performance measures The recent ECOTF ecological risk assessment • Published local biological information determined that the risk of overfishing Cuttlefish at the 2009 level of effort in the ECOTF was low (since 2009 • Scientific research effort has declined by 9%).While no sustainability • ECOTF ecological risk assessment findings concerns have emerged since 2010 and no Comments management changes have been necessary, there is insufficient supporting information to change Cuttlefish On average 95% of the commercial Cuttlefish harvest is stock status from its current ‘undefined’ status. taken in ECOTF and the remainder in the Fin Fish (Stout Whiting) Trawl Fishery and the River and Inshore (Beam Further reading

Trawl) Fishery. At least three Cuttlefish species taken in Haddy, JA 2007, ‘A review of the known biology and the ECOTF are also taken in the NSW Ocean Trawl distribution of all recently approved ‘permitted fish’ species Fisheries where, as in Queensland, the species associated with the trawl fishery’, in Courtney, AJ, et al. composition of the catch is poorly known and no studies Bycatch weight, composition and preliminary estimates of the impact of bycatch reduction devices in Queensland’s trawl to determine any stock structure have been undertaken. fishery, report to Fisheries Research and Development Queensland annual ECOTF reported catches of Corporation, Project No. 2000/170, Department of Primary Cuttlefish were at relatively low levels from 1990-99, Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane. averaging 11 t but increased several fold in 2000-01, Rowling, K, Hegarty, A & Ives, M (eds) 2010, ‘Cuttlefish’, pp (Figure 24) when changes to management and the trawl 87–89, in Status of Fisheries Resources in NSW 2008/09, logbook made it a legal requirement for fishers to record Industry & Investment NSW, Cronulla. retained Cuttlefish catches. Annual catches and catch Nottage, J.D., West, R.J., Montgomery, S.S. and Graham, K. rates since 2002 have been relatively stable at an 2007. Cephalopod diversity in commercial fisheries landings average of 27 t and 3.6 kg/day. of New South Wales, Australia. Reviews in Fish Biology & Fisheries 17: 271–281.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 36

70 12 Catch Catch rate 60 10

50 ) 8 40 6 30 Catch (t) 4

20 (kg/day rate Catch

10 2

0 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 24: Total commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of Cuttlefish landed from otter trawling, reported in logbooks.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 377

Freshwater Eel (Anguilla australis & A.reinhardtii) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery Queensland Eel Fishery (QEF) Justification Recent commercial catch and catch rates of adult eels are less than historically sustained levels and have remained stable over the past five years. Juvenile eel data continues to illustrate fluctuating trends. The harvests of both life cycle stages are heavily dependant on environmental factors and market driven forces. Adult and juvenile eel commercial catch and catch rate performance measures were not triggered in 2011. Length frequency graphs show healthy distribution of individuals across length classes for nine consecutive years. Current fishing pressure is considered sustainable under the current management regime, particularly due to strict conditions limiting permitted fishing areas. Species complex Longfin Eel (Anguilla reinhardtii), Southern Shortfin Eel (Anguilla australis)

Information sources Inter-annual variability in catch and effort is a result of • Commercial logbook catch and effort market driven forces and natural fluctuations in

• Fishery-independent data (1999–2007) populations resulting from environmental factors such as drought. • Performance measures

• Published local and non-local biological information Fishery-independent monitoring data over nine years indicates stable length distributions in adult eels. There Comments is no current evidence of an overall decline in adult eel The Freshwater Eel stock is unique in that both adult and abundance in any of the Queensland rivers sampled. juvenile life cycle stages are harvested by the QEF. The Commercial catch and catch rate performance adult eel fishery is the larger of the two components with measures were not triggered for the adult or juvenile the juvenile eel fishery typically harvesting less than 1% eel fishery during 2011. of the total harvest (by weight). Both the adult and juvenile eel data sets have been combined for the Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) purpose of assigning a single stock status. Both species 60 200 are reported through the commercial logbook as a 50 160 40 species complex. 120 30 80

The Longfin Eel, caught by majority in the QEF, are Catch (t) 20 believed to be panmictic, belonging to a single genetic (kg/day) rate Catch 10 40 stock. Panmixia means that the stock-recruitment 0 0 relationship is likely to be weak and that recruitment of juveniles into individual river systems is highly variable 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 and random. Figure 25: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of The commercial catch of juvenile and adult eels is adult eels reported in logbooks, 2001–11. Due to variable over time and current total annual catches are confidentiality reasons there is no catch and effort graph for the juvenile eel fishery. within historical levels (Figure 25).

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 38

Emperor–Grass (Lethrinus laticaudis) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF) / Recreational Justification Since quota was introduced to the reef line fishery in 2004, commercial catches of Grass Emperor have increased from approximately 3 t per year to around 20 t per year. This species is considered a key species for some fishers. Commercial harvest occurs more in the state’s north, whereas recreational harvest occurs more in the south. No biological information on age or length frequencies is available; however there are currently no sustainability concerns. Catch trends are monitored through the Performance Measurement System for the fishery. Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch Grass Emperor will continue to be monitored through

• Recreational catch estimates the performance measurement system and the annual stock status process. • Charter logbook catch

• Performance measures Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) 30 25 Comments 25 20 Since quota was introduced in the Coral Reef Fin Fish 20 Fishery (CRFFF) in 2004, targeting of non-quota species 15 has increased. Since the LF05 logbook was introduced to 15

Catch (t) 10 the fishery in 2007, reporting of Grass Emperor harvest 10 (kg/day) rate tch has increased from approximately 3 t per year to Ca 5 5 approximately 15–20 t per year (Figure 26). Charter catches in 2011 were around 4 t. Grass Emperor is 0 0 considered to be a key species for some fishers. Since 11 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 20 2007, commercial and charter spatial harvest has alternated between the north and south of the state, Figure 26: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of whereas recreational harvest consistently occurs more in Grass Emperor reported in logbooks, 1994–2011. the south. The minimum legal size for Grass Emperor is 30 cm with a bag limit of 10 fish for recreational fishers.

Recreational harvest estimates for the species from the 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey was around #27 000 fish. There are currently no sustainability concerns for the stock.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 39

Emperor–Red (Lutjanus sebae) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF)/Recreational Justification Commercial catch has decreased slightly in 2010–11. Catch rate has remained relatively stable over the past decade. Minimum legal size (MLS) of 55 cm total length has been in place for seven years and should now be resulting in increased spawning biomass. Increased specificity in commercial logbooks implemented in 2007 will help to determine status, but more information is required on age structure and recreational catch to confirm resource status.

Future assessment needs Information sources Red Emperor is a key species that requires more • Commercial logbook catch and effort biological data to be collected on the abundance and • Other species ‘OS’ quota usage length structure in regions where the fishery operates • Recreational catch estimates to provide greater certainty about the stock.

• Charter logbook catch and effort • Performance measures Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) Dory catch rate (kg/day) • Published local biological information 180 25 160 Comments 140 20 120 In 2004, a quota system was introduced for ‘other’ coral 15 100 reef fin fish (OS quota), which includes Red Emperor.

Catch (t) 80 10 60

This quota is shared among commercial fishers through (kg/day) rate Catch 40 5 individual transferable quotas. Red Emperor consistently 20 makes up around 10% of the OS component in the 0 0 CRFFF. Red Emperor attracts a beach price of between

$8–10/kg. Commercial catch in 2010–11 (59 t) was 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 similar to the previous year (Figure 27). The 2010 Figure 27: Commercial catch (t) of Red Emperor in the CRFFF Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey harvest estimate reported in logbooks, 2000–01 to 2010–11. of Red Emperor on the east coast was 34 000 fish. Charter catch has remained historically stable at around 18 t. The performance measure for Red Emperor did not trigger in 2010–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 40

Emperor–Red (Lutjanus sebae) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Line Fishery (GOCLF) / Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery (GOCDFFTF) Justification Commercial catches decreased from 11.5 to 5.5 t in the GOCDFFTF in 2010. No catches were recorded in the GOCLF. There is limited data available on the distribution and abundance of Red Emperor in the Gulf of Carpentaria (GOC). Queensland fishers in the GOC take a small proportion of a stock shared by Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Red Emperor status is ‘uncertain’ until information on the level of exploitation by these jurisdictions is gathered.

Information sources Snapper (i.e. Crimson Snapper, Saddletail Snapper and Red Emperor) fisheries. The recommendations from this • Commercial logbook catch and effort project will be considered by Fisheries Queensland in • Recreational catch estimates conjunction with the WA and NT fisheries agencies in • Charter logbook catch and effort 2011–12.

• Performance measures GOCDFFTF GOCLF • Published local biological information 12

Comments 10 8 There is currently no restriction on the commercial take of 6

Red Emperor in the GOC. Red Emperor commercial Catch (t) harvest in the GOCDFFTF decreased to 5.5 t in 2010 4 (Figure 28). Red Emperor attracts a beach price of 2 between $8–10/kg. The 2010 Statewide Recreational 0 Fishing Survey harvest estimate of Red Emperor in the 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Gulf of Carpentaria was 482 fish. Figure 28: Commercial catch (t) of Red Emperor in the Future assessment needs GOCDFFTF (trawl) and GOCLF (line) reported in logbooks, Red Emperor is part of a shared stock that may be 2003–10. heavily utilised by Western Australia and the Northern

Territory (risk assessment from 2006). Red Emperor is a key species that requires more biological data to be collected on the abundance and length/age structure in regions where the fishery operates.

Fisheries Queensland finalised the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation project 2009/037 'Sustaining productivity of tropical red Snapper using new monitoring and reference points' in 2011. The project reviewed and developed methods and data tools required for monitoring and managing fishing activity according to the biological and economic conditions of the red Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 41

Emperor–Redthroat (Lethrinus miniatus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Not fully utilised Stock status 2011 Not fully utilised Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) Justification In 2010–11 only 41% of available quota was taken. The 2006 stock assessment estimated the population biomass to be around 70% of unfished biomass, indicating that the commercial TAC is set at an appropriate level. Performance measures relating to catch and effort in the commercial and charter sectors were not triggered in 2010–11. Independent fisheries surveys ceased in 2009 due to budgetary constraints, and updated biological data has not been collected. Information sources Future assessment needs

• Stock assessment (data up to 2004) An updated stock assessment for Redthroat Emperor is

• Commercial logbook catch and effort planned for 2013.

• Redthroat emperor quota usage Weight (t) Dory catch rate (kg/day) Catch rate (kg/day)

• Recreational catch estimates 900 45 800 40 • Charter logbook catch and effort 700 35 • Performance measures 600 30 500 25 Comments 400 20 Catch (t) 300 15 200 10 Since the quota introduction in 2004, the catch and catch (kg/day) rate Catch 100 5 rate of Redthroat Emperor (RTE) have remained stable. 0 0 In 2010–11, only 41% of the RTE quota was caught (256 t, Figure 29). Recreational harvest estimates from 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 the 2010 survey were approximately 65 000 fish. Charter catch has remained historically stable at around 75 t. Figure 29: Commercial catch and catch rates of RTE 2000–01 to 2010–11. In 2010 Fisheries Queensland ceased its independent fishing surveys of Coral Trout and Redthroat Emperor due to budgetary constraints. As such, no updates to length, age or mortality estimates are available for the stock in 2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 42

Emperor–Spangled (Lethrinus nebulosus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) Justification Catches have been returning to pre-quota levels recently, with increases in some specific northern fishing grids. Although there are no current indications of sustainability issues, some biological data and updated recreational catch information would assist in confidently assigning a status. Information sources In 2011, the Fisheries Observer Program focused its • Commercial logbook catch and effort efforts on Queensland’s line fisheries to better quantify

• Other species ‘OS’ quota usage catch composition and effort in deeper waters. This was done primarily on L1 boats targeting deeper waters • Recreational catch estimates with mechanical reels. Of the 69 boats observed in • Charter logbook catch and effort 2011, there were 70 Spangled Emperor harvested. • Performance measures

• Published local biological information Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) Dory catch rate (kg/day) 80 60 Comments 70 50 60 In 2004, a quota system was introduced for ‘other’ coral 50 40 reef fin fish (OS quota), which includes Spangled 40 30 Catch (t) Emperor. This quota is shared among commercial fishers 30 20 through individual transferable quotas. Spangled Emperor 20 (kg/day) rate Catch 10 10 consistently makes up around 15% of the OS component 0 0 in the CRFFF. Commercial catches returned to pre-quota levels (Figure 30). Recreational harvest estimate from the 2010 survey was approximately 20 000 fish. Charter 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 catch has remained historically stable at around 12 t. Figure 30: Commercial catch (t) of Spangled Emperor reported in logbooks, 2000–01 to 2010–2011. Future assessment needs

There are no indications of sustainability issues for this species; however Spangled Emperor is a key species that requires more biological data on the abundance and length structure in regions within which the fishery operates before an assessment of status can be made. In 2010 Fisheries Queensland ceased its fishery- independent structured line surveys, of which Spangled Emperor was a by-product, due to budgetary constraints. As such, no biological data are available for the stock in 2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 43

Flathead–Dusky (Platycephalus fuscus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial catches and catch rates are stable. Catch related performance measures did not trigger in 2011. The fishery predominantly harvests female fish. Nearly all male and large fecund female fish are protected by minimum and maximum size limits. Age and length information indicate healthy stocks. Information sources Fishery-dependent sampling indicates there is no • Commercial logbook catch and effort discernable trend in the rate of annual total mortality • Recreational harvest estimates although the size regulations restrict the use of catch • Charter logbook catch and effort curves to estimate total mortality rate for the proportion of the population that can be fished. The management • Fishery-dependent length and age information (2007–11) regime for Dusky Flathead suggests that current levels of fishing pressure are unlikely to lead to overfishing. • Published local biological information • Performance measures Future assessment needs

Comments • A stock assessment of Dusky Flathead

Dusky Flathead is predominantly a recreationally • Separation of Dusky Flathead from other flathead in important species and a secondary commercial species. commercial fisher logbooks The 2010 SWRFS estimated that approximately 174,000 • Separation of catch and catch rates to account for fish (176 t) were harvested by recreational anglers. In regional differences comparison, commercial catches in 2011 (74 t) were less • Long term trends in recreational fishing club catches than half of the total recreational harvest (Figure 31). and catch rates Commercial catches and catch rates increased in 2011 however these fall within historical levels dating back to Line Net Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 1993 and are considered stable. Commercial catch 120 3 related performance measures did not trigger in 2011.

100 2.5 day) Fishery-dependent biological monitoring of Dusky Flathead indicates a spread of lengths and ages within 80 2

catches of both commercial and recreational sectors from Catch (t) 60 1.5 2007-2011 (Figure 32). The above evidence suggests that the biomass of Dusky Flathead is being fished 40 1 Catch rate(kg/100m net/ sustainably. 20 0.5 The fishery predominantly harvests female fish due to the 0 0 minimum and maximum legal sizes in place. The current minimum legal size (40 cm) protects most male fish while 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 the maximum legal size (75 cm) protects large fecund Figure 31: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) by net female fish from harvest. An in-possession limit of five and line, reported in logbooks 1992–2011. Dusky Flathead per recreational fisher person is also in place.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 44

Figure 32: Age frequencies of Dusky Flathead sampled from commercial and recreational fishers between 2007 and 2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 45

Groper–Bass (Polyprion americanus) East Coast

©NSW DPI

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery Deep Water Fin Fish Fishery (DWFFF) / Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) Justification Catch in 2010–11 decreased to 3.5 t, split equally between the DWFFF and CRFFF. There are possible misidentification issues with hapuka. There is no biological information or local research for the species. The status of ‘undefined’ is assigned until more information on the harvest of this species is available. Information sources A new research project aimed at collecting more • Commercial logbook catch and effort biological information of deep water fish species and completing an updated risk assessment for the fishery • Performance measures has also commenced. • Published international biological information

Comments DWFFF CRFFF 12 Bass Groper is considered a target species in the 10 Queensland DWFFF, although catches have been 8 reduced in the last two years, due predominantly to a 6 reduction in fishing effort in the DWFFF. Catch declined Catch (t) 4 from 13 t in 2008–09 to 3.5 t in 2010–11, (Figure 33). There is currently no information available regarding the 2 level of recreational take for this species. In Queensland 0 waters, Bass Groper was considered ‘undefined’ due to

limited local and recent biological information available to 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 assess against the criteria. Bass Groper catch trends are monitored through the fishery’s performance Figure 33: Commercial catch (t) of Bass Groper reported in measurement system. logbooks. Note that the current logbook for the DWFFF was only introduced in 2007. Future assessment needs

The current commercial fisher logbook for the deep water fishery was only introduced in 2007. Better estimates of species specific catch and effort in the DWFFF are now being collected.

In 2011, the Fisheries Observer Program focused its efforts on Queensland’s line fisheries to better quantify catch composition and effort in deeper waters. This was done primarily on L1 boats targeting deeper waters with mechanical reels, rather than in the L8 multi-hook fishery. Of the 69 boats observed in 2011, there were only four Bass Groper harvested in the CRFFF.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 46

Javelin (Pomadasys spp.) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Recreational Justification Javelin (barred and spotted) is a complex of important recreational species, especially in North Queensland. Although commercial catches and catch rates are steady, estimates of the combined recreational harvest by both Queensland residents and interstate tourists are not available. No reasonable attempt to assess stock status can be made until the total magnitude of the recreational harvest estimates is known. Species complex Barred Javelin (Spotted Grunter)–Pomadasys kaakan, Silver Javelin (Small Spotted Grunter)– Pomadasys argenteus Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort Javelin are currently assessed as a species complex as

• Recreational harvest estimates there is no separate reporting requirement in the commercial logbooks for the barred and silver Javelin. • Charter logbook catch and effort Improving this reporting and obtaining catch estimates Comments from non-Queensland residents will complete the picture of overall fishing pressure on each species. Commercial catches of Javelin have increased since the early 1990s however the current level of harvest remains Line (t) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) within historical limits (Figure 34). Catch rates have 40 7 changed little over this period. Commercial harvest in 35 6

2011 was similar to the previous year and no catch 30 5 related performance measures were triggered. 25 4 Catch (t) Javelin tend to be targeted more by the recreational 20 3 sector than the commercial sector. The recent SWRFS 15 estimated approximately 70 t or 48,000 fish were 2 10 harvested recreationally in 2010 by Queensland residents Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 5 1 (commercial harvest in 2010 was 20 t). There is anecdotal evidence however of high fishing pressure on 0 0

this popular species from interstate visitors in particular 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 locations on the Queensland east coast. This level of Figure 34: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates of Javelin additional fishing pressure has not been quantified. caught by net and line, reported in logbooks 1992–2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 47

Javelin (Pomadasys spp.) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (GOCIFFF) / Recreational Justification Javelin (barred and spotted) are a complex of important recreational species. Although Javelin are considered a by-product commercial species only, catches were at the lowest level since before 1999. Recreational harvest by Queensland residents in the GOC is estimated to be three times greater than the commercial harvest in 2011. It is also estimated that the harvest from tourist fishers is even greater than the anglers who reside in the GOC. No reasonable attempt to assess stock status can be made until harvest estimates by non-residents can be quantified and verified. Species complex Barred Javelin (Spotted Grunter)–Pomadasys kaakan, Silver Javelin (Small Spotted Grunter)– Pomadasys argenteus Future assessment needs Information sources • Verified, simultaneous estimates of recreational • Commercial logbook catch and effort catches by residents and non-residents • Recreational harvest estimates • Separate reporting for both Javelin species in • Charter logbook catch and effort commercial logbooks

Comments Further reading

Javelin are more targeted by the recreational sector than Greiner, R & Patterson, L 2007, ‘Towards sustainable the commercial sector. Commercial catches in 2010 were management of recreational fishing in the Gulf of Carpentaria’, the lowest recorded since before 1999 (Figure 35). report prepared for the Northern Gulf Resource Management Recreational fishing for Javelin is focused in the southern Group, River Consulting Pty Ltd, Townsville.

Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) Gulf of Carpentaria (GOC) around Karumba and it is 60 7 estimated that the bulk of the catch is taken by tourists. 6 50 The 2010 SWRFS estimated that a combined total of # 5 24 000 grunter (both species combined) were harvested 40 in the GOC region. This equates to approximately 35 t of 4 fish. The combined estimate is considered statistically Catch (t) 30 3 variable and should be used cautiously.. It is important to 20 note that these figures are for Queensland residents only 2 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) and do not include the harvest by visiting interstate 10 1 anglers which can be a significant addition. A survey conducted by River Consulting Pty Ltd estimated that 0 0 tourists to Karumba caught approximately 100–118 t of 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Javelin in 2006 while local residents harvested less than Figure 35: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate of Javelin (GOC) 1 t. caught by net reported in logbooks 1992–2011. The status of this stock is considered undefined until reliable estimates of recreational harvest by resident and non resident anglers are available.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 48

Kingfish–Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial catch has been historically variable but is relatively low compared to other species. Catch rates have been stable since 2006. The 2010 recreational fishing survey estimate for Amberjack harvest had a high relative standard error (76%), because of the low numbers caught. The status of Yellowtail Kingfish will remain as ‘undefined’ until improved species- specific estimates can be obtained. No biological information on age or length is available. Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch Yellowtail Kingfish will continue to be monitored

• Recreational catch estimates through the annual stock status process and through the annual performance measures calculations when • Charter logbook catch catch reaches above 10 t. • Performance measures Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) Comments 12 50 45 10 Since quota was introduced in the Coral Reef Fin Fish 40 35 Fishery (CRFFF) in 2004, targeting of non-quota species t) 8 30 has increased. Yellowtail Kingfish harvest increased from 6 25 Catch ( around 2 t to almost 12 t in 2008. Catch rates have 20 4 (kg/day) rate atch

15 C remained stable since 2006 (Figure 36). Charter catches 2 10 in 2011 were around 4 t. Commercial catches may be 5 market driven, and therefore sporadic in targeting 0 0 behaviour. There is potential for high fishing pressure on 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 local populations. The recent drop in the size limit for

Yellowtail Kingfish (from 70 cm to 60 cm) means that Figure 36: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of smaller fish recruited to the fishery may still be immature. Yellowtail Kingfish reported in logbooks, 1988–2011. Commercial harvest in New South Wales (NSW) fisheries for Yellowtail Kingfish is higher (between 80–160 t in recent years), and the NSW fisheries stock status for Yellowtail Kingfish is currently ‘growth overfished’.

The 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey estimate for Amberjack harvest had a high relative standard error (76%), because of the low numbers caught. Given the relatively low commercial harvest rate of Yellowtail Kingfish in Queensland there are currently no sustainability concerns. However, the status of Yellowtail Kingfish will remain as ‘undefined’ until improved harvest estimates can be obtained.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 49

Lobster–Red Champagne (Linuparus trigonus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) Justification Red Champagne Lobsters are permitted to be retained as incidental byproduct in the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF). A 7.5 cm carapace length minimum legal size and a prohibition on egg-bearing females reduce the likelihood of overfishing. Annual catches are declining while effort is stable. A recent ecological risk assessment determined that there is no more than an intermediate risk of Red Champagne Lobster stocks being overfished at 2010 effort levels. There is no additional information since last assessment to support a shift from an ‘Undefined’ status.

permitted species under the Trawl Plan in late 1999, Information sources which caused the cessation of targeting and hence a • Commercial logbook catch and effort decline in reported catches. Permanent closures in 2000 • Performance measures & rezoning of the GBRMP in 2004 are also likely to have contributed to a decline in catch. • Published local and non-local biological information

• Scientific research The number of boats reporting Red Champagne Lobster is quite stable, averaging 46 per year, but this is low • ECOTF ecological risk assessment findings relative to the size of the ECOTF fleet (396 boats had a Comments T1 symbol in 2011). The recent ecological risk assessment determined that there is not more than an Red Champagne Lobsters are caught incidentally in the intermediate risk of Red Champagne Lobster stocks ECOTF and are legally permitted to be retained and being overfished at 2010 effort levels. While there are no marketed. Like other crustaceans, discard mortality is sustainability concerns for this species, there is no considered to be low. The likelihood of overfishing has additional information or management upon which to been reduced by prohibiting the take of egg-bearing justify a shift in status since last assessment. females in 2002, and introduction of a 7.5 cm carapace length minimum legal size in 2009. Lobster size appears Further reading to be negatively correlated with depth. As such, deep Haddy, JA, Roy, DP & Courtney AJ 2007, ‘The fishery and water (>300m) areas off the continental shelf, where no reproductive biology of barking crayfish Linuparus trigonus (Von trawl fishing effort occurs, may act as refugia for young Siebold, 1824) in the Queensland East Coast Trawl Fishery’, in lobsters (Tony Courtney, Queensland Department of Courtney, AJ, Haddy, JA, Campbell, MJ, Roy, DP, Tonks, ML, Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, pers. comm., 2012). Gaddes, SW, Chilcott, KE, O’Neill, MF, Brown, IW, McLennan, M, Jebreen, JE, Van Der Geest, C, Rose, C, Kistle, S, Turnbull, Adults are captured by trawling adjacent to the central CT, Kyne, PM, Bennett, MB & Taylor, J, Bycatch weight, and southern Great Barrier Reef. Records of catches composition and preliminary estimates of the impact of bycatch before 2000 are unreliable and have not been used in this reduction devices in Queensland’s trawl fishery, final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Project No. analysis. Catches have declined markedly since their 2000/170, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, peak in 2000 when 100 t were taken and were at their Brisbane. lowest level in 2011 (Figure 37). The decline appears to be largely related to classifying this species as a

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 50

120 70 Catch Effort

100 60

50 80 40 60

Catch (t) Catch 30 40 20 Effort (boats reporting catch) 20 10

0 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 37: Commercial Red Champagne Lobster catch (t) and effort (number of boats reporting Red Champagne Lobster catches) in logbooks, 200 1–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 51

Mackerel–Grey (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) Justification Commercial catches decreased slightly in 2010–11 compare to 2009–10. Poor weather and limited targeting of Grey Mackerel in the northern section of the fishery are believed to primary factors in the observed decrease. Catch rates are within historical bounds. Fishery-dependent biological monitoring indicates good recruitment is occurring in the fishery and total mortality estimates are below the threshold. The level of biomass being harvested and the low amount of fishing pressure being applied indicate the stock is unlikely to become recruitment overfished. Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort The following information will improve stock status

• Recreational harvest estimates certainty:

• Charter logbook catch and effort • further stock discrimination studies conducted for Grey Mackerel south of Mackay • Fishery-dependent length information (2008–10) • a stock assessment of east coast Grey Mackerel • Performance measures

• Published local biological information Further reading Welch, D, Buckworth, R, Ovenden, J, Newman, S, Broderick, Comments D, Lester, R, Ballagh, A, Stapley, J, Charters, R & Gribble, N Grey Mackerel is predominantly caught in the commercial 2009, ‘Determination of management units for Grey Mackerel net fishery. Commercial catches decreased again in fisheries in northern Australia’, final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Project No 2010–11 following the large decrease observed in 2009– 2005/010, Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre Technical 10 (Figure 38). The decrease is likely due to the Report No. 4, Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, James combined effects of the introduction of a commercial Cook University, Townsville, Australia. 250 t quota, poor weather restricting offshore fishing, and limited targeting of Grey Mackerel in the northern section Line (t) Net (t) Quota Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) of the mixed species fishery. Effort levels in 2010–11 also 500 35 450 decreased by 20% from the previous year. The above 30 400 evidence suggests that the biomass of Grey Mackerel 350 25 stock is being fished sustainably. 300 20

Catch (t) 250 Fishery-dependent biological monitoring of east coast 15 200

Grey Mackerel indicates that good recruitment is 150 10

occurring in the fishery with an abundance of two year old 100 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 5 fish in the samples (Figure 39). Estimates of total 50 mortality for north-east and south-east stocks are below 0 0 the threshold for both sampled regions (Figure 40). This level of fishing mortality is unlikely to lead to overfishing 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 of the stocks. Figure 38: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates of Grey Mackerel (east coast) caught by net and line, reported in The 2010 SWRFS indicated that recreational harvest of logbooks 1991–92 to 2010–11. Grey Mackerel was minor compared to the commercial harvest.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 52

North-east North-east South-east Line Gill Net Gill Net 60 2008 - 09 2008 - 09 2008 - 09

60 2009 - 10 2009 - 10 2009 - 10

tage of Catch 20

Percen 0

60 2010 - 11 2010 - 11 2010 - 11

0 135791113 135791113 135791113 Age Group (years)

Figure 39: Length frequencies of commercially caught Grey Mackerel (sousouthth east coast region), from 2008–09 and 2009–10.

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

Total Mortality (Z) Rate 0.4

0.3 Performance Measure Threshold (2M) Net Line 0.2 North-east South-east Stock Figure 40: Instantaneous rate of total mortality (Z) for Grey Mackerel cohorts sampled from the commercial net and line fisheries, 2008- 2009 to 2010-2011. The dashed line represents twice the rate of natural mortality (M) as calculated by Cameron and Begg (2002). Note: Calculations based on fish greater than 2 years old and where sufficient data was available to calculate the mortality.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 53

MackerMackerel–Greyel–Grey ((Scomberomorus semifascisemifasciaatustus)) Gulf of CarpentCarpentariaaria

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (GOCIFFF) Justification The high commercial catches and catch rates of 2010 were again evident in 2011 and triggered performance measures. There is uncertainty as to whether these catches indicate increased fishing pressure on stocks or simply fishers taking advantage of a highly variable resource. Anecdotal reports suggest 2010 and 2011 have been particularly good years for Grey Mackerel catches however there has been no biological evidence collected to validate these reports. New precautionary management arrangements limiting the amount of net that can be used to harvest Grey Mackerel were introduced for the 2012 season.

Information sources The ERA review by Fisheries Queensland in 2010 downgraded Grey Mackerel from a high to a moderate • Commercial logbook catch and effort risk due to the outcomes of research on the stock • Recreational harvest estimates differentiation across northern Australia (Welch et al. • Charter logbook catch and effort 2009). This research found evidence, although

• Performance measures inconclusive, that multiple localised sub-stocks of Grey Mackerel may exist within the GOC. • Ecological risk assessment (2004 & 2010 review)

• Published local biological information The SWRFS estimated that recreational harvest of Grey Mackerel is minimal. The stock status of Grey Comments Mackerel remains ‘uncertain’ until the causes of catch The commercial catch of Grey Mackerel in 2011 was variability, and how these relate to population levels, is slightly less than 2010 however this was still the second better understood. highest reported harvest on record (Figure 41). Anecdotal Future assessment needs reports by commercial fishers suggest that in 2010 and 2011 Grey Mackerel were plentiful, however there has Fishery-dependent monitoring stocks and a stock been no biological evidence collected to validate these assessment of GOC Grey Mackerel is required. For reports. The high sustained catch rates tend to support more information see the latest Fishery Update for the that there are high abundances of fish, although catch GOCIFFF. rates of schooling mackerel species can be subject to Further reading hyperstability. Welch, D, Buckworth, R, Ovenden, J, Newman, S, Broderick, Catch related performance measures for Grey Mackerel D, Lester, R, Ballagh, A, Stapley, J, Charters, R & Gribble, N in the GOCIFFF triggered in 2010 and again in 2011. 2009, ‘Determination of management units for Grey Mackerel New precautionary arrangements were introduced in fisheries in northern Australia’, final report to FRDC No. 2012 that reduce the total overall length of net that can be 2005/010, Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, James Cook University, Townsville. used for Grey Mackerel and tropical Sharks by >50%.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 544

QFJA (t) Line (t) Net (t) Catch average (2006–10) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 900 70

800 60 700 50 600

500 40 Catch (t) 400 30 300 20

200 Catch rate(kg/100m net/day) 10 100

0 0 0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 200 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 41: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/100m/day) of Grey Mackerel by net and line fishers reported in logbooks 1992–2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 555

MackerMackerel–Schoel–Schoooll ((Scomberomorus queenslqueenslandicusandicus)) East CoastCoast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Recreational Justification Total combined commercial net and line catches reached highest level. Catch rates have been increasing however they remain within historical levels. Catch rate performance measures triggered in 2010–11. While it is likely that the School Mackerel harvest is sustainable, a longer stable trend in catch levels and catch rates and more recent biological and genetic information are required to support defining this species as sustainably fished. Information sources Further reading

• Commercial logbook catch and effort Cameron, D & Begg, G 2002,’Fisheries biology and interaction in the northern Australian small mackerel fishery’, final report • Recreational harvest estimates to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Projects • Charter logbook catch and effort 92/144 and 92/144.02, Queensland Department of Primary • Performance measures Industries, Brisbane.

Comments

Commercial net catches increased in 2010–11 however Line (t) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) line catches were slightly reduced. The combined harvest 180 25 160 level was the highest reported harvest for this species. 20 Net catch rates have been increasing since 2008–09 140 although they remain within historical levels (Figure 42). 120 15 Performance measures for catch rates by net were above 100

Catch (t) 80 the threshold. The SWRFS estimated that 68 t (33,000 10 60 fish) were harvested recreationally in 2010. This brings 40 5 the combined annual take in that year to above 200 t. net/day) (kg/100m rate Catch 20

While there are no concerns for sustainability, there are 0 0 no recent studies on stock differentiation or dynamics for

School Mackerel to support defining the species as 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 sustainably fished. The status of School Mackerel is Figure 42: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates of School ‘undefined’ until this information is available or a stable Mackerel caught by net and line, reported in logbooks 1991– longer term trend in harvest levels and rates are evident. 92 to 2010–11.

Future assessment needs

The following information will improve stock status certainty:

• Longer time series of commercial and recreational harvest and harvest rates

• Recent biological and genetic information for School Mackerel

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 566

Mackerel–Shark (Grammatorcynus bicarinatus) East Coast

. Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial catch was 28 t in 2010–11. Shark Mackerel reported in the recreational surveys was allocated on a proportional basis from the unspecified mackerels. As a result, there is limited confidence in recreational harvest estimates. No biological information is available. Information sources Line catch (t) Net catch (t) • Commercial logbook catch and effort 90 • Recreational catch estimates 80 70 • Charter logbook catch and effort 60 50 • Performance measures 40 Catch (t) 30 Comments 20 10 The commercial catch of Shark Mackerel has exhibited a 0 variable trend over the last ten years (Figure 41). The low catch in 2010-11 triggered a PMS measure however this 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 was due to low effort. Annual reported charter catches of Figure 43: Commercial catch (t) of Shark Mackerel caught by Shark Mackerel on the east coast have decreased from line and net in the ECIFFF, reported in logbooks 1987–88 to 7 t in 2008–09 to approximately 3 t in 2010–11. 2010–11.

The species was monitored in the updated 2010 recreational harvest estimate however the catch estimates were unreliable due to low catch.

Future assessment needs

There is currently no dependent or independent fisheries monitoring for this by-product species, and sustainability concerns are low because the species is not targeted by commercial or (typically) recreational fishers. Shark Mackerel will continue to be monitored through the annual stock status process and performance measures.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 57

Mackerel–Spanish (Scomberomorus commerson) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery (ECSMF) / Recreational Justification At current fishing levels the fishery is considered sustainably fished. Results of the recent 2011 stock assessment indicate that the stock is in good condition. Fishing mortality estimates are <2M (M=natural mortality). Research conducted by the Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre at James Cook University (JCU) on spawning aggregations will provide important data to consider for stock status in the next two years. the fishery (Figure 45). Additionally, the strong cohort Information sources from 2009–10 can now been seen as three year olds. • Stock assessment (2011, data up to 2009) The recreational harvest estimate for Spanish Mackerel • Commercial logbook catch and effort on the east coast in 2010 was around 34 000 fish, with • Spanish Mackerel ‘SM’ quota usage catch conversions based on an average of 7.7 kg3 per • Recreational catch estimates fish for the sector equating to around 262 t. • Charter logbook catch and effort Future assessment needs • Fishery-dependent data (2004–10) Fisheries Queensland will continue to collect fishery- • Performance measures dependent data for the purpose of performance • Published local biological information measures and future stock assessments. Comments Further reading The commercial nominal catch rate of Spanish Mackerel Campbell, AB, O'Neill, MF, Staunton-Smith, J, Atfield, J & declined from 73 kg/day to 57 kg/day in 2010–11. Catch Kirkwood, J 2011, ‘Stock assessment of the Australian East decreased from 391 t in 2009–10, to 278 t in 2010–11 Coast Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) (Figure 44). The number of vessels accessing the fishery fishery’, DEEDI, Brisbane. was down from 181 to 167. Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) Standardised catch rate (kg/day) As Spanish Mackerel is a schooling species and is known 900 80

to aggregate for spawning, there is potential for catch )y 800 70 a/d rates to be hyperstable (i.e. declines in stock size without 700 g ) 60 t k ( ( ( 600 apparent changes in catch rate). The stock assessment hc 50 te t 500 a 40 r Ca for east coast Spanish Mackerel (Campbell et al. 2011) 400 htc

30 aC uses an age-structured model and incorporates a 300 20 hyperstability-sensitive variant of the catch rate 200 100 10 standardisation to account for this potential. The results 0 0

indicate that the stock is in good condition, noting the 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11

uncertainty around the outputs of the preferred models 000- 001- 002- 003- 004- 005- 006- 007- 008- 009- 010- 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 used. Figure 44: Commercial catch (t), catch rate (kg/day) and Annual reported charter catches on the east coast have standardised catch rate (kg/day) of Spanish Mackerel caught decreased from 48 t in 2009–10 to around 35 t in by line 2000–01 to 2010–11. 2010–11. Monitoring data indicates that 2010–11 was another good year for recruitment of two-year-old fish to 3 Based on weighted regional average weights of Spanish mackerel caught on the Queensland east coast only by fishery dependent sampling 2008–2011. Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 58

Commercial Recreational 60 2007-08 2007-08

60 2008-09 2008-09

60 2009-10 2009-10

40 Percentage of catch 20

60 2010-11 2010-11

0 02468101214161820222426 02468101214161820222264 Age Group (years) Figure 45: Relative abundance of Spanish Mackerel (east coast) in different age groups from retained a) commercial and b) recreational catches, 2007–08 to 2010–11.

0.8 ) 0.6

0.4

l Mortality Rate (Z Rate l Mortality 0.2 Performance Measure Threshold (2M) Commer c ial

Tota Recreational 0.0 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Year

Figure 46: East coast Spanish Mackerel estimates of total mortality for 2007–08 to 2010–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 59

Mackerel–Spanish (Scomberomorus commerson) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Sustainably Fished Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Line Fishery (GOCLF) / Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (GOCIFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial catches increased in 2011 and remain within historical harvest levels. Nominal (kg/day) catch rates increased in the line fishery but decreased in the net fishery. New biological information indicates good recruitment to the fishery of two year olds in the commercial sector, and no significant changes in age or length frequencies were evident for both commercial and recreational sectors. Total mortality estimates were <2M (M=natural mortality) and performance measures did not trigger. As such the stock is deemed as sustainably fished.

Information sources Net Line • Commercial logbook catch and effort 350

• Recreational catch estimates 300 250

• Charter logbook catch and effort (t) 200 •

Fishery-dependent biological length data (2007–11) Catch 150 • Performance measures 100 • Published local biological information 50 Comments 0 Commercial catch of Spanish Mackerel from both the line 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 and net fisheries increased slightly in 2011 but remain Figure 47: Commercial catch (t) of Spanish Mackerel caught within historical harvest levels (Figure 47). Nominal catch by line (GOCLF) and net (GOCIFFF), reported in logbooks rates (kg/day) increased in the line fishery (Figure 48). 1989–2011. The number of days fished increased from 780 in 2010 to 865 in 2011. Net fishery catch rate declined slightly from Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) 83 kg/day to 77 kg/day in 2011 (Figure 49). 60 120

The 2010 recreational fishing survey estimate for Gulf of 50 100

Carpentaria Spanish Mackerel harvest had a high relative 40 80

standard error, because of the low numbers caught. h (t) 30 60 Catc Analysis of biological information collected in 2011 20 40 indicated good recruitment to the fishery of two year olds 10 20 (kg/day) rate Catch in the commercial sector. The recreational sector typically retains larger fish. No significant changes in age or length 0 0 frequencies were evident from either sector (Figure 50). 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total mortality estimates were <2M (M=natural mortality) and performance measures did not trigger (Figure 51). Figure 48: Commercial line catch (t) and nominal catch rate (kg/day) of Spanish Mackerel reported in logbooks, 1989– 2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 60

Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) FFuuttuure assesssmenmentassesre needeedsnt s 300 300 FFiisheries Qusheries Queeeenslanslandnd wwiill contll continuinuee to monitor the 250 250 ) lenlenggth andanth ageeagd frequenciesfrequenc ofofies recreationalnalllyyrecreatio and 200 200 commerciacommercialllly caugaughtcy SpanishSpanht ish Mackerel inniMackerel the GOC. An 150 150 updupdated pated peerforrformance memance measurasurement sement syystemstem for the Catch (t) 100 100 GOCLFGOCLF wwiillll be devedevellopoped ied inn 2 2012, impr012, improvinovingg on

Catch rate (kg/day rate Catch existinexistingg measurresmeasu es and standadardisatirdisationstan procon proceedures.dures. 50 50

0 0 999 1997 1998 2010 2011 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Figurere 49: Commercial net catc h (t) and nominal catch rate (kg/day) of Spanish Mackerel reported in logbooks, 1989–2011.

Commercial Recreational 40 2008 2008 30

40 2009 2009 30

20 c

40 2010 2010 30

20 Percentage of cat h 10

40 2011 2011 30

0123456789101112 0123456789101112 Age Group (years) Figure 50: Annual age frequency of Spanish Mackerel for the Gulf of Carpentaria Queensland stock.

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2 Performance Measure Threshold (2M) Commercial

Total Mortality Rate (Z) Rate Mortality Total Recreational 0.0 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

Figure 51: Gulf of Carpentaria Spanish Mackerel estimates of total mortality for 2020y 07–08 to 2010–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 61

MackerMackerel–Sel–Spotpottedted ((Scomberomorus munroi) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Recreational Justification Predominantly a line-fished species since 2004. Commercial harvest was under half of the total allowable commercial catch (TACC). Age and length frequencies indicate good recruitment of one and two year old fish. However, estimated total mortality in 2011 was above the threshold level of twice the natural mortality, and will be monitored closely in 2012.

Information sources Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day)

• Commercial logbook catch and effort 120 70

• Competitive total allowable catch (TAC) quota usage 100 60 50 • Recreational catch estimates 80 40 • Charter logbook catch and effort 60

Catch (t) 30 • Fishery-dependent biological length and age data 40 20 (2004–11) Catch rate (kg/day) 20 10 • Performance measures 0 0 • Published local biological information

Comments 1991-92 1992-13 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

The commercial catch of Spotted Mackerel is historically Figure 53: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate of Spotted variable, and has shifted to predominantly line catch in Mackerel caught by line in the ECIFFF, reported in logbooks the past eight years (Figure 52). Catch decreased from 1991–92 to 2010–11. 90 t in 2009–10 to 45 t in 2010–11, which is still well The length structure information indicates that fish less below the TACC of 140 t (Figure 53). Charter catches than 65 cm were more prevalent in the commercial were around 8 t. The 2010 recreational harvest estimate catch than the recreational catch. The annual age for east coast caught Spotted Mackerel was around structures of the Spotted Mackerel catch for each # 30 000 fish, equating to approximately 81 t. Weight sector are similar (Figure 54) and indicate good conversions were calculated based on the 2008–12 recruitment of one year old fish into the fishery. fishery-independent monitoring estimates an average Assuming that the combined commercial and weight of 2.66 kg/fish. recreational catch is indicative of the Spotted Mackerel population, the population appears to be predominantly Net Line 450 comprised of young fish (mainly within the one to four- 400 year-old age groups). 350 300 Total mortality estimates calculated from fishery- 250 dependent monitoring data show that total mortality is

Catch (t) 200 greater than twice the natural mortality rate in 2010– 150 100 2011 (based on natural mortality M of 0.42). Caution 50 needs to be shown in interpreting fishing mortality 0 estimates alone when recruitment may be increasing (Figure 55). 1991-92 1992-13 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Figure 52: Commercial catch (t) caught by line and net in the ECIFFF, reported in logbooks 1991–92 to 2010–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 622

Performance measures relating to catch and the TACC Future assessment needs were not triggered in 2011. Fisheries Queensland will Long term biological monitoring of the stock proposed continue to monitor total catch and catch rates through to continue in 2012. performance measures as they have been variable in the last five to ten years.

Recreational Commercial 50 2008 — 09 2008 — 09 40 30 20 10 0

50 2009 — 10 2009 — 10 40 30 20 10 0 Percentage ofcatch

50 2010 — 11 2010 — 11 40 30 20 10 0 012345678 012345678 Age Group (years) Figure 54: East coast Spotted Mackerel age frequencies from 2008–09 to 2010–11.

1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 Performance Measure Threshold (2M) 0.2 Commer c ial

Total Mortality Rate (Z) Rate Mortality Total Recreational 0.0 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 Year Figure 55: East coast Spotted Mackerel estimates of total mortality for 2007–08 to 2010–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 63

Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) East Coast

©Jamie Robley

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery ockyR Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF)/Recreational Justification Commercial catch has varied between 2 and 12 t since 2001. Predominantly caught in the L1 fishery, but increasing in the L8 deep water fishery in recent years. Charter catch was <2 t. The 2010 recreational fishing survey estimate for Mahi Mahi harvest had a high relative standard error, because of the low numbers caught. Despite limited biological information available for this species, currently there are no sustainability concerns due to the low targeting behaviour of fishers. Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort The commercial catch of Mahi Mahi will continue to be assessed through performance measures when there is • Recreational catch estimates more than 10 t of catch per year. Obtaining another • Charter logbook catch and effort recreational estimate in the next statewide recreational • Performance measures fishing survey using the current methodology will provide

Comments a comparable estimate of take in east coast waters. Given that Fisheries Queensland has identified other Historically the catch of Mahi Mahi has been varied, species as higher priorities, it is unlikely that further ranging from <1 t to over 12 t in the commercial sector. In monitoring or research will be considered for Mahi Mahi 2008 and 2009, the majority of the ~10 t catch was taken in the foreseeable future. in the L8 deep water fishery, but in 2010, this catch decreased dramatically predominantly due to the lack of Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) 14 120 effort applied in the L8 fishery (Figure 56). Annual catches by L1 fishers in the south of the state remain 12 100 consistent at around 2–3 t. The first recreational estimate 10 80 for the species (from 2010 collection year) was low at 8 #2160 fish. 60 Catch (t) 6 tch rate ( rate tch ay) 40 Charter catches were historically low at around 2 t. Mahi Ca kg/d 4 Mahi is a truly pelagic and migratory species and there 2 20 are currently no sustainability concerns for the stock given the low capacity to target the species. However, 0 0 there is limited information available locally on length and 11 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 20 age structure, or mortality estimates. The minimum legal size for Mahi Mahi is 50 cm with a bag limit of five fish for Figure 56: Commercial catch (t) of Mahi Mahi caught by line, recreational fishers. reported in logbooks 1990–2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 64

Octopus (Octopodidae) East Coast

©NSW DPI

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) / Fin Fish (Stout Whiting) Trawl Fishery (FFTF) Justification There are several Octopus species which are permitted to be taken incidentally as byproduct in the ECOTF. In-possession limits apply to Octopus based on the number of days fished. The annual reported catch peaked in 1998, has been generally declining since, and was near to lowest historical levels in 2011. Numbers of boats reporting Octopus catch were stable at relatively low levels from 1990-1999, but legal recognition of Octopus as a permitted trawl byproduct species in 1999 greatly increased reporting incidence. Boat numbers reporting Octopus catches declined from 2001-08, but have stabilised since. There is evidence to suggest that octopuses may survive discarding. The recent ecological risk assessment found that at current fishing levels, there is a low to intermediate risk of Octopus stocks becoming overfished. The status of this species complex is undefined due to a lack of information on species composition of the catch and stock structure. Octopus australis, Callistoctopus dierythraeus, Callistoctopus graptus, Amphioctopus Species complex marginatus, Amphioctopus cf kagoshimensis

Information sources increased in 2008 (to more than 66 litres in possession) for fishing trips that extend beyond 7 consecutive days. • Commercial logbook catch and effort Average annual Octopus catch from 2009-11 in the • Performance measures ECOTF is slightly higher than the 2008 catch, but still • Published local and non-local biological information quite low. There is no evidence indicating that the 2008 • ECOTF ecological risk assessment change to management has resulted in significantly Comments increased retention of Octopus.

Several species of Octopus are commercially harvested The number of ECOTF boats reporting Octopus catch in small quantities as by-product in the ECOTF and the was relatively low from 1990-99, but permitting take of FFTF which in 2011 landed 87% and 13% of the total Octopus as a byproduct of trawling for prawns and Queensland Octopus harvest respectively. There is no scallops under the Trawl Plan in 1999 encouraged notable recreational harvest of Octopus in Queensland. greater reporting of Octopus by more fishers; there was Most Queensland Octopus are tropical species, but almost a threefold increase in fisher numbers reporting southern Octopus (Octopus australis) is a temperate Octopus in their catch in 2001 compared to 1999 species taken in southern Queensland and is the most (Figure 57). Boat numbers reporting Octopus catches common Octopus species taken in NSW. The steadily declined from 2001-08, but have been stable Queensland harvest level was <10% of the NSW since, further indicating an absence of targeted trawling Octopus harvest in 2010–11. The Queensland Octopus for Octopus since the 2008 possession limit increased. catch peaked in 1998, but has generally decreased since About 80% of the Octopus catch in the ECOTF is taken 2001 (Figure 57). south of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP). The catch in 2011 was near to the lowest annual harvest The recent ECOTF ecological risk assessment found the recorded. Management specific to the Queensland risk of Octopus stocks being overfished at 2010 effort Octopus harvest was a 66 litre in-possession limit levels in the ECOTF south of the GBRMP was no more introduced in the ECOTF in 2002. This catch limit was than intermediate (i.e. neither high nor low). The risk to Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 65

Octopus specispecieess wwiitthhiinn the G BRMP, where 20% of Catch Effort 40 180 ECOTECOTFF Octopus lanlanddinings ocgs occurcur is lowweer.lois r. Overall, thertheree 35 160 are no sustasustaiinnabilabiliittyy c conceroncernnss for Octopus. 30 140 120 Octopus is thought to have a higher discard survival rate 25 100 than squid or Cuttlefish (Hill et al. 1998), and there have (t) h 20 80 beebeen no mananagemegemenntman changgeeschant s that wwooululd requirerequd shiftinggshiftinire Catc 15 60 the stock status from that given at last assessment. The 10 40 Effort (number of boats) of (number Effort status remains ‘undefined’ due to a lack of information 5 20 about the species composition of Octopus landings, and 0 0 stock structure of the species most likely to be landed in 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Queensland. Figure 57: Commercial Octopus catch (t) and effort (number of Further reading boats reporting Octopus catches) in logbooks 1990–11. HaddHaddyy,, JA 2007,20 07, ‘A reviewreview‘A of the knowwnkno biologyybiologn anndda distribution of all recentlrecentlyy approved ‘permitted fish’ species associated with the trawl fishery’, in Courtney, AJ, et al. Bycatch weight, composition and preliminarpreliminaryy estimaatestes of the impact of bybycatch reduction devices in Queensland’s tratrawwll fisheryfishery, report to Fisheries ResearResearchch and Development CorpCorporatiooration, Project No. 2000/170, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.

Hill, B, Blaber, S, Wassenberg, T and Milton, D. 1998. Composition and Fate of Discards. In ‘The Environmental Effects of Prawn Trawling in the Far Northern Section of the Great Barrier RReefeef MariMarinene Park: 1991-1996’. Final Report to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, June 1998.

Rowling, K, Hegaartrty,y, A & Ives, M, (eds) 2010, ‘Octopus (Octopus spp.)’, pp.225–227, in Status of Fisheries Resources in NSW 2008/09, Industry & Investment NSW, Cronulla.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 666

Pearl Perch (Glaucosoma scapulare) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial catch and catch rates decreased in 2011 to 24 t. There are inconsistent signals in the age and length data. Earlier data showed a lack of older fish (post-eight year old) but 2010 data shows evidence of older fish in the sample population, which may indicate a rebuilding stock. This species is currently being assessed as part of a Fisheries Research Development Corporation (FRDC) project on the fishery. A three year FRDC funded project began in early 2009 to Information sources address some of the knowledge gaps in the rocky reef • Commercial logbook catch and effort fishery. The research is examining the important areas of • Recreational harvest estimates juvenile habitat of rocky reef fish species in southern • Charter logbook catch and effort Queensland as well as assessing various harvest • Fishery-dependent length information (2009–11) and strategies for the fishery. Key growth, reproductive, and age information (2008–10) other fisheries parameters are being derived for Pearl • Performance measures Perch and Teraglin. • Published local biological information Future assessment needs

Comments Up to date age information will allow for the calculation of Since quota for reef fish species was introduced in 2004, a total mortality estimate in performance measures for the catch of Pearl Perch (non-quota) increased from Pearl Perch in 2013. around 20 t in 2002 to 97 t in 2005 (Figure 58). The Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) Standardised catch rate (kg/day) commercial catch in 2011 dropped back to around 24 t. 120 45 Recreational catch reported in the statewide recreational 40 # # 100 fishing survey decreased from 64 t in 2000 to 36 t in 35 2010. Pearl Perch attracts a beach price of around $6/kg. 80 30 25 60 Age information from Fisheries Queensland’s fishery- Catch (t) 20 dependent mo nitoring for the years 2008-10, considered 40 15 Catch rtae (kg/day) in 2011, showed a low percentage of fish greater than 10 20 eight years old. Updated age information for 2010 shows 5 a higher percentage of nine year old fish in the catch as 0 0 the eight year old fish from 2009 become a year older 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 (Figure 59). This may be indicative of a rebuilding stock Figure 58: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of Pearl or reflect changes in fishing patterns within the fishery. Perch, reported in logbooks 1998–2011. Note standardised catch rate calculated from 1990 onwards.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 67

Recreational Commercial Charter 40 2008 2008 2008 30

40 2009 2009 2009 30

20 age of chcat 10

0 Percent

40 2010 2010 2010 30

2 4 6 8 1012141618 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 2 4 6 8 1012141618 Age Group (years)

Figure 59: Relative abundance of Pearl Perch in different age groups from retained recreational, commercial and charter (recreational catches from charter vessels) catches, 2008 to 2010.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 68

Prawn–Banana (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) / River and Inshore Beam Trawl Fishery (RIBTF) Justification Recent catch and catch rates are at historically high levels but are considered to be sustainable at levels similar to 2004. The ECOTF ecological risk assessment determined that there was a low risk of Banana Prawns being overfished at 2009 and 2010 effort levels. The 2011 catch was more than double the long-term average catch and the highest on record due to record rainfall and stream flows in eastern Queensland coastal catchments. Determination of fishing power changes and standardisation of catch rate at a regional scale is needed for accurate interpretation of recent trends in commercial catch rate. Estimates of growth and mortality are also required to better model stock dynamics of east coast Banana Prawns.

Information sources recent ECOTF ecological risk assessment determined that there is a low risk of Banana Prawns being • Commercial logbook catch and effort overfished at 2010 effort levels. While the 2011 harvest of • Recreational catch estimates 1367 t was the highest on record - more than doubling • Regional monthly age-structured model outputs (using the 1990–2010 catch average, and otter trawl effort data to 2004) increasing steadily since 2007 - it is unlikely that the • Performance measures mature stock is at increased risk of overfishing. • Published local biological information Higher banana prawn catches often occur after • ECOTF ecological risk assessment exceptionally high rainfall and stream flow events. Those Comments that occurred during the 2010–11 La Nina episode were among the highest on record and likely to have Approximately 82% of commercial landings are taken by contributed to high emigration rates of Banana Prawns otter trawl, 16% are taken by beam trawling and 2% by from east coast estuaries to inshore waters where they stripe net. Otter trawl catch rates were relatively steady are targeted by otter trawlers. from 1990–2007 and then increased to their highest levels in 2008–11 (Figure 60). The beam trawl catch rate Future assessment needs has been steadier over the time series but was somewhat Catch rate standardisation was carried out on 1988–2004 lower in 2011 because of fishing interference with flood trawl catch and effort data in the most recent stock debris. Stripe net catch rates were at record highs in assessment. It took into account likely differences 2010–11. The most recent catch weight estimate for between boats catching Banana Prawns and other prawn prawns taken by Queensland recreational fishers (i.e. species, but not the possibility that the fishing power of predominantly Banana Prawns taken in cast nets) was in individual boats could be increasing through time (as the range of 33–83 t in 2010 (Taylor et al. 2012). This is a demonstrated for other east coast trawl fishery sectors). 40% reduction from the 2001 recreational banana prawn This could affect banana prawn catchability and catch estimate (Lyle et al. 2003). potentially gear selectivity. Determination of changes in An assessment of the stock indicated that in 2004 fishing power in the fleet and standardisation of catch rate biomass was well above the level required for maximum at a regional scale is needed for years subsequent to sustainable yield (Bmsy); and as such, the level of harvest 2004 for accurate interpretation of recent trends in was considered sustainable. The commercial harvest commercial catch rate. It will also validate catch rate as a remains less than the 2004 level in recent years. The consistently reliable indicator of relative abundance of

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 69 sub-stocks. There are no estimates of growth and natural Net catch Beam trawl catch Otter trawl catch Net catch rate Beam trawl catch rate Otter trawl catch rate mortality specific to the east coast banana prawn stock upon which to make better assertions about the structure 1600 250 1400 and sustainable yield of the stock. 200 1200 Further reading 1000 150

Lyle, JM, Henry, GW, West LD, Campbell D, Reid, DD and Catch (t) 800 100 Murphy, JJ. National Recreational Fishing Survey. In Henry, GW 600

& Lyle, JM 2003 (eds.), The National Recreational and 400 (kg/day) rate Catch 50 Indigenous Fishing Survey, FRDC Project No. 99/158, Australian 200 Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 0 0 Canberra. 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 O'Neill, MF & Leigh GM 2007, ‘Fishing power increases continue in Queensland's east coast trawl fishery, Australia’, Fisheries Figure 60: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates (kg/day) of Research, vol. 85, pp 84-92. Banana Prawns by otter and beam trawl and stripe net catch, reported in logbooks 1990 to 2011. Tanimoto, M, Courtney, AJ, O’Neill, MF & Leigh, GM 2006, ‘Stock Assessment of the Queensland (Australia) east coast banana prawn (Penaeus merguiensis)’, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.

Taylor, S, Webley, J and McInnes, K 2012. 2010 Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland Government.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 70

Prawn–Coral (Metapenaeopsis spp.) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) Justification Coral Prawns are taken while targeting other species in the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF). From 2003–11, effort and catch decreased when smaller boats targeting Coral Prawns left the fishery. The Coral Prawn harvest has continued to fall from 2005–11 and in 2011 was at its lowest recorded level. There are no sustainability issues for this complex of species that are unrelated to reduced market demand for small prawns in general. There is limited information available on the biology of Coral Prawns and no additional management introduced since last assessment that would justify shifting from an ‘undefined’ status.

Information sources in Australia (see also Greasyback Prawn summary in this report). • Commercial logbook catch and effort There are no other sustainability issues apparent for this Comments complex of species. There continues to be limited information Coral Prawns are taken during trawling for red spot available on the biology of Coral Prawns, while reduced fishing King Prawns in the ECOTF. Coral Prawns are also mortality due to lower effort levels and no specific caught during trawling for scallops, Tiger Prawns management changes that would affect the stock since last and Endeavour Prawns in the ECOTF and the assessment, validate its ‘undefined’ status. Torres Strait Prawn Fishery. The ECOTF takes 95% Future assessment needs of Coral Prawn landings in Queensland, while small quantities (1-3 t/year) are reported in the River and Given that Coral Prawn commercial catches are declining with Inshore Beam Trawl Fishery. trawling effort, this is not a priority species for collecting more information. From 2003–11, ECOTF effort (number of boats catching Coral Prawns) and Coral Prawn catches Further reading have decreased, particularly following rezoning of Watson, RA & Keating, JA 1989, ‘Velvet Shrimps (Metapenaeopsis the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in 2004 when spp.) of Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia’, Asian Fisheries Science, smaller boats targeting Coral Prawns left the vol. 3, 45–56. fishery. By 2011, the number of otter trawlers Beam trawl catch Otter trawl catch Otter trawl effort Beam trawl effort reporting Coral Prawn landings had declined to 26% 70 140 of those reporting landings in 2003, while the 60 120 number of beam trawlers has remained low but 50 100 stable over the same period (Figure 61). The Coral 40 80

30 60

Prawn harvest was at its lowest recorded level in Catch (t) successive years from 2009-11; only 12% of the 20 40 2003 harvest level was landed in 2011. 10 20 boats) of (number Effort 0 0 A decline in demand for locally caught small prawn 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 species over recent years due to consumer Figure 61: Commercial catches (t) and effort (number of otter trawl preference for cheaper imported aquaculture and beam trawl boats) reporting catches of Coral Prawns in logbooks produced prawns appears to have displaced 2001–11. market share and the incentive for fishers to target Coral Prawns and other small wild-caught prawns

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 71

Prawn–Eastern King (Melicertus plebejus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) Justification The total catch in 2011 was slightly less than maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Nominal annual effort (boat-days) in the fishery has decreased over the last decade and is less than Emsy (the effort level required to achieve MSY). However, long-term increases in fishing power have more than offset this decline in effort. EKP are growth overfished (i.e. harvested at sizes that are sub- optimal for maximising the economic value) in Moreton Bay and some inshore areas of New South Wales. However, the recent ecological risk assessment determined that at 2011 effort levels the stock is unlikely to be recruitment overfished (i.e. reduction of the breeding stock to a level that cannot maintain recruitment). An updated estimate of MSY will be available shortly, as part of an FRDC project.

Information sources within the MSY 90% confidence interval. In 2011, total landings from the fishery were below MSY indicating that • Commercial logbook catch and effort harvesting is continuing at a sustainable level. • Fishery-independent abundance information • Performance measures The overall trend in nominal trawl effort in both Queensland and New South Wales has been one of • Published local biological information marked decline in recent years from ≥ 30 000 boat-days • Quantitative stock models (2005 and 2012) before 2000, to less than 20 000 boat-days in 2005–11. • ECOTF ecological risk assessment findings However, it is important to note that the fishing power of Comments vessels has increased by about 50% over the last two decades (O’Neill & Leigh 2006), which has more than Eastern King Prawns (EKP) are harvested in Queensland offset the decline in effort. Hence, effective effort in the and New South Wales. Queensland landings are about fishery has likely increased over this period. four times larger than those of New South Wales. EKP is the most economically valuable trawl fishery resource in Since 2006, the abundance of prawns recruiting to the Queensland and is harvested almost exclusively in the shallow water Eastern King Prawn fishery in southern ECOTF with negligible catches in the River and Inshore Queensland has been monitored annually using a fishery- (Beam Trawl) Fishery. independent survey. While strength of recruitment varies between sampling locations and years, mean catch rates From 1988–2000, annual Queensland EKP landings have been stable but somewhat higher in 2008 and 2009 ranged from 1500–2000 t. From 2001–10, catches have – corresponding with higher commercial catches in 2009 ranged from 2000–3000 t, but fell outside this range in and 2010 (Figure 63). The 2011 mean catch rate of 2011 (Figure 62). Otter trawl catch rates were steady recruits is similar to those of 2006, 2007 and 2010, from 1988–2000, before rising in 2001 and stabilising indicating that the 2012 commercial catch is expected to until 2008-10 when catch rates reached their highest be similar to those of 2007, 2008 and 2011. level. In 2011, the catch rate returned to its 2007 level. Recreational, indigenous and charter landings are Future assessment needs negligible. A recent qualitative assessment of the sustainability of

O’Neill et al. (2005) estimated MSY and EMSY for the the ECOTF indicates that there is low risk of EKP being combined Queensland and NSW fisheries combined to recruitment overfished at 2011 effort levels. However, be 2612 t and 25 664 boat-nights, respectively. Total EKP are considered growth overfished in Moreton Bay landings of EKP often exceed MSY, but are generally and in parts of New South Wales. Stock assessment and Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 72 harvest strategy evaluations for the entire stock are nearing completion in 2012 as part of an externally 80 funded research project (FRDC 2008/019). This project 70 includes bio-economic modelling which is intended to 60 provide advice on the level of catch and effort required for 50 achieving maximum economic yield (MEY). This will 40 assist management to further reduce the likelihood of 30 overfishing while maximising profitability. 20 Catch rate (prawns/hectare) Furtherr reading 10 0 O’Neill, MF, & Leigh, GM 2006, ‘Fishing power and catch rates in 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 the Queensland east coast trawl fishery’, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane, Australia. Figure 63: Standardised mean catch rate of recruit-sized (25-35 O’Neill, MF, Courtney, AJ, Good, NM, Turnbull, CT, Yeomans, mm carapace length) prawns from fishery-independent trawl KM, Staunton-Smith, J & Shootingstar, C 2005, ‘Reference point surveys, 2006-2011. Error bars display one standard error away management and the role of catch-per-unit effort in prawn and from the mean. scallop fisheries’, final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Project 1999/120, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland.

RoRowling,wling, K, Hegarty, A & Ives, M, (eds) 2010, ‘Eastern King Prawn’, pp.109–112, in Status of Fisheries Resources in NSW 2008/09, Industry & Investment NSW, Cronulla.

Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day)

3000 250

2500 200

2000 150 1500 Catch (t) 100

1000 (kg/day) rate Catch

50 500

0 0 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 62: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of Eastern King Prawns caught by otter trawl, reported in logbooks 1988–2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 73

Prawn–Endeavour (Metapenaeus endeavouri and M. ensis) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Not fully utilised Stock status 2011 Not fully utilised Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) Justification Two species were considered in this assessment but landings are dominated (~80%) by Blue Endeavour Prawns (Metapenaeus endeavouri). Low harvest and effort and high catch rate levels over recent years indicate that fishing mortality is low and recruitment overfishing is unlikely. A recent ecological risk assessment found Endeavour Prawns are at low risk of being overfished at current effort levels. A stock status of sustainably fished was assigned on the basis that the stock is underutilised as it was in 2011, but because Endeavour Prawns are often caught with Tiger Prawns, an increase in effort targeting Endeavour Prawns would invariably lead to an increase in fishing pressure on the Tiger Prawn stoc k. This could potentially lead to a lower economic yield from the Tiger Prawn stock and a sub-optimal outcome. Species complex Blue Endeavour Prawn (Metapenaeus endeavouri), Red Endeavour Prawn (Metapenaeus ensis)

Information sources reflect reduced targeted fishing for Endeavour Prawns due to the lower returns fishers receive compared to • Commercial logbook catch and effort Tiger Prawns. • Fishery-independent abundance information • Performance measures The recent ECOTF ecological risk assessment also found that there is a low risk of Endeavour Prawns being • Published local biological information overfished at 2011 effort levels. The catch rate is • Quantitative stock models (2004) considered to be between MEY and MSY. While • ECOTF ecological risk assessment Endeavour Prawn stocks are biologically underutilised, it Comments may not be economically viable to increase effort further; more effort in this fishery would put additional pressure The average annual harvest of Endeavour Prawns in on Tiger Prawns which are often caught with Endeavour recent years (2007-11) was 548 t which is half of the long Prawns. term catch average of 1107 t, indicating a reduced level of fishing mortality. Fishing effort associated with the On the basis of the evidence provided above, the stock is harvest of this catch (8638 days) is only 33 percent of the classified as sustainably fished. long term average of 26,119 days. This level of effort is Future assessment needs unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment overfished. Uncertainty exists regarding Endeavour Prawn species composition in the ECOTF as the species are not Since 1998, there has been a general upward trend in the separated in the logbook. Preliminary data from fishery- unstandardised CPUE (Figure 64). The average annual independent monitoring indicates that blue Endeavour CPUE for recent years, 63 kg/day, is about 44 percent Prawns are more abundant (~90%) in more northerly higher than the 1990–2006 long term average. Low waters (Torres Strait to Cape Flattery) while red harvest and effort and high catch rate are evidence of a Endeavour Prawns are more abundant (~60%) in more low fishing mortality and under these circumstances, southerly waters (Cairns to Cape Bowling Green). Further recruitment overfishing is unlikely. biological data collection would be of value to interpret While there was an increasing catch rate trend from with greater certainty the composition of Endeavour 2001–09, catch rates declined in 2010–11. This may Prawn species harvested at different locations and times. Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 74

Further reading Catch Effort Catch Rate (kg/day) 1600 100

Gribble, NA, Wassenberg, TJ & Burridge, C 2007, ‘Factors ) 1400 affecting the distribution of commercially exploited penaeid 80 prawns (shrimp) (Decapod: Penaeidae) across the northern 1200 Great Barrier Reef, Australia’, Fisheries Research, vol. 85, pp. 1000 60 174–185. 800

Pears RJ, Morison, AK, Jebreen, EJ, Dunning, M, Pitcher, CR, 600 40 Catch rate (kg/day) rate Catch Courtney, AJ, Houlden, B, & Jacobsen, IP, 2012, ‘Ecological 400 Risk Assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Catch (t)eff & ort(days/50 20 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’, Technical Report (2 volumes), 200 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville. 0 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Figure 64: Commercial catch (t), effort (days when catch was reported divided by 50) and catch rates of Endeavour Prawns caught by otter trawl, reported in logbooks 1990–2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 75

Prawn–Greasyback (Metapenaeus bennettae) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) / River and Inshore Beam Trawl Fishery (RIBTF) Justification Greasyback Prawns are the main species marketed as ‘Bay Prawns’ and are harvested commercially in both Queensland and NSW trawl fisheries. In NSW the status of this species is ‘undefined’. Recent assessment determined that the risk of this species being overfished in Queensland is low mainly due to a significant and sustained reduction in fishing effort for this species. Detailed study of Bay Prawn stock status in Moreton Bay has found evidence of increased catches related to increased fresh water flows. Increasing Greasyback Prawn abundance since 2000 has translated into steadily increasing catches and catch rates. In 2011, Queensland Bay Prawn landings were the highest since 1999 and the ECOTF Bay Prawn catch rate was the highest on record. Information sources depressed prawn prices. The low prawn prices are attributed to competition from larger Australian and • Commercial logbook catch and effort overseas farmed prawns. These displace small prawn • Fishery-independent abundance information species such as M. bennettae which traditionally held the • Performance measures Moreton Bay trawl caught market for prawns. In recent

• Published local biological information years, the relatively high Australian dollar has resulted in reduced exports of Australian wild-caught prawns. This • ECOTF ecological risk assessment findings has increased their supply on the domestic market Comments suppressing Bay Prawn prices and returns to fishers.

The Greasyback Prawn (or ‘Bay Prawn’) is harvested The annual RIBTF catch rate is generally higher and commercially in both Queensland and NSW trawl more variable than the ECOTF catch rate, which has fisheries. The Queensland harvest is typically much been remarkably stable from 1988 until 2008. From higher than NSW (438 t cf. 11 t in 2010–11). The term 2009–2011, ECOTF catch rates were exceptional and ‘Bay Prawn’ is a generic marketing term for a mixture of well above previous highs. The RIBTF catch rate since mainly Greasyback Prawns and a minor component of 2009 has been unremarkable y comparison. In 2011, total other penaeid prawn species. The Queensland Bay Bay Prawn landings jumped to 531 t - 70% above the Prawn harvest is taken by otter trawling and beam 2000-10 average, mostly (90%) taken in the ECOTF. trawling. From 1988-1999, about 80% of the Bay Prawn Anecdotal reports indicated that flood-borne debris in landings caught in the ECOTF were from Moreton Bay, Moreton Bay catchments caused interference to beam while 20% were from the RIBTF. From 2000–10 about trawling and reduced catches in the RIBTF throughout 50% of catch was taken in each sector. 2011.

From 2000-10, average annual landings of Bay Prawns The recent ECOTF ecological risk assessment found that were 70% lower than from 1988–1999, mainly due to a Bay Prawns are at low risk of being overfished at 2009 commensurate reduction in otter trawl effort. Annual effort levels, mainly due to protection of juveniles by landings from 2000–10, have generally been steady, inshore closures, gear selectivity (mesh size), the species ranging from 263–344 t (Figure 65). Moreton Bay Bay capacity to withstand fishing mortality and a 60% effort Prawn landings declined from 2006–2010. The declines reduction between 1988–1999 and 2000–09 (noting that in catch and effort are largely attributed to reduced combined otter trawl effort and beam trawl effort has profitability due to increased operational costs and decreased by a further 20% since 2009).

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 76

Preliminary research results indicate that abundance of Greasyback Prawns in Moreton Bay increased from Beam trawl catch Otter trawl catch 2000-10 (Courtney et al. 2012), resulting in increased 800 Beam trawl catch rate Otter trawl catch rate 150 catches (Figure 65). This study also found that freshwater 600 flow into Moreton Bay from the Brisbane River in the ) 100 preceding month had a strong positive influence on 400 Greasyback Prawn catches, and that slight long-term

Catch (tonnes) Catch 50 Catch rate (kg/day rate Catch declines in abundance can be expected due to warming 200 coastal waters associated with climate change.

0 0

7 9 1 3 5 7 Although Bay Prawns have received relatively little 88 90 08 10 989 991 993 995 004 006 19 1 19 1 19921 19941 1996199 1998199 2000200 2002200 2 200 2 200 20 200920 2011 research attention, they are unlikely to be overfished in Figure 65: Commercial Bay Prawn catch and catch rate for southeast Queensland. This may be attributed to their ECOTF otter trawling and RIBTF beam trawling from 1988– very high abundance in coastal rivers and Moreton Bay, 2011. combined with reduced demand for the species, due to the prevailing economic and marketing conditions. Their high abundance is related to extended spawning (Courtney and Masel 1997) and recruitment (Courtney et al. 1995), which occur for 7–8 months each year

Future assessment needs

Further monitoring is required to confirm the species composition of Bay Prawn catches, particularly in Moreton Bay. Explicit spatial definition of the Greasyback Prawn fishery stock would be beneficial for reliability of catch rate analysis as a representative measure of abundance.

Further reading 0 0

Campbell, AB, O’Neill, MF, Sumpton, W, Kirkwood, J & Wesche, 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 S 2009, ‘Stock assessment summary of the Queensland Figure 77: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate of Snapper, reported in logbooks 1998 –2011. Snapper fishery (Australia) and management strategies for improving sustainability’, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Brisbane.

Recreational Commercial Charter 30 2009 2009 2009

30 2010 2010 2010

0 Percentage of catch

30 2011 2011 2011

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20+ 2 4 6 810 12 14 16 18 20+ 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20+ Age Group (years)

Figure 78: Age frequency of Snapper harvested by recreational, commercial and charter sectors, 2009–2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 94

Snapper–Crimson (Lutjanus erythropterus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF)/ Recreational Justification Commercial harvest decreased to around 15 t in 2010–11. There is some published information regarding length and mortality estimates from the Great Barrier Reef region from the late 1990s, however more age, sex and updated recreational catch information is required. Species-level recording of commercial catch was introduced in logbooks in 2007; however, the species is grouped with Saddletail Snapper in the current recreational fishing survey. There are suspected increases in catch efficiency with increasing affordability of advanced technology (sounders, GPS, radar and sonar). There is high discard mortality (60%) for this relatively long-lived species.

FutureFuture assessment needs Information souurrcesces Currently, there is limited biological information available •• CommerciCommerciaal logbogbooklol catchcatcok andanh d effort rrelatingelating to Crimson Snapper on the east coast. More •• TTootal allotal allowwaablblee catch (T (TAC)AC) for Red SnappppeerrssSna independent information is required to validate logbooks. •• RecreRecreaationtional caacal tch estimates

•• Charter lCharter logogbbooookk catch and effoorteff rt Crimson Snp Nannygai - unsp. Catch rate (kg/day)

•• PerformancPerformance measuresmeasure es 35 70

•• PublPublisheished locd locaall biologicogicaalbiol infoorrmmationinfl ation 30 60 Comments 25 50 (t) 20 40 In 2004, CrimsCrimson SnappppeerSnaon r catch wwaas incllududeeddincs as part of Catch 15 30

the commercicommerciaall other specieesspeci ‘s ‘OOS’S’ quota. CatcchCat h of atch rate (kg/day) C Crimson SCrimson Snapnapper in the eaasteper coast linst line fisherriesfishee ies has 10 20 increincreaased fromsed from 820 kg in 2002005–05–06 to just ov6 overer 15 t in 5 10 2012010–0–11 (Figurigure(F11 e 79). Since ththe introductiouctionnintrode of the LF05LFthe 05 0 0 loglogbook ibook inn 20 200077, reportin, reportingg of ‘ ‘nannannnyyggaai-ui-unnspspecifieecified’d’

catches havhave deecreascreasedde ed from apprapprooxximateimatellyy 20 t to less 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 than 1 t. Crimson SnaSnappppeerr attracts a beach price of Figure 79: Commercial catch (t) of Crimson Snapper (east betbetwweeen $en $8–18–10/kg.0/kg. coast), reported in logbooks 2000–01 to 2010–11. Prior to the introduction of the new logbook in 2007, some catch may be Estimates of recreatiorecreational hnal haarvrvestest of ‘Red Snappappers’Sn ers’ on reported as ‘nannygai-unspecified’. the east coast iinn 201 2010,0, wwhhicich ih innclucludes haarvesrvesthdes t of SaddSaddletailetaill Sna Snapper (dpper (due to idue identificatientification isson issues),ues), wwaass ## arouaround 6nd 655 000 fish. Charter hhaarvest in 20rvest 201010–11–11 wwaas 2 t, dodowwnn from 5 t i inn 200 2009–9–10.10. Of the 61 dthe daayys that Fs Fiisheriessheries Observers conconducted inniducted the e eaastst coast line fifishersheriieess in 2012011, onl1, only ty twwoo Crimson SCrimson Snapnapperper wweerree recor recordedded harvested.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 95

Snapper–Crimson (Lutjanus erythropterus) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery (GOCDFFTF) / Gulf of Carpentaria Line Fishery (GOCLF) Justification Catch has fallen slightly from peaks in 2007 and 2008. The total mortality estimate (Z) is low but is reliant on small sample size at this stage. The Fisheries Observer Program has reported smaller fish being now caught in the Gulf. Stock status remains uncertain because differences between standardised and non-standardised catch rate have not been reconciled.

considered. The total mortality estimate (Z) is low but is Information sources reliant on a small sample size. Performance measures • Commercial logbook catch and effort relating to incremental declines in catch rates for the • Total allowable catch (TAC) for red Snappers species in the GOCDFFTF did not trigger in 2011.

• Recreational catch estimates Future assessment needs

• Charter logbook catch and effort The recommendations from the FRDC project (O’Neill • Performance measures et al. 2011) will be considered by Fisheries Queensland in conjunction with the WA and NT fisheries agencies. A • Fishery-dependent length and age information (2004– monitoring program is planned to be established by 06 and 2009) commercial operators with the expected availability of • Published local biological information data in 2013.

Comments Further reading

Crimson Snapper continues to be the main red Snapper O’Neill, MF, Leigh, GM, Martin, JM, Newman, SJ, Chambers, M, species harvested, comprising 40% of the total catch by Dichmont, CM & Buckworth, RC 2011, Sustaining productivity of weight (249 t in 2011) in the GOCDFFTF (Figure 80). It is tropical Red Snappers using new monitoring and reference also a by-product species in the Gulf of Carpentaria Line points, vol. FRDC Project No: 2009/037, The State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Fishery (GOCLF). Development and Innovation. Fisheries Queensland finalised FRDC project 2009/037

'Sustaining productivity of tropical red Snapper using new GOCDFFTF GOCLF GOCDFFTF CPUE monitoring and reference points' in 2011. The project 400 1200 350 reviewed and developed methods for monitoring and 1000 y)

300 a managing fishing activity according to the biological and ) /d (t

800 g hc economic conditions of red Snapper (i.e. Crimson 250 ( k te a rh a Snapper, Saddletail Snapper and Red Emperor) fisheries. Cat 200 600

150 tc

The report found standardised catch rates were aC 400 depressed during the period 2007−09. This conflicts with 100 200 steady long term nominal catch rate trends (Figure 80). 50

Crimson Snapper are a schooling species and may be 0 0 susceptible to hyperstability. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Minimal local biological data was available. Age based catch curves were considered from Fry and Milton (2009), Figure 80: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates of Crimson Snapper (GOC) caught by trawl and line, reported in logbooks from fish collected 1990–2003. Length information from 2003–2011. the FOP sampled from 2004–2006 and in 2009 was Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 96

Snapper–Goldband (Pristipomoides multidens) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) / Deep Water Fin Fish Fishery (DWFFF) Justification Commercial harvest is historically between 30–60 t per year. No recreational estimate is available for this species. It is unknown if there is a single stock or separate stocks on the east coast. Some otoliths have been collected but have not been aged. This species is also currently monitored as a key ‘other species’ (OS) through the Performance Measurement System (PMS).

Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort This species is unlikely to be a priority for specific

• Other species ‘OS’ quota usage monitoring at this stage, resulting in a likely ‘uncertain’ status for some time. • Charter logbook catch

• Performance measures Goldband snapper Jobfish - unspecified 100 Comments 90 80 Goldband Snapper is predominantly a deep water 70 species that may be targeted more readily in the future, 60 with the potential for L1–L3 line fishers utilising 50 mechanical reel technology to target deeper waters. Catch (t) 40 30 Catches have remained relatively steady from 2004–05 20 (when OS quota was introduced) to 2010–11 although 10 the species also may be misreported as ‘jobfish – other’ 0 (Figure 81). The species is potentially slow growing but

information on its biology was considered limited at the 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 time of assessment. It is also unknown if Goldband Figure 81: Commercial catch (t) of Goldband Snapper, reported Snapper on the east coast is made up of a single stock or in logbooks 2000–01 to 2010–11. Some catch of Goldband separate stocks. Snapper may be still reported as ‘jobfish-unspecified’ in the Recreational catch is unquantifiable as catch was logbook. reported as ‘jobfish’ in the last survey (2010). There have been some concerns about species identification over the minimal charter catch reported (<1 t in 2010–11) as the species is thought to be popular in the charter fishery. ‘Jobfish-unspecified’ catch reported in the charter fishery in 2010–11 was approximately 4 t.

Fisheries Queensland will continue to monitor this species through its PMS.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 97

Snapper–Hussar (Lutjanus adetii and L. vitta) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF)/Recreational Justification Commercial catches are currently well below long term average for this species group (~20 t in 2010–11), while recreational catches are much greater. A recently published local biological study from the Great Barrier Reef (Heupel et al. 2009) does not indicate any concerns about the stock between 1995 and 2005. The species is classified as ‘undefined’ because the available data does not allow better stock status resolution. Species complex Pink Hussar (Lutjanus adetii), brownstripe Hussar (Lutjanus vitta)

Information sources Further reading

• Commercial logbook catch and effort Heupel, MR, Currey, LM, Williams, AJ, Simpfendorfer, CA, Ballagh, AC and Penny, AL 2009, ‘The Comparative Biology of • Other species ‘OS’ quota usage Lutjanid Species on the Great Barrier Reef’, Project Milestone • Recreational catch estimates Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited, Cairns. • Charter logbook catch and effort

• Fishery-independent length information Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) • Performance measures 100 60

• Published local biological information 80 50 Comments 40 60 Commercial catch levels have decreased since quota 30 Catch (t) 40 was introduced in 2004 (80 t to 20 t) (Figure 82). There is 20 potential for the commercial catch to increase if the ‘OS’ Catch rate (kg/day) 20 10 quota component is more fully utilised (currently 47% of quota). For the purpose of future reporting of status, the 0 0 two species will remain grouped as Hussar spp.

Recreational catch estimates from the Statewide 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Recreational Fishing Survey conducted in 2010 indicate Figure 82: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate of Hussar, that approximately ##65 000 were harvested in that year. reported in logbooks 2000–01 to 2010–11.

Future assessment needs

This species is unlikely to be a priority for specific monitoring at this stage. There may be potential for further assessment through research projects on lutjanids on the Great Barrier Reef.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 98

Snapper–Rosy (Pristipomoides filamentosus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) / Deep Water Fin Fish Fishery (DWFFF) Justification Catch for this species remains low (<10 t), with some catch still likely reported in logbooks as ‘Jobfish – unspecified’. No biological information available. This species is currently monitored as a key OS species through the Performance Measurement System (PMS). Further reading Information sources Langi, VA & Langi, SA 1989, ‘Indicators of fishing pressure in the • Commercial logbook catch and effort deepsea Snapper fishery of the Kingdom of Tonga’, Fishbyte, • Other species ‘OS’ quota usage vol. 7, pp.15–17. • Charter logbook catch Mees, CC 1993, ‘Population biology and stock assessment of • Performance measures Pristipomoides filamentosus on the Mahe Plateau, Seychelles, Journal of Fish Biology, vol. 43, pp.695–708. • Published international biological information Polovina, JJ & Ralston, S (eds) 1987, ‘Tropical Snappers and Comments Groupers’, Biology and Fisheries Management, Westview Press, Rosy Snapper (Pristipomoides filamentosus) are caught Colorado. by handline and dropline in Queensland and, in some years, make up a significant proportion of the catch of the 60 deep water fishery. The high catch rates of Rosy Snapper 50 in particular areas might be due to their tendency to aggregate in large shoals in up-current localities 40 (Mees 1993). The maximum reported length is 90 cm 30 Catch (t) total length (TL) (maturing at 35–50 cm TL; Polovina & 20

Ralston 1987) and the maximum reported age is 30 10 years. The potential vulnerability of Rosy Snapper to 0 overexploitation has been shown in Samoa, where commercial development of a multiple hook fishery saw a subsequent depletion of Rosy Snapper over the 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 seamounts and large fish (over 61 cm) had disappeared Figure 83: Commercial catch (t) of Rosy Snapper, reported in in just nine years (Langi & Langi 1989). logbooks 2000–01 to 2010–11. Some catch of Rosy Snapper may be still reported as ‘jobfish-unspecified’ in the logbook. There has been minimal commercial catch reported with much reduced effort in Queensland since 2005 (Figure 83) and as such, there are no sustainability concerns at present.

Future assessment needs

This species is currently monitored as a key OS species through the Performance Measurement System (PMS).

Although there is limited biological information available on this species, it is not considered a priority species for monitoring at this stage.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 99

Snapper–Saddletail (Lutjanus malabaricus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) / Deep Water Fin Fish Fishery (DWFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial harvest remains about half that of pre-quota levels (~50 t). Similar to the Crimson Snapper, there is some older published information for this species, but current biological information is needed. There is high discard mortality (60%) for this relatively long-lived species. Recreational catches are now better quantified but data remains insufficient to determine stock status.

Future assessment needs Information sources Basic biological information including length and age • Commercial logbook catch and effort structures is needed to move this species out of an • Other species ‘OS’ quota usage ‘uncertain’ category. Discard mortality is believed to be • Recreational catch estimates high for this species. Independent observer data would

• Charter logbook catch and effort help to validate catches, including undersized bycatch, which is not reported in logbooks. This species is • Performance measures monitored as a key OS species in the performance Comments measurement system.

Commercial Saddletail Snapper, ‘large mouth nannygai’ Saddletail Snp Nannygai-Unsp. or ‘nannygai-unspecified’ catches are less than half of the Catch rate (kg/day) Dory catch rate (kg/day) pre-quota levels (138 t in 2000–01 to 54 t in 2009–10, 140 180 160 120 ) Figure 84). Since the LF05 logbook was introduced to the 140 ya /d ) 100 t ( t CRFFF in 2007, reporting of ‘nannygai-unspecified’ has 120 gk h ( ct 80 100 dropped from 18 t in 2006–07, to less than 250 kg in te a Ca 60 80 rh 2010–11. 60 tc 40 a 40 C Updated recreational harvest estimates showed a 20 20 # decrease from 82 000 fish in 2000, to 69 000 fish in 0 0 2010. However, a proportion of ‘tropical Snappers– unspecified’ in the 2000 survey may have been Saddletail 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Snapper. Figure 84: Commercial catch (t) of Saddletail Snapper (east There is currently no fishery-dependent biological coast), reported in logbooks 2000–01 to 2010–11. information available for this stock on the east coast.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 100

Snapper–Saddletail (Lutjanus malabaricus) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery (GOCDFFTF) / Gulf of Carpentaria Line Fishery (GOCLF) Justification Effort has increased in the fishery and there is variability in some indicators that lead to the stock being classified as ‘uncertain’. Performance measures relating to incremental declines were not triggered. Biological information would assist in reducing the uncertainty associated with this stock.

Fisheries Queensland finalised the FRDC project Information sources 2009/037 'Sustaining productivity of tropical red Snapper • Commercial logbook catch and effort using new monitoring and reference points' in 2011. The • Total allowable catch (TAC) for red Snappers project reviewed and developed methods and data tools required for monitoring and managing fishing activity • Recreational catch estimates according to the biological and economic conditions of • Charter logbook catch and effort the red Snapper (i.e. Crimson Snapper, Saddletail • Performance measures Snapper and Red Emperor) fisheries. The report found

• Fisheries Observer Program (FOP) data (2004–06) that while the species does not appear to be overfished, Gulf lutjanid populations may be susceptible to Comments overfishing and the standardised catch rate is slightly In 2009, a record 229 t of Saddletail Snapper was depressed relative to the long term average. reported in the GOCDFFTF (Figure 85). There was a Further reading significant decrease in catch in the GOCLF from 10 t in O’Neill, MF, Leigh, GM, Martin, JM, Newman, SJ, Chambers, M, 2008 to 4 t in 2010. The 2010 recreational fishing survey Dichmont, CM & Buckworth, RC 2011, Sustaining productivity of estimate for Saddletail Snapper harvest had a high tropical red Snappers using new monitoring and reference points, vol. FRDC Project No: 2009/037, The State of relative standard error (58%), because of the low Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic numbers caught. None were reported caught in 2000, Development and Innovation. possibly as a result of identification issues. GOCDFFTF catch (t) GOCLF catch (t) Length information is available from the FOP in the Gulf 250 GOCDFFTF catch rate (kg/day) 1000 from north and south regions sampled between 2004 and 2006 and in 2009. Performance measures relating to 200 800 incremental declines in catch rates for the species in the 150 600 GOCDFFTF did not trigger in 2010.

Future assessment needs (t) Catch 100 400

Other biological information including age, sex ratios and 50 200 Catch rate (kg/day) growth curves would assist in reducing the uncertainty 0 0 associated with this species. Discard mortality is believed

to be high for this species. Additional observer coverage 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 would help to validate catches, including undersized Figure 85: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of bycatch which is not reported in the logbooks. Saddletail Snapper (GOC), reported in logbooks 2003 to 2010.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 101

Snapper–Stripey (Lutjanus carponotatus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) Justification There have been increased commercial landings of this species from 20 t in 2004–05 to approximately 50–60 t from 2007–08 to 2010–11, which could be reflective of shifts in fisher targeting behaviour and more specific species reporting. Recreational catches have decreased significantly between 2000 and 2010. Available length and age distributions for stripey populations in the Great Barrier Reef do not indicate any sustainability concerns (Heupel et al. 2009). This species is generally not susceptible to hook and line until they reach larger legal sizes, when they are sexually mature. This species will continue to be monitored through the Performance Measurement System (PMS) for the CRFFF.

Future assessment needs Information sources Further data collection should be conducted to obtain • Commercial logbook catch and effort more recent length composition and age estimates by • Other species (OS) quota usage sector. This species will continue to be monitored through • Recreational catch estimates the PMS for the CRFFF. It is unlikely that Fisheries • Charter logbook catch and effort Queensland will be undertaking any additional monitoring • Fishery-independent length information on the species at this stage. • Performance measures Further reading • Published local biological information Heupel, MR, Currey, LM, Williams, AJ, Simpfendorfer, CA, Comments Ballagh, AC & Penny, AL 2009, ‘The Comparative Biology of Lutjanid Species on the Great Barrier Reef’, Project Milestone Commercial catch levels increased following the Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited, Cairns. introduction of quota in 2004 (from 5 t to 50 t) (Figure 86). Some of the increase may be attributed to new logbooks Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) Dory catch rate (kg/day) specifying the species. 70 10 60 Updated recreational harvest from the 2010 statewide 8 50 recreational survey showed a decrease in recreational

6 kg/ catch from around 53 000 fish in 2000, to just under 40 30 25 000 fish in 2010. Stripeys are likely to be caught when Catch (t) 4 fishers target Coral Trout, which contributes to their high 20 2 ( rate Catch day) catches. 10

Stripey Snapper length, age, sex ratio and mortality 0 0 estimate data from a Marine and Tropical Sciences

Research Facility (MTSRF) project on lutjanids was 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 considered, although information presented in the Figure 86: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of publication was grouped for the 11-year period. Stripey Snapper, reported in logbooks 2000–01 to 2010–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 102

Squid–Pencil (Uroteuthis spp.) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF) / Recreational Justification The Queensland commercial squid harvest, 95% of which is from trawling, is predominantly made up of Pencil Squid (Uroteuthis spp.). Some Pencil Squid are also taken recreationally but catches are negligible compared to the trawl catch. Queensland and New South Wales fisheries catch the same Pencil Squid species. Better understanding of stock recruitment patterns and market dynamics are needed before a more definitive classification of the stock can be made.

Information sources being overfished at 2009 effort levels, there is no reliable measure of abundance or stock recruitment relationship • Commercial logbook catch and effort developed to confidently interpret catch trends for this • Recreational catch estimates species. The current status of the Queensland Pencil • Charter logbook catch and effort Squid stock is “undefined” - the same as in 2011. • Performance measures Future assessment needs • Published biological information • ECOTF ecological risk assessment findings Analysis of catch (retained and discarded) and effort data from high catching areas in the ECOTF would be a Comments valuable interpretive tool to assess the sustainability Pencil Squid are an incidental component of the catch in status of Pencil Squid species. Better understanding of Queensland trawl fisheries. Approximately 95% of the stock recruitment patterns and market dynamics are Queensland commercial Pencil Squid catch is taken in necessary to ascertain whether low catches since 2005 the ECOTF; the other 5% is taken in trawls and Danish are due to lower abundance or market share giving way seine nets targeting Stout Whiting and in river and to cheap imported squid. inshore beam trawls. The total Pencil Squid catch in 2011 Further reading was 72 t (Figure 87). The annual ECOTF squid catch is variable averaging 167 t from 1990-2005, but has since Rowling, K, Hegarty, A & Ives, M, (eds) 2010, ‘Broad Squid remained at historically low levels, averaging 69 t. The (Uroteuthis etheridgei)’, pp.53–55, in Status of Fisheries number of boats reporting squid catch declined steadily Resources in NSW 2008/09, Industry & Investment NSW, from 2003-08 but has stabilised at ~ 200 in recent years Cronulla. (Figure 87). 250 500 Compared to the Queensland commercial harvest, the Catch Boats 200 400 Queensland recreational squid harvest is negligible with less than 2 t harvested in 2010. The reported charter boat 150 300

catch of squid is also negligible. Catch (t) 100 200 Number of Boats Boats of Number Pencil Squid are also harvested in New South Wales, 50 100 where commercial and recreational fisheries catch 0 0

approximately equal quantities; the commercial fishery 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 landed 10 t in 2010/11. Commercial landings have been Figure 87: Total commercial otter trawl catch (t) and number of stable in recent years and there are no concerns about boats reporting Pencil Squid reported in logbooks 1990–2011. the sustainability of the stock.

While the recent ECOTF ecological risk assessment found no more than an intermediate risk of Pencil Squid

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 103

Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) / Recreational Justification The Tailor stock is shared with New South Wales and is considered sustainably fished. Commercial catch and catch rates in 2010–11 were stable. Performance measures for the commercial sector did not trigger in 2010–11. Estimates of recreational harvest indicate a large decrease in the recreational take since 2000, triggering the performance measure. Estimates of total mortality from Fishery-dependent biological sampling are below the threshold of twice the natural mortality. The findings provide evidence that the management measures progressively introduced since 2002 are having a positive effect in rebuilding the stock.

Information sources evident in the length and age frequency of the sampled population is the positive effect increasing the minimum • Commercial logbook catch and effort legal size from 30 to 35 cm, introduced in March 2010, • Recreational harvest estimates has had on the stock. This new MLS, set at size-at- • Charter logbook catch and effort maturity, allows a greater proportion of the population to • Performance measures spawn before they are recruited into the fishery. The • Fishery-dependent length and age information (1999– range of management measures introduced since 2002 2011) appears to be effective in maintaining acceptable total • Published local biological information mortality estimates. The estimate of total mortality for • Stock assessment (2009, data to 2008) Tailor in 2011 did not exceed the threshold level of twice the natural mortality rate. This level of fishing pressure is Comments unlikely to lead to overfishing of the stock. Commercial catch and catch rates are stable and within Future assessment needs historical bounds post management intervention in 2002 (Figure 88). Performance measures for the commercial Stock status certainty will be improved by an update to sector did not trigger in 2010–11. The 2010 SWRFS the 2010 joint Queensland–New South Wales stock indicated recreational harvest had reduced by 66% from assessment for Tailor. 578 000 fish (410 t) in 2000 to 198 000 fish (140 t) in 2010. This decrease triggered the recreational harvest Line (t) Net (t) Quota Net catch rate (kg/day) performance measure. The drop is not fully unexpected Net catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 300 140 given the range of management measures aimed at 120 decreasing fishing mortality introduced since 2000 which 250 100 include bag limits, seasonal closures and increasing the 200 minimum legal size. The SWRFS estimated a 22% drop 80 Catch (t) 150 in fishing effort in the regions where harvest occurs which 60 100 may also help explain some of the decrease. The stock is 40 shared with NSW which assessed Tailor as Fully Fished 50 20 net/day) (kg/100m rate Catch in 2011. The above evidence suggests that the biomass 0 0 of the stock is being sustainably fished.

Fishery-dependent monitoring of length and age 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 composition information for Tailor indicates a healthy Figure 88: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates of Tailor, stock with a comprehensive span of age groups now reported in logbooks 2001–02 to 2009–10. evident in the sampled population (Figure 89). Also Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 104

Recreational Commercial (Other) Commercial (Ocean Beach) 80 2007 2007 2007 60 40 20 0

80 2008 2008 2008 60 40 20 0 a 80 2009 2009 2009 60 40 20 0 erc

P80 entage of c tch 2010 2010 2010 60 40 20 0

80 2011 2011 2011 60 40 20 0 0123456 0123456 0123456 Age Group (years) Figure 89: Age frequency of Tailor harvested each year (2007 to 2011) by Recreational, Commercial (Ocean Beach) and Commercial (Other) sectors. Commercial (Ocean Beach) sector includes harvest along ocean beaches using haul nets while Commercial (Other) sector includes harvest at locations other than ocean beaches using haul, gill and tunnel nets.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 105

Teraglin (Atractoscion aequidens) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF) / Recreational Justification Commercial catches have been relatively stable the last few years and the catch performance measure was not triggered. There is some concern over lack of larger fish in the population based on fishery-dependent sampling data however insufficient biological data is available to clarify stock status. Teraglin is currently being assessed as part of a FRDC project on the fishery.

Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort Otoliths have been collected opportunistically as part of

• Recreational catch estimates the fishery-dependent sampling. Age and total mortality estimates will be available in 2013. • Charter logbook catch and effort A three-year FRDC funded project to address some of • Fishery-dependent length information (2009–11) the knowledge gaps in the rocky reef fishery began in • Performance measures early 2009. The research is examining the important Comments areas of juvenile habitat of rocky reef fish species in southern Queensland as well as assessing various The catch of Teraglin increased from <5 t to 29 t in 2005, harvest strategies for the fishery. Key growth, which may be an artefact of logbook changes. The reproductive, and other fisheries parameters are being commercial catch has now stabilized to approximately derived for Pearl Perch and Teraglin. 10–20 t over the past few years (Figure 90). The performance measure relating to Teraglin catch was not Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) 35 60 triggered in 2011. 30 Teraglin is consistently targeted in the charter fishery. 50 25 The 2010 recreational fishing survey estimate for Teraglin 40 harvest is considered unreliable given the low numbers 20 30 reported. Catch (t) 15 20

Length information from Fisheries Queensland’s fishery- 10 (kg/day) rate Catch dependent monitoring in the last three years was 5 10 analysed, but numbers of fish sampled were low and not considered representative of the population. Teraglin has 0 0

a restricted range in southern Queensland, extending 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 from the NSW border north to Rainbow Beach. NSW has Figure 90: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of reported the species as ‘fully fished’, saying that the stock Teraglin, reported in logbooks 1992 to 2011. is susceptible to fishing from commercial fishers and there is a likely significant reduction in the stock, however, more information is required.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 106

Threadfin–Blue (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) Justification Commercial catches and catch rates remained steady in 2011 and within historical levels. Life history characteristics for this species are resilient to fishing pressure. The current minimum legal size (MLS) ensures a good proportion of the stock is protected from fishing. There are no indications of stock declines.

Further reading Information sources Welch, D, Ballagh, A, Newman, SJ, Lester, R, Moore, B, van • Commercial logbook catch and effort Herwerden, L, Horne, J, Allsop, Q, Saunders, T, Stapley, J & • Recreational harvest estimates Gribble, NA 2010, ‘Defining the stock structure of northern Australia’s threadfin salmon species’, final report to Fisheries • Charter logbook catch and effort Research and Development Corporation, Project 2007/032, • Performance measures Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre Technical Report No. 10, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia. Comments

Blue Threadfin catches and catch rates have been Line (t) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) relatively steady over a long time frame (Figure 91). 250 18 Assessment against performance measures in the 16 200 Performance Measurement System (PMS) indicates that 14 there are no declining sustainability trends evident for 12 150 10

Blue Threadfin on the east coast. The SWRFS estimated Catch (t) 8 that recreational fishers harvested approximately 17,000 100 fish (36 t) in 2010. The above evidence suggests that the 6 ra h biomass of the stock is being fished sustainably. 50 4 Catc net/day) (kg/100m te 2

Blue Threadfin are fast growing and early maturing. 0 0 These factors ensure the species receives adequate 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 protection from fishing impacts through a 40 cm MLS and 10 fish in-possession limit for recreational fishers. Recent Figure 91: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates of Blue Threadfin (east coast) caught by net and line, reported in genetic studies have suggested there are multiple logbooks 1992–2011. populations of Blue Threadfin on the east coast, however given its robust life history characteristics it is also likely to be resilient to localised fishing pressures. The current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to lead to overfishing of the stock.

Future assessment needs

There are no identified future assessment needs for this stock.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 107

Threadfin–Blue (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (GOCIFFF) Justification Life history characteristics of this species are resilient to fishing pressure. The current minimum legal size (MLS) ensures a good proportion of the stock is protected from fishing. There are no indications of stock declines.

Information sources The Fisheries Observer Program has collected length data of Blue Threadfin bycatch. When analysed, this data • Commercial logbook catch and effort will be considered in stock status assessment. • Recreational catch estimates Further reading • Charter logbook catch and effort Welch, D, Ballagh, A, Newman, SJ, Lester, R, Moore, B, van • Ecological risk assessment (2004) and 2010 review Herwerden, L, Horne, J, Allsop, Q, Saunders, T, Stapley, J & Comments Gribble, NA 2010, ‘Defining the stock structure of northern Australia’s threadfin salmon species’, final report to Fisheries Commercial catches of Blue Threadfin have been Research and Development Corporation, Project 2007/032, decreasing since 2009, however catch rates have Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre Technical Report No. 10, remained relatively steady (Figure 92). Catches and James Cook University, Townsville, Australia. catch rates remain within historical levels. Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) Blue Threadfin is a minor by-product commercial species 140 14 however they are commonly caught by recreational 120 12 #

anglers. The SWRFS estimated that 13 000 fish were /day) 100 10 harvested in the GOC region by resident anglers in 2010. ) (t Blue Threadfin are fast-growing and mature at a young 80 8 Catch age. These factors ensure the species receives adequate 60 6 protection from fishing impacts through a 40 cm MLS and 40 4 20 fish in-possession limit for recreational fishers. Similar Catch rate (kg/100m net to studies on the east coast, results of recent genetic 20 2 studies of Gulf of Carpentaria Blue Threadfin have 0 0 suggested the existence of multiple populations in the Gulf. However, it is believed that the life history 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 characteristics of Blue Threadfin are likely to increase Figure 92: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate of Blue Threadfin their resilience to localised fishing pressures. (GOC) caught by net, line and QJFA permit reported in logbooks 1992–2011. Future assessment needs

The following information will improve stock status certainty:

• Spatially defined performance measures to be developed to provide early detection of unsustainable localised fishing pressures.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 108

Threadfin–King (Polydactylus macrochir) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF) Justification Total commercial catches of east coast stocks were higher in 2011 and triggered the catch rate performance measure. Catches assessed at the regional stock level indicate that the central region contributed most of the increase in catch rate. No unsustainable harvest trends were detected in the overall or regional commercial harvest. Recent research suggests King Threadfin may have highly localised populations and may be subject to high fishing pressure in some areas. The performance measure for this species is not monitored at a regional level so it is not possible to determine stock status at this time.

Future assessment needs Information sources Spatially defined performance measures to provide early • Commercial logbook catch and effort detection of unsustainable localised fishing pressures. • Recreational harvest estimates Further reading • Charter logbook catch and effort Moore, B, Welch, D & Simpfendorfer, C 2011, 'Spatial patterns in • Performance measures the demography of a large estuarine teleost; King Threadfin, • Recent research (see Further reading) Polydactylus macrochir', Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, vol. 62, pp.937–951. • Published local biological information Welch, D, Ballagh, A, Newman, SJ, Lester, R, Moore, B, van Comments Herwerden, L, Horne, J, Allsop, Q, Saunders, T, Stapley, J & Gribble, NA 2010, ‘Defining the stock structure of northern Recent research suggests King Threadfin may have Australia’s threadfin salmon species’, FRDC Project 2007/032, highly localised populations and may be under increased Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre Technical Report No. 10, fishing pressure in some areas. Less resilient life history James Cook University, Townsville, Australia. characteristics of King Threadfin place this species at a higher risk from fishing impacts. Line (t) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 250 18

Total commercial catches of east coast stocks were 16 higher in 2011(Figure 93) and triggered the catch rate 200 14 performance measure. Catches assessed at the regional 12 stock level indicate that the central region (from 21 to 150 10 24.5° S) contributed most of the increase in catch rate 8

(Figure 94b). No unsustainable harvest trends were Catch (t) 100 6 detected in the overall or regional commercial harvest. 50 4 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) The SWRFS estimated that recreational fishers harvested 2 approximately 6 500 fish (20 t) in 2010. This represents 0 0 less than 10% of the overall catch of King Threadfin. 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 New regionally scaled performance measures are Figure 93: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate of King Threadfin planned to be developed and monitored for the ECIFFF (east coast) caught by net and line, reported in logbooks 1992– to ensure timely detection of potentially unsustainable 2011. harvesting.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 109

a) North of 21°S

90 Line (t) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 20

80 18

70 16 14 60 12 50 10 40 Catch (t) Catch 8 30 6 20 4 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) (kg/100m rate Catch 10 2 0 0 2011 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

b) Central (21° to 24.5°S) Line (t) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 120 30

100 25

80 20

60 15 Catch (t) Catch

40 10

20 5 Catch rate (kg/100m net/day)

0 0 2011 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

c) South of 24.5°S

100 Line (t) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 20 90 18 80 16 day) 70 14

(t) 60 12 50 10 Catch 40 8 30 6 20 4 Catch rate (kg/100m net/ (kg/100m rate Catch 10 2 0 0 2011 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Figure 94: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate of King Threadfin (east coast) caught by net and line as reported in logbooks 1990–2010, broken down into three regions.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 110

Threadfin–King (Polydactylus macrochir) Gulf of Carpentaria

Stock status 2012 Uncertain Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (GOCIFFF) Justification Commercial catches were within historical levels and catch rates increased in 2011. Recent research suggests King Threadfin may have highly localised populations and there may be indications of high fishing pressure in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria (GOC). There is uncertainty in the implications of the research on the stock status of King Threadfin given that the resource exhibits a stable catch history.

Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort The following information will improve stock status

• Recreational harvest estimates certainty:

• Charter logbook catch and effort • A stock assessment.

• Performance measures • Spatially defined performance measures to be

• Ecological risk assessment (2004) and 2010 review developed to provide early detection of unsustainable localised fishing pressures. • Published local biological information

• Recent research Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 500 35 Comments 450 30 400 King Threadfin commercial catches in 2011 were within 350 25 historical levels (between 130 and 461 t) while catch 300 20 rates increased to a historical high (Figure 95). The Catch (t) 250 species is importantly recreationally with the SWRFS 15 200 estimating #5 000 fish were harvested by GOC residents. 150 10

This equates to approximately 17 t which is considered 100 Catch rate(kg/100m net/day) 5 minor (5%) compared to the total commercial harvest. 50

Although catch statistics have been stable for some time, 0 0 recent research suggests King Threadfin may have highly 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 localised populations and may be under increased fishing Figure 95: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate of King Threadfin pressure in some areas (refer to Welsh et al. 2010 in (GOC) caught by net and reported in logbooks 1992–2011. further reading of east coast King Threadfin). The stock status however was determined to be ‘uncertain’ given that there is conflicting information with research suggesting local population concerns while the stock continues to demonstrate a stable commercial catch history. Fisheries Queensland plans to monitor for local fishing impacts through regionally scaled performance measures to be developed for the GOCIFFF.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 111

Trevally (Carangidae) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Undefined Principal fishery Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (RRFFF) /Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) / Gulf of Carpentaria Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (GOCIFFF) / Recreational Justification Trevally species are often difficult to identify, resulting in ‘Trevally–unspecified’ commonly reported through commercial logbooks and recreational diary returns. As such, it is likely that this group will remain as a species complex for some time. Commercial catches of Trevally have remained relatively stable over the past decade in both the line and net fisheries. There is no current biological monitoring of Trevally in Queensland. New estimates from the Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey confirm the importance of these species to that sector.

Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort The Trevally (all species combined) net catch is currently

• Recreational catch estimates monitored through the ECIFFF performance measurement system. Given that there are currently no • Charter logbook catch and effort sustainability concerns for Trevally it is unlikely that any • Performance Measurement System further monitoring will be undertaken in the foreseeable

Comments future.

Given the difficulty in accurately identifying species of Net Line Trevally, this group will likely remain as a species 280 complex for some time. Commercially, Trevally are 240 caught in the line and net fisheries, with harvest of 200 ‘Trevally–unspecified’ collectively between 160–240 t per 160 year (Figure 96). Trevally is also a popular recreational Catch (t) 120 species, and updated recreational harvest from the 2010 statewide recreational survey showed a recreational 80 catch of around 74 000 (15% RSE) fish. 40 0 The stock status was determined as ‘undefined’ given the

species complex, which is most likely predominantly 02-03 999-00 000-01 001-02 made up of four species, including (but not limited to) 1 2 2 20 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus), Giant Trevally Figure 96: Line (RRFFF and CRFFF) and net (ECIFFF) commercial catch of Trevally, reported in logbooks 1999–00 to (Caranx ignoblis), Golden Trevally (Gnathanodon 2010–11. speciosus) and Silver Trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex).

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 112

Trochus (Trochus niloticus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Not fully utilised Stock status 2011 Not fully utilised Principal fishery East Coast Trochus Fishery (ECTF) Justification Market demand for Trochus shell and meat is very poor. Prices paid to the harvester barely meet the cost of production. Consequently there was no commercial effort in this fishery in 2010–11. Performance measures designed to detect localised depletion were not triggered. The fishery has a history of sustained higher catch levels. With no harvest in 2010–11, Trochus is considered to be not fully utilised.

Future assessment needs Information sources There are no identified future assessment needs for the • Commercial logbook catch and effort Trochus resource while commercial interest, market • Quota catch reporting demand and harvest levels remain low. • Performance measures There was no annual report produced for the ECTF in Comments 2010–11 however reports are available for previous years. Trochus shell is utilised both domestically and internationally in the manufacture of jewellery, buttons, Further reading ornaments and cosmetics. Trochus meat is of secondary Woodhams, J, Stobutzki, I, Vieira, S, Curtotti, R & Begg GA importance to the shell. Total annual harvest has (eds) 2011, Fishery status reports 2010: status of fish stocks and remained below the commercial total allowable catch fisheries managed by the Australian Government, Australian (TAC) of 250 t, with the greatest annual harvest of Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, approximately 223 t in the 1997–98 financial year. There Canberra. was no harvest in 2010–11 (Figure 97), reflecting the Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/day) depressed prices and decreased demand for Trochus. 200 1000 The fishery is tracked annually through performance measures to ensure localised unsustainable harvesting is 160 800 detected. 120 600 Trochus is also harvested in the adjacent, 80 400

Commonwealth-managed Torres Strait fishery, where Catch (t) atch ra atch similar low levels of harvest were reported in 2010. In its 40 200 C (kg/day) te recent stock status determination, the Commonwealth 0 0 concluded that the overfished status for Trochus was ‘uncertain’ while the stock was ‘not subject to overfishing’

(see Further reading). 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

With such low harvest levels in Queensland waters, Figure 97: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (kg/day) of Trochus was considered to be not fully utilised in Trochus, reported in logbooks 2003–04 to 2010–11. 2010–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 113

Tropical Rocklobster (Panulirus ornatus) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Not assessed Principal fishery Commercial Crayfish and Rocklobster Fishery (CCRF) / Recreational Justification Commercial harvest in 2011 was 75% of the 195 t total allowable catch (TAC) introduced in 2009. Adjusted catch rate in 2011 was well above the performance measure threshold level and the stock is considered ‘sustainably fished’. The lower catch levels in 2011 are not a concern and resulted from lower participation levels. A proportion of the dual endorsed fleet moved north into the adjacent Australian Government-managed Torres Strait fishery to take advantage of better catch rates for Tropical Rocklobsters in 2011.

Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort A Management Strategy Evaluation model is currently

• Recreational catch estimates being developed by CSIRO to assess various quota management options for both the Torres Strait and east • Performance measures coast stock. Results are expected to provide a more • Resource assessments (Pitcher et al. 2005; Turnbull robust estimate of the east coast stock size. 2008) Further reading Comments Pitcher, CR, Turnbull, CT, Atfield, J, Griffin, D, Dennis, D & Commercial catches and catch rates increased slightly in Skewes, T 2005, ‘Biology, larval transport modelling and 2011 (Figure 98). In 2009, management changes of the commercial logbook data analysis to support management of the NE Queensland rock lobster Panulirus ornatus fishery’, report to CCRF included a TAC of 195 t, based on a conservative Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, project 80% of the estimated maximum sustainable yield (MSY) 2002/008, CSIRO Marine Research, Cleveland. for the east coast resource. The CCRF is characterised Turnbull, CT 2008 'Report to the ECTRL WG on modifications to by a highly mobile fleet with the majority of boats able to the assessment process, July 2008, Updated August 2008' an move between the east coast and the Australian internal report to the East Coast Tropical Rock Lobster Working government-managed Torres Strait fishery. A proportion Group, Fisheries Queensland. of the east coast fleet fished the 2011 season in the Catch (t) adjacent Torres Strait, which explains the comparatively Catch rate (kg/tender day) Standardised catch rate reduced catches on the east coast that year. Given the 300 80 lower catch levels were related to lower participation 70 250 levels and the total harvest was below the TAC, Tropical 60 200 Rocklobster is considered to be ‘sustainably fished’. 50 150 40

Tropical Rocklobster in northern Australia, Torres Strait Catch (t) 30 and Papua New Guinea are considered to comprise a 100 single stock (see Pitcher et al. 2005). Tropical 20 50 Rocklobster resources in the adjacent Torres Strait 10 day) (kg/tender rate Catch fishery were assessed as ‘not overfished’ and ‘not subject 0 0 to overfishing’ in 2010. 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 2010 2011 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

Figure 98: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates (kg/tender day) of Tropical Rocklobster, reported in logbooks 2000–11.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 114

Tuskfish (Choerodon spp.) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Undefined Stock status 2011 Uncertain Principal fishery Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) / Recreational Justification Catches are returning to pre-quota levels recently (~20 t). There are no current indications of sustainability issues. The majority of Tuskfish catch is recorded as Tuskfish–unspecified in the logbooks. Identifying shifts in Other Species (OS) targeting would aid in calculating appropriate catch rate parameters.

Information sources Future assessment needs

• Commercial logbook catch and effort The updated recreational estimate is important to

• Other species (OS) quota usage determining if further monitoring for this species is warranted in the future. • Recreational catch estimates

• Charter logbook catch

Tuskfish - venus Tuskfish - unsp. • Fishery-independent length information(2005–09) 30 • Performance measures 25 Comments 20 Commercial catch levels decreased when quota was 15 introduced in 2004 (27 t to 12 t). However, in 2010–11 Catch (t) catch levels returned to pre-quota levels of around 20 t 10

(Figure 99). The majority of Tuskfish is reported as 5 ‘Tuskfish–unspecified’, but small catches of Venus 0 Tuskfish and Blue Tuskfish are reported.

Charter catch has been historically stable at around 30 t 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 for unspecified Tuskfish, and 8 t for Venus Tuskfish. Figure 99: Commercial catch (t) of Tuskfish reported in logbooks, Updated recreational estimates from the 2010 statewide 2000–01 to 2010–11. recreational survey showed around #34 000 Tuskfish were harvested in 2010. There is limited local biological information available to calculate an accurate numbers- to-weights conversion for the recreational estimate. The Long Term Monitoring Program has collected and analysed some length frequency information for Tuskfish since 2005, but sample sizes are small (<60 fish/year).

Although there are currently no sustainability concerns for these species, it has been noted that post-release mortality for Tuskfish may be high. This species is not a priority for further independent monitoring, and will continue to be assessed through the performance measures and stock status process annually.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 115

Whiting–Sand (Sillago ciliata) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery (ECIFFF)/ Recreational Justification Commercial catches and catch rates of Sand Whiting decreased in 2011 but are within historical levels. There is a comprehensive span of ages and lengths in the sampled population and it is evident that reasonable recruitment is occurring. Total mortality trends are steady around the threshold level.

Information sources In 2000, 23% of the population aged 5 years and above fished recreationally while in 2010 only 17% of the • Commercial logbook catch and effort population participated in recreational fishing. The • Recreational harvest estimates SWRFS also estimated a 22% drop in the fishing effort in • Charter logbook catch and effort the southern regions where the majority of harvest • Performance measures occurs. This drop may account for some of the decline in • Fishery-dependent length and age information Sand Whiting recreational harvest. (2007–11) Notwithstanding the recreational catch decrease, the • Published local biological information combination of a stable commercial catch history, Comments acceptable total mortality estimates, a minimum legal size

Sand Whiting is a key species commercially and and an in possession limit suggests that the current level recreationally. Commercial catches (260 t) and catch of fishing mortality is unlikely to lead to overfishing of the rates decreased in 2011 (Figure 100), however catch- Sand Whiting stock in Queensland. related performance measures were not triggered. Future assessment needs Although Sand Whiting is caught along the Queensland The following information will improve stock status coast, the majority of commercial harvest comes from certainty: south of Baffle Creek near Bundaberg. • A stock assessment of Sand Whiting Fishery-dependent monitoring of commercial and recreational catches in the main fishery area indicates • Separation of Sand Whiting from other whiting in that total mortality trends are steady around the threshold commercial fisher logbooks. level of twice the natural mortality (Figure 101). Age and • Separation of catch and catch rates to account for length data indicate a stable stock with good recruitment regional differences. (Figure 102). • Long term trends in recreational fishing club catches The SWRFS estimated that approximately 656 000 fish and catch rates. (119 t) were harvested recreationally in 2010. This is a Further reading large decrease from the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (NRIFS) estimate of between Kerby, BM & Brown, IW 1994, ‘Bream, Whiting and Flathead in south east Queensland: a review of the literature’, Information 2 300 000 and 1 800 000 fish in 2000. The SWRF Survey Series QI94028, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, also noted a decline in the number of Queensland Brisbane. recreational fishers participating in recreational fishing compared with the NRIFS.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 116

Line (t) Net (t) Catch rate (kg/100m net/day) 450 18 1.0

400 16 0.8 350 14 0.6 300 12 0.4 250 10 Performance Measure Threshold (2M) Catch (t) 200 8 0.2 Commer c ial

Total Mortality Rate (Z) Rate Mortality Total Recreational 150 6 0.0

100 4 net/day) (kg/100m rate Catch 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year 50 2 Figure 101: Estimates of the instantaneous rate of total mortality 0 0 (Z) for commercial and recreationally caught Sand Whiting from 2 3 4 5 6 9 0 1 2 03 2007 to 2011. 1997 1998 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 199 199 199 199 199 199 200 200 200 20

Figure 100: Commercial catch (t) and catch rates of Sand Whiting by net and line, reported in logbooks 1992–2011.

Recreational Commercial 60 2007 2007 40 20 0

60 2008 2008 40 20 0

60 2009 2009 40

age of c 20 0

Percent60 atch 2010 2010 40 20 0

60 2011 2011 40 20 0 0123456789101112 0123456789101112 Age Group (years) Figure 102: Age frequencies of Sand Whiting retained from commercial and recreational catches 2007 to 2011.

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 117

Whiting–Stout (Sillago robusta) East Coast

Stock status 2012 Sustainably fished Stock status 2011 Sustainably fished Principal fishery Fin Fish (Stout Whiting) Trawl Fishery (FFTF)

Justification This is a single species stock shared with New South Wales (NSW), although Queensland takes the majority of the landings. Since 2006, total Queensland Stout Whiting landings have been substantially less than the predicted sustainable level upon which the annual total allowable catch (TAC) is based, largely due to economic and other non-biological drivers. While commercial landings and catch rate data are variable, biological monitoring data for the stock are stable, incidence of Stout Whiting bycatch in the ECOTF has been reduced and an absence of concerns about the sustainability of the stock in the NSW fishery, indicate the stock is most likely sustainably fished.

Information sources Fish trawl catch rates have been dominated by two annual peaks followed by gradual declines. The first (pre- • Commercial logbook catch and effort TAC) peak 1993 was followed by a general decline until a • Charter logbook catch and effort second higher peak in 2003. Fish trawl catch rates have • Performance measures generally been in decline since; the 2011 fish trawl catch • Fishery-dependent length and age information rate was in the lowest quartile of annual fish trawl catch (1992–2011) rates. Danish seine catch rates increased steadily from • Stock assessment (2002) 2006 to a 2009 peak, but have declined since. Since • Preliminary ecological risk assessment findings 2008, Danish seine catch rates have been consistently

Comments higher than fish trawl (1.5 times higher in 2011).

Stout Whiting are shared with NSW although Queensland Although it is generally accepted that the Stout Whiting takes the majority share (80% of the average total catch). TAC decision rules are precautionary and have The NSW stock is considered to be ‘moderately fished’. minimised the likelihood of overfishing the stock, from Taking into consideration the status of the Queensland 2006–11 the fishery has consistently caught below the and NSW stock, the fishery is considered ‘sustainably MSY on which the TAC is based. Catch appears to be fished’. In Queensland, Stout Whiting is a commercial driven more by market-led and operational factors species fished exclusively using trawl nets and, since (influenced by weather, fisher experience and 2006, Danish seine nets. management changes) than the species biological capacity to sustain harvesting. Catch-at-length and catch- Catches vary according to the strength of an export at-age frequency distributions sampled from the market for Stout Whiting and peaked in the mid-1990s. commercial catch appear to be unchanged over the long Queensland Stout Whiting catches but have been subject term (1991–2011), indicating that recruitment has not to a TAC limit since 1999. The annual TAC is set before been adversely affected by fishing. There has been no the start of each fishing year using standardised catch- concern raised of changes in the NSW fishery to suggest rates, catch-at-age frequencies and formal decision rules. otherwise. While the TAC increased incrementally from 800 t to 1500 t since 2003, annual landings have varied (range Stout Whiting is a common bycatch species in the 665–1170 t), but have been consistently below the TAC Eastern King Prawn sector of the ECOTF. A Stout (Figure 103). At 665 t, the 2011 Stout Whiting catch was Whiting bycatch estimate built into the 2002 stock the fourth lowest catch on record and 56% below the assessment (O’Neill et al. 2002) was in the order of 1000 TAC. t, but is believed to have declined significantly since mainly due to use of efficient BRDs and lower effort (i.e. a 52% reduction based on a comparison of average annual

Stock status of Queensland’s fisheries resources 2012 118

effort between 2002–2011 and 1991–2001). A parallel Trawl catch Seine net catch Total Allowable Catch decline of effort in the ECOTF Eastern King Prawn sector Trawl catch rate Danish seine catch rate 2500 5 further underlines the finding in the recent ECOTF ecological risk assessment that there is not more than an 2000 4 intermediate risk of Stout Whiting being overfished.

Future assessment needs 1500 3 Catch (tonnes)

Ageing from otoliths is difficult and consistency is hard to 1000 2 maintain. The accuracy of the age distribution of the Stout (tonnes/day) rate Catch

Whiting catch in 2011 was equivocal. This meant there 500 1 was some difficulty in making a valid comparison between 2011 data and other years in the time series. 0 0 Suggestions for ensuring consistency among years 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 include ageing of samples from several years at once. Figure 103: Commercial catch (t) and catch rate (t/day) of Stout An update of the 2002 quantitative stock assessment is Whiting by fish trawl and Danish seine, reported in logbooks proposed for 2013. Estimates of Stout Whiting mortality in 1991–2011. the Eastern King Prawn sector of the ECOTF, the NSW Ocean Trawl Fishery and increased fishing power associated with the recent adoption of Danish seine gear will be considered in the assessment.