Fishery Status Reports 2008
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DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES FISHERY STATUS REPORTS 2008 Fishery Report No. 101 ISSN 1832-7818 Fishery Report No. 101 December 2009 Northern Territory Government Department of Resources GPO Box 3000 Darwin NT 0801 AUSTRALIA © Copyright Northern Territory Government 2009 This work is copyright. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth) no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owners. Nor may information be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission. Disclaimer While all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in the Fishery Status Reports 2008 is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of its information. The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this Fishery Report, or that it is suitable for your intended use. You should not rely upon information in this publication for the purpose of making any serious, business or investment decisions without obtaining independent and/or professional advice in relation to your particular situation. The Northern Territory of Australia disclaims any liability or responsibility or duty of care towards any person for loss or damage caused by any use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication. Bibliography Northern Territory Government (2009). Fishery Status Reports 2008. Department of Resources. Fishery Report No. 101. ISSN 1832-7818 Page ii Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 NT Fisheries – 2008 Highlights .......................................................................................................................... 6 Aquarium Fishery ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Barramundi Fishery .......................................................................................................................................... 19 Coastal Line Fishery ......................................................................................................................................... 33 Coastal Net Fishery .......................................................................................................................................... 41 Demersal Fishery ............................................................................................................................................. 47 Development Fisheries ..................................................................................................................................... 57 Finfish Trawl Fishery ........................................................................................................................................ 59 Mud Crab Fishery ............................................................................................................................................. 67 Offshore Net and Line Fishery ......................................................................................................................... 78 Spanish Mackerel Fishery ................................................................................................................................ 94 Timor Reef Fishery ......................................................................................................................................... 107 Trepang Fishery ............................................................................................................................................. 116 Aquaculture Industry Support and Development ........................................................................................... 123 Barramundi Farming ....................................................................................................................................... 125 Mud Crab Farming .......................................................................................................................................... 129 Pearling Industry ............................................................................................................................................. 132 Indigenous Fishing and Economic Development ........................................................................................... 137 Recreational Fishing ....................................................................................................................................... 142 Fishing Tour Operator .................................................................................................................................... 149 Aquatic Biosecurity ......................................................................................................................................... 155 Fisheries Licensing ......................................................................................................................................... 162 Fisheries Compliance ..................................................................................................................................... 164 Appendix 1: Glossary of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... 166 Appendix 2: Current Contact Details .............................................................................................................. 167 Page iii Fishery Status Reports 2008 INTRODUCTION The lifestyle enjoyed by many Territorians is • A pilot scale aquaculture production of reliant on the diverse abundance of fish and juvenile giant clams for the aquarium aquatic life resources of the Northern Territory industry. (NT). The continued ecologically sustainable management of these fish and aquatic life Work in these initiatives will continue during resources is critical to ensuring future 2009. generations can also enjoy this lifestyle. In addition, the High Court of Australia handed The Department of Resources (DoR) is down its decision in 2008 on the matter known responsible for administering the NT’s Fisheries as the Blue Mud Bay Case. Whilst the NT Act 1988, which provides for the regulation, Fisheries Act 1988 still applies, the Court found conservation and sustainable management of that permission must be obtained from the fish and aquatic life resources. DoR works relevant Land Trust to legally enter waters over closely with other NT and Australian Aboriginal land in order to fish. Government departments, key stakeholder groups (including commercial, recreational and The High Court decision presents opportunities indigenous fishing sectors) to develop and and challenges. During 2008, the NT implement key management objectives and Government worked with stakeholders to strategies. commence work on the development of a practical, negotiated outcome for the benefit of A number of key management initiatives all Territorians. This work will continue in 2009. commenced during 2008, including: The following report provides an overview of the • Buy-back of commercial barramundi NT’s wild harvest fisheries, recreational and fishery licences. fishing tourism industries, as well as the aquaculture and indigenous fishing sectors and • Development of a discussion paper on aquatic biosecurity. Future research and future management of Fishing Tour management directions are also highlighted. I Operators. trust you will find the information provided in the Fishery Status Reports 2008 useful. • Seafood labelling requirements for fish retailers. • A cooperative Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) project between QPI&F and DoR on Ian Curnow sustaining productivity of tropical red Executive Director, Fisheries snappers. Page 5 Fishery Report No. 101 NT FISHERIES – 2008 HIGHLIGHTS The gross value of production (GVP) of RECREATIONAL FISHING fisheries and aquaculture at first point of sale in the NT in 2008 was approximately $32.84 • Developing an NT-wide recreational million and $21.0 million respectively. This fishing survey. represents an increase of $0.94 million over the estimated GVP in 2007. It should be noted that • Developing and implementing an agreed the value of the Northern Prawn Fishery has not works program for recreational fishing been included in the calculation of the GVP. infrastructure. The three highest catch value wild harvest • Continuing to expand the artificial reef fisheries in 2008 were the Mud Crab Fishery network to improve fishing opportunities ($8.24 million), the Barramundi Fishery ($6.24 in NT waters. million) and the Timor Reef Fishery ($5.76 million). Other high value fisheries in 2008 • Stocking of Manton Dam with included the Finfish Trawl, Shark and Spanish approximately 32 000 barramundi Mackerel Fisheries. fingerlings. Pearling activities in the NT were valued at INDIGENOUS FISHING $16.3 million in 2008, with barramundi aquaculture production accounting for $4.3 • Funding eight marine ranger programs. million of the GVP. There was no prawn aquaculture activity in 2008. • Holding two capacity-building workshops with marine rangers focusing on Key highlights in 2008 included: fisheries monitoring and compliance. COMMERCIAL