Fisheries NSW Assessment of the NSW Ocean Trap and Line Fishery PREPARED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSESSMENT UNDER PART 13 AND 13(A) OF THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY ACT 1999 Assessment of the NSW Ocean Trap and Line Fishery Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries Assessment of the NSW Ocean Trap and Line Fishery - Prepared for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for the purpose of assessment under Part 13 and 13(A) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 First published April 2021 More information Fiona McKinnon, Fisheries NSW www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Acknowledgments OUT21/3064 © State of New South Wales through Regional NSW 2021. The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (April 2021). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that the information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Regional NSW or the user’s independent adviser. 1 | NSW Department of Primary Industries, April 2021 Assessment of the NSW Ocean Trap and Line Fishery Contents 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Description of the Fishery ............................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Species ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Fishing gear ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Fishing area ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 2.4 Management arrangements ........................................................................................................................ 6 2.4.1 Input controls ...................................................................................................................................... 7 2.4.2 Output controls .................................................................................................................................. 8 2.5 Number of fishers............................................................................................................................................ 9 2.6 Licensing arrangements .............................................................................................................................. 10 2.7 Allocation between sectors ....................................................................................................................... 10 2.7.1 Recreational fishing ........................................................................................................................ 10 2.7.2 Aboriginal cultural fishing ............................................................................................................ 10 2.7.3 Policy for Fisheries Resource Sharing in NSW ...................................................................... 11 2.8 Governing legislation ................................................................................................................................... 11 3. Management ................................................................................................................................................... 11 3.1 Commercial Fisheries Business Adjustment Program ..................................................................... 11 3.1.1 Share class linkage arrangements ............................................................................................. 12 3.2 Catch quota system for Spanner crab (northern zone)................................................................... 12 3.3 Marine estate reforms ................................................................................................................................. 12 3.3.1 NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy 2018 - 2028.................................................. 13 3.4 Compliance ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 3.4.1 Compliance rates ............................................................................................................................. 14 3.5 Consultation processes ............................................................................................................................... 15 3.5.1 Ministerial Fisheries Advisory Committee .............................................................................. 15 3.5.2 Commercial Fishing NSW Advisory Council .......................................................................... 15 3.5.3 Working groups ............................................................................................................................... 15 3.6 Cross jurisdictional management arrangements ............................................................................... 16 3.7 Threatened, endangered and protected species............................................................................... 16 3.7.1 Frequency and nature of interactions ...................................................................................... 16 3.7.2 Scientific observer program......................................................................................................... 17 3.7.3 Management actions taken to reduce interactions and results of such actions ..... 19 2 | NSW Department of Primary Industries, April 2021 Assessment of the NSW Ocean Trap and Line Fishery 3.7.4 Priorities Action Statement .......................................................................................................... 19 4. Research and Monitoring ........................................................................................................................... 21 4.1 Research priorities ......................................................................................................................................... 21 4.2 Relevant research .......................................................................................................................................... 21 4.3 Monitoring programs .................................................................................................................................. 23 4.3.1 Stock assessment and reporting ................................................................................................ 23 4.3.2 Scientific observer program......................................................................................................... 23 4.3.3 Collection of catch and effort data ........................................................................................... 24 4.3.4 Port monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 24 5. Catch Data ........................................................................................................................................................ 24 5.1 Total catch and value of the OTL Fishery ............................................................................................. 24 5.2 Total catch and fishing effort data of primary and key secondary species ............................. 25 5.3 Harvest by each sector ................................................................................................................................ 25 5.3.1 Recreational fishing ........................................................................................................................ 25 5.3.2 Aboriginal cultural fishing ............................................................................................................ 26 5.3.3 Illegal catch ........................................................................................................................................ 26 6. Harvest Strategies ......................................................................................................................................... 26 7. Status of Target Stock ................................................................................................................................. 26 7.1 Species assessed as ‘Depleted’................................................................................................................. 28 7.1.1 Grey (Rubberlip) Morwong .......................................................................................................... 28 7.1.2 Silver Trevally ..................................................................................................................................... 28 7.1.3 Gemfish................................................................................................................................................ 29 7.1.4 Mulloway ............................................................................................................................................. 29 7.1.5 Pearl Perch .........................................................................................................................................