summary report - queensland east coast spanish mackerel fishery · summary report—east coast...

Queensland the Smart State

Summary report East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery 2007

Summary report—East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery 2007

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The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) seeks to maximise the economic potential of Queensland’s primary industries on a sustainable basis.

While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained in this report.

© The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 2007.

Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland.

Inquiries should be addressed to: Intellectual Property and Commercialisation Unit Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001

or

[email protected]

Tel: +61 7 3404 6999


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IntroductionThe East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery (ECSMF) is a line fishery targeting the largest of the mackerel species in Queensland—Scomberomorus commerson. Spanish mackerel are highly sought after by both commercial and recreational fishers.

The ECSMF is a financial year fishery, and as such up-to-date data for the 2006–07 year is not available. This report provides an overview of the fishery and progress against recommendations since the 2006 Annual Status Report.

Description of the fishery

Fishing methods

The ECSMF is a line-only fishery in which both commercial and recreational fishers are permitted to use a maximum of three lines and up to six hooks. Spanish mackerel are generally caught while trolling.

Fishing area

Figure 1: Map of fishery area.

Commercial operators with a Spanish mackerel (SM) fishery symbol and who possess a line fishing endorsement (L) (i.e. L1, L2, L3, L6, L7 and L8), are permitted to take Spanish mackerel in east coast Queensland waters. The L symbol dictates the area in which they can fish (Figure 1). As of 30 June 2007 there were 261 current Commercial Fishing Boat licences with an SM fishery symbol.

The harvest of Spanish mackerel in the Gulf of Carpentaria (GOC) is managed separately to the east coast and reported in the GOC Line Fishery Annual Status Report.1

1 Annual status reports for all Queensland fisheries are available online at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

1 40°0'0"E

1 40°0'0"E

1 45°0'0"E

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1 50°0'0"E

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L egend

L1 F ishery

L2 and L 3 F ishery

L4 and L 9 F ishery

L5 F ishery

L6 and L 7 F ishery

L8 F ishery

L ine F ishery E ndorsement Areas

0 300 6001 50 Kilometres


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Main management methods used

Management of the ECSMF is the responsibility of DPI&F. A range of input and output controls are set out in the Fisheries Regulation 1995 and are used to manage the harvest of Spanish mackerel. There controls include:

• a commercial Total Allowable Catch (TAC), shared through individual transferable quotas;

• a minimum size limit of 75 cm;

• a recreational in-possession limit of three fish;

• total closures to the take of Spanish mackerel in certain areas;

• permits to commercial fish for Spanish mackerel in grey nurse designated areas in southern Queensland;

• a mandatory requirement for recreational fishers to remove a pectoral fin from a retained fish; and

• restrictions on the maximum size of boat permitted in the commercial fishery.

Further closures to fishing for Spanish mackerel are implemented through marine parks zoning (marine national park and other no take or no entry zoning).

Fishery accreditation under the EPBC Act

A Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO) approval, acknowledging that the fishery was being managed in an ecologically sustainable manner, and allowing the continued export of Spanish mackerel caught on the east coast of Queensland, was granted in December 2004 under part 13A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The approval expires in November 2007.


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Progress in implementing Department of the Environment and Water Resources (DEW) recommendations

Recommendation ProgressImprovements to management regime

DPI&F to inform DEW of any intended amendments to the management arrangements that may affect sustainability of the target species or negatively impact on bycatch, protected species or the ecosystem.

Ongoing

There have been no changes to management arrangements in the 2006/07 financial year. DPI&F are proposing to take Spanish Mackerel management arrangements out of the Fisheries Regulation 1995 and combine these with the Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish) Management Plan 2003 to create the Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery and East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery) Management Plan 2007.

The purpose of the combined management plan is to create a concise document that covers the similarities between the fisheries and removes any repetition in legislation.

From 2005, DPI&F to report publicly on the status of the fishery on an annual basis, including explicit reporting against each performance measure once developed.

Ongoing

The 2006 annual status report represents the second to be completed for the East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery.

Public reporting on the status of Queensland’s fisheries is an important aspect of managing fisheries on behalf of the Queensland community. These reports provide an important catalogue of historical information on the status of the Queensland fisheries, links to ecological assessments demonstrating to the Australian Government that fisheries meet sustainability guidelines, assessment of management effectiveness against performance measures and the most up-to-date information on Queensland’s fisheries.

As part of the biennial review of the ECSMF, DPI&F to develop fishery specific objectives linked to performance indicators adn performance measures for target, bycatch, protected species adn impacts on the ecosystem.

In progress

DPI&F held a workshop with fisheries managers, researchers and industry representatives in 2006 to develop operational objectives and performance measures for the Spanish Mackerel Fishery. Outcomes of this process were reviewed by the Reef Scientfic Advisory Group (ReefSAG). The Performance Measurement System (PMS) is in the final stages of development and will be implemented as policy and provided to DEW in 2007.

The effectiveness of fisheries management in ensuring the sustainable use of Spanish mackerel stocks and minimising any impacts on the broader ecosystem is being measured.


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DPI&F to develop a compliance strategy for the ECSMF. The strategy will explicitly address the following issues and provide for the periodic review of the effectiveness of the strategy:

• Effectiveness of shore based compliance activity

• Non-compliance with size and bag limits

• The possible existence of a black market

• Compliance with reporting of protected species interaction

• Compliance benefits in the adoption of new technology

• Fishers and processor knowledge of new compliance requirements

Complete

DPI&F conducted a compliance risk assessment for the East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery in May 2007 in order to determine compliance priorities and allow for the most effective targeting of DPI&F’s Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) resources to higher risk issues.

Outcomes of the risk assessment will be incorporated into QBFP district operational plans from 2008.

A compliance risk assessment is used by the QBFP in undertaking operational planning activities associated with management of the fishery. Through identification and prioritisation of complaince risks associated with the fishery, planning and operational processes at the district level may be improved and risks mitigated.

DPI&F to monitor the status of the fishery in relation to the performance measures once developed. Within 3 months of becoming aware of a performance measure not being met, DPI&F to finalise a clear timetable for the implementation of appropriate management response.

In progress

Performance measures and associated management responses are addressed within the scope of the PMS, the status of which is discussed above.

The effectiveness of fisheries mangement in ensuring the sustainable use of Spanish mackerel stocks and minimising any impacts on the broader ecosystem is being measured.

DPI&F to develop a system to ensure that catch data collected in compulsory logbooks and voluntary diaries is validated on an ongoing basis and to investigate methods for documenting and validating effort in the fishery.

Ongoing

DPI&F’s logbook validation strategy for the ECSMF involves the use of quota monitoring and independent observer data to validate logbook information. The first validation report for this fishery will be completed in August 2007. Mechanisms to validate voluntary diary reported Spanish mackerel catch in the recreational fishery are currently being investigated.

Validation of logbook/diary information provides confidence in the accuracy of reporting by commercial and recreational fishers. With reliance on logbook/diary data for quantitative stock assessments and ecological assessments, there is a need for authentication of the information reported by fishers through the logbook program.


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DPI&F to monitor the size composition of the retained commercial catch of Spanish mackerel and conduct a review of the fishery appropriate to the magnitude of the change if the proportion of catch of pre-mature fish increases above 5% of the TACC. If necessary DPI&F to introduce additional management measures to ensure sustainability.

Ongoing

The DPI&F Long Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) continues to collect information to monitor the size composition of the commercial catch, and allow DPI&F to ensure the proportion of pre-mature fish does not increase above 5% of the total allowable catch. DEW has confirmed DPI&F’s response adequately fulfils this recommendation.

The proportion of the catch that are pre-mature remains low and no management response has been required.

That DPI&F, at its biennial review of the ECSMF, consider means of reducing the capture of undersized and large Spanish mackerel including more effective size selective gear.

Complete

A review was conducted as part of the ECSMF Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) completed in 2004. Based on the results of the risk assessment and research previously undertaken, Reef Management Advisory Committee (ReefMAC) and ReefSAG resolved that there is limited catch of undersize fish. ReefSAG noted that there was a small proportion (LTMP data indicates 3%) of Spanish mackerel taken which are immature (<90 cm) but still above the minimum legal size limit (>75 cm), and that in general the commercial fishery is highly selective for mature fish. DEW has confirmed DPI&F’s response adequately fulfils this recommendation.

No management changes have been required.

As part of the next biennial review of the ECSMF, DPI&F to develop a robust and regular fishery assessment process, that provides a basis for management decisions which are precautionary and recognise the uncertainty and level of risk. The assessment process will examine the ecological sustainability of the target species using robust stock assessments.

Ongoing

The preliminary stock assessment for this fishery was conducted in 2002 and expanded into a Management Strategy Evaluation in 2003. The next assessment is planned to commence in late 2007 using updated data obtained from LTMP, Commercial Fisheries Information System (CFISH) and Recreational Fisheries Information System (RFISH) and planned for reporting in early 2008. Similar predictor models will be used for the 2007 assessment to enable comparisons between the periods.

This stock assessment will be undertaken as part of a regular assessment of the fishery. This latest assessment is expected to contain improvements to parameterisation and variable estimates arising from updated or expanded data from LMTP, CFISH, RFISH, and research information from adjacent jurisdictions. The assessment outcomes will inform future reviews of the fishery.


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As part of the biennial review of the ECSMF, DPI&F to consider the protection of Spanish mackerel spawning aggregations. If necessary, DPI&F to implement measures to protect them within 18 months of such finding.

Ongoing

The ReefSAG agreed in 2005 that current impacts on spawning aggregations are probably low in context of under-catch of quota and reduced fishing pressure. DPI&F with ReefMAC will review in context of all spatial and temporal closures in place that impact upon ECSMF. DEW has confirmed DPI&F’s response adequately fulfils this recommendation.

N/A

Within 18 months, DPI&F to provide reliable estimates of recreational take, and factor these into stock assessments and management controls to ensure overall catch levels are sustainable.

In progress

DPI&F employed a consultant from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 2005 to review the differences between the RFISH surveys, and the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (NRIFS) and investigate possible new methods to improve future RFISH surveys. A preliminary investigation was also undertaken into the power of the data collected through the RFISH program, in relation to use of fishers location of catch information rather than the location of residence of fishers. A workshop was held in April 2006 to further investigate improvements to regional scale estimates of recreational participation and catch.

DPI&F will utilise the 2005 RFISH statewide catch estimates in the next stock assessment, to be completed in early 2008.

The assessment outcomes will inform future reviews of the fishery’s management arrangements.

Within one year, to support the implementation of the Species of Conservation Interest Logbooks, DPI&F to ensure that an education program for fishers, both recreational and commercial, is developed and implemented, to promote the importance of protected species protection and accurate incident reporting.

Complete

A protected species education program was released in September 2005. Material was delivered to both recreational and commercial fishers about ways to minimise interactions with protected species, how to handle them should an interaction occur and the importance of accurate reporting interactions. This information is available through DPI&F on 13 25 23.

DPI&F and the Queensland fishing industry are committed to minimising the impacts of fishing on protected species. The education package increased the level of confidence in the data obtained from SOCI logbooks.


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As part of its biennial review, DPI&F to examine measures designed to control Spanish mackerel harvest by recreational fishers to ensure that they are appropriate and adequately constrain recreational fishing effort to within sustainable levels. Should the review indicate that existing measures are not appropriate DPI&F will develop new measures within 12 months.

In progress

Data from the 2005 RFISH surveys indicate that the average number of Spanish mackerel kept by recreational fishers was 1.4 fish, below the in-possession limit of 3. Although the 2005 estimated recreational catch increased by 20% from the 2002 estimates, it is still 13% below the 1999 estimates (refer to Catch statistics in the 2006 Annual Status Report). The number of recreational fishers targeting all mackerel species increased from 4% in 2001 to 5.6% in 2004. Notwithstanding this, the estimated participation levels in recreational fishing in Queensland declined significantly from 851 100 fishers in 2001 to 733 400 fishers in 2004. Any future changes to management arrangements to ensure resource sustainability will be considered in the next biennial review in conjunction with the ReefSAG and ReefMAC, informed by the 2007 stock assessment.

DPI&F, as part of the development of performance indicators and performance measures for the fishery, to include a mechanism to identify and respond to changes in the composition and quantity of bycatch in the ECSMF.

Complete

DPI&F completed a report on the bycatch and byproduct risk assessment for the ECSMF in early 2006. It was determined that the ECSMF poses low risk to most bycatch and/or byproduct specie. It also highlighted the highly targeted nature of the fishery and that the proportion of undersize fish caught by fishers is extremely low. DEW has confirmed DPI&F’s response adequately fulfils this recommendation.

N/A


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Fishery management

Compliance report

Compliance and enforcement in the Queensland East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery is the responsibility of the DPI&F, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP).

During the 2006–2007 quota year, a total of 735 units were inspected in the Queensland East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery, including 85 commercial vessels. During this period, 20 offences were detected in association with 19 inspections, corresponding to a compliance rate of 97.4% on units inspected. A summary of offences is provided below.

Offences

Offences are reported as either a Fisheries Infringement Notice (FIN); Caution (FIN Caution or official caution issued by DPI&F legal officers); or Prosecution (to proceed by complaint summons).

Table 1: Offences recorded in the East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery (2006–2007 Financial year).

Offence FIN Prosecution Caution

Recreational fisher take or possess Spanish mackerel regulated by size

8 2

Recreational fisher take or possess Spanish mackerel regulated by number

1

Recreational fisher possess on board a boat dead Spanish mackerel with pectoral fin not removed

4 1

Fail to comply with a requirement to keep records in the approved form

1

Contravened a quota 1

Did an act only an authority holder can do 1

Recreational fisher possessed on boat dead Spanish mackerel with the skin removed

1

Total 14 2 4

Changes to management arrangements in the reporting year

There have been no changes to management arrangements in the 2006/07 financial year.

DPI&F are proposing to take Spanish mackerel management arrangements out of the Fisheries Regulation 1995 and combine these with the Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish) Management Plan 2003 to create the Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery and East Coast Spanish Mackerel Fishery) Management Plan 2007. The purpose of the combined management plan is to create a concise document that covers the similarities between the fisheries and removes any repetition

in legislation.


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Information compiled by

Fiona Hill

Acknowledgements

Dr John Kung, Len Olyott, Bonnie Holmes, Dr Malcolm Dunning, Dr Tracey Scott-Holland.

Front cover image

Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)

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