AFMA research priorities 2020-21

Project Description

To conduct a winter survey which will provide further points in the times-series of fishery independent survey (FIS) indices of abundance. The resulting FIS data series will be included in stock assessments of target species and time series analysis of major by-product and by-catch species.

The FIS also provides time series information on the spatial and temporal distribution of a large number of non-commercial fish species and a platform from which biological information (length, sex, maturity, age etc) can be collected in a systematic way from these species.

Objectives

1.     To continue the time-series of fishery independent trawl surveys in the SESSF through the conduct of a Winter survey only in 2020;

2.     To provide fishery-independent indices of abundance for the following SESSF species: Silver Warehou, Blue Grenadier, Tiger Flathead, Jackass Morwong, Mirror Dory, Pink Ling, Common Sawshark, Southern Sawshark, Offshore Ocean Perch, Gummy Shark, John Dory, the Deepwater Shark basket, Western Gemfish and Redfish; Bight Redfish

3.     To obtain reasonable abundance indices for the following by-product species:, Ocean Jacket, Latchet, King Dory, Stargazer, Frostfish and Red Gurnard;

4.     To collect length frequencies and otoliths from all major quota species and selected high risk and non-quota species; and

5.     To prepare all survey information for use in fishery stock assessments and
        data summaries.

Project Description

The continued ageing of otoliths and associated analysis of length-frequency data contributes to the time series of data held for this fishery, and improved stock assessments.

Improved assessment provides for a more detailed understanding of the dynamics and status of fish stocks, enabling AFMA to better meet ESD objectives.

Characterising the status of a fishery reduces the need for a highly precautionary approach to prevent overfishing.

Objectives

1. To prepare and examine the otoliths (teleosts) and vertebrae (shark) samples provided by the AFMA observer program in a manner that is consistent with the standardised methods and procedures used in the past;

2. To provide age estimate data for the priority species across relevant sectors of the SESSF; and

3. To provide age composition data and analysts for stock assessment and research purposes.

Need

A Blue-Eye Trevalla workshop in March 2018 agreed that a new approach to Blue-Eye management is needed and recommended exploring Close Kin, hence AFMA is seeking a desktop study looking at the potential for using close kin data for this species. The project would ouline the cost of using Close-Kin, what could be achieved, sample sizes required etc. for applying Close Kin.

Desired outcomes

This work will constitute the first reliable estimate of absolute abundance for Blue-Eye trevalla and would allow managers to avoid both over- and under-harvesting. The confidence in, and sustainability of, the new estimates would be improved through a greater understanding of stock structure and inter-connectedness of possible sub-populations.

This understanding could improve interpretation of CPUE indices from the commercial fishery. Improved understanding of source and sink areas will allow managers to guard against localized depletion of subpopulations, and will guard against inappropriate splitting of management areas.

Need

A desktop review of SESSF species’ stock structure is required to better reflect stock structure. The study would commence with Pink Ling, and could be broadened to species that could have an east/west split including; Blue Warehou, Jackass Morwong, Ocean Perch and Mirror Dory.

Desired outcomes

The desktop review would provide a better reflection of SESSF species’ stock structure and would assist in reducing complex management arrangements particularly during the progression of the regionalisation of quota SFRs.

Need

FRDC Project 2014-024 delivered a Close-Kin-Mark-Recapture (CKMR) abundance estimate for School Shark that was incorporated into an age-structured stock assessment model to recommend incidental catch levels in the SESSF. Sampling and analysis costs were funded through this project.

The ongoing application of the CKMR approach to assessing School Shark in the SESSF (as supported by SharkRAG) will require ongoing funding to support data collection and analysis, in addition to the costs of developing, running and maintaining a stock assessment model. 

Desired outcomes

1.  Data collection and analysis framework implemented to support the use of CKMR techniques for School Shark

2.  Extended time series of abundance estimates

3.  Refinements to the existing Close-Kin Model developed for School Shark.

Need

The Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery (GABTF) targets two main species, Deepwater Flathead (Neoplatycephalus conatus) and Bight Redfish (Centroberyx gerrardi). Industry-based fishery-independent resource surveys of the Great Australian Bight (GAB) have been conducted since 2005 with the primary goal of obtaining robust annual indices of relative biomass of these two main species. These indices are critical inputs in formal stock assessments for the fishery key species, which were previously hampered by input data with little contrast.

Desired outcomes

The main output from this project will be a 2020 relative abundance index for Bight redfish and Deepwater Flathead. In addition, a time series of relative abundance indices for important bycatch and by-product species will be available for consideration in ecological risk assessments. These species include: Ocean Jacket, Common Sawshark, Gummy Shark, Jackass Morwong, Knifejaw, Latchet, Ornate Angelshark and Spikey Dogfish. Specific objectives include:

• Obtain a relative abundance index for Bight Redfish and Deepwater Flathead;
• Collect biological and population data on Bight Redfish and Deepwater Flathead;
• Determine a relative abundance index of other main by-product and bycatch species in the shelf fishery; and
• Prepare all survey information available for use in fishery stock assessments.

Need

The provision of ongoing scientific advice to the Southern Bluefin Tuna Management Advisory Committee (SBTMAC) and AFMA to support the adequate monitoring, implementation and success of management arrangements in the Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery.

Objectives

• Participate in planning, consultation, ESC and Operating Model and Management Procedure (OMMP) meetings, inter-sessional webinars, review of exceptional circumstances and 2021 CCSBT data exchange, and provide scientific advice to AFMA, ABARES, Industry and the CCSBT
• Prepare for the 2021 reconditioning of the SBT operating models, with data from the 2021 data exchange, including new gene-tagging data and any additional data on unaccounted mortality.

Need

Provision of ongoing scientific advice to the Tropical Tuna Resource Assessment Group (TTRAG) to support the adequate monitoring, implementation and success of management arrangements in Australian Tropical Tuna and Billfish Fisheries (ATBF).

Objectives

Together with the management of data related to these fisheries, this project would assess and provide advice on:

• the impact of the fisheries on both the targeted, by-product and ecologically related fish resources,
• the outcomes of stock assessments for the principal species caught in these fisheries,
• the application of the related harvest strategies (for species with harvest strategies), and provision of indicators based advice (for non HS species) to inform determination of the annual TACCs,
• the need to update or develop new fishery performance indicators as required given changes in these fisheries,
• the development of indicators for by-product species,
• assessing the potential impact of related international fisheries on the fish resources of Australia’s Tropical Tuna and Billfish Fisheries,
• reviewing, and where  necessary refining, the harvest strategies (for swordfish and striped marlin) and management arrangements so that the conservation and economic objectives for these fisheries can be achieved, and
• collaborating on the assessment of the principal species in the Western Central Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean and the provision of scientific advice to the related Commissions.

Need

When there is fishing effort in the SPF, there is a need to ensure that marine mammal bycatch data are collected and assessed.  These analyses are intended to provide the basis for recommended modifications to fishing practices and the design or improvement of mitigation devices.

Objectives

This should include:

• Synthesis of existing information on marine mammal interactions in the SPF to examine how operational and environmental factors influence interaction rates.
• Development of appropriate reporting protocols for marine mammal interactions, including key operational and environmental factors, for observers and industry to support on-going assessment and reporting of interactions.

Need

The current stock assessment model is becoming increasingly outdated. The model was also developed for the purpose of implementing a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) but the fishery has continued to be managed through a Total Allowable Effort (TAE). The model is, therefore, not completely fit for purpose and the assessment results may have a high level of uncertainty. Recently, the effort in the sub-fishery dropped to its lowest ever level and the model was not able to be run due to a lack of data (minimum data requirements are needed to run the model). High fishing pressure, environmental conditions, alternative fishing opportunities, or a combination, have been suggested as the reasons for the low fishing effort. Concern with the low fishing effort and uncertainty with the status of the stock has increased the need for the stock assessment to be revised.

• Re-develop the Redleg Banana prawn assessment model with focus on meeting the requirement for the current harvest strategy, including refinement of outputs for recommended TAE;
• Investigate adjustment of reference point values to include new information;
• Explore possible correlations between catchability and calendar quarter as well as assumptions and factors affecting availability and how it varies amongst quarters;
• More thoroughly explore the uncertainty associated with the TAE model output as a result of recruitment variability;
• Explore sources of variability in recruitment estimates, such as environmental drivers or possible issues with the assessment model or data; and
• Consider ways of incorporating more information in the assessments, especially that relating to recruitment success. This might include, for example, size information or recruitment indices developed from regular surveys.

Need

Following the release of the updated Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy in 2018, the NPF has three years to update its assessment of by-product species in line with the updated policy requirements. There is some uncertainty around the status of by-product species and the NPF Harvest Strategy is being reviewed to ensure it meets the Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy. 

Desired outcomes

There are several NPF by-product species that may require higher tiered assessments. The objective of the research is to review the harvest strategy triggers and decision rules for each by-product species in line with the requirements of the Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy guidelines. Research may include developing stock assessment approaches for specific species depending on considerations of risks, costs and catch levels.

Need

The Bass Strait Central Zone Scallop Fishery (BSCZSF) is regarded as sustainable which is supported by logbook information and the annual biomass survey however a key information gap in this fishery relates to its economics. For at least the last four years, the TAC setting process has been dominated by the need to set it at a level that best supports a profitable scallop industry. The absence of detail economic data means it is difficult to make an informed assessment of the economic implications of different management decisions, such as TAC levels, for the fishery as a whole.

Desired outcomes

Economic information collected and analysed to estimate the Maximum Economic Yield (MEY) for the fishery. An MEY analysis would inform what catch level (TAC) will maximise the economic return from fishing at the fishery level (i.e. all fishers combined).

Need

The provision of advice on the scope of the research needed to revise the current Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery stock assessment model to the new CASAL 2 version.

Desired outcomes

Ensuring that the best available science is used to assess the stock and that the HIMIF stock assessment model is accepted at CCAMLR.

Need

Stock assessment of the Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery

Desired outcomes

To provide ongoing scientific advice, including a stock assessment to the Sub-Antarctic Fisheries RAG (SARAG) and AFMA to support the implementation and success of management arrangements in Australia’s Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery.