The following report formed the basis of an application by the Western Australian Department of Fisheries to the Australian Government's Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) (now known as the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts) to assess the Marine Aquarium Managed Fisheries of Fish (MAF) against the Australian Government's Guidelines for Ecologically Sustainable Fisheries Management. The information presented in the following report relates to the MBP at the time of submission of the application (ie until the end of 2003), not at the time of publication.
Introduction
Overview
Background on the Maf fishery
DESCRIPTION OF THE FISHERY
- Location of The Fishery
- License Area
- Number of Licensees
- Description of Gear
- General
- Operating Description
- Taxa Caught
- Target
- Bait Usage
Therefore, these two licensees have an exemption to take 250 animals each of the above classes per year. Incorporating their intake into the management plan will simplify arrangements within the fishery and improve the ability to carry out compliance checks.
HISTORY OF THE FISHERY
Management History
Catch and Effort in the MAF
RECREATIONAL FISHERY
Traditional Involvement in the Fishery
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTS
Physical Environment
Economic Environment
Social Environment
CURRENT AND PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Summary of Current Management Strategies and Justification
Legislation and Policies Affecting the Fishery
Proposed Future Management Arrangements
RESEARCH STRATEGY
Recent/Current Research
Proposed Future Research
BIOLOGY OF SPECIES
- Aquarium Fish Species
- Corals
- Invertebrates
- Live Rock/Sand
- Syngnathids
Gosti kun yeroo baay’ee hawaasa albuuda galaanaa fi algaa wajjin walqabatee kan argamu yoo ta’u, gadi fageenya meetira 20 irratti argama. Qurxummiin baandii qabu ( Haliichthys taeniophorus ) guutuu kaaba Awustiraaliyaa keessatti Shark Bay (WA) irraa kaasee hanga kaaba Kuwiinslaandii fi akkasumas Indo-Pacific keessatti argama ( Gomon et al. 1994 ).
Outline of Reporting Process
SCOPE
OVERVIEw
ISSUE IDENTIFICATION (COMPONENT TREES)
RISk ASSESSMENT/PRIORITISATION PROCESS
COMPONENT REPORTS
APPLICATION TO MEET EPBC REQUIREMENTS
OVERVIEw TABLE
Performance Reports
RETAINED SPECIES
Primary Species
- Syngnathids Rationale for Inclusion
- Other Finfish
- Seagrass/Algae
- Hard Coral
- Soft Coral
- Hermit Crabs
- Other Invertebrates
- Living Rock
- Living Sand
However, the impact of MAF on these syngnathids is likely to be minimal because small numbers of each species are caught each year (Table 5.1). Therefore, the total area covered by the MAF for syngnathids is very small relative to the total distribution of each species (Table 5.2). The total area over which algae were collected by MAF is very low relative to the likely total distribution of each species (Table 5.7).
Therefore, the degree of impact of MAF on the population of each seagrass and algal species is unlikely to be detectable. Therefore, the impact of MAF on the stocks of each type of hard coral is likely to be small to negligible. The total area in which soft corals are collected by MAF is very small in relation to the likely total distribution of each species (Table 5.11).
Therefore, the impact of MAF on populations of 'other invertebrates' is 'likely' to be 'negligible'.
NON RETAINED SPECIES
The Department of Fisheries proposes to implement a quota that will allow each license a few units of quicksand per year.
GENERAL ENVIRONMENT COMPONENT TREE FOR THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT
Removal of/Damage to Organisms
- Trophic Interactions
- Benthic Biota (non-target elements)
- Anchoring
It is not possible to estimate the total weight of invertebrates taken by fishing each year. However, the invertebrates collected by fishing are all small in size and thus the total number of individuals probably amounts to a relatively small total biomass per region. This level of biomass removal by fishing is likely to be negligible compared to the natural mortality rates (especially due to predation) acting on small fish and invertebrate populations in each region.
Therefore, it is 'probable' that the trophic impact of removals by the fishery is 'negligible'. Apart from the impact on the habitat associated with the collection of the specific target species (see above), the fishery may have some impact on the surrounding benthic habitats. The fishery extends along the entire length of the Western Australian coastline and some collection activities (eg collecting hermit crabs and wading in shallow water) are not undertaken from a vessel.
Therefore, the impact of anchoring by the fishery in this area is 'probably' 'negligible'.
Addition/Movement of Biological Material
- Translocation by Vessel Hulls Rationale for Inclusion
Other Environmental Impacts
- Exhaust Fumes Rationale for Inclusion
- Oil Discharge Rationale for Inclusion
GOVERNANCE COMPONENT TREE FOR THE GOVERNANCE OF THE MARINE
Department of Fisheries – Management
- Management Effectiveness (Outcomes)
- Management Arrangements
- Compliance
- Allocation Among Users
- Consultation (Including Communication)
The performance of management agreements is assessed at two levels - the micro level (ie, the importance of individual clauses and the role they play) and the macro level (ie, the importance of the Marine Aquarium Fish Management Plan 1995 as a whole) and the role it plays). A clear description of the management unit - the management unit is explicitly described in the "MAF Statement" section of the Marine Aquarium Fish Management Plan 1995. Issues addressed by the 1995 Marine Aquarium Fish Management Plan - issues to be addressed by the Plan are thoroughly examined and documented within the ESD component trees and their reports.
Description of the stock(s), their habitat(s) and fishing activities – MAF and fishing activities are described in section 2. Management and regulatory details for the implementation of current management arrangements – regulations related to MBP are found in both the Plan of Marine Aquarium Fish Management 1995 and FRMR and orders. How and when reviews of management arrangements will take place (including consultation mechanisms) – FRMA clearly sets out how the process for reviewing each Management Plan should take place.
To be determined as part of the integrated fisheries management process for large-scale resource sharing.
Department of Fisheries- Reporting
- Assessments and Reviews
Consultation on MAF fisheries management is conducted in an open, accountable and inclusive environment, where all sectors of the industry and the Department (ie, management, compliance and research) collectively identify and discuss appropriate courses of action. The Department conducts an annual community survey regarding community opinion on the status of the state's fisheries and their attitudes toward the Department's performance. There is annual reporting on fishing progress against agreed targets in the "State of Fishing Report".
A summary of this report is presented in the Department's Annual Report and is used in some of the Performance Indicators that are reviewed annually by the OAG. Upon completion of this ESD report, the Department will publish it as part of the ESD Report Series, which will be available from the website. Each year, the status of the resource and the effectiveness of current management are presented to the industry at an annual meeting.
For many years, the Department has been producing extensive and high-quality documents that report on the operation of the Department and the state of fisheries - these are the Annual Report and the State of Fisheries.
Department of Fisheries – Legal Framework
- OCS Arrangements
The Department is working with the EPA to prepare a framework for reporting on ESD for all Western Australian fisheries. It is proposed that this framework be linked to a regular audit cycle involving the EPA and periodic reporting to the OAG. The Department is working to combine processes for reporting to the States and the Commonwealth and believes this can best be achieved using a Bilateral Agreement with the DEH under the EPBC.
The assessment and review processes already in place, together with the proposed external review processes, should ensure that there are ample opportunities to review the adequacy of the governance regime and the results it delivers.
Bibliography
DETAILED FISHING BLOCk AREAS FOR THE MARINE AQUARIUM MANAGED
ACRONYMS
DETAILS OF CONSEQUENCE TABLES
By-product: Other non-preserving: No information is available on the relative area or susceptibility to capture or on the vulnerability of the life history traits of this species.
LETTER OF JUSTIFICATION FOR TAkING OVER 750 SYNGNATHID
As also noted in the cover letter accompanying the Department's October 2002 report, the sustainable take of syngnathids is currently being assessed as part of the ecological sustainability report required under the provisions of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for the Marine Aquarium Fish Managed Fisheries. Please also note that there has been a reduction in the collection of the short-beaked seahorse (Hippocampus breviceps) from 56 in 2001 to 18 in 2002. As a result, the Department is in the process of negotiating with the newly formed Association to introduce a smaller grid set. system.
Ideally, the Department would like to introduce a ten (10) nm grid system to complement what has been negotiated with license holders in the Shell managed fishery. Catches of syngnathids reported by fishing license holders for the period 1994 to 2002 are shown in Table 1 below. However, the total number of fishing days recorded by permit holders in the fishery as a whole over the period of the 2002 calendar year was 910 days.
Consequently, relatively small catches of each species by licensees in managed marine aquarium fish fisheries are highly unlikely to affect the sustainability of wild populations.
DRAFT CODE OF PRACTICE MARINE AQUARIUM MANAGED FISHERY
Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in the long term if they are valued. The live organisms collected in the fishery supply aquarium outlets, public oceanariums (e.g. AQWA) and a variety of companies and individuals looking to maintain a reef aquarium. Marine organisms caught in fisheries only supply Australian markets and international marine aquarium fish exports.
Number of operators: There are 13 licensed operators in the Fishery licensed to operate along the entire Western Australian coastline. Collection methods: Collection in the fishery takes place with hand nets, so there are very physical limits to how much each collector can catch in a given time. Dive-based fishing: As a diving-based fishery, the actual physical limitations of human endurance and the physiological effects of decompression limit the effort in the fishery.
Taking proper care of specimens will have the best chance of survival in the aquarium business.
INFORMATION REGARDING TRAwL ACTIVITY ON THE SYNGNATHID
MATERIALS SUPPLIED TO ENVIRONMENT AUSTRALIA AGAINST
The Department of Fisheries will consult with stakeholders (including those listed under the guideline below) during the review and development of the new management plan. These reports (see Section 5 Performance Reports) contain the available objectives, indicators and performance measures to measure the effectiveness of the management arrangements for the MAF. The Department of Fisheries employs operational staff to ensure compliance with the critical aspects of the management arrangements for the MAF.
ensure the periodic review of the results of the fisheries management schemes and the management strategies, objectives and criteria. In addition, the department is investigating the redistribution of the total allowable catch of hard coral among all licensees in the fishery through the new management plan. A formal risk assessment was conducted (see section 5.3 for details) on each of the identified issues relevant to MAF (see the component tree for issues).
Trophic interactions Negligible Most of the Finnish fish species in the MAF catch are of small size (<10 cm).
APPROVAL AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DEH
I note that the fishery is in a developmental stage and there are currently no restrictions on the fishing of species that are protected or listed under the EPBC Act. Consequently, there are also no mechanisms in place in the fisheries management regime to specifically prohibit the catch of any EPBC-listed fish at risk or to prohibit the catch of any listed marine species in Commonwealth waters. Accreditation will be granted for whales and dolphins, as the fisheries management regulation does not allow the capture of whales as stated in the EPBC Act.
The fishery will be conducted in accordance with the Western Australian Marine Aquarium Fish Management Plan 1995 and the associated management regime in place under the Western Australian Fisheries Management Act 1994 and the Western Australian Fisheries Management Regulations 1995. Statement on fisheries performance in terms of objectives, performance indicators and measures when developed; and. The fishery also targets seahorses listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and syngnathids listed in Part 13 of the EPBC Act.
DFWA will introduce data validation mechanisms for CITES-listed and EPBC Act species caught in fisheries within 18 months.
