Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) - 2012-13 fishing year report
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast)
2012–13 fishing year report
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Great state. Great opportunity.
© State of Queensland, 2014. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence. Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. Note: Some content in this publication may have different licence terms as indicated. For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update
The Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) is one
of the oldest fisheries in the state, with commercial
harvesting beginning in the early 1800s. The fishery operates
along the Queensland east coast within the area bounded by
the Offshore Constitutional Settlement (Figure 1).
This report provides an update to fishing statistics to
30 June 2013.
Figure 1: Boundary of the Queensland Sea
Cucumber (East Coast) Fishery.
Main features of the fishery in 2012/13
Feature Details
Species targeted Harvest of all sea cucumber species are permitted (with the exception of a current
0 TAC on black teatfish). Key species include
• white teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva)
• burrowing blackfish (Actinopyga spinea)
• curryfish (Stichopus vastus and Stichopus hermanni)
Fishery symbols B1
Current Fisheries Act 1994, Fisheries Regulation 2008
management
regime
Gear Hand harvested
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort yearMain management Commercial only
methods • Input controls
limited entry: 18 transferable licences (held by three operators)
gear restrictions: permitted to harvest by hand, using free-diving
methods or with the aid of hookah apparatus or Self Contained
Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA)
1
hand harvest only with a maximum of four divers in the water fishing at
any one time. Boat and dory limits also apply.
area closures: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) implemented
by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and
Queensland State Marine Parks (GBR Coast Marine Park and Great
2
Sandy Marine Park). In 2004, all sea cucumber species gained greater
protection from fishing (+ approx. 15% in total area) with changes in
GBRMP zoning—shallow areas (0–10m habitat) closed to fishing
increase from 22% to 37%, deeper areas (10–50m habitat) closed to
fishing increase from 10% to 25%
rotational zoning scheme (RZS): the Sea Cucumber Fishery is divided
into 156 zones of approximately 100 to 150 square nautical miles (nm)
that can be fished for a maximum of 15 days in any one year. Each area
3
is allocated for fishing only one year in every three.
Burrowing Blackfish zones
• Output controls
quota managed (see below)
4
size limits: species-specific minimum size limits
Recreational only
Permitted only to harvest by hand, without the aid of hookah apparatus
or SCUBA.
Recreational bag limit: no more than five in total (all species combined,
5
other than black teatfish).
Quota Commercial Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 361 tonnes (t).
In 2012–13, the commercial TAC comprised:
• 0 t of black teatfish
• 53 t of white teatfish, divided into:
40 t north of 19°S (Zone 1)
13 t south of 19°S (Zone 2)
• 308 t of other species, including Burrowing Blackfish zones quota below:
Lizard/Waining: 120 t
Gould Reef: 45 t
Bunker: 33 t
Fishing season 1 July to 30 June
Commercial Total number of licences in the fishery – 18
fishery licences Number of active boats – 6
1
Whilst legislation states up to 10 divers may be fishing at any given time, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
drawn up by industry has further limited divers to four.
2
Approximately 37% of commercially diveable sea cucumber habitat in the GBRMP is closed to fishing (Roelofs
2004).
3
As per the MOU between sea cucumber industry operators.
4
Minimum size limits are set beyond that of current best estimates of size at first maturity for each species.
5
The recreational take of black teatfish is prohibited.
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort yearManagement Changes to the existing fishery management arrangements implemented for the
changes 2012–13 season:
• a change in quota usage: reduction in burrowing blackfish zones from five to
three and a change in their quotas.
• a change in burrowing blackfish zone borders—now defined by latitudinal
boundaries.
Accreditation
Part 13: accredited 18 July 2011
under the EPBC
6
Act (Part 13 and Part 13A: current accreditation (Wildlife Trade Operation) expires 17 July 2014
13A)
Total annual
Commercial: 334 t (derived from buyers returns)
harvest by sectors
Indigenous catch (no estimate but considered negligible)
Charter: Nil
Recreational: No estimate but considered negligible
Quota usage White teatfish: 49 t (92% of quota)
White teatfish (Zone 1): 39 t (99% of quota)
White teatfish (Zone 2): 10 t (77% of quota)
Other species: 285 (93% of quota)
7
GVP Approximately $4.9 million . Primarily exports to China.
Stock status The most recent stock status indicates the following:
Sustainably fished: White teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva)
Undefined: Burrowing blackfish (Actinopyga spinea)
For more information on the stock status of Queensland fisheries resources see
http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/28_16916.htm
Monitoring Commercial logbooks (CFISH), Prior reporting of commercial catch against
respective quota allocations, Buyers’ returns logbooks.
Catch and effort Routine—data accuracy is regularly verified with fishers at both point of data entry
data validation and via range checks report.
Compliance and
Units inspected by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol in 2012–13: 1
enforcement
Offences detected in 2012–13: 2 during the course of one inspection.
Complementary Fisheries Queensland continues to collaborate with Great Barrier Reef Marine
management Park Authority (GBRMPA) on complementary management arrangements
(permits are issued by GBRMPA for this fishery).
Stakeholder Meetings with stakeholders were held in Brisbane during the first half of 2013.
engagement
6
Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
7
GVP is based on price paid to fishers at the first point of sale (i.e. beach price)
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort yearQueensland Sea Cucumber
Fishery Summary 450
Catch (t) Catch rate (kg/hr)
45
400 40
Catch and effort statistics 350 35
300 30
Catch rate (kg /hr)
Commercial
Catch (t)
250 25
200 20
Total catch, effort (days), licences and GVP in 150 15
100 10
the Sea Cucumber Fishery for 2009–10 to 50 5
0 0
2012–13 are reported in Table 1. The 2012–13
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
2012-2013
quota year is the ninth year of operation of the
fishery since the introduction of the Rotational
Figure 2: Total catch (t) and catch rate (kg/hr) for the
Zoning Scheme (RZS). Sea Cucumber Fishery from 2003–04 to 2012–13
(Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 14
Table 1: Commercial fishery catch, effort and October 2013).
economics in the Sea Cucumber Fishery 2009–10 to
2012–13 derived from daily logbooks (Source:
Burrowing blackfish White teat fish Black fish Leopardfish
Fisheries Queensland CFISH Database, 14 October Brown sandfish Elephants trunk fish Prickly red fish Curryfish (all combined)
2013). Note – catch reported in logbooks are derived Golden sandfish Other
from daily estimates and may differ from total quota 100%
usage. 90%
80%
70%
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
Total catch (t) 355 387 330 334 10%
0%
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
Total effort (days) 619 609 541 508
Figure 3: Species contribution of total catch for the
Sea Cucumber Fishery from 2003–04 to 2012–13
Licences (active) 7 6 5 6 (Source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database 14
October 2013). *Prior to 2006–07 burrowing blackfish
was not differentiated from blackfish.
GVP ($A million) 4.9 5.4 4.3 4.9
Fisheries Queensland and the sea cucumber
Catch increased by 4 t since the previous year industry are continuing to monitor the harvest
but remains relatively steady compared to the of burrowing blackfish through the use of
previous ten-year period. The catch rate has improved reporting for the species in logbooks
decreased over the previous three-year period and prior reports. Since the division of
but also remains relatively steady over the burrowing blackfish from the blackfish complex
longer term (Figure 2). Commercial species in 2006–07, harvest has continued to increase.
composition during 2012–13 remained similar
to that reported in 2011–12 (Figure 3).
Burrowing blackfish was the most dominant
species, contributing 56% of the total catch, a
decrease of approximately 1% from last year’s
harvest. White teatfish attributed nearly 15%,
an increase of 1% from last year. Curryfish
contributed approximately 13% (including
Stichopus hermanni and Stichopus vastas), the
same amount as last year (Figure 3). Prickly
redfish contributed nearly 9% of the total catch,
a 4% decrease from last year.
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort yearSpatial issues/trends Queensland will consider the
management implications of the findings
Fisheries Queensland is investigating the use
in the development of a new Harvest
of finer-scale spatial information to ensure that
Agreement and in the review of the
the status and performance of the fishery can
Performance Measurement System where
be adequately reviewed (e.g. assessing the
the results will aid in the setting of
effectiveness of the RZS fishing strategy at
measurable and meaningful sustainability
minimising local-scale depletions).
indicators. The Harvest Agreement is in
The RZS is part of a voluntary industry draft and is expected to be complete by
Memorandum of Understanding designed to the end of 2014.
distribute effort across the fishery area and to
mitigate the risk of localised depletion, a trait
commonly attributed to sea cucumber fisheries.
The RZS is an innovative industry-led initiative
that demonstrates the commitment of operators
to the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
There were three zones available for the
harvest of burrowing blackfish in 2012–13;
Lizard, Gould and Bunker (Figure 4).
Of the 156 RZS zones, 52 were nominated for
the harvest of other species in the 2012–13
quota year, of which compliance is monitored
through the vessel monitoring system. Figure 4
shows the locations of the nominated zones
along the Queensland coast. For species other
than burrowing blackfish, operators were
limited to 15 days in any one nominated zone,
whereas there are no limits on effort in the
burrowing blackfish zones.
Scientists at the CSIRO successfully
sourced funding under FRDC and the Figure 4: RZS zones for burrowing blackfish and
CSIRO Flagships program in 2012–13 to other species in 2012–13.
undertake a management strategy
evaluation (MSE) of the rotational harvest
strategy for the fishery. The project was Recreational
completed in early 2014 and was There is no recreational fishery information
designed to assess the efficacy of the available for sea cucumber. However, the
current Rotational Zoning Scheme (RZS), harvest from this sector is considered to be
for mitigating local and population level negligible.
depletion risk in the fishery. This project
supported the effectiveness of the Charter
rotational harvest strategy in managing
There is no charter fishery for sea cucumber.
the sustainable harvest and provided a
clear scientific basis for understanding
safe harvest limits in the fishery. Fisheries
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort yearPerformance against fishery objectives
The Performance Measurement System (PMS) functions as a reporting framework that is a transparent,
defensible set of criteria for evaluating the performance of the fishery against management objectives
(Table 2). The full PMS for the Sea Cucumber Fishery including the links between the objective,
indicators and performance measures can be found at: http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/28_11060.htm
Table 2: Performance measures and outcomes for the Sea Cucumber Fishery in 2012–13
Performance measure Performance
Target species
Catch reported through compulsory daily fisher logbooks Triggered
exceeds individual species review reference points
Burrowing blackfish exceeded the review reference
(species total catch per quota year) (t):
point for in 2012–13 by 31 t.
Sandfish (Holothuria scabra)–15t;
Management response:
Golden sandfish (Holothuria scabra var. versicolor)–10t;
Prickly redfish (Thelenota ananas)–40t; The matter was discussed with industry and CSIRO
Surf redfish (Actinopyga mauritiana)–25t; scientists in late 2013. Their scientific advice
Deep water redfish (Actinopyga echinites)–25t; indicated the current limits for burrowing blackfish
Stonefish (Actinopyga lecanora)–10t; were highly conservative given the breadth of
Blackfish (Actinopyga palauensis)–25t; available habitat for the species. It was decided it
Burrowing blackfish (Actinopyga spinea)–15t*; was safe to increase the review reference point to
Tigerfish (Bohadschia argus)–25t; 30 t comprised of a northern and southern zone of
Greenfish (Stichopus chloronotus)–50t; 15 t respectively. Industry will operate under these
Curryfish (Stichopus vastus)–25t; new limits in 2013–14 until such time as the
Curryfish (Stichopus hermanni)–50t; development of the new Harvest Agreement for the
Brown sandfish (Bohadschia marmorata)–25t; fishery and the revision of the PMS are complete.
Amberfish (Thelonata anax)–50t;
Flowerfish (Bohadschia graeffei)–25t;
Lollyfish (Holothuria atra)–50t;
Snakefish (Holothuria coluber)–25t;
Pinkfish (Holothuria edulis)–50t;
Elephant trunkfish (Holothuria fuscopunctata)–50t
*The review reference point for burrowing blackfish refers
to catch outside the burrowing blackfish zones, which
have spatially defined TACs.
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort yearPerformance measure Performance
Should a burrowing blackfish zone TAC be exceeded in a Triggered
season, then a re-survey of that area will be instituted. If
In 2012–13 the harvest of burrowing blackfish in one
the re-survey is not conducted however, a TAC of 15 t per
allocated zone was more than the specified TAC.
season will be instituted in that area until such time as a
re-survey is completed. Lizard Reef (TAC 120 t) burrowing blackfish zone
recorded 124 t.
Management response:
Note this measure replaces the existing measure:
Surveyed populations undergo a repeated measures re- Neither the re-survey requirement nor the 15 t
survey in the third year following their initial survey. restriction were imposed in this case. The small (3%)
TAC overrun occurred mainly because of delays in
The changes will be reflected in the revised PMS pending
tallying the harvest of the species between the two
further modification.
quota holders. Fisheries Queensland and the
industry intend to address the issue of overruns such
as these in two ways.
1. Introduce e-log reporting to provide real-time
fishery data collection at spatially defined
levels. This will allow tighter management of
harvest in the burrowing blackfish zones and
lessen the chance that overruns will occur.
2. It is proposed that, in the unlikely event that an
overrun occurs, the new Harvest Agreement will
include a clause that describes the limits that
within which an overrun will be an offence (e.g.
>1%). Overruns < 1% will be deducted from the
licence holders’ quota account for the
subsequent season.
Not measured
Results of repeated measures surveys on target
populations in spatially discrete areas indicate that the No re-surveys were conducted in the reporting
estimated standing biomass has decreased by ≥15%. period.
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort yearPerformance measure Performance
1. Effort in any MOU zone* exceed 15 days per year 1. Triggered
Three rotational zones recorded more than 15 days
fishing activity in 2012–13. These zones recorded an
extra 12.5, 7.5 and 1 day/s of fishing.
2. Operators fish outside the MOU zones allocated for a
2. Triggered
particular fishing year.
Fishing did occur outside the specified MOU zones.
Both logbooks and VMS detected fishing outside the
zones.
Management response to 1 and 2:
Both of these matters are under investigation
however neither is considered an offence under
fisheries legislation. The new Harvest Agreement will
include the rules regarding the rotational harvest
strategies for the fishery and it will be a breach of
licence condition if these are not adhered to.
3. Population density is estimated to be at least 70% of 3. Not measured
the unfished population density.
This measure is industry dependent and relates to
*refers to rotational zones in an effort year. Only applies the re-opening of a fishery for a species. Black
to species other than burrowing blackfish in the burrowing teatfish is the only species in this category and no
blackfish zones in the first year of any three-year period. population density estimates were made in 2012–13.
Does not include the harvest of burrowing blackfish in
burrowing blackfish zones.
Bycatch and protected species
Not triggered
The percentage of protected animals released alive is
less than 90%. No interactions with protected species were reported
in 2012–13.
Ecosystem
Not triggered
A significant negative impact on the ecosystem is
identified as a direct result of fishing activities in the Sea Fisheries Queensland is not aware of any valid
Cucumber Fishery. scientific information in 2012–13 indicating
unsustainable negative impacts of removing
commercial target sea cucumber on the ecosystem.
Social
Not triggered
More than 30% of the active vessels in the fleet are used
to commit an offence under the Fisheries Regulation. One of the six active vessels (17%) in the fleet was
used to commit an offence under the Fisheries
Regulation during 2012–13.
Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort yearSpecies of conservation interest (SOCI) interactions There were no interactions with protected species in the Sea Cucumber Fishery reported through the SOCI logbook in 2012–13. Compliance statistics Compliance and enforcement in the Sea Cucumber Fishery are the responsibility of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP). During 2012–13, one unit, including one commercial fishing vessel was inspected in the fishery. Two offences were detected during the course of one inspection relating to contravening a condition of authority Document compiled by Megan Leslie Acknowledgements Anthony Roelofs, Dave McCorkindale, Phillip Gaffney, Kerrod Beattie, Tu Nguyen, Nadia Engstrom, Doug Zahmel, and the Queensland Sea Cucumber Association. Front cover image Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) Queensland Sea Cucumber Fishery (East Coast) Update—2012/13 effort year
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 13 25 23 www.fisheries.qld.gov.au
You can also read
