Ecological Assessment of the
South Australian Rock Lobster
(Jasus edwardsii) Fishery
REASSESSMENT REPORT
PREPARED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY,
ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES.
For the purposes of part 13 and 13(a) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999
15 AUGUST 2013
Ecological Assessment of the South Australian
Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery
Information current as of 15 August 2013
© Government of South Australia 2013
Disclaimer
PIRSA and its employees do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or
results of the use, of the information contained herein as regards to its correctness, accuracy,
reliability and currency or otherwise. PIRSA and its employees expressly disclaim all liability or
responsibility to any person using the information or advice.
All enquiries
Annabel Jones
Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA)
Level 15, 25 Grenfell Street
GPO Box 1671, Adelaide SA 5001
T 08 82262962 M 0417 612737
Annabel.jones@sa.gov.au
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REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
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Table of Contents
1. Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Background................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Level of Assessment ................................................................................................................... 6
4. Fishery ............................................................................................................................................ 7
4.1 Commercial fishery
4.2 Northern Zone
4.3 Southern Zone
4.4 Recreational Fishery
4.5 Allocation of Shares of Rocklobster Resources
7
10
11
11
12
5. External Influences ................................................................................................................... 12
6. Interaction with Protected Species....................................................................................... 13
7. Target Stock Status ................................................................................................................... 14
7.1 Northern Zone Rocklobster Fishery
7.2 Southern Zone Rocklobster Fishery
7.3 Recreational Fishery
14
15
15
8. By-product and by-catch stock status ................................................................................. 16
9. Additional Information ........................................................................................................... 17
10. Recommendations and Conditions ................................................................................... 18
10.1. Recommendations by DSEWaC, Progress Summary.
22
11. References: ................................................................................................................................ 29
12. Attachments: ............................................................................................................................ 31
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Level of assessment required by the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery
Table 2. Summary of management measures for the Commercial South Australian Rock
Lobster Fishery, 2012–13
Table 3. Summary of production, total allowable commercial catch (TACC) and value the
Commercial South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery since last reassessment.
Table 4. Summary of management measures for the Recreational South Australian Rock
Lobster Fishery, 2012-13.
Table 5. Shares of Southern Rock Lobster allocated to each fishing sector of the South
Australian Rock Lobster Fishery under the management plan.
Table 6. Summary of progress and actions employed against the DSEWPaC recommendations
for the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery.
Table 7 Summary of progress and actions employed against the DSEWPaC Condition for the
South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery.
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery Area.
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1. Purpose
This report has been prepared by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Department of
Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA).
The purpose of this report is to provide an assessment of the management arrangements in
place for the South Australian Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery and Northern Zone Rock
Lobster Fishery. This report updates information provided to the Australian Government
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts (now the Department of Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and Communities; DSEWPaC) in 2008 for assessment against
the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The report
has been prepared in accordance with the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable
Management of Fisheries 2nd Edition, and particularly addresses the level of change that has
occurred in the fishery since the 2008 assessment.
2. Background
The regulations that govern the management of the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery
under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 are the Fisheries Management (Rock Lobster
Fisheries) Regulations 2006, the Fisheries Management (General) Regulations 2007, the
Fisheries Management (Vessel Monitoring Scheme) Regulations 2007, the Fisheries
Management (Demerit Points) Regulations 2009 and the Fisheries Management (Fish
Processors) Regulations 2007.
The Management Plan for the South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery (Sloan &
Crosthwaite, 2007a) and the Management Plan for the South Australian Southern Zone Rock
Lobster Fishery (Sloan & Crosthwaite, 2007b) were established in 2007 under the Fisheries Act
1982 to provide the policy framework to guide management decision-making for the fishery.
These management plans provide a reference for the broader community in relation to the
management measures introduced to ensure the long-term sustainability of South Australia’s
rocklobster resources.
New draft management plans have been developed for the Southern Zone and Northern Zone
Rock Lobster Fisheries under the Fisheries Management Act 2007.
The Fisheries Management Act 2007 provides a number of requirements for fishery
management plans, including that they must:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Describe the biological, economic and social characteristics of the fishery
Identify potential impacts of the fishery on its associated ecosystems
Identify any ecological factors that could have an impact on the performance of the
fishery
Assess any identified risks to determine the most serious risks and set out strategies
for addressing those risks
Set out methods for monitoring the performance of the fishery and the effectiveness of
the plan, including performance indicators, trigger points for review or action and
progress reporting
Specify the share of aquatic resources to be allocated to each fishing sector under the
plan
Prescribe a method, or establish a process for determining the method, for adjusting
allocations of aquatic resources between the different fishing sectors during the term of
the plan.
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New harvest strategies have been developed for the Southern Zone and Northern Zone Rock
Lobster Fisheries through an independently-chaired working group process involving fishing
industry stakeholders, PIRSA and SARDI. These harvest strategies were approved by the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries in September 2011 and have been used to guide
TACC setting since this time. Draft fishery management plans incorporating these harvest
strategies were released in November 2012 for public comment for a period of 10 weeks.
The draft Management Plan for the South Australian Commercial Southern Zone Rock Lobster
Fishery is currently being considered for adoption by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and
Fisheries. The timeframe for completion of the draft Management Plan for the South Australian
Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery has been extended to 30 June 2014, following uncertainty
in relation to the harvest strategy following the declaration of marine park sanctuary zones in
South Australia.
3. Level of Assessment
The South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery was assessed in 2008 and the list of exempt native
specimens was amended to include Southern Rocklobster (Jasus edwardsii), taken in the
South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery, for a period of five years. Since last assessment there
have not been significant changes in most areas of interest as outlined in page 5 of the
Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries 2nd Edition (2007). The
changes noted in Table 1, below, refer to changes to management arrangements that have
been communicated to DSEWPaC and a change in target stock status from overfished to
sustainable for the Northern Zone.
Table 1: Level of assessment required by the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery
Issue
Area of Interest
Yes No
Fishery
Has there been any change to management
arrangements, and/ or fishing practices?
X
External Influences
Has there been any change to an environmental
issue/influence outside of the fishery management
agencies control?
X
Interaction with
protected species
Has there been any change in the nature, scale,
intensity of impact, and/or management response?
X
Ecosystem impact
Has there been any change in the nature, scale or
intensity of impact, and/or subsequent management
response?
X
Target Stock
Status
Has there been any change in the target stock
status?
By-product/
bycatch status.
Has there been any change in the by-product and/or
bycatch stock status?
X
X
Considering the above, the level of submission requirement for the South Australian Rock
Lobster Fishery is ‘Standard’.
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Management changes and progress in addressing the recommendations provided by
DSEWPaC have been communicated by PIRSA to DSEWPaC through the annual reporting
process.
4. Fishery
4.1 Commercial fishery
The South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery is primarily based on the capture of Southern
Rocklobster (Jasus edwardsii) although some other species are permitted to be landed and
sold, including Giant Crabs and octopus. Southern Rocklobster cannot be taken by any other
commercial fishery in South Australia. The area of the fishery and management zones are
identified below (Figure 1).
The Rock Lobster Fishery is South Australia’s most valuable commercial fishery with the total
revenue of AU $96.7 million generated in 2011/12 (Econsearch, 2013). More than 95% of the
annual catch is exported to Hong Kong and China. Only minor amounts are exported to other
countries.
The Rock Lobster Fishery is separated into two management zones. The Northern Zone
includes a stretch of coastline in excess of 3 700 km, including all waters adjacent to South
Australia west of the River Murray mouth to the Western Australian border, from the low water
mark out to 200 nautical miles (PIRSA, 2013). The Southern Zone encompasses a much
smaller, yet more productive, stretch of coastline of about 425 km from the River Murray mouth
to the Victorian border (PIRSA, 2013).
Figure 1: Area of the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery
Management plans for the Southern Zone and Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fisheries under the
Fisheries Act 1982 were implemented in September 2007. These management plans describe
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the management measures that have been introduced to ensure the long-term sustainability of
South Australia’s rocklobster resources. Copies of the plans have been provided to DSEWPaC
and are available on the PIRSA website. The harvest strategy decision rules contained in these
management plans were applied to inform setting the Total Allowable Commercial Catch
(TACC) in 2007/08 and 2008/09. In 2009/10 the TACC for the Northern Zone Fishery was
reduced from 470 to 310 tonnes based on evidence that suggested that a recruitment pulse
was about to enter the fishery and a clear need to constrain catch to protect this pulse. The
TACC remained at 310 tonnes in 2010/11.
In September 2011 the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries approved new harvest
strategies for the Southern Zone and Northern Zones. Since this time, the decision rules in
these harvest strategies have guided setting of the TACC for each zone in each season.
The harvest strategies provide a structured framework for decision making that ensures the
ecologically sustainable development objectives of the Fisheries Management Act 2007 are
achieved. The decision-making framework involves two main steps and will be undertaken
each year prior to the start of the new fishing season.
Step 1 uses biological performance indicators to assess the current status of the rocklobster
resource in the each zone and includes an opportunity for industry to provide direct input on
external factors that may have contributed to variations in catch rate estimates.
Step 2 utilises decision rules to guide the process of TACC setting to ensure the rocklobster
resource is harvested within ecologically sustainable limits.
The decision rules used in this framework are based on levels of historical commercial fishing
effort and state that a specific response will be triggered in terms of TACC adjustment based
on fishery performance.
Recent performance of the fishery is reported in the most recent stock assessment reports for
both the Southern Zone and Northern Zone fisheries, published by the South Australian
Research and Development Institute (SARDI). These reports are available from the SARDI
website www.sardi.sa.gov.au/fisheries/publications/ and have also been attached to
this report.
PIRSA and SARDI also meet regularly with counterparts from other jurisdictions with Southern
Rocklobster fisheries to consider fisheries management across jurisdictions.
Table 2. Summary of management measures for the commercial South Australian Rock
Lobster Fishery, 2012–13
Management
tool
Northern Zone
Southern Zone
Limited entry
67
181
TACC (2012/13) 345 tonnes
1 250 tonnes
Total pot
numbers
3 950
11 923
Closed Seasons
1 June to 31 October
1 June to 30 September
Minimum size
limit (carapace
length)
105 mm
98.5 mm
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Maximum
number of
pots/licence
100
100
Minimum
number of
pots/licence
20
40
Unlimited
Maximum quota
(temporary, within season
unit holding
only)
Limited by pot holding (100
pots)
Minimum quota
320 units
unit holding
Limited by minimum pot
holding (40 pots)
Spawning
females
No retention
No retention
Maximum
vessel length
None
None
Maximum
vessel power
None
None
Rocklobster
Gleeson Landing
Sanctuary Zones
Margaret Brock Reef, Cape
Jaffa and Rivoli Bay
Catch and effort Daily logbook, submitted
data
monthly
Daily logbook, submitted
monthly
Daily records submitted
upon landing (Electronic
Catch and
Daily records submitted upon
scales have been
disposal records landing
implemented, and reports
are produced electronically)
Landing
locations
Anywhere in the zone
7 designated landing points
Landing times
Any time during the season
Core hours only
Prior landing
1 hour before landing or 1
reports to PIRSA hour before unloading into
corf
Escape gaps
Vessel
Monitoring
System (VMS)
Sealed bins
AUGUST 2013
Compulsory. 2 gaps per pot;
57 mm high x 280 mm wide;
180° apart; no obstructions
Yes
1 hour before landing,
permitted outside core hours
Optional. Minimum 50 mm
mesh covering pot, or 2 gaps
per pot; 55 mm high x 150
mm wide
No, unless boat is also
registered on a Victorian
fishing licence
All bins must be sealed with a
No
lid and an approved tag prior
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
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to lobster being unloaded
from the vessel. Tags are
sequentially numbered.
Table 3. Summary of production, total allowable commercial catch (TACC) and value the
commercial South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery from 2007/08 to 2012/13.
Southern Zone
Northern Zone
Value
Production
TACC
Value
Production
TACC
YEAR
($’000)
(000’kg)
(000’kg)
($’000)
(000’kg)
(000’kg)
2007/08
75731
1850
1900
15935
459
520
2008/09
85371
1407
1770
19339
403
470
2009/10
70720
1243
1400
15117
310
310
2010/11
67020
1244
1400
14306
313
310
2011/12
79111
1242
1250
16948
307
310
2012/13
na
1234
1250
na
327
345
na – not available
4.2 Northern Zone
Since the last assessment in 2008, the following management changes to the Northern Zone
Rock Lobster Fishery took place:







TACC reduced to 470 tonnes for 2008/09, from 520 tonnes.
TACC reduced to 310 tonnes for 2009/10.
TACC maintained at 310 tonnes for 2010/11 and 2011/12.
A Code of Conduct was developed with industry in 2010 for the voluntary use of sea
lion exclusion devices when fishing in waters up to 60 metres in depth, where
Australian sea lion activity is apparent e.g. foraging, breeding sites, haul out sites.
New harvest strategy approved for the fishery in 2011.
TACC increased to 345 tonnes for 2012/13.
2013/14 Introduction of mandatory use of sea lion exclusion devices in pots set in
waters less than 100m depth.
The harvest strategy approved by the Minister in 2011 has been incorporated into the draft
management plan for the fishery. It is designed with specific goals and objectives to implement
a precautionary approach to managing the fishery and to set the TACC at levels that promote
stock rebuilding. The harvest strategy establishes biological performance indicators assessed
at the whole-of-fishery level.
The harvest strategy contains target and limit reference points and TACC decision rules, which
trigger a specific response in terms of TACC increases or reductions. Additional performance
measures provide supplementary information for fishery assessment. Further details of the
harvest strategy can be found in the draft Management Plan for the South Australian
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Commercial Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery available on the Fisheries Council of South
Australia website1. Further detailed information about the management arrangements for the
Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery, including the access, stock assessment and research,
ecosystem impacts and compliance and monitoring arrangements, is provided in this document
or on the PIRSA website2.
4.3 Southern Zone
Since the last assessment in 2008, the following management changes have been
implemented in the Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery:






TACC reduced to 1,770 tonnes in 2008/09 from 1,900 tonnes.
TACC reduced to 1,400 tonnes in 2009/10.
TACC reduced to 1,250 tonnes in 2010/11 with October 2010 closed to all fishing.
New harvest strategy approved for the fishery in 2011.
TACC maintained at 1,250 tonnes for 2011/12.
TACC maintained at 1,250 tonnes for 2012/13.
The harvest strategy approved by the Minister in 2011 has been incorporated into the draft
management plan for the fishery. It is designed in accordance with specific goals and
objectives to implement a precautionary approach to managing the fishery and to set the TACC
at levels that promote stock sustainability. The harvest strategy establishes biological
performance indicators assessed at the whole-of-fishery level.
The harvest strategy contains target and limit reference points and TACC decision rules, which
trigger a specific response in terms of TACC increases or reductions. Additional performance
measures provide supplementary information for fishery assessment. Further details of the
harvest strategy can be found in the draft ‘Management Plan for the South Australian
Commercial Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery' available on the Fisheries Council of South
Australia website1.
Further detailed information about the management arrangements for the Southern Zone Rock
Lobster Fishery, including access, stock assessment and research, ecosystem impacts and
compliance and monitoring arrangements is provided in this document or on the PIRSA
Website
4.4 Recreational Fishery
Recreational fishing is permitted through the use of rock lobster pots, rock lobster snares, drop
nets and hoop nets as well as by diving and hand collection. Recreational bag, boat and size
limits and gear restrictions apply. Anyone over the age of 15 years may register up to two
recreational rock lobster pots each season. The management arrangements for recreational
fishing are summarised in Table 4.
Table 4. Summary of management measures for the recreational South Australian Rock
Lobster Fishery, 2012/13
Management
tool
Northern Zone
Recreational
2 pots per person, 3 drop nets or hoop 2 pots per person, 3 drop nets or hoop
1
2
Southern Zone
http://www.fisheriescouncil.sa.gov.au/fisheries_management_plans
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/commercial_fishing/fisheries_management/management_plan
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methods
nets per person, snare
nets per person, snare
Boat limit
8 per day
8 per day
Bag limit
4 lobsters per person per day
4 lobsters per person per day
The middle tail fan must be clipped to The middle tail fan must be clipped to
Recreational
a recognisable straight line before
a recognisable straight line before
tail fan clipping
landing
landing
Minimum legal
10.5cm
size limit
Pot
Dimensions
9.85cm
Max width 1.5 m, Max height 1.2m,
two escape gaps on opposite sides, or
covered in 5 cm, diameter mesh.
Escape gaps must not be more than
11 cm from the base, and min
dimensions of 15 cm wide by 5.5 cm
high.
Max width 1.5 m, Max height 1.2m,
two escape gaps on opposite sides, or
covered in 5 cm, diameter mesh.
Escape gaps must not be more than
11 cm from the base, and min
dimensions of 15 cm wide by 5.5 cm
high.
4.5 Allocation of Shares of Rocklobster Resources
The Fisheries Management Act 2007 provides that, in determining the share of aquatic
resources to be allocated to a particular fishing sector under the first management plan for an
existing fishery, the share of aquatic resources to which that fishing sector had access at the
time the Minister requested the Council to prepare the plan must be taken into account.
The draft management plans for both zones allocate explicit shares of the state-wide
rocklobster resource to the commercial, recreational and Aboriginal traditional sectors, in
accordance with the requirements of the Act and the government’s Allocation Policy (see Table
5).
Table 5. - Shares of Southern Rocklobster allocated to each fishing sector of
the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery in the draft management plans.
Species
Commercial
Recreational
Aboriginal traditional
Southern Rocklobster
95.5%
3.5%
1%
Further information about the allocation of shares of the Southern Rocklobster resource is
available in the draft fishery management plans.
5. External Influences
The most dominant oceanographic influence, particularly within the Southern Zone (SZ) fishery
is the local annual upwelling events. In winter, the water over the continental shelf is vertically
mixed. However, during summer the predominant south-easterly winds result in an upwelling of
nutrient-rich, cold water (11-12ºC) which intrudes onto the continental shelf (Schahinger 1987).
Known locally as the Bonney Upwelling, this results in an increase in productivity of
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phytoplankton, which ultimately contributes to the high densities of Southern Rocklobster in the
SZRLF (Rochford 1977; Lewis 1981). During early 2008 the Bonney Upwelling was especially
long and intense. It has been suggested that this may have contributed to low catch rates
during these months, although scientific information is not available to confirm this.
It has been suggested that one of the effects of climate change in south–eastern Australia is an
increase in the strength and frequency of south-easterly winds. If correct, then it is reasonable
to suggest that the intensity of annual upwelling events in South Australia may also increase.
The overall, environmental effect of increased upwelling events on issues such as recruitment,
survival or catchability within the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery remains largely
unknown.
6. Interaction with Protected Species
Current management arrangements require licence holders from all South Australian
commercial fisheries, including the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery, to complete a
wildlife interaction logbook each time an interaction occurs with a threatened, endangered or
protected species (TEPS) and provide the returns to SARDI Aquatic Sciences with their
monthly catch logbook returns.
A number of TEPS occur in the Southern Zone, including seals, sharks, whales, and
sygnathids. A number of TEPS occur in the Northern Zone, including seals, Australian Sea
Lions (ASL), whales, sharks, blue groper, and sygnathids.
A review of wildlife interaction logbook returns for the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery
(see Knight and Vainickis 2011a,b) indicates minimal interactions with TEPS. According to the
logbook returns submitted between 2007/08 and 2011/12 by the Southern Zone Fishery the
only TEPS interaction was with one turtle in 2007/08. According to the logbook returns from the
NZRLF during that same period the fishery’s only TEPS interaction was with a single dolphin
and a flock of petrels in 2007/08 (Knight and Vainickis 2011a,b, Tsolos and Boyle, 2013).
Detailed information about the risk to and from the ecosystem on the fishery is provided in the
report Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Risk Assessment for the South Australian
commercial Rock Lobster Fishery (PIRSA 2013). The risk to TEPS in the Southern Zone was
categorised as negligible as was the risk to Western Blue Grouper in the Northern Zone. The
risk to Australian Sea Lion (ASL) in the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery was identified as a
medium risk in the ESD risk assessment process (PIRSA, 2013).
In 2007, PIRSA Fisheries endorsed research undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences to investigate
appropriate measures to mitigate interactions between the South Australian Rock Lobster Fisheries
(SARLF) and the Australian Sea Lion (FRDC Project 2007/041: ‘Mitigating seal interactions in the
SRLF and the gillnet sector SESSF in South Australia’). A key finding of this research was that rock
lobster pots with a correctly fitted spike (the sea lion exclusion device (SLEDs) tested) would
significantly reduce the likelihood of sea lion entrapment.
Following the release of this report PIRSA has worked with the industry to understand and
implement appropriate mitigation measures and agreed that rock lobster pots fitted with spikes was
the most appropriate measure to prevent interactions with Australian Sea Lions. These pot spikes
have historically been used in the fishery to prevent bait and lobster loss. Pot spikes fitted to
the base of the pots that extend up to be flush with the neck of the pots have been
demonstrated to be effective at preventing ASL pups from entrapment in the pots (Goldsworthy
et al., 2010).
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A voluntary Code of Practice was adopted in 2010 by the South Australian Northern Zone Rock
Lobster Fishermen’s Association, which requires licence holders to use SLEDs in areas where
ASL are apparent e.g. foraging, breeding sites, haul-out site.
PIRSA have made the decision that from 1 November 2013 lobster pots will be required to be
fitted with metal rods that extend from the base of the pot to the base of the pot collar,
consistent with the conclusions from Goldsworthy et al. (2010) in waters less than 100m,
across the range of the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery. PIRSA have advised licence
holders of its decision to implement mandatory use of SLEDs in the Northern Zone Fishery in a
Notice to Fishers sent to all licence holders in June 2013. PIRSA is currently in the process of
implementing this decision in the management arrangements for the fishery.
7. Target Stock Status
Current key biological performance indicators used to assess the Southern Zone and Northern
Zone Rock Lobster Fisheries are unstandardised yearly commercial catch per unit of effort of
legal-sized Southern Rocklobster (kilograms/potlift) and pre-recruit index being the average
number of undersized Southern Rocklobster caught/potlift. Additional performance indicators
include total biomass, mean weight, catch vs TACC, puerulus settlement index and egg
production. Performance against the key biological performance indicators and additional
indicators are reported annually in stock status assessments produced by South Australian
Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
According to the most recent status assessment in the Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks
2012 report (Flood et al, 2012) the Southern Rocklobster stock (which encompasses South
Australia, Victoria and Tasmania) is currently classified as a sustainable stock.
A ‘sustainable’ classification is given to a stock for which the biomass is considered to be at a
level sufficient to ensure that, on average, future levels of recruitment are adequate (i.e. not
recruitment overfished) and for which fishing pressure is adequately controlled to avoid the
stock becoming recruitment overfished.
The most recent stock assessment reports for both the Southern Zone and Northern Zone
fisheries have been completed by the SARDI for the 2010/11 fishing season. These reports are
available from the SARDI website, www.sardi.sa.gov.au/fisheries/publications/
7.1 Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery
The most recent Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery stock assessment reports on the
2010/11 season for the fishery (Linnane et al, 2012a). In addition to assessing the status of the
fishery, the report also identifies both current and future research needs. The fishery
assessment reported that although catch declined between 1999/2000 to 2008/09, effort also
decreased, particularly in 2009/10. For the two years 2009/10 to 2010/11 commercial catch per
unit of effort increased by 57% and was above the limit reference point set in the harvest
strategy of 0.70 kg/pot lift. In 2010/11 the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) was 310
tonnes with reported total commercial catch being 312.2 tonnes.
Fishery statistics from 2011/12 season indicate that total catch was 307.39 tonnes from a
TACC of 310 tonnes. Thus, the catch represented the third consecutive season that the TACC
was fully taken since the introduction of TACC in 2003 (Linnane et al., 2012b). Average
commercial catch rate in 2011/12 showed only a small increase from the previous year,
however was the highest catch rate reported since 2000 (Linnane et al., 2012b).
Fisheries stock assessment models indicate that biomass and egg production decreased
markedly over the last two decades but had increased in 2009/10 and 2010/11. Biomass
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estimates in 2010/11 were about 2,000 tonnes reflecting a 50% increase since 2008/09.
Models indicate that egg production in 2010/11 represented 10-20% virgin egg product levels.
In summary, the increase in biomass and catch rate estimates in 2009/10 and 2010/11 were a
strong indication that stock rebuilding was occurring within the resource (Linnane et al., 2012a).
More detailed information on stock status is provided in stock assessment reports prepared by
SARDI Aquatic Sciences. All completed stock assessment reports are available on the SARDI
website at www.sardi.sa.gov.au and are attached.
7.2 Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery
The most recent Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery stock assessment reports on the
2010/11 fishing season (Linnane et al., 2012c). In addition to assessing the status of the fishery,
the report also identifies both current and future research needs.
The fishery assessment reported that catch remained steady at around 1,500 tonnes between
1984/85 and 1990/91. A TACC was introduced in 1991/92 at 1,720 tonnes however the quota
was only taken in one year (1994/95) until 1997/98. Quota was fully taken between 1998/99
and 2002/03, including in 2002/03 when quota was increased to 1,770 tonnes. In 2003/04 the
TACC was increased to 1,900 which was largely taken until 2006/07. However, from 2007/08
through to 2009/10 the TACC was not fully landed despite a reduction in TACC to 1,770 tonnes
in 2008/09 and 1,400 tonnes in 2009/10.
In 2010/11 the TACC was again reduced to 1,250 tonnes which was fully taken (Linnane et al.,
2012c). In 2011/12, the TACC remained at 1,250 tonnes with 1,242 tonnes taken thus
representing the second consecutive season that >99% of the TACC had been taken since
2006/07 (Linnane et al., 2012d).The stock assessment estimated exploitation rate in 2010/11 at
around 46-53% indicating a decrease from the peak exploitation rate recorded for the fishery of
69% in 2009/10.
Fisheries models indicate that lobster biomass and egg production decreased by 60% from
2002/03 and 2009/10 (Linnane et al, 2012c). Biomass estimates in 2010/11 indicated that
biomass increased by 27-50%, however noted that estimates remain low in a historic context
(Linnane et al, 2012c).
In summary, Linnane et al. (2012c) reported that the CPUE increase of 56% from 2009/10 to
2010/11 and that the TACC was fully taken in 2009/10 and 2010/11 were positive signs with for
the status of the fishery. Linnane et al. (2012c) also noted that recruitment to the fishery will be
likely reduced from 2013/14 to 2016/17 based on puerulus settlement data from 2008/09 to
2011/12. Commercial catch rates will be monitored closely over this period to ensure that
biomass levels remain sustainable.
More detailed information on stock status is provided in stock assessment reports prepared by
SARDI Aquatic Sciences. All completed stock assessment reports are available on the SARDI
website at www.sardi.sa.gov.au and are attached.
7.3 Recreational Fishery
Since the last assessment, the most recent survey of recreational rocklobster fishers was
undertaken during the 2007/08 South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey (Jones, 2009).
The survey collected information in relation to pot fishing, as well as drop netting and diving for
rocklobster. Overall, total numbers caught decreased by 12% from the 2001/02 survey but
release rates increased (Jones, 2009).
An estimated 106,483 (±54,423) rocklobsters were caught by South Australian residents in
2007/08, with 55% released. The catch represents a total of about 60 tonnes, of which 92%
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 1515
came from the Southern Zone and 8% came from the Northern Zone (Jones, 2009). Rock
lobster pots/nets were the main method of capture (96%) for recreational fishers with various
diving methods accounting for the remainder.
The recreational harvest was estimated to be 2.5% of the total harvest in 2007/08 (Jones,
2009).
8. By-product and by-catch stock status
In addition to Southern Rocklobster, licence holders may take Giant Crabs and octopus, and a
range of marine scalefish species3 (depending on a nominated level of access).
Licence holders complete a compulsory daily catch and effort logbook that record octopus and
Giant Crab catch, including weight and numbers caught. Within season and inter-annual trends
in octopus catch rates are reported in the annual fishery stock assessment reports.
Stock status reports are produced regularly (and stock assessment reports less frequently) for
the Giant Crab Fishery, incorporating catch taken as by-product by Rock Lobster Fishery
licence holders. The most recent stock status report describes the status of the Giant Crab
Fishery as ‘undefined’ due to some inconsistency in trends seen in the performance indicators
used in the weight-of-evidence approach to assessing the fishery (Chick, 2013). This
inconsistency may be attributed to the low levels of catch and effort in the fishery in recent
times. However, total catch has remained relatively stable since introduction of quota in 2003
and total effort has generally declined (Chick, 2013).
A by-catch sampling program carried out from 2001/02 to 2003/04 provided information on bycatch diversity and estimates of by-catch catch rates4. This study identified 40 species of bycatch caught in pots in the fishery. Results indicated that by-catch was dominated by temperate
reef finfish, particularly leatherjackets and Blue Throat Wrasse (Notolabrus tetricus). Many
finfish species are used as bait in lobster fishing. Crustaceans were the next largest component
of by-catch (Brock et al., 2007).
In developing new management plans for the Southern Zone and Northern Zone Rock Lobster
Fisheries in South Australia, the Fisheries Management Act 2007 requires that ecological
impacts from and to the fishery be identified and assessed. The ecological impacts associated
with the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery were identified through the process of
conducting an ecologically sustainable development (ESD) risk assessment following the
methodology of Fletcher et al. (2002).
Octopus are a major predator of lobster in pots and the main species of octopus taken as byproduct in the SZRLF is the Maori Octopus (Octopus maorum, Brock and Ward 2004). Current
catch rates of octopus (including Maori Octopus) are relatively low in both the Northern Zone
and Southern Zone (Linnane et al., 2012 a & c). The ESD assessment for the fishery noted that
catch rates of octopus had fluctuated significantly from year to year, however, such fluctuations
are likely to represent recruitment variability due to changes in environmental conditions rather
than a decline in population size due to fishing pressure. Thus, the assessment concluded that
there was no indication that the catch rates of octopus have declined or that the level of bycatch is unsustainable (PIRSA 2013).
3
Aquatic resources prescribed for Rock Lobster Fisheries are in Schedule 1 Fisheries Management
(Rock Lobster Fisheries) Regulations 2006.
4
The researchers noted that the methods of data collection had limitations that could lead to a bias in
calculating catch rates and total by-catch levels.
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 1616
Risk assessment of the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery carried out in 2011 (PIRSA,
2013) rated the risk to octopus species as negligible in the Northern Zone and low in the
Southern Zone where the highest abundance of octopus occur. Risk assessment rated the risk
to other by-catch species including marine scalefish and crustaceans as negligible as the level
of take is low compared to the overall biomass and take by other fisheries (PIRSA, 2013).
The risk to other by-product species was considered negligible due to the level of take being
very low compared to the overall biomass and take by other fisheries (PIRSA 2013).
9. Additional Information
Ecologically Sustainable Development Risk Assessment of the South Australian
Commercial Rock Lobster Fishery (PIRSA, 2013): This report assesses and prioritises
current known and potential ecological impacts of and to the fishery.
Mitigating Seal Interactions in the SRLF and the Gillnet Sector SESSF in South Australia
(Goldsworthy et al. 2010): This report provides details on the use of sea lion exclusion
devices in rock lobster pots and the effectiveness in the use of these devices in the South
Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery.
South Australian Wild Fisheries Information and Statistics Report 2010/11 (Knight and
Tsolos 2012): Provides an estimate of catch, effort and landed beach price of the commercial
fish catches in South Australian waters up to the financial year ending June 2011. It also
provides a statistical overview highlighting key information and points of interest.
Northern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2010/11 - Fishery assessment
report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture (Linnane et al. 2012a): Provides a
comprehensive synopsis of information available for the NZRLF, and to assess the current
stock of the fishery, including the results derived from: fishery dependent data, fishery
independent data, puerulus monitoring program, and estimates using the qR model.
Northern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2011/12 - Status Report to PIRSA
Fisheries and Aquaculture (Linnane et al. 2012b): Provides updates of fishery statistics
including catch and effort.
Southern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2010/11 - Fishery Assessment
Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture (Linnane et al. 2012c): It assesses the current
status of the fishery based on fishery dependent and fishery independent data. It also provides
estimates using the qR model.
Southern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2011/12 - Status Report to PIRSA
Fisheries and Aquaculture (Linnane et al. 2012d): Provides updates of fishery statistics
including catch and effort.
Two monitoring methods that assess species composition and spatio-temporal trends in
by-catch from an important temperate rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) fishery (Brock et al.
2007): It identifies the species composition, estimate levels and spacio-temporal trends in bycatch caught in pots in the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery.
2007/08 South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey (Jones, K. 2009): This survey was
the second state-wide assessment of recreational fishing in South Australia. The survey was
undertaken in 2007/08 and includes estimates of participations rates and demographics of
South Australian recreational fishers and their fishing effort and catches (harvested and
released).
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 1717
10.
Recommendations and Conditions
Recommendation 1. Operation of the fishery will be carried out in accordance with the South
Australian (SA) Rock Lobster Fishery management regime in force under the SA Fisheries
Management Act 2007, Fisheries Management (Rock Lobster Fisheries) Regulations 2006,
and the Fisheries Management (General) Regulations 2007.
The Fisheries Management Act 2007 and regulations made under the Act, namely Fisheries
Management (Rock Lobster Fisheries) Regulations 2007, the Fisheries Management (General)
Regulations 2007, the Fisheries Management (Demerit Points) Regulations 2009 and the
Fisheries Management (Fish Processor) Regulations 2007, provide for the management of
South Australian commercial Rock Lobster Fishery.
Draft management plans for both zones of the South Australian commercial Rock Lobster
Fishery have been developed in accordance with the Fisheries Management Act 2007. The
draft plans provide the broad policy framework to guide management decision-making for the
fishery. The plans also describe the management measures that have been introduced to
ensure the long-term sustainability of South Australia’s rocklobster resource.
Recommendation 2. The Department of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia to
advise DEWHA of any intended amendments to the management arrangements that may
affect the assessment of the fishery against the criteria on which the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) decisions are based.
PIRSA understands the importance of maintaining regular and open lines of communication
with DSEWPaC, and will continue to communicate any changes in the management
arrangements of the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery that may affect the assessment of
the fishery against the criteria on which EPBC Act decisions are based. PIRSA has and will
continue to communicate these changes as they arise, and through the annual reporting
process.
Recommendation 3. PIRSA to produce and present reports to DEWHA annually as per
Appendix B to the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable management of Fisheries 2 nd
Edition.
PIRSA has produced and presented reports to DSEWPaC on annual basis since 2005. The
information provided in these reports is consistent with that recommended in Appendix B to the
Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries - 2nd Edition. PIRSA will
continue to produce and present reports to DSEWPaC on annual basis to ensure this
recommendation is achieved.
Recommendation 4. By December 2010 PIRSA to implement the new management plans,
incorporating a review of the appropriateness of stock abundance triggers.
The current harvest strategies used to set TACCs for both zones of the fishery provide a
structured framework for decision making that ensures ecological objectives are achieved. The
harvest strategies were formally endorsed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries in
2011. The key biological performance indicator of unstandardised average annual commercial
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 1818
catch per unit of effort (CPUE) of legal sized rocklobster (kg/potlift) has been accepted as
representative of lobster abundance and reference levels have been defined to guide setting
appropriate Total Allowable Commercial Catches (TACC) in each zone.
The harvest strategies, including the reference points, were reviewed in 20115 using a
modelling approach and the reviewers found that the harvest strategies for both zones
performed well on stock recovery in the short term. Assessment of performance indicators
identified in the management plans are reported annually in the fishery assessment reports
provided by SARDI.
A new draft management plan for the South Australian commercial Southern Zone Rock
Lobster Fishery has been developed in accordance with the Fisheries Management Act 2007
and is currently being considered for adoption. It is anticipated that the management plan will
be implemented from 1 October 2013 for a period of 5 years. The draft management plan
includes the current adopted harvest strategy for the fishery.
A draft management plan for the commercial Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery has also
been developed. The timeframe for completion of the plan has been extended to 30 June 2014,
following uncertainty in relation to the current harvest strategy following the declaration of
marine park sanctuary zones in South Australia.
Recommendation 5. PIRSA to continue to work towards the implementation of a program to
collect fishery –independent information, or test existing fishery-independent information, in the
Northern Zone.
Given the inherent problems associated with fishery-dependent data, a fishery independent
monitoring survey of the NZRLF has been identified as important to future assessments of the
resource (PIRSA, 2013).
The cost of conducting fishery-independent monitoring would be high compared to the GVP of
the fishery due to the very large spatial area and patchy distribution of suitable rocklobster
habitat in the zone.
All costs attributed to managing the commercial fishery are recovered from the industry,
including stock assessment and research costs. Thus, careful consideration of cost, benefits
and risks associated with all monitoring activities is important.
Industry has invested resources into the voluntary catch sampling program and on-board
observers. The catch sampling program provides invaluable spatially-explicit data for the
assessment of the status of the fishery in both Zones. The observer program adds information
to the catch sampling program and is compared to fisher’s voluntary pot sampling data to
provide support to the trends observed in this data.
Specifically, the catch sampling program provides information on pre-recruit index (PRI),
reproductive condition, length frequencies, sex ratios and recruitment trends. Length frequency
Punt, A.E. Review of Harvest Control Rules for South Australian Rock Lobster. Report to
Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, April 7, 2011.
5
Smith, T. Review of rock lobster harvest strategy proposals, December 2010. Report to the
Harvest Strategy Steering Committee for Southern Rock Lobster, 5 December 2010.
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 1919
data provides a comparison of changes in size structure over time and are a critical component
of the length structured stock assessment model. In the Northern Zone, PRI (the secondary
biological indicator in the harvest strategy) is estimated directly from the catch sampling data as
logbook data under-estimates undersized lobster due to mandatory introduction of escape gaps
in 2003. In 2012/13 the pot sampling program in the Northern Zone fishery was increased
through employment of two additional, industry funded observers.
PIRSA is continuing to pursue with industry opportunities for fishery independent monitoring
and assessment with regard to cost, benefit, risk and effectiveness at meeting management
objectives.
Recommendation 6. PIRSA to conduct an ERA prior to the implementation of the new
management plans for the NZRLF and SZRLF. In the development and implementation of the
ERA, PIRSA to:


Identify areas at risk of localised depletion and implement appropriate management
measures to address the identified risks; and
Implement appropriate measures to ensure risks identified in relation to bycatch and
by-product are addressed and minimised.
An Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Risk Assessment of the South Australian
Rock Lobster Fishery was undertaken in 2011 (PIRSA, 2013). This report assesses and
prioritises current known and potential ecological impacts to and from the fishery.
The ecological impacts associated with the South Australian Southern Rock Lobster Fishery
were identified in consultation with stakeholders and assessed through the process of
conducting an ecologically sustainable development (ESD) risk assessment. The National ESD
Reporting Framework for Australian Fisheries of Fletcher et al. (2002) was used as a guide
throughout this process. All the ecological, economic and social factors that affect the
management of the South Australian Southern Rock Lobster Fishery were considered and risks
assessed and prioritised by stakeholders at a workshop on 30 March 2010 using risk ratings
from negligible to extreme. A description of the methodology is provided in PIRSA (2013).
A total of 35 risks with a rating of moderate or higher were identified specifically for the
Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery and are summarised in Appendix 1. Most of the risks
identified were related to governance and community issues, but there were six risks that were
ecological in nature. Strategies to address identified risks rated as moderate or higher were
considered in developing the draft management plans for both zones of the fisheries. These
strategies are identified in Appendix 2 of this report.
A total of 36 risks with a rating of moderate or higher were identified specifically for the
Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery and are summarised in Appendices 3. Most of the risks
identified were related to governance and community issues, but there were seven risks that
were ecological in nature. Strategies to address identified risks rated as moderate or higher
were considered in developing the draft management plans for both zones of the fisheries.
These strategies are identified in Appendix 4 of this report.
Recommendation 7. PIRSA to develop and implement methods to reduce the capture and
improve survivorship of juvenile rocklobster across all zones of the RLF.
Minimum legal size limits have been legislated for the fishery since 1968 to allow lobster to
grow to a size which allows 50% of females to reach sexual maturity. Size limits are different in
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 2020
the two zones to account for the differences in estimated size at onset of maturity (SOM). SOM
is estimated at the size at which 50% of females reach sexual maturity. The minimum legal size
limits are currently 98.5 mm for the Southern Zone and 105 mm for the Northern Zone.
For the Southern Zone investigation of reproductive characteristics indicated that SOM was
higher in the northern area of the zone (104.1 mm carapace length (CL)) compared to southern
areas (92.3 mm CL) (Linnane et al., 2008). For the Northern Zone, SOM also varies across the
range of the zone between 105 and 118 mm CL (Linnane et al., 2011). The current minimum
legal size limits for each zone have been shown to be more effective at allowing juveniles to
grow to sexual maturity prior to recruiting to the fishery in some areas than others. For example,
in the Northern Zone, the minimum legal size effectively protects more than 50% of females in
the eastern areas of the zone, but is less effective in other areas (Linnane et al., 2011).
Similarly, for the Southern Zone the minimum legal size limit in the southern part of the zone is
more effective at protecting spawning females than in northern areas (Linnane et al 2008).
Escape gaps have been mandatory in the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery since 2003.
The Southern Zone fishery may opt to cover pots in 5 cm mesh in lieu of escape gaps. The
efficiency of size limits and escape gaps as a management tool in the Northern Zone Rock
Lobster Fishery has been shown to reduce catch rates of undersized lobster by more than 60%
(Linnane et al., 2011).
In addition, the TACC setting process includes a pre-recruit index (PRI - measured as numbers
of undersized lobster/potlift) as a secondary performance indicator. Thus, there is ongoing
monitoring of the abundance of juvenile lobster in both zones of the fishery. The most recent
reports of the fishery statistics indicates that PRI for the Northern Zone was above long term
average (Linnane et al., 2012b) and for the Southern Zone was below the long term average
(Linnane et al., 2012d).
Condition 1. By the commencement of the 2010 fishing season for the South Australian Rock
Lobster Fishery, the Department of Primary Industries and Resources, South Australia to
require the adoption of appropriate measures to mitigate interactions with protected species.
In 2007, PIRSA Fisheries endorsed research undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences to investigate
appropriate measures to mitigate interactions between the South Australian Rock Lobster Fisheries
(SARLF) and the Australian sea lion (FRDC Project 2007/041: ‘Mitigating seal interactions in the
SRLF and the gillnet sector SESSF in South Australia’). A key finding of this research was that rock
lobster pots with a correctly fitted spike (the sea lion exclusion device (SLED) investigated) would
significantly reduce the likelihood of sea lion entrapment.
Following the release of this report PIRSA has worked with the industry to understand and
implement appropriate mitigation measures and agreed that rock lobster pots fitted with spikes was
the most appropriate measure to prevent interactions with Australian sea lions. These pot spikes
have historically been used in the fishery to prevent bait and lobster loss. Pot spikes fitted to
the base of the pots that extend up to be flush with the neck of the pots have been
demonstrated to be effective at preventing ASL pups from entrapment in the pots (Goldsworthy
et al., 2010).
A voluntary Code of Practice was adopted in 2010 by the South Australian Northern Zone Rock
Lobster Fishermen’s Association, which requires licence holders to use SLEDs in areas where
ASL activity is apparent e.g. foraging, breeding sites, haul-out site. This information has been
previously communicated to DSEWPaC (see Attachment 7).
PIRSA have made the decision that from 1 November 2013 lobster pots will be required to be
fitted with metal rods that extend from the base of the pot to the base of the pot collar,
consistent with the conclusions from Goldsworthy et al. (2010) in waters less than 100m across
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 2121
the range of the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery. PIRSA have advised licence holders of
its decision to implement mandatory use of SLEDs in a Notice to Fishers sent to all licence
holders in June 2013 (Attachment 8).
PIRSA is currently in the process of implementing this decision in the management
arrangements for the fishery.
10.1. Recommendations by DSEWaC, Progress Summary.
PIRSA, in conjunction with the licence holders, the respective Southern Zone and Northern
Zone industry associations, SARDI and other stakeholders have completed the one condition
of exemption for the fishery under Part 13 and 13a of the EPBC Act (1999) (Table 7). In
addition completion or substantial progress has been made to meeting the recommendations
by DSEWPaC in the previous assessment (Table 6).
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 2222
Table 6 - Summary of progress and actions employed against the DSEWPaC recommendations for the South Australian Rocklobster Fishery.
No
Recommendation
Actions
Progress
1
Operation of the fishery will be
carried out in accordance with
the South Australian (SA) Rock
Lobster Fishery management
regime in force under the SA
Fisheries Management Act 2007,
Fisheries Management (Rock
Lobster Fisheries) Regulations
2006, and the Fisheries
Management (General)
Regulations 2007.
The Department of Primary
Industries and Resources South
Australia to advise DEWHA of
any intended amendments to
the management arrangements
that may affect the assessment
of the fishery against the criteria
on which the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC
Act) decisions are based.
On adoption of the draft management plans
developed in accordance with Fisheries
Management Act 2007, these will be used to guide
management decision-making for fishery.
Ongoing
PIRSA will continue to communicate changes to
management arrangements as they arise, and
through the annual reporting process.
Ongoing
PIRSA to produce and present
reports to DEWHA annually as per
Appendix B to the Guidelines for the
PIRSA will continue to produce and present
reports to DSEWPaC on annual basis as per
Appendix B to the Guidelines for the Ecologically
Ongoing
2
3
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 23
23
4
Ecologically Sustainable
management of Fisheries 2nd
Edition.
Sustainable Management of Fisheries - 2nd
Edition.
By December 2010 PIRSA to
implement the new management
plans, incorporating a review of the
appropriateness of stock abundance
triggers.
Implementation of Management Plans:
Implementation of Management Plans:
Draft management plan for the Southern Zone
Rock Lobster Fishery currently being considered
for adoption, with an anticipated commencement
date of 1 October 2013.
Anticipated commencement date of 1 October 2013.
1 October 2013
Draft Management Plan for the Northern Zone
Rock Lobster Fishery has been developed and has Substantial progress
a revised completion date of 30 June 2014.
5
PIRSA to continue to work towards
the implementation of a program to
collect fishery –independent
information, or test existing fisheryindependent information, in the
Northern Zone
Review of stock abundance triggers:
Review of stock abundance triggers:
New harvest strategies for both the SZ and NZ
Rock Lobster Fisheries were implemented in 2011.
Robustness of each harvest strategy to
uncertainties such as starting biomass, level and
variability in recruitment, variability in CPUE, and
trends in CPUE was tested by an independent
scientist.
Complete
The cost of conducting fishery independent
monitoring over the very large spatial area of the
zone is relatively high compared to the GVP of the
fishery due to the very large spatial area and
patchy distribution of suitable rocklobster habitat in
the zone.
Ongoing
All costs attributed to managing the commercial
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 24
24
fishery are recovered from the industry, including
stock assessment and research costs. Thus,
careful consideration of cost, benefits and risks
associated with all monitoring activities is
important.
Industry has invested resources into the voluntary
catch sampling program and on-board observers
The catch sampling program provides invaluable
spatially-explicit data for the assessment of the
status of the fishery in both Zones. The observer
data is compared to fisher’s voluntary pot sampling
data to provide support to the trends observed in
this data.
Specifically, the catch sampling program provides
information on pre-recruit index (PRI), reproductive
condition, length frequencies, sex ratios and
recruitment trends. Length frequency data provides
a comparison of changes in size structure over
time and are a critical component of the length
structured stock assessment model. In the
Northern Zone PRI (the secondary biological
indicator in the harvest strategy) is estimated
directly from the catch sampling data as logbook
data under-estimates undersized lobster due to
mandatory introduction of escape gaps in 2003.In
2012/13 the pot sampling program in the Northern
Zone fishery was increased through employment
of two additional industry funded observers.
PIRSA is continuing to pursue with industry
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 25
25
opportunities for fishery independent monitoring
and assessment with regard to cost, benefit, risk
and effectiveness at meeting management
objectives.
6
PIRSA to conduct an ERA prior to
the implementation of the new
management plans for the NZRLF
and SZRLF. In the development and
implementation of the ERA, PIRSA
to:


7
Identify areas at risk of
localised
depletion
and
implement
appropriate
management measures to
address the identified risks;
and
Implement
appropriate
measures to ensure risks
identified in relation to
bycatch and by-product are
addressed and minimised.
PIRSA to develop and implement
methods to reduce the capture and
improve survivorship of juvenile
Rocklobster across all zones of the
RLF.
The ecological impacts associated with the South
Australian Rock Lobster Fishery were identified in
consultation with stakeholders and assessed
through the process of conducting an ecologically
sustainable development (ESD) risk assessment.
Completed
All the ecological, economic and social factors that
affect the management of the South Australian
Southern Rock Lobster Fishery were considered
and risks assessed and prioritised by stakeholders
at a workshop on 30 March 2010.
The prioritised risks were reported in the ESD risk
assessment report for the Rock Lobster Fisheries
finalised in 2013 (PIRSA, 2013).
Strategies to address identified risks rated as
moderate or higher were considered in developing
the draft management plans for both zones of the
fisheries.
The size limit of 98.5mm over the whole zone for
Ongoing
the Southern Zone and 105mm for the Northern
Zone provides protection for juvenile rocklobster
prior to reaching sexual maturity across each zone.
(Linnane et al., 2008, 2011).
In the Northern Zone escape gaps are mandatory
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 26
26
and have been shown to reduce catch rates of
undersized lobster by more than 60% (Linnane et
al., 2011). The Southern Zone Fishery may opt to
cover pots in 5cm mesh in lieu of escape gaps.
A paper to review the effectiveness of the use of
escape gaps in the Northern Zone was published
Linnane et al. (2011).
Table 7. - Summary of progress and actions employed against the DSEWPaC Condition for the South Australian Rock Lobster
Fishery.
No Condition
Actions
Progress
1
By the commencement of the 2010
fishing season for the South
Australian Rock Lobster Fishery,
the Department of Primary
Industries and Resources, South
Australia to require the adoption of
appropriate measures to mitigate
interactions with protected species.
In 2007, PIRSA Fisheries endorsed research
undertaken by SARDI Aquatic Sciences to
investigate appropriate measures to mitigate
interactions between the South Australian Rock
Lobster Fisheries (SARLF) and the Australian sea
lion (FRDC Project 2007/041: ‘Mitigating seal
interactions in the SRLF and the gillnet sector
SESSF in South Australia’)
Completed
A key finding of this research was that rock lobster
pots with a correctly fitted spike (the sea lion
exclusion device (SLED) investigated) would
significantly reduce the likelihood of sea lion
entrapment.
Subsequently, Industry adopted a Code of Practice
(COP) to use such SLEDs when ASL activity is
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 27
27
apparent e.g. foraging, breeding sites, haul-out
sites.
PIRSA have made the decision that from 1
November 2013 lobster pots will be required to be
fitted with metal rods that extend from the base of
the pot to the base of the pot collar, consistent with
the conclusions from Goldsworthy et al. (2010) in
waters less than 100m across the range of the
Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery. PIRSA have
advised licence holders of its decision to
implement mandatory use of SLEDs in a Notice to
Fishers sent to all licence holders in June 2013.
PIRSA is currently in the process of implementing
this decision in the management arrangements for
the fishery.
Contact Officer: Dr Annabel Jones
Phone: (08) 8226 2962 Email: annabel.jones@sa.gov.au
AUGUST 2013
REASSESSMENT OF THE SA ROCK LOBSTER FISHSERY
PAGE 28
28
11.
References:
Brock, D.J. and Ward, T.M. (2004) Octopus (Octopus maorum) bycatch and lobster (Jasus
edwardsii) mortality in the South Australian Rock Lobster Fishery. Fishery Bulletin 102:
430–440.
Brock, D.J., Hawthorne, P.J., Ward, T.M. and Linnane, A.J. 2007. Two monitoring methods that
assess species composition and spatio-temporal trends in by-catch from an important
temperate rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) fishery. Marine and Freshwater Research 58,
273-285.
Chick, R.C. 2013. South Australian Giant Crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas) Fishery Status Report
2011/12. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences),
Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2011/000332-3. SARDI Research Report Series No.
691. 20pp.
Fletcher, W. J., Chesson, J., Fisher, M., Sainsbury, K. J., Hundloe, T., Smith, A. D. M. &
Whitworth, B. (2002). National ESD reporting framework for Australian fisheries: the
‘how to’ guide for wild capture fisheries. FRDC Project 2000/145. Fisheries Research
and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Flood, M., Stobutzki, I., Andrews, J., Begg, G., Fletcher, W., Gardner, C., Kemp, J., Moore, A.,
O'Brien, A., Quinn, R., Roach, J., Rowling, K., Sainsbury, K., Saunders, T., Ward, T. &
Winning, M. (eds) (2012). Status of key Australian fish stocks reports 2012. Fisheries
Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Goldsworthy, S.D., Page B, Shaughnessy, P.D and Linnane A (2010). Mitigating Seal
Interactions in the SRLF and the Gillnet Sector SESSF in South Australia. Report to
the Fisheries Research and Development Institute. South Australian Research and
Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No.
F2009/000613-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 405.
Jones, K. (2009) South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey. PIRSA Fisheries,Adelaide, 84 pp.
South Australian Fisheries Management Series Paper No 54.
Knight, M.A. and Tsolos, A (2012). South Australian Wild Fisheries Information and Statistics
Report 2010/11. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic
Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2008/000804-4. SARDI Research Report
Series No. 612. 57pp.
Knight MA & Vainickis AA (2011a). Interactions with Threatened, Endangered or Protected
Species in South Australian Managed Fisheries – 2007/08, 2008/09, and 2009/10.
Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and
Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No.
F2009/000544-1. SARDI Research Report Series No.534. 44pp.
Knight MA & Vainickis AA (2011b). Interactions with Threatened, Endangered or Protected
Species in South Australian Managed Fisheries – 2008/09, 2009/10, and 2010/11.
Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture (PDF 3.7 MB). South Australian Research
and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No.
F2009/000544-2. SARDI Research Report Series No. 593. 41pp.
Lewis, R. K. (1981). Seasonal upwelling along the south-eastern coastline of South Australia.
Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 32, 843-54.
Linnane, A., Penny, S., Ward, T. 2008. Contrasting fecundity, size at maturity and reproductive
potential of southern rock lobster Jasus edwardsii in two South Australian fishing
regions. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 88, 583-589. Fisheries Research 111 (2011) 1– 7.
Linnane, A., Penny, S., Hoare, M., Hawthorne, P. 2011. Assessing the effectiveness of size limits
and escape gaps as management tools in a commercial rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii)
Fishery. Fisheries Research 111 (2011) 1– 7.
Linnane, A., McGarvey, R., Feenstra, J and M. Hoare (2012a). Northern Zone Rock Lobster
(Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2010/11. Fishery assessment report to PIRSA Fisheries and
Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences),
Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/000320-5. SARDI Research Report Series No.
644. 78pp.
Linnane, A., McGarvey, R., Feenstra, J. and Hoare, M. (2012b). Northern Zone Rock Lobster
(Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2011/12. Status Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture.
South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.
SARDI Publication No. F2007/000714-6. SARDI Research Report Series No. 678.
22pp.
Linnane, A., McGarvey, R., Feenstra, J. and P. Hawthorne (2012c). Southern Zone Rock Lobster
(Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2010/11. Fishery Assessment Report to PIRSA Fisheries
and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic
Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/000276-5. SARDI Research Report
Series No. 645. 89pp.
Linnane, A., McGarvey, R., Feenstra, J. and Hawthorne, P. (2012d). Southern Zone Rock
Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2011/12. Status Report to PIRSA Fisheries and
Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences),
Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/000715-6. SARDI Research Report Series No.
677. 23pp.
PIRSA (2013). Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Risk Assessment of the South
Australian Commercial Rock Lobster Fishery. Fishery. Primary Industries and
Resources, South Australia.
Sloan, S. & Crosthwaite, K. 2007a. Management Plan for the North Australian Southern Zone
Rock Lobster Fishery. South Australian Fisheries Management Series Paper No. 52.
Primary Industries and Resources South Australia. Adelaide.
DATE TO INSERT 2012
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PAGE 30
Sloan, S. & Crosthwaite, K. 2007b. Management Plan for the South Australian Southern Zone
Rock Lobster Fishery. South Australian Fisheries Management Series Paper No. 52.
Primary Industries and Resources South Australia. Adelaide.
Schahinger, R. B. (1987). Structure of coastal upwelling events observed off the south-east coast
of South Australia during February 1983-April 1984. Australian Journal of Marine and
Freshwater Research 38, 439-59.
Rochford, D. J. (1977). A review of a possible upwelling situation off Port MacDonnell S.A.
CSIRO Aust. Div. Fish. Oceanogr. Rep. No. 81.
Tsolos A and Boyle M., 2013. Interactions with Threatened, Endangered or Protected Species in
South Australian Managed Fisheries – 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12. Report to
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development
Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2009/000544-3.
SARDI Research Report Series No. 682. 45pp.
12.
Attachments:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Management Plan for the South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery
Management Plan for the South Australian Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery
Draft Management Plan for the South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery
Draft Management Plan for the South Australian Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery
Northern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2010/11 - Fishery assessment
report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture (Linnane et al 2012a)
6. Southern Zone Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) Fishery 2010/11 - Fishery Assessment
Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture (Linnane et al 2012c)
7. Communication of measures adopted to mitigate interactions with protected species
8. Notice to Fishers 25 June 2013 re Introduction of Sea Lion Exclusion Devices
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PAGE 31
Appendix 1: Summary of moderate to extreme risks identified in the South Australian Southern Rock Lobster ESD risk assessment that explicitly relate to the
Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery. Specific Objectives and Strategies to address these risks are provided in Appendix 2.
Component
Risk
Description
Risk Rating
Retained Species
Rocklobster –Southern Zone
Community
Fishing Industry–Profit
Risk of fishery impacts on breeding population
Moderate
1b(i), 1b(ii), 1b(iii), 1b(iv), 1b(v), 1b(vi)
3c(i), 3c(ii)
4a; 4c
4a(i), 4a(ii); 4a(iii), 4a(iv), 4a(v)
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i); 2b(i); 2e(i)
4a; 4c
4a(i), 4a(ii); 4a(iii), 4a(iv), 4a(v)
2b
2b(ii)
Moderate
2e
2e(i), 2e(ii)
Importance of fishing industry to social capital of
regional centres
Moderate
2e
2e(i), 2e(ii)
Importance of fishing industry to infrastructure of
regional centres
Moderate
Importance of positive relationship with
community to the fishing industry
Moderate
Importance of employment to the fishing industry
Moderate
Fishing Industry- Occupational health, safety and welfare
Importance of good OHS&W practices to the
fishing industry
Moderate
Fishing Industry- Asset value
Importance of licence asset value to the fishing
industry
High
Importance of fishing industry to economic value
of regional centres
Dependent Communities-Regional Centres-Social capital
Dependent Communities-Regional Centre-Infrastructure
Dependent Communities-Regional Centre-Attitude of
recreational fishers
3c
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a(i); 2b(i); 2e(i);
Moderate
Dependent Communities-Regional Centres- Economic
value
1a; 1b;
Strategy
2a; 2b; 2e
Importance of profit to the fishing industry
Fishing Industry- Employment
Objective*
Component
Risk
Description
Risk Rating
Governance
Objective*
1a; 1b
Government-Fisheries Council-Management Plan
Management plan ensures the resource is
harvested within sustainable limits
High
2c;2d;2e;2f;
3c
Government-Fisheries Council-Allocation
Government-Fisheries Council-Consultation
Government-PIRSA-Policy and ManagementManagement effectiveness
Explicit allocation of resource for optimum
utilisation & equitable distribution for benefit of
community
Sufficient consultation between the Fisheries
Council and the industry
Moderate
Moderate
Strategy
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv); 1b(i), 1b(ii), 1b(iii), 1b(iv),
1b(v), 1b(vi)
2c(i), 2c(ii); 2d(i), 2d(ii); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
3c(i), 3c(ii)
2b; 2c; 2d; 2f
2b(i), 2b(ii), 2b(iii); 2c(i); 2c(ii); 2d(i), 2d(ii); 2e(i),
2e(ii), 2e(iii); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
2a; 2e
2a(i),2a(ii); 2e(i), 1a(iv);
4a; 4b
4a(i), 4a(ii), 4a(iii), 4a(iv)
Cost effective management that ensures
resource is harvested within sustainable limits
High
Sufficient resources to harvest resource within
sustainable limits
High
4a; 4c
Strategic policy permits resource to be
harvested within sustainable limits
High
4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
Sufficient information to inform management
decisions
High
1b
1b(i), 1b(ii), 1b(iii), 1b(iv), 1b(v), 1b(vi);
4a; 4c
4a(i), 4a(ii), 4a(iii), 4a(iv); 4c(i),4c(ii)
Government-PIRSA- Compliance
Sufficient compliance to ensure adherence to
rules
Moderate
4c
4c(i), 4c(ii), 4c(iii), 4c(iv), 4c(v)
Government-PIRSA-Legal Framework
Legal framework permits resource to be
harvested within sustainable limits
Moderate
1a
1a(i),1a(ii);
2a
2a(i),2a(ii)
Government-PIRSA-Policy and Management-Resources
Government-PIRSA-Policy and Management-Strategic
policy
Government-PIRSA-Policy and ManagementResearch/information
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4a(i), 4a(ii), 4a(iii), 4a(iv);
4c(i),4c(ii), 4c(iv)
Component
Risk
Government-PIRSA-Consultation
Description
Risk Rating
Objective*
Strategy
2b
2b(iii);
4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
2b
2b(iii);
4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
2b;
2b(iii); 4a (iii)
4a; 4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
3a;
3a(ii), 3a(iv);
4b
4b(i)
Sufficient consultation with stakeholders
Moderate
Sufficient reporting to stakeholders
Moderate
Sufficient consultation with other government
agencies (e.g. DEWNR)
High
Code of conduct in place to help with the
management of the resource
Moderate
Importance of communication/ participation of
industry with managers of the resource
Moderate
4a; 4b; 4c
Importance of having strong industry association
in the management of the resource.
Moderate
4a; 4b;4c
Industry-Access Security
Importance of certainty of access for commercial
fishing industry
Moderate
2c; 2d; 2f
2c(i), 2c(ii); 2d(i), 2d(ii); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
Industry-Marine Parks Issues-Compensation
Compensation for loss of access to resource
through the introduction of Marine Parks
Extreme
2e; 2f
2e(i); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
Industry-Marine Parks Issues-Principles
Importance of Marine Park principles to the
fishery
High
2e; 2f
2e(i); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
Others (NGOs etc)
Sufficient consultation with others when making
management decisions
High
4a; 4b
4a(iii); 4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
Government-PIRSA-Reporting
Government-Other Agencies
Industry-Codes of Conduct
Industry-Communication/Participation
Industry-Industry Association
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4a(iii); 4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv);
4c(i), 4c(ii)
4a(i); 4a(ii); 4a(iii);
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv); 4c(ii)
Component
External factors
affecting
performance of
the fishery
Risk
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Oceanographic
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Climate Change
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Water temperature
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Weather
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Upwellings
Ecological impacts on the fishery-Human Induced
Changes-Habitat Modification-Mining/exploration
activities
Impacts of Other Drivers-Economic
DATE TO INSERT 2012
Description
Risk Rating
Impact of oceanographic conditions on
profitability and performance of the fishery
Impact of climate change on profitability and
performance of the fishery
Impact of water temperature on profitability and
performance of the fishery
Impact of weather on profitability and
performance of the fishery
Impact of upwellings on profitability and
performance of the fishery
Impact of mining/ exploration on performance
and profitability of the fishery
Impact of economics on profitability and
performance of the fishery
TITLE OF THE DOCUMENT
PAGE 35
Moderate
High
Moderate
Moderate
Extreme
Moderate
Moderate
Objective*
Strategy
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(i), 3c(ii)
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
Component
Risk
Description
Risk Rating
Impact of access to marine parks on
performance and profitability of fishery
Access-Marine Parks
Extreme
Objective*
Strategy
3c
3c(ii)
4a
4a(i), 4a(ii), 4a(iii), 4a(iv), 4a(v)
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b;
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
2e; 2f
2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
Appendix 2: Goals, objectives, strategies for the management of the Southern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery from the draft management plan for the fishery
(PIRSA, 2013).
Goal
Objective
Strategies
Addressing Risk
Goal 1
1a Maintain the stock above sustainable levels
1a(i) Set the TACC annually, in accordance with the harvest strategy
Rocklobster -Southern Zone
Ensure the
1a(ii) Ensure other input and output controls support sustainable use of the resource
rocklobster resource
1a(iii) Ensure management strategies for the commercial, recreational and Aboriginal traditional
in the Southern
fishing sectors limit the take of rocklobster to within sustainable levels and within sector
Zone is sustainably
allocations
harvested
Management effectiveness
1a(iv) Adopt Precautionary Principle when robust information is lacking to make informed
decisions
1b Ensure sufficient data and information to
1b(i) Collect fine scale fishery-dependent data through commercial logbooks
undertake harvest strategy and inform
1b(ii) Maintain a voluntary pot sampling program to collect data on the size distribution of the
management decisions.
commercial catch and number of undersize
1b(iii) Maintain a fishery independent monitoring survey to collect data on relative abundance,
the size distribution of the commercial catch and number of undersize
1b(iv) Assess the status of the stock using the harvest strategy and quantitative stock
assessment techniques
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Rocklobster -Southern Zone
Research/information
Goal
Objective
Strategies
Addressing Risk
1b(v) Review and update the strategic research and monitoring plan regularly
1b(vi) Monitor the catch and effort of the recreational and traditional fishing sectors across the
State
Optimum economic
2a Maximise catches within ecologically
2a(i) Set the TACC annually, in accordance with the harvest strategy
utilisation and
sustainable limits
2a(ii) Ensure management strategies for the commercial, recreational and traditional fishing
equitable
Profit
sectors limit the take of rocklobster to within sustainable levels and within sector allocations
distribution of the
rocklobster resource
in the Southern
Zone
2b Maintain a flow of economic benefit from the
2b(i) Develop and implement management arrangements that allow commercial operators to
Profit
fishery to the broader community
maximise operational flexibility, economic efficiency, value and returns
Employment
2b(ii) Industry to maintain adherence to existing occupational health, safety and welfare
requirements and procedures
Asset value
Economic drivers
2b(iii) Communicate the sustainability and economic outcomes of the fishery to the wider
community.
2c Provide equitable public access and
2c(i) Maintain appropriate recreational size, bag, boat and possession limits
recreational fishing opportunities
2c(ii) Monitor recreational catch and effort across the State every 5 years
2d Provide equitable Aboriginal traditional
2d(i) Integrate access prescribed in Aboriginal traditional fishing management plans with the
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Allocation
Allocation
Goal
Objective
Strategies
fishing access
management of other fishing sectors
Addressing Risk
2d(ii) Provide fisheries management advice in relation to resolution of native title claims
2e Ensure sufficient economic information
2e(i) Undertake periodic economic surveys of the commercial fishery to assess economic
Profit
exists to make informed management
performance against a set of economic indicators
Asset value
2e(ii) Develop methods to improve estimates of the value of recreational fishing to broad
Research /information
community
Access
2f Shares of access to the rocklobster resource
2f(i) Allocate access to rocklobster resource to commercial, recreational and Aboriginal
Allocation
in the Southern Zone are explicitly allocated
traditional fishing sectors, in accordance with the Fisheries Management Act 2007
Compensation (other agencies)
2f(ii) Develop mechanisms for adjusting shares in the future that utilise market tools, in
Access security
accordance with the Fisheries Management Act 2007
Access
decisions
between commercial, recreational and
Aboriginal traditional fishing sectors
2f(iii) Integrate traditional access prescribed in Aboriginal traditional fishing management plans
with the management of other fishing sectors
Goal 3
3a Minimise fishery impacts on by-catch
Minimise impacts on
species and the ecosystem.
the ecosystem
3a(i) Maintain the current cap on the total number of licences used in the commercial
fishery
By-catch
3a(ii) Maintain escape gaps for pots to minimise by-catch of undersize and non-target
species
Habitat disturbance
3a(iii) Continue periodic fishery-independent surveys to collect information on bycatch
3a(iv) Manage take of key by-product species to ensure catches remain at
precautionary levels
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Water quality - oil discharge
Broader environment
Goal
Objective
Strategies
Addressing Risk
3b Avoid lethal interactions with threatened,
3b(i) Ensure commercial data recording systems capture fishing interactions with
threatened, endangered and protected species
Threatened and protected species-Australian Sea
lion
endangered and protected species (TEPS)
3b(ii) Improve commercial data recording systems to capture fishing interactions with
threatened, endangered and protected species
3b(iii) Develop measures to avoid interactions with endangered, threatened and
protected species
3c Minimise external impacts on stocks
associated with broader environmental health
Goal 4
4a Promote cost-effective and efficient
Cost effective and
management of the fishery, in line with
participative
government’s cost-recovery policy
3c(i) Ensure ventures such as mining and aquaculture take into account impacts on
rocklobster stocks
Mining/ exploration
3c(ii) Influence other management processes that impact on the ecologically
sustainable development of the fishery
Oceanographic
4a(i) Develop and implement management arrangements that are effective at achieving
management objectives whilst minimising costs.
Management effectiveness
4a(ii) Determine and discuss the real costs of management, compliance and research
for the fishery on an annual basis
Access
Water quality
Climate change
Economic drivers
4a(iii) Recover licence fees from commercial licence holders, sufficient to cover the
attributed management costs of management of the fishery in accordance with the
Government’s cost-recovery policy
management of the
fishery
4a(iv) Explore methods for all stakeholders to share management costs
4a(v) Influence other management processes that impact on access security
4b Ensure management arrangements reflect
4b(i) Promote stakeholder input to the management of the fishery, through comanagement processes and communication strategies.
concerns and interests of the wider community
4b(ii) Develop a tailored co-management approach for the fishery
4b(iii) Ensure that social and cultural issues are given appropriate consideration when
new management strategies are being developed.
4b(iv) Communicate management arrangements to wider community
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Management effectiveness
Goal
Objective
4c Promote compliance of management
arrangements
Strategies
Addressing Risk
4c(i) Undertake periodic compliance risk assessment
Rocklobster-Southern Zone
4c(ii) Review management and compliance arrangements for the fishery, as required
Management effectiveness
4c(iii) Investigate ways to better quantify illegal, unregulated and unreported catch of
rocklobster
4c(iv) Develop and implement management arrangements that promote voluntary
compliance and assist with successful enforcement
4c(vi) Encourage the community to report fisheries offences to the FISHWATCH
number.
Appendix 3: Summary of moderate to extreme risks identified in the South Australian Southern Rock Lobster ESD risk assessment that explicitly relate to the
Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery. Specific Objectives and Strategies to address these risks are provided in Appendix 4.
Component
Retained Species
Non-retained
species
Community
Risk
Rocklobster –Northern Zone
Description
Risk Rating
Risk of fishery impacts on breeding population
Moderate
Capture-TEPS – Northern Zone -Australian Sea Lions
Risk of capture of Australian Sea Lions in Rock
Lobster pots
Moderate
Fishing Industry–Profit
Importance of profit to the fishing industry
High
Fishing Industry- Employment
Importance of employment to the fishing industry
High
Fishing Industry- Occupational health, safety and welfare
Importance of good OHS&W practices to the
fishing industry
Moderate
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Objective*
1a; 1b;
3c
Strategy
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
1b(i), 1b(ii), 1b(iii), 1b(iv), 1b(v), 1b(vi);
3c(i), 3c(ii)
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i); 2b(i); 2e(i);
4a; 4c
4a(i), 4a(ii); 4a(iii), 4a(iv), 4a(v)
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i); 2b(i); 2e(i)
4a; 4c
4a(i), 4a(ii); 4a(iii), 4a(iv), 4a(v)
2b
2b(ii)
Component
Risk
Description
Risk Rating
Objective*
Strategy
Fishing Industry- Asset value
Importance of licence asset value to the fishing
industry
High
Dependent Communities-Regional Centres- Economic
value
Importance of fishing industry to economic value
of regional centres
Moderate
2e
2e(i), 2e(ii)
Dependent Communities-Regional Centres-Social capital
Importance of fishing industry to social capital of
regional centres
Moderate
2e
2e(i), 2e(ii)
Dependent Communities-Regional Centre-Infrastructure
Importance of fishing industry to infrastructure of
regional centres
Moderate
1a; 1b
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv); 1b(i), 1b(ii), 1b(iii), 1b(iv),
1b(v), 1b(vi)
Governance
Government-Fisheries Council-Management Plan
Management plan ensures the resource is
harvested within sustainable limits
High
2c;2d;2e;2f;
3c
2c(i), 2c(ii); 2d(i), 2d(ii); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
3c(i), 3c(ii)
Government-Fisheries Council-Allocation
Explicit allocation of resource for optimum
utilisation & equitable distribution for benefit of
community
Moderate
2b; 2c; 2d; 2f
2b(i), 2b(ii), 2b(iii); 2c(i); 2c(ii); 2d(i), 2d(ii); 2e(i),
2e(ii), 2e(iii); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
Government-Fisheries Council-Consultation
Sufficient consultation between the Fisheries
Council and the industry
Moderate
4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
Government-PIRSA-Policy and ManagementManagement effectiveness
Cost effective management that ensures resource
is harvested within sustainable limits
2a; 2e
2a(i),2a(ii); 2e(i), 1a(iv);
High
4a; 4b
4a(i), 4a(ii), 4a(iii), 4a(iv)
Government-PIRSA-Policy and Management-Resources
Sufficient resources to harvest resource within
sustainable limits
High
4a; 4c
Government-PIRSA-Policy and Management-Strategic
policy
Strategic policy permits resource to be harvested
within sustainable limits
High
4b
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4a(i), 4a(ii), 4a(iii), 4a(iv);
4c(i),4c(ii), 4c(iv)
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
Component
Risk
Description
Risk Rating
Objective*
Strategy
1b
1b(i), 1b(ii), 1b(iii), 1b(iv), 1b(v), 1b(vi);
4a; 4c
4a(i), 4a(ii), 4a(iii), 4a(iv); 4c(i),4c(ii)
4c
4c(i), 4c(ii), 4c(iii), 4c(iv), 4c(v)
1a
1a(i),1a(ii);
2a
2a(i),2a(ii)
2b
2b(iii);
4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
2b
2b(iii);
4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
2b;
2b(iii); 4a (iii)
4a; 4b
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
3a;
3a(ii), 3a(iv);
4b
4b(i)
Government-PIRSA-Policy and ManagementResearch/information
Sufficient information to inform management
decisions
High
Government-PIRSA- Compliance
Sufficient compliance to ensure adherence to
rules
Moderate
Government-PIRSA-Legal Framework
Legal framework permits resource to be harvested
within sustainable limits
Moderate
Government-PIRSA-Consultation
Sufficient consultation with stakeholders
Moderate
Government-PIRSA-Reporting
Sufficient reporting to stakeholders
Moderate
Government-Other Agencies
Sufficient consultation with other government
agencies (e.g. DEWNR)
High
Industry-Codes of Conduct
Code of conduct in place to help with the
management of the resource
Moderate
Industry-Communication/Participation
Importance of communication/ participation of
industry with managers of the resource
Moderate
4a; 4b; 4c
Industry-Industry Association
Importance of having strong industry association
in the management of the resource.
Moderate
4a; 4b;4c
Industry-Access Security
Importance of certainty of access for commercial
fishing industry
Moderate
2c; 2d; 2f
2c(i), 2c(ii); 2d(i), 2d(ii); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
Industry-Marine Parks Issues-Compensation
Compensation for loss of access to resource
through the introduction of Marine Parks
Extreme
2e; 2f
2e(i); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
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4a(iii); 4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv);
4c(i), 4c(ii)
4a(i); 4a(ii); 4a(iii);
4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv); 4c(ii)
Component
External factors
affecting
performance of
the fishery
Risk
Description
Risk Rating
Objective*
Strategy
Industry-Marine Parks Issues-Principles
Importance of Marine Park principles to the fishery
High
2e; 2f
2e(i); 2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
Others (NGOs etc)
Sufficient consultation with others when making
management decisions
High
4a; 4b
4a(iii); 4b(i), 4b(ii),4b(iii), 4b(iv)
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Oceanographic
Impact of oceanographic conditions on profitability
and performance of the fishery
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Climate Change
Impact of climate change on profitability and
performance of the fishery
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Water temperature
Impact of water temperature on profitability and
performance of the fishery
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Weather
Impact of weather on profitability and performance
of the fishery
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
Ecological impacts on the fishery-BiophysicalEnvironment-Physical-Upwellings
Impact of upwelling events on profitability and
performance of the fishery
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
Ecological impacts on the fishery-Human Induced
Changes-Habitat Modification-Mining/exploration
activities
Impact of mining/ exploration on performance and
profitability of the fishery
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(i), 3c(ii)
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Moderate
High
Moderate
Moderate
Extreme
Moderate
Component
Risk
Impacts of Other Drivers-Economic
Description
Risk Rating
Impact of economics on profitability and
performance of the fishery
Impact of access to marine parks on performance
and profitability of fishery
Access-Marine Parks
Moderate
Extreme
Objective*
Strategy
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b; 2e
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
3c
3c(ii)
4a
4a(i), 4a(ii), 4a(iii), 4a(iv), 4a(v)
1a;
1a(i),1a(ii), 1a(iii), 1a(iv);
2a; 2b;
2a(i), 2a(ii); 2b(i); 2e(i);
2e; 2f
2f(i), 2f(ii), 2f(iii)
Appendix 2: Goals, objectives, strategies for the management of the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery from the draft management plan for the fishery (PIRSA,
2013).
Goal
Objective
Strategies
Addressing Risk
Goal 1
1a Maintain the stock above
1a(i) Set the TACC annually, in accordance with the harvest strategy
Rocklobster -Northern Zone
Ensure the
sustainable levels
rocklobster
resource in the
Northern Zone
is sustainably
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1a(ii) Ensure other input and output controls support sustainable use of the resource
1a(iii) Ensure management strategies for the commercial, recreational and Aboriginal traditional fishing sectors limit the
take of rocklobster to within sustainable levels and within sector allocations
1a(iv) Adopt Precautionary Principle when robust information is lacking to make informed decisions
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Management effectiveness
Goal
harvested
Objective
Strategies
Addressing Risk
1b Ensure sufficient data and
1b(i) Collect fine scale fishery-dependent data through commercial logbooks
Research /information
information to undertake
harvest strategy and inform
management decisions
1b(ii) Maintain a voluntary pot sampling program to collect data on the size distribution of the commercial catch and
number of undersize
1b(iii) Assess the status of the stock using the harvest strategy and quantitative stock assessment techniques
1b(iv) Review and update the strategic research and monitoring plan regularly
1b(v) Monitor the catch and effort of the recreational and traditional fishing sectors across the State
Goal 2
Optimum
2a Maximise catches within
ecologically sustainable limits
economic
Profit
2a(i) Set the TACC annually, in accordance with the harvest strategy
2a(ii) Ensure management strategies for the commercial, recreational and traditional fishing sectors limit the take of
rocklobster to within sustainable levels and within sector allocations
utilisation and
equitable
distribution of
the rocklobster
resource in the
2b Maintain a flow of economic
2b(i) Develop and implement management arrangements that allow commercial operators to maximise operational
Profit
benefit from the fishery to the
flexibility, economic efficiency, value and returns
Employment
broader community
2b(ii) Industry to maintain adherence to existing occupational health, safety and welfare requirements and procedures
Asset value
Economic drivers
Northern Zone
2b(iii) Communicate the sustainability and economic outcomes the fishery to the wider community.
2c Provide equitable public
access and recreational fishing
opportunities
2c(i) Maintain appropriate recreational size, bag, boat and possession limits
2c(ii) Monitor recreational catch and effort across the State every 5 years
2d Provide equitable Aboriginal
2d(i) Integrate access prescribed in Aboriginal traditional fishing management plans with the management of other fishing
traditional fishing access
sectors
2d(ii) Provide fisheries management advice in relation to resolution of native title claims
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Allocation
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Allocation
Goal
Objective
Strategies
Addressing Risk
2e Ensure sufficient economic
2e(i) Undertake periodic economic surveys of the commercial fishery to assess economic performance against a set of
Profit
information exists to make
economic indicators
Asset value
2e(ii) Develop methods to improve estimates of the value of recreational fishing to broad community
Research /information
informed management decisions
Access
2f Shares of access to the
2f(i) Allocate access to rocklobster resource to commercial, recreational and Aboriginal traditional fishing sectors, in
Allocation
rocklobster resource in the
accordance with the Fisheries Management Act 2007
Compensation (other agencies)
Northern Zone are explicitly
allocated between commercial,
recreational and Aboriginal
traditional sectors
2f(ii) Develop mechanisms for adjusting shares in the future that utilise market tools, in accordance with the Fisheries
Access security
Access
Management Act 2007
2f(iii) Integrate traditional access prescribed in Aboriginal traditional fishing management plans with the management of
other fishing sectors
Goal 3
Minimise
impacts on the
3a Minimise fishery impacts on
3a(i) Maintain the current cap on the total number of licences used in the commercial fishery
By-catch
by-catch species and the
3a(ii) Maintain escape gaps for pots to minimise by-catch of undersize and non-target species
Water quality - oil discharge
ecosystem
3a(iii) Continue periodic fishery-independent surveys to collect information on by-catch
Habitat disturbance
3a(iv) Manage take of key by-product species to ensure catches remain at precautionary levels
Broader environment
3b(i) Ensure commercial data recording systems capture fishing interactions with threatened, endangered and
protected species
Threatened and protected speciesAustralian Sea lion
ecosystem
3b Avoid lethal interactions with
threatened, endangered and
protected species (TEPS)
3b(ii) Improve commercial data recording systems to capture fishing interactions with threatened, endangered
and protected species
3b(iii) Develop measures to avoid interactions with endangered, threatened and protected species
3c Minimise external impacts on
3c(i) Ensure ventures such as mining and aquaculture take into account impacts on rocklobster stocks
stocks associated with broader
3c(ii) Influence other management processes that impact on the ecologically sustainable development of the
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Mining/ exploration
Goal
Objective
Strategies
Addressing Risk
environmental health
fishery
Water quality
Oceanographic
Climate change
3d Manage diseases and exotic
3d (i) Improve coordination between Government agencies responsible for biosecurity and natural resource management
Biological-diseases
4a(i) Develop and implement management arrangements that are effective at achieving management objectives
whilst minimising costs.
Management effectiveness
pests to minimise impacts on the
resource
Goal 4
Cost effective
and
participative
4a Promote cost-effective and
efficient management of the
fishery, in line with government’s
cost-recovery policy
management of
4a(ii) Determine and discuss the real costs of management, compliance and research for the fishery on an
annual basis
Economic drivers
Access
4a(iii) Recover licence fees from commercial licence holders, sufficient to cover the attributed management
costs of management of the fishery in accordance with the Government’s cost-recovery policy
4a(iv) Explore methods for all stakeholders to share management costs
the fishery
4a(v) Influence other management processes that impact on access security
4b Ensure management
arrangements reflect concerns
and interests of the wider
community
4b(i) Promote stakeholder input to the management of the fishery, through co-management processes and
communication strategies.
Management effectiveness
4b(ii) Develop a tailored co-management approach for the fishery
4b(iii) Ensure that social and cultural issues are given appropriate consideration when new management
strategies are being developed.
4b(iv) Communicate management arrangements to wider community
4c Promote compliance of
4c(i) Undertake periodic compliance risk assessment
Rock Lobster-Northern Zone
management arrangements
4c(ii) Review management and compliance arrangements for the fishery, as required
Management effectiveness
4c(iii) Investigate ways to better quantify illegal, unregulated and unreported catch of rocklobster
4c(iv) Develop and implement management arrangements that promote voluntary compliance and assist with
successful enforcement
4c(vi) Encourage the community to report fisheries offences to the FISHWATCH number.
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