NORTHERN TERRITORY AQUARIUM FISHERY
RE-ASSESSMENT REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2012
Report prepared for the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities as required for
assessment under Part 13 and 13 A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Introduction
In June 2008, the Northern Territory (NT) Aquarium Fishery was re-accredited with an approved Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO) under Parts
13 and 13A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for a period of 3 years. In June 2011, the
accreditation was extended until November 30th 2012. The accreditation included a series of recommendations and conditions for the
management of the fishery as agreed to by the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) and the
Commonwealth’s Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC).
This report outlines progress made in implementing the recommendations and conditions associated with the 2011 WTO and provides a
description of initiatives that have been implemented to ensure that this fishery continues to be sustainably managed into the future. These
initiatives include:
 More accurate and detailed logbook reporting requirements;
 Improved consistency and accuracy of species identification;
 Implementation of a bioregion approach to trigger points to minimise risks of local depletion; and
 A comprehensive review of all Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listed species and harvest levels.
DPIF publishes an annual Fishery Status Report which is available for download from the NT Fisheries website. A copy of the document is also
sent to SEWPaC. The majority of SEWPaC’s requirements for the Aquarium Fishery are addressed in this report. In addition, DPIF has
developed the following document to provide specific advice on the progress in meeting SEWPaC’s recommendations. Combined, these two
documents sufficiently address the reporting requirements for the fishery.
For a comprehensive understanding of the legislative arrangements in place for the Aquarium Fishery please refer to the Northern Territory
Fisheries Regulations available for download at: http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Fisheries/index.cfm?header=Legislation
Copies of the NT Annual Fishery Status Reports are available to download at:
http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Fisheries/index.cfm?newscat1=&newscat2=&header=Fishery%20Status%20Reports
The following progress has been made by DPIF in implementing the SEWPaC recommendations:
Condition on the accreditation of the
Northern Territory Aquarium Fishery
under Part 13 of the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999
Progress
Condition 1:
Condition met
“Persons fishing in accordance with the
management regime for the Northern Territory
Aquarium Fishery in force under the Northern
Territory Fisheries Act 1988 and the Northern
Territory Fisheries Regulations 1993 do not retain
any species listed under Part 13 of the EPBC Act
taken, killed or injured in Commonwealth waters
as a result of fishing.”
The management of the Aquarium Fishery is undertaken in strict accordance with the requirements
and guidelines of the NT Fisheries Act 1988 and the NT Fisheries Regulations 1993.
In accordance with the management objectives for the fishery, no fish or aquatic life listed under Part
13 of the EPBC Act are permitted to be taken from Commonwealth waters. In addition, the newly
revised Aquarium Fishery’s Environmental Management System states that all licensees will release
any non commercial species, such as protected species, quickly and at the point of capture.
Conditions on the approved wildlife
trade operation declaration for the
Northern Territory Aquarium Fishery
Progress
Condition 1:
Condition met
“Operation of the fishery will be carried out in
accordance with the Northern Territory Aquarium
Fishery management regime made under the
Northern Territory Fisheries Act and the Northern
Territory Fisheries Regulations.”
As stated above, the management of the Aquarium Fishery is undertaken in strict accordance with the
requirements and guidelines of the NT Fisheries Act 1988 and the NT Fisheries Regulations 1993. All
new entrants into the fishery are required to undertake an induction interview during which the
regulations, licence conditions and protected species considerations are clearly outlined.
Condition 2:
Condition met
“DPIF to inform SEWPaC of any intended
amendments to the management arrangements
that may affect the criteria on which Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 decisions are based.”
DPIF has kept SEWPaC informed of any proposed amendments to the management regime for the
Aquarium Fishery through the publication of the Current Issues and Future Plans sections in the
annual Fishery Status Reports. This practice will be continued in future Fishery Status Reports and any
changes to the management arrangements for the fishery will be advised to SEWPaC through
subsequent annual Fishery Status Reports. In addition, DPIF and SEWPaC officers have maintained
informal communication channels and this has ensured that SEWPAC is kept informed of any
emerging issues in the fishery.
Condition 3:
Condition met
“DPIF to produce and present reports to
SEWPaC annually as per Appendix B to the
Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable
Management of Fisheries - 2nd Edition.”
A copy of the Fishery Status Reports are provided to SEWPaC each year with a supporting document
outlining progress in meeting SEWPaC’s recommendations and conditions for the fishery. Copies of
the annual Fishery Status Reports are available to download at http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Fisheries/
Condition 4:
Ongoing
“In consultation with Australia's CITES I Scientific
Authority for marine species (SEWPaC), DPIF to
review the management arrangements for all
species listed on Appendix II of CITES, which are
permitted to be retained in the Northern Territory
Aquarium Fishery. The review should include, but
not be limited to, a review of the process for
setting performance measures and trigger
reference points for each species with reference
to CITES requirements.
Fisheries staff have worked closely with industry over recent years to ensure consistent and accurate
reporting of species harvested by the Aquarium Fishery. This involved the modification of logbooks to
enable more comprehensive reporting of harvested coral and associated benthic species including all
CITES listed species. The new logbook forms also now provide more accurate information with regard
to harvest weight and finer spatial information with regard to harvest areas. The fisheries database was
updated in July 2011 to accept the additional detail provided in the new forms.
In addition, to further improve species reporting, all licence holders are now required to use the DPIF
approved identification guides (The Coral and Associated Benthic Species Identification Guide and the
Finfish Species Identification Guide). DPIF has also provided copies of the Coral Finder CD to each
Aquarium Fishery licensee and is currently working with licensees to investigate the effectiveness of
the Indo-Pacific Coral Finder Field Guide as an additional reference guide.
Through both the use of the new logbook forms and the industry use of the approved identification
guides, the accuracy of data collected in this fishery over recent years has improved considerably. It is
expected that this improved data will provide more accurate information on which to review
performance measures and trigger points for the industry.
In early 2011 the Australian CITES Scientific Authority for Marine Species initiated a process review of
the non-detriment findings (NDF) currently in place for Australian export fisheries taking CITES-listed
species. This review is examining whether the current information available for making NDFs is
adequate to support a long-term continuation of exports at current levels or potential future increases,
and to ensure appropriate and consistent adaptive management and monitoring arrangements are in
place to support NDFs for CITES-listed species.
As part of this review, DPIF is currently assessing the management arrangements and harvest levels
of all CITES-listed species taken by the NT Aquarium Fishery. A comprehensive research project has
commenced which has involved documenting all the CITES-listed species, their harvest levels and
their harvest locations over the past 3 years. Work is continuing on this project however it is
acknowledged that trigger levels and performance measures may need refinement to support an NDF
for CITES-listed species.
The DPIF will continue to work with Australia's CITES Scientific Authority for Marine Species to ensure
appropriate performance measures and trigger reference points are in place for all CITES listed
species.
Condition 5:
Condition met
“DPIF to consult with SEWPaC prior to any
change to the management arrangements for a
CITES-listed species being implemented in the
Northern Territory Aquarium Fishery.”
DPIF will continue to inform SEWPaC of any proposed changes to the management arrangements of
this fishery by direct contact and through the publication of the Current Issues and Future Plans
sections in the annual Fishery Status Reports.
Recommendations to the Northern
Territory Department of Primary
Industry and Fisheries on the
ecologically sustainable management
Progress
of the Northern Territory Aquarium
Fishery
Recommendation 1:
Ongoing
“Taking into account all available information,
DPIF to continue to refine species-specific
management arrangements for coral
and associated benthic species to ensure that
levels of harvest are sustainable.”
In 2009, DPIF engaged with experts from the NT Museum and Art Gallery to improve our
understanding of the coral and associated benthic species resource. An internal document was
produced entitled, “Northern Territory Coral and Associated Benthic Species- A Snapshot” This
document summarised the taxonomy, biology and distribution of corals and associated benthic species
in the NT and it was particularly useful in identifying information gaps, future research areas and
management changes that will improve monitoring of species taken by aquarium licensees.
A key management change that has been made in line with the internal document is improved logbook
reporting (through the introduction of a new logbook form) to increase the detail of information
collected from licensees. These new forms require licensees to identify harvested organisms to
species level and to record their weights into 3 specific categories. The recording of harvest area has
also been refined, whereby a licensee moving more than 1 nautical mile from the originally recorded
GPS location, will be required to complete a new logbook form. The fisheries database was updated in
July 2011 to accept the additional detail provided in the new forms.
This information will enable DPIF to acquire a finer understanding of the distribution of effort in, and
take from, the fishery. This will allow for improvements in the accuracy of information being provided to
DPIF that will assist in future management decisions, future coral harvest reviews and will allow
research activities to be more targeted towards key species collected under the aquarium licences.
Additionally, DPIF, in conjunction with the industry and coral experts, have now split the existing trigger
for coral and associated benthic species into specific regional triggers. The industry agreed to the
trigger being divided equally amongst the 3 identified bioregions and a specific performance indicator
for those groups identified as low risk, such as sponges, coral rubble and sand. The revised coral and
associated benthic species trigger has been established in regional areas to address the possible
issue of localised and serial depletion. These trigger points ensure precautionary measures are in
place and appropriate action to be undertaken when required. The triggers will be further reviewed
once sufficient catch data becomes available or as part of the NDF review.
Recommendation 2:
Ongoing
“DPIF to:
 continue to actively monitor catch and
effort data in the fishery; and
 as necessary, review management
arrangements and implement appropriate
management measures to mitigate any
risks identified, particularly in regard to
the potential for localised and serial
depletion of key target species.”
Through the compulsory logbook system, all licensed Aquarium Fishery operators must complete a
monthly report on their catch and effort. The Aquarium Fishery logbook returns are regularly monitored
with a comprehensive review conducted each year by the fishery manager and researcher. Activity for
the year is reviewed against the management objectives, performance indicators and trigger points.
Through this process, appropriate management measures may be introduced (after consultation with
industry) to address any potential risks identified in the fishery.
In addition, Research on coral reefs in the Darwin region is undertaken by a variety of agencies
including the NT Museum and Art Gallery. In 2011, the NT Government committed $400,000 to a 4
year fish monitoring project and another $400,000 to comprehensively map the aquatic habitats in
Darwin Harbour - the first scientific baseline of its type conducted for the Harbour. This information
may also be used to assess the sustainability of the fishery and to review management arrangements
where necessary.
Table 1. Management Objectives, Performance Indicators, Performance Measures, Triggers and Management Actions used in the
Aquarium Fishery.
Species/Group
Management Objectives
Performance
Indicator
Performance
Measure
Trigger Point
Management response to be taken
Group A Finfish (silver
& spotted scat,
common archerfish,
chequered & black
banded rainbowfish,
sail-fin perchlet, black
catfish)
Ensure intergenerational equity
by maintaining ecologically
sustainable annual catches in all
sectors.
Significant increase
or decline in the
annual catch.
The harvest of any Group A
species increases or decreases by
70% when compared to the mean
of the previous 3 years.
The harvest of any
group A finfish
species has a
trigger point of
30,000 individuals
per species.
DPIF to review fishery, after consultation with
industry stakeholders, and make recommendations
on appropriate management responses to the
Director of Fisheries.
Coral and Associated
Benthic Species
Ensure intergenerational equity
by maintaining ecologically
sustainable annual catches in all
sectors.
The harvest of any coral and
associated benthic species
increases or decreases by 50%
when compared to the mean of the
previous 3 years.
The harvest of hard
coral, soft coral,
corallimorph,
anemones and live
rock has a total
trigger value of 20
tonnes per specific
region
(Carpentaria,
Arafura and
Bonaparte Gulf
Region).
DPIF to review fishery, after consultation with
industry stakeholders, and make recommendations
on appropriate management responses to the
Director of Fisheries.
The harvest of giant fluted clams
increases or decreases by 50%
when compared to the mean of the
previous 3 years.
Giant fluted clams
are harvested
within a trigger
value of 2000
individuals.
DPIF to review fishery, after consultation with
industry stakeholders, and make recommendations
on appropriate management responses to the
Director of Fisheries.
Pristis species are
harvested within a
trigger value of 20
individuals.
DPIF to review fishery, after consultation with
industry stakeholders, and make recommendations
on appropriate management responses to the
Director of Fisheries.
Giant Fluted Clam
Narrow sawfish
(Anoxypristis
cuspidate) and dwarf
sawfish (pristis
clavata)
Ensure intergenerational equity
by maintaining ecologically
sustainable annual catches in all
sectors.
Ensure intergenerational equity
by maintaining ecologically
sustainable annual catches in all
sectors.
Significant increase
or decline in the
annual catch.
Significant increase
or decline in the
annual catch.
Significant increase
or decline in the
annual catch.
The harvest of any Pristis species
increases or decreases by 50%
when compared to the mean of the
previous 3 years.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
Syngnathids
species, other than
Hippocampis
(seahorses) –
Territory waters only
Hippocampis
(seahorses) Territory
waters only
Ensure intergenerational equity
by maintaining ecologically
sustainable annual catches in all
sectors.
Ensure intergenerational equity
by maintaining ecologically
sustainable annual catches in all
sectors.
Significant increase
or decline in the
annual catch.
Significant increase
or decline in the
annual catch.
The harvest of any Syngathids,
other than hippocampus,
increases or decreases by 50%
when compared to the mean of the
previous 3 years.
Syngnathids, other
than Hippocampis,
are harvested
within a trigger
value of 150
individuals.
DPIF to review fishery, after consultation with
industry stakeholders, and make recommendations
on appropriate management responses to the
Director of Fisheries.
The harvest of any Hippocampis
increases or decreases by 50%
when compared to the mean of the
previous 3 years.
Hippocampis are
harvested within a
trigger value of 50
individuals.
DPIF to review fishery, after consultation with
industry stakeholders, and make recommendations
on appropriate management responses to the
Director of Fisheries.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
Hermit Crabs
Ensure intergenerational equity
by maintaining ecologically
sustainable annual catches in all
sectors.
Significant increase
or decline in the
annual catch.
The harvest of hermit crabs
increases or decreases by 70%
when compared to the mean of the
previous 3 years.
A precautionary
trigger is set at
120,000 hermit
crabs per year.
DPIF to review fishery, after consultation with
industry stakeholders, and make recommendations
on appropriate management responses to the
Director of Fisheries.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
EPBC Act Listed
Species (excluding
Syngnathids) in
Territory waters
EPBC Act Listed
Species in
Commonwealth
Ensure the continued protection
of species and communities
listed under the EPBC Act 1999.
Ensure the continued protection
of protected species.
Endangered,
threatened or
protected species
and/or communities
are identified in
Northern Territory
waters.
Identifiable impacts observed by
DPIF, commercial fishers, or other
agencies regarding EPBC Act
listed species or communities.
No EPBC Act
Listed species may
be taken in
Territory Waters
without specific
approval from the
Director of
Fisheries
DPIF to review fishery, after consultation with
industry stakeholders, and make recommendations
on appropriate management responses to the
Director of Fisheries.
No EPBC Act
Listed species may
be taken in
Advice provided to Director of Fisheries and
SEWPaC regarding any interactions in
Commonwealth waters.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
Waters
Ecosystem
Components
Harvest of Protected
Species Intended for
Trade to Public
Aquariums (except
coral & associated
benthic species)
Commonwealth
Waters
Minimise effects on ecosystem
components.
Continuation of public education
while ensuring the ongoing
protection of species and
communities listed under the
EPBC Act 1999, the Territory
Parks and Wildlife Conservation
Act 2001 and CITES. Harvest
may only be undertaken with
specific approval from the
Director of Fisheries
Identification of
threatening
processes.
Significant increase
or decline in the
annual catch.
The harvest of any protected
species increases or decreases by
50% when compared to the mean
of the previous 3 years.
Identification of
significant negative
impact with
components of the
ecosystem present
on aquarium fishing
grounds.
DPIF to make recommendations, after consultation
with industry stakeholders, to the Director of
Fisheries regarding appropriate remedial action.
Identifiable impacts
observed by DPIF,
commercial fishers,
or other agencies
regarding EPBC
Act listed species
or communities.
DPIF to make recommendations, after consultation
with industry stakeholders, to the Director of
Fisheries regarding appropriate remedial action.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.
Advice provided to the Director within 3 months of
being made aware of trigger being reached.