Annual status report 2010 C oral Reef Fin Fish Fishery © The State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2011. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other means be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or be broadcast or transmitted without the prior written permission of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The copyright owner shall not be liable for technical or other errors or omissions contained herein. The reader/user accepts all risks and responsibility for losses, damages, costs and other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from using this information. Fishery profile 2009–10 Species targeted Total number of commercial licences in 2009–10 Coral trout (CT), redthroat emperor (RTE). Other coral 369 reef fin fish species (OS) including cods, emperors and tropical snappers also retained. Total harvest from all sectors Commercial licences accessing the fishery in 2009–10 Approximately 4700 t 250 (68% of licences) Commercial harvest Fishery season Approximately 1680 t comprising of 1028 t of CT, 267 t of Year round except two five-day spawning closures around RTE and 555 t of OS. the new moon in October and November each year. Recreational harvest (2005) Fishery symbols Approximately 2600 t RQ and either an L1, L2 or L3 Charter harvest Monitoring undertaken Approximately 330 t comprising of approximately 80 t of Daily compulsory commercial and charter fishery logbooks, CT, 80 t of RTE and 170 t of OS structured line fishing surveys last undertaken in 2009, at- sea observing every three years, recreational fishing surveys every three to five years Indigenous harvest (2000–01) At-sea observer days monitored in 2009–10 Approximately 108 t Nil. Line fisheries to be targeted in 2011 Commercial Gross Value of Production Accreditation under the EPBC Act Approximately $35 million Expires 4 November 2011 Allocation between sectors1 Logbook validation Significant recreational and commercial sectors with Yes – completed in May 2006 more limited Indigenous and charter sectors Total exports Quota managed The majority of the coral trout catch is exported live for Yes, total allowable commercial catch is allocated through approximately $40/kg beach price with approx 5% sold individual transferable quotas (ITQs) as specific domestically as whole or fillet. Most RTE and OS sold entitlements for CT, RTE and OS. domestically. 1 There are no formal catch allocation arrangements for this fishery. Annual status report 2010—Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery 1 Key fish resources Stock status Coral Trout (Plectropomus and Variola spp.) Sustainably Fished Comments: Catch decreased from 1110 t in 2008–09 to 922 t in 2009–10, possibly reflecting a delayed response to impacts following Tropical Cyclone Hamish in March 2009. Performance measures relating to catch, catch rate and mortality were not triggered. Long term monitoring data indicates good recruitment of two year olds to the fishery. Redthroat Emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) Not Fully Utilised Comments: Landings continue to increase annually, with 43% of available quota taken in 2009–10. A stock assessment conducted in 2006 estimated the population biomass to be around 70% of unfished biomass and indicated that the commercial TAC is set at an appropriate level. Performance measures relating to RTE catch and effort in both the commercial and charter fishery sectors were not triggered in 2009–10. Peak in recruitment in 2003–04 is still evident in the six year old fish in 2009–10 (see Figure 9). Stripey Snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus) Sustainably Fished Comments: Increased commercial landings from 20 t in 2004–05 to 65 t in 2009–10, which could be reflective of shifts in fisher targeting behaviour. Available length and age distributions for stripey populations in the Great Barrier Reef do not indicate any sustainability concerns (Heupel et al. 2009). This species is generally not susceptible to fishing tackle until they reach larger sizes, at which they are sexually mature. This species will continue to be monitored through the Performance Measurement System for the CRFFF. Red Emperor (Lutjanus sebae) Uncertain Comments: Commercial catch returning to levels reported prior to introduction of quota in 2003–04. Catch rate has remained relatively stable over past decade. Minimum size limit of 55 cm total length has been in place for seven years and should now be resulting in increased spawning biomass. Increased specificity in commercial logbooks implemented in 2007 will help to determine status, but more information is required on age structure and recreational catch. Crimson Snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus) Uncertain Comments: Commercial harvest is increasing to historical levels reported prior to the introduction of quota in 2003–04 (~20 t). There is some published information regarding lengths and mortality estimates from the Great Barrier Reef region from the late 1990s, however more age, sex and updated recreational catch information is required. Improved resolution of commercial catch is available in logbooks since 2007; however, the species is grouped with saddletail snapper in the current recreational fishing survey. Suspected increases in catch efficiency with increasing affordability of advanced technology (sounders, GPS, radar and sonar). Saddletail Snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) Uncertain Comments: Commercial harvest remains about half that of pre-quota levels (~50 t). Similar to the crimson snapper, there is some published information from the same study for this species, but current biological information would assist in defining stock status. This species is also grouped with L. erythropterus in the current recreational fishing survey due to difficulty in species identification. Annual status report 2010—Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery 2 Key fish resources Stock status Moses Perch (Lutjanus russelli) No Assessment Made Comments: Limited commercial catches. Updated estimates of recreational catches may assist in determining stock status. Updated estimates will be available in 2012 at the completion of the updated statewide recreational fishing survey. Hussar (Lutjanus adetti and L. vitta) Uncertain Comments: Commercial catches currently well below long term average for this species group (~20 t in 2009–10), while recreational catches are thought to be substantial. A recently published local biological study from the Great Barrier Reef (Heupel et al. 2009) does not indicate any concerns about the stock between 1995 and 2005. Updated estimates of recreational catches may assist in determining stock status in 2012 at the completion of the statewide recreational fishing survey. Spangled Emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) Uncertain Comments: Catches returning to pre-quota levels recently (~60 t), with increases in some specific northern fishing grids. Although there are no current indications of sustainability issues, additional biological data and updated recreational catch information would assist in confidently assigning a status. Tuskfish (Choerdon spp.) Uncertain Comments: Catches returning to pre-quota levels recently (~23 t). There are no current indications of sustainability issues. The majority of tuskfish catch is recorded as Tuskfish–unspecified in the logbooks. The updated recreational catch estimate (in 2012) may assist in confidently assigning a status. * Note: These are outcomes arising from the Stock Status Assessment Workshop held in December 2010. Key species above were identified by Fisheries Queensland based on catch history and feedback from stakeholders and are referred to as key species within this document. Annual status report 2010—Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery 3 each year (Brown et al. 1994, Williams et al. 2007) but Introduction may vary depending on water temperature. Individuals The Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery (CRFFF) is a change sex from female to male at a mean size of 42 predominantly line-only fishery that targets a range of cm, live for up to 18 years and reach up to seven bottom-dwelling reef fish. It consists of a commercial kilograms and 80 cm in length. Individuals attain the sector, focussing primarily on live coral trout, and minimum size limit of 38 cm at around two to three iconic recreational and charter sectors. The fishery years of age; however, they display great variation in operates predominantly in the Great Barrier Reef size at age (Ferreira and Russ 1994). A fish of 40 cm Marine Park (GBRMP) with operators generally using can be between three and 10 years of age. One genetic smaller tender boats (dories) from a mother vessel. A stock has been identified on the east coast of Australia comprehensive suite of management arrangements, (van Herwerden et al. 2009); however regional including an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) variation exists in various population parameters (e.g. system, is in place for the commercial fishery to ensure timing of spawning and growth rates; Adams et al. its sustainability into the future. 2000, Mapstone et al. 2004). This report covers the financial year from 1 July 2009 to Redthroat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) can attain a 30 June 2010. maximum of 65 cm in length, 4 kg in weight and 20 years of age. The GBR is home to a single stock of Fishery description redthroat emperor (van Herwerden et al. 2003, Davies Fishing area and methods et al. 2006) but regional variation has been identified in several population parameters (Davies et al. 2006). Commercial operators with an RQ fishery symbol and This species has been found in waters to at least 128 m who possess a line fishing endorsement in the form of and is more common on the GBR south of Innisfail. an east coast ‘L’ fishery symbol (i.e. L1, L2, L3, and L82) Little is known about their movements and juvenile fish are permitted to take coral reef fin fish (RQ species, see (smaller than about 17 cm) have not been seen. The Schedule Five of Fisheries Regulation 2008) in east majority of redthroat emperor change sex from female coast Queensland waters. The line symbol they are to male over a broad range of size and age, while operating under dictates the area in which they can others remain female their whole lives (Williams 2003, fish (Figure 1). Sumpton and Brown 2004). Females reach maturity at Commercial and recreational fishers (including around two years and 31 cm (Williams 2003). recreational fishers on licensed charter vessels) are Other species landed in this fishery exhibit a variety of permitted to use up to three lines, with no more than biological and life history traits. The CRFFF six hooks (total), using either a rod and reel or a management strategy includes monitoring of key OS handline. Recreational fishers may spear coral reef fin species and conducting ecological risk assessments to fish without the use of underwater breathing identify species that may require further assessment apparatus. and/or management attention. Key Species Main management methods used Coral trout refers to a group of seven species, including five Plectropomus and two Variola species. The Management of the CRFFF is the responsibility of common coral trout (P. leopardus) makes up the Fisheries Queensland. A comprehensive set of input majority of landings. Common coral trout are found and output controls are in place under the Fisheries throughout the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in waters to at Regulation 2008 and the Fisheries (Coral Reef Fin Fish) least 100 m depth and are daytime predators. Peak Management Plan 2003 (the CRFFF management plan) spawning activity occurs in October and November to manage the harvest of coral reef fin fish. These include: • limited entry in the commercial fishery 2 The L8 multi-hook Deep Water Fin Fish Fishery operates in waters deeper than 200 m and is reported separately by • boat size and tender restrictions for commercial Fisheries Queensland. For information on this fishery, visit the operators, and gear restrictions for all fishers Fisheries Queensland Annual Status Report webpage at. http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_10916.htm Annual status report 2010—Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery 4 • total commercial entitlements under RQ units are: Catch statistics CT – 1288 156 kg; RTE – 615 586 kg; and OS – 955 Commercial 604 kg, however the CRFFF management plan requires a reduction in the value of CT and OS Commercial operators are required to complete daily units if specified catch triggers are reached. This catch and effort logbooks and must report catches of ensures that the total allowable commercial CRFF through the quota reporting system. catches introduced in 2004 are not exceeded. The quota reporting system requires fishers to call There is no catch trigger specified for RTE because through prior reports (made before landing) and the entitlement under units issued does not unload notices (made when unloading at wharf), as exceed the TAC introduced in 2004 well as complete catch disposal records. Table 1 shows • commercial TACs allocated through Individual the reported catch (from unload notices) for the 2009– Transferable Quotas 10 quota year and the percentage of available quota3 used for the period. • minimum and maximum fish size limits that apply to the recreational, charter and commercial Table 1: Percentage of available quota used for CT, RTE and OS in the 2009–10 financial year (Source: Fisheries Queensland sectors quota monitoring unit, 16 November 2010). • recreational in-possession limits for individual species % of available Quota group Total catch quota used • combined recreational in-possession limit of 20 coral reef fin fish CT 1 028 291 80 • Seven coral ref fin fish are designated as ‘no- RTE 267 105 43 take’ species (baramundi cod, potato cod, OS 54 195 57 Queensland groper, chinaman fish, hump-headed Annual commercial catch and effort information for the Maori wrasse, paddletail and red bass) CRFFF has historically been variable in response to • two annual five-day spawning closures in October changes in management arrangements. Significant and November that apply to all fishers operating decreases in both catch and effort occurred in 2003– ° on the east coast between latitude 10 41’S and 04 and again in 2004–05 (Figures 2, 4 and 5). These ° 24 50’S to the eastern boundary of the GBRMP. decreases reflect management changes that were implemented in 2003 and 2004 including the The fishery is also subject to restrictions on areas in introduction of the CRFFF management plan which which it can operate through zoning declared under required operators to hold an RQ fishery symbol and GBRMP and Queensland Marine Parks Zoning Plans. ITQ units to fish in the CRFFF; and the GBRMPA Representative Areas Program (RAP). From 2003–04 catch and catch rate (catch per unit effort or CPUE4) of CT increased steadily until 2009–10 when the first decline since the introduction of quota was recorded (Figure 2). This decline is likely related to delayed effects of Tropical Cyclone Hamish which traversed offshore reefs between Bowen and the Swains reefs region in March 2009. Immediately following the cyclone the CRFFF responded to the 3 Percent of available quota is calculated by dividing the landings (unload notices) by the allocated quota minus the SEWPaC holdings which are not fished Figure 1: Map of fishery area. 4 CPUE refers to logbook reported days fished divided by total catch of that species in kilograms or tonnes. Annual status report 2010—Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery 5 impact with geographical shifts in fishing effort, mainly 1 40 to unaffected areas north of Bowen (see DEEDI 2010). 120 100 Weight (t) Primary CPUE Dory CPUE 2,400 100 80 90 2,100 80 1,800 60 70 1, 500 TAC (1350t) 60 40 1, 200 50 40 20 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 900 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 30 600 0 20 300 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 10 Month 0 0 Figure 3: Monthly CPUE of coral trout landings from 2009–10 compared to the previous five years displaying 2009–10’s (red) lower catch rate compared to all previous years. (Source: Financial Year CFISH database, 16 November 2010). Figure 2: Total commercial catch and catch rate (days and dory days) of coral trout by quota year between 1999–00 and Weight (t) Primary CPUE Dory CPUE 1,200 50 2009–10 (Source: CFISH database, 16 November 2010). 45 1, 000 40 Monthly catch rates of CT from November 2009–10 35 800 TAC (700t) were lower than all other post-quota years (Figure 3). 30 600 25 This represents around an eight month delay between 20 400 the cyclone and reduced catch rates experienced in the 15 10 fishery as a whole. This suggests that the fleet’s 200 5 movements around the state to fish other areas was 0 0 effective in maintaining catch rates in the short term, though some decreased return in the longer term. An Financial Year FRDC funded project “Adapting to change: Minimising Figure 4: Total commercial catch and catch rate (days and dory uncertainty about the effects of rapidly-changing days) of redthroat emperor by quota year 1999–2010 (Source: environmental conditions on the Queensland coral reef CFISH database, 16 November 2010). fin fish fishery” (2008/103) was completed through the The catch of ‘other species’ (OS) remained at around James Cook University to ascertain early effects of the 541 t (57% of available quota) in 2009–10 (Table 1) cyclone on the fishery (Tobin et al. 2010; see Effects of after showing continual annual increase since quota Tropical Cyclone Hamish below). introduction (Figure 5). Of the key OS species only Fishery wide recovery to pre-cyclone CPUE had not landings of stripey snapper increased by more than been established by the end of the 2009–10 financial 20% to 65 t (44% increase) however, several key OS year (Figure 3). categories also increased by more than 20% including sweetlip, tuskfish and jobfish unspecified by 6 t (58%), The catch of RTE increased to around 267 t, or 43% of 22 t (51%) and 7 t (30%) respectively (Table 2). available quota in 2009–10 (Table 1). Logbook estimated landings of RTE showed a slight increase in 1, 500 catch and catch rate in 2009–10 (Figure 4), however 1, 200 the commercial quota remains significantly TAC (1011t) 900 undercaught. This is likely due to the relatively low value of RTE (compared with coral trout) and the lower 600 market demand. 300 A stock assessment completed in 2006 indicated that 0 the population of RTE was at approximately 70% of unfished biomass, suggesting a healthy stock Financial Year remained. Fishing pressure since 2006 is not Figure 5: Total commercial catch of other species (OS) by considered to have been sufficiently high to alter the quota year 1999–2010 (Source: CFISH database, 16 November conclusions of the assessment. 2010). Annual status report 2010—Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery 6 Tonnes CPUE (kilograms per day) Tonnes Tonnes Catch rate (kg/day) CPUE (k ilograms per day) 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Table 2: Breakdown of the major ‘other species’ (OS) component (in kilograms) caught in the CRFFF since 2003–04. * Indicates a key OS species as identified and monitored in the PMS (source: Fisheries Queensland CFISH database, 16 November 2010) Common Name 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 *Bar Rockcod 13 576 1480 3 668 944 25 902 37 952 17 337 *Cod - unspecified 41 013 22 175 27 580 21 993 23 422 36 984 21 919 *Red Emperor 104 307 26 267 27 937 29 405 42 511 57 680 59 999 *Spangled Emperor 37 118 12 334 11 625 16 170 30 306 56 855 66 121 *Hussar 40 424 16 260 14451 18 996 22 988 26 578 24 280 * Goldband Snapper 33 209 30 856 28 003 41 407 45 390 47 151 51 866 Green Jobfish 752 993 782 472 3 140 5 159 5 492 Rosy Snapper 36 863 2 211 6 054 4 778 7 108 16 109 5 490 * Jobfish - unspecified 11 827 23 080 34 848 30 337 10 743 5 070 6 568 *Saddletail Snapper 61 125 7 620 13 660 9 732 27 043 65 230 50 974 *Crimson Snapper 17 577 1313 820 950 10 067 20 141 20 279 *Nannygai - unspecified 9 423 13 961 14 644 18 469 2 811 135 99 Moses Perch 555 1 403 1 523 1 740 2 208 2 726 2 671 *Stripey Snapper 4 168 21 349 24 221 30 813 53 501 44 878 64 753 * Sweetlip - unspecified 19 109 21 149 24 815 25 881 13 496 7 602 13 075 * Tuskfish - unspecified 23 009 13 566 12 163 13 610 13 852 14 216 21 534 *Venus Tuskfish 1 724 1 324 2 225 2 964 1 183 983 1 796 Recreational CT Catch (t) RTE Catch (t) OS Catch (t) CT CPUE RTE CPUE OS CPUE 250 40 Fisheries Queensland undertakes recreational fishing 35 200 surveys to estimate catch, effort and participation by 30 recreational fishers. Participation rate is measured 150 25 20 through a telephone survey and catch and effort are 100 15 recorded in recreational fishing diaries over a 12 month 10 50 period (refer to the Annual Status Report 2007 for 5 0 0 CRFFF previous figures and catch statistics). Fisheries Queensland commenced a state-wide Recreational Fishing Survey in July 2010. This survey will provide Financial Year updated estimates of participation, catch and effort. Figure 5: Charter catch of CT, RTE and OS species as reported The results will be available in mid 2012. For more in logbooks by financial year, 1999–2010 (Source: CFISH information refer to Database, 16 November 2010). http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_18273.htm Logbook reported catch indicates that of the reef Charter species caught during charter operations, OS species catch is historically double that of the CT and RTE catch A significant proportion of the Queensland charter (Figure 5). Charter catches of CT, RTE and OS all sector targets CRFFF species. In 2009–10 there were decreased in 2009–10 from the previous year. The 418 charter licences of which 205 (49%) fished RQ charter catch rate of CT increased marginally, but catch species. rates of RTE and OS declined. These trends may reflect The compulsory logbook program for charter operators impacts of Cyclone Hamish and Fisheries Queensland was introduced in 1996. In 2009–10, a total of 8 537 will continue to monitor the situation. charter boat days were spent fishing for RQ species, similar to the previous year (8 660 days). Indigenous Limited information is available on the total catch of CRFF by Indigenous fishers. The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey did provide some Annual status report 2010—Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery 7 Catch (tonnes) CPUE (kg/day) 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 preliminary information, indicating that approximately Shoalwater Bay (Figure 6). The catch of RTE was 7 000 coral trout, 38 000 snappers, 9 000 emperors, 12 highest in the central section between Townsville and 000 cods and 9 000 wrasse/gropers were taken by Mackay but also extended north to approximately 15° Queensland Indigenous communities in 2000–01. of latitude (Figure 6). High catches of OS recorded in the southern regions were driven by catches of deep Based on the same weight conversions as those used water bar rockcod (E. ergastularius and E. for the recreational catch, this equates to octofaciatus), while in the Mackay region, were driven approximately 108 t. by goldband snapper (Pristipomoides multidens). In the north, high catches comprised of spangled Spatial issues / trends emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) but also red emperor Approximately 95% of reported commercial catch of (Lutjanus sebae), saddletail snapper (Lutjanus CRFF is taken from areas within the GBRMP. For the malabaricus) and stripey snapper (Lutjanus 2009–10 period the catch of CT was high in grids carponotatus) (Figure 6). throughout the extent of the GBR east and north of Figure 6: Catch of CT, RTE and OS in 2009–10 (Source: CFISH database, 16 November 2010). A number of possible measures to mitigate the impacts Effects of Tropical Cyclone Hamish of such events in the future are discussed in Tobin et al. (2010). The 2009 CRFFF Annual Status Report reported on effort shifts away from affected areas in response to Tropical Cyclone Hamish in March 2009 (DEEDI 2010). Tobin et Socio-economic characteristics and trends al. (2010) report on the effects of three tropical The price obtained for CRFF depends on the species, cyclones on the CRFFF industry including a decrease of product form (e.g. live, fillet, whole dead, trunked) and around a third in catch rates of CT and RTE in the most appearance (colour). High prices are fetched on the heavily affected regions. The effects on catch and catch export market for top quality live CT, which have rate of CT and RTE in the months following the cyclone dominated the product form of harvested CT since mid were somewhat masked by effort shifting into northern 1990’s. While whole dead CT make up about 10% of the areas not impacted by the cyclone. However, by landed product, live fish have accounted for 85 – 90% December 2009 catch rates of coral trout showed of reported product since 2004–05 and fetch fishery-wide reductions (Figure 3). The Tobin et al. approximately four times that offered for filleted (2010) analysis identifies depressed catch rates in product. The beach price of live CT ranged from affected areas following cyclones for a duration of between $33–60/kg in 2009–10, depending on the between 12 and 24 months, a trend which is reflected time of year, for fish between 0.8–1.2 kg in weight. in Figure 3. Whole or filleted RTE and OS attract around $6–12/kg Annual status report 2010—Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery 8