meeting number 63, 8 november 2017 scalefish fishery ... · flounder, gould’s squid, jack...

S F A C 6 3MEETING NUMBER 63, 8 NOVEMBER 2017

Scalefish Fishery Advisory Committee DRAFT MINUTES Banksia Room, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Queens Domain, Hobart

ATTENDANCE Dave Blake Industry representative (arrived 10:04) Todd Francis Industry representative David Cannon Industry representative Jon Bryan Community and conservation representative Julian Harrington TSIC representative John Sansom TRLFA representative Jeremy Lyle IMAS representative Klaas Hartmann IMAS presenter Bradley Moore IMAS presenter Ashley Kent Marine Police representative Grant Pullen DPIPWE representative Frances Seaborn DPIPWE Executive Officer Mal Budd DPIPWE permanent observer (arrived 9:28) Will Hansen DPIPWE observer

APOLOGIES Max Kitchell Chair Stephen Bartels Processor representative Craig Garland Industry representative Rob Milner TSFA representative

Meeting opened at 9:07 am

1. Welcome and preliminariesMr Grant Pullen welcomed members to the meeting.

1.2 Apologies were recorded from Mr Max Kitchell, Mr Stephen Bartels and Mr Craig Garland.Also recorded was an informal apology from Rob Milner. Dave Blake had previously advised that he would be arriving late.

1.3 The FAC agreed — in accordance with the Terms of Reference — that John Sansom would stand in as Chair in Mr Kitchell’s absence. Julian and John with assistance of Departmental staff will craft the Chair’s Report to the Minister. The Chair approved DPIPWE Graduate Will Hansen observing the meeting as a learning experience.

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DPIPW E, W ild F isher ies Management Branch

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1.4 Members were also reminded of the letters sent by the Minister regarding the extension to their SFAC membership, which is due to expire on 31 December 2017. Members were advised that if they did not wish to continue with membership then they would need to provide written confirmation (via email fine) to Frances Seaborn.

1.5 The declaration of pecuniary interests were updated for members present at this meeting. It was noted that Brad and Klaas are not members of the FAC and are here to present information and do not have any interest, pecuniary or otherwise.

1.6 The agenda was accepted with no additional items.

1.7 The confirmation of previous minutes from SFAC 62 were accepted without change by members as these had been viewed out of session. The FAC agreed to finalise the minutes out of session so that minutes can be released publically in quicker timeframe enabling better transparency with FAC business, i.e, posted on website.

1.8 The Minister’s final decision on the northern calamari closure was noted. DPIPWE advised that the although the original proposal was for entire northern closure — after receiving comment, mainly from industry, two separate closure areas were implemented. Since the closure we have received some representation that this may not have been ideal. This will be taken into consideration when reviewing the closure for 2018.

1.9 Action arising from previous meetings was discussed with the outcomes as follows.

Action item 1 (meeting 60, item 4.2) the FAC was advised that this item was no longer relevant and is to be removed from action list. There were too many complexities to proceed. Item complete

Action item 2 (meeting 60, item 7.1) the FAC was advised that this item is to be removed from action list. Communication between DPIPWE and TSIC have resulted in advising those fishers interested in taking marblefish to apply for a permit to access this species on the north coast — noting that there are still complexities to consider for access to marblefish on the east coast with regard to banded morwong fishery. Item complete

2. Draft Scalefish Fishery Assessment 2016/17 IMAS researcher Brad Moore presented the 2016/17 assessment and highlighted the quality control processes of catch and effort data. It was noted that AFMA catch of Gould’s Squid, Bastard Trumpeter and Striped Trumpeter is also included.

IMAS presented the assessment outcomes for 11 species — Eastern Australian Salmon, Barracouta, Bastard Trumpeter, Blue Warehou, Tiger Flathead, Southern Sand Flathead, Flounder, Gould’s squid, Jack Mackerel, Jackass Morwong, Leatherjack, Longsnout Boarfish, Yelloweye Mullet, Snook (Shortfin Pike), Eastern School Whiting, Southern Calamari, Southern Garfish, Striped Trumpeter and Wrasse. A brief summary of the main points of discussion from this presentation is included in Appendix 1.

Some things to note from discussion generated from the presentation:

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• Bastard Trumpeter remains classified as “overfished”. DPIPWE will be working on management strategy proposal for both sectors detailing which management tools we could use to further reduce catch — such as increase size limit, further reduce trip and bag limits, perhaps reduce soak times to improve post release survival.

• Blue Warehou remains classified as “overfished”. Current management allows for rapid increase in catch if locally abundant. Avoidance of species (no targeting), education. Main issue is if you catch them they are dead.

• Southern Calamari remains classified as “sustainable”, noting increase in catch from 106.2 tonnes in 2015/16 to 122.6 tonnes in 2016/17. Catch and effort had further increased on the north coast in 2016/17.

• Southern Garfish remains classified as “transitional depleting”. There is a research project planned to collect information on biology of southern garfish in northern Tasmania.

• Striped Trumpeter remains classified as “undefined” due to lack of new length and age frequency information and recreational catch estimates. IMAS is targeting the recreational fishery to collect frames.

• Wrasse remains assessed as “sustainable”. It was noted that although the current size limit protects purple wrasse and female bluethroat wrasse, it does not protect the male bluethroat wrasse due to a lack of maximum size limit. As a result there is potential for future sperm shortage for this species.

3. Banded Morwong Assessment IMAS modeller Klaas Hartmann presented the model outputs for the Banded Morwong Fishery.

Total commercial catch remains relatively stable (32.7 tonnes in 2016/17 with 3% undercatch).

Catch rates have slowly declined over time, aside from the sharp dip in 2012/13 quota year. In 2016/17 catch rates increased 11% in region 3 (SEC), were steady in region 2 (EC) and declined 17% in region 1 (NEC). This resulted in a net Statewide decrease in catch rate of 4%. Early indications from the 2017/18 quota season suggest CPUE has been increasing.

While reported seal interactions had decreased back to 2014/15 levels, there was general agreement that almost all banded morwong fishing trips have interactions with one or more seals. It is difficult to determine what proportion of seal interactions are having on catch rates. There was further discussion on how we can collect better information on interactions. Review interaction codes — need a code for when a fisher has to move their operation due to interactions. Other ways a fisher may record information were also suggested (eg taking photos of damage).

It was noted that there is not a lot of data available to understand drivers of recruitment.

The limit reference point (LRP) for the east coast Banded Morwong Fishery is for the spawning stock biomass to remain above 30%.

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The biomass projection maintaining the current TAC level of 26kg/unit (figure 1) is likely that the biomass will remain above the LRP, but will continue to slowly decline downwards.

Figure 1: Biomass projection if the TAC is maintained at 26kg per quota unit. Note the stock is predicted to slowly continue declining if the TAC does not change. The grey shading indicates the level of confidence of the model prediction — the more shading above the line the higher the confidence. (Source: IMAS presentation)

By continuing with the 1kg per year reduction strategy until 23kg/unit is reached (figure 2) the biomass would stabilise and slowly start to kick up.

Figure 2: Biomass projection if the TAC is reduced by 1kg per year until reaching 23kg per quota unit. Note the stock is predicted to stabilise and ever so slightly start to increase. The grey shading indicates the level of confidence of the model prediction — the more shading above the line the higher the confidence. (Source: IMAS presentation)

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Further reducing to 22kg/unit would ensure the limit reference point is maintained.

The purpose of the TAC reduction strategy is to stabilise the stock so that it does not breach the LRP. Once the stock is stabilised then the fishery can work towards a target reference point.

Irrespective of the strategy adopted, the performance of the fishery would be reviewed annually and if the model shows improved or worsened outputs then different action may be required.

Klaas then briefly explained the national stock status classification system and how banded morwong is performing (figure 3). The graph has two axes – fishing mortality and biomass.

Figure 3: Diagrammatic representation of the stock classification system — with biomass (%virgin) on the ‘x’ axis and fishing mortality (catch as proxy) on the ‘y’ axis. The line (starting from the right) is the performance of the Banded Morwong Fishery over time since the start of exploitation. The dashed line indicates the 30% biomass limit reference point. (Source: IMAS presentation)

Proxy for this fishery is 30% virgin biomass. The fishery is currently on the cusp of classification boundary of “transitional depleting” and “sustainable” and this fishery could move to “sustainable” if fishing mortality continues to be restrained.

The level of undercatch in 2016/17 was 3%, which is less that the 5% used in the TACC setting process.

Industry did not recall supporting the stepwise harvest reduction strategy at the last TAC setting meeting, however the DPIPWE, IMAS and community and conservation members all recall discussion at last year’s TAC setting meeting that the stepwise harvest reduction strategy (1 kg/unit reduction) was in principle supported — subject to review annually and new information.

IMAS intends to investigate alternative size limits in addition to reviewing the model and aim to have performance of the 2017/18 quota year available during the closed season as there is no biological sampling program scheduled for 2018.

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Increased seal interactions were further discussed. A suggestion of having a working group outside of the FAC with the wider Morwong fishers coming together with IMAS and DPIPWE to discuss ways forward. This was supported by those present.

ACTION ITEM: DPIPWE to discuss a way forward with TSIC to develop a small working group to discuss options for better recording of seal interactions then communicate to wider industry.

4. Banded Morwong Fishery Forum Outcomes Grant summarised the forum discussion highlighting the potential for reviewing the size limits (which IMAS mentioned in the previous item), noting the lack of industry support for further reducing the TAC.

5. Banded Morwong TAC setting for 2018/19

The DPIPWE proposed the following recommendation:

RECOMMENDATION That the East Coast Banded Morwong Fishery Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is set at 25 kilograms per unit (a total of 29,000 kg) for the 2018/19 quota year as the second step to further movements to allow the biomass stay above the limit reference point of 30% spawning stock biomass.

A letter tabled from the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishermen’s Association (TSFA) expressed strong views from TSFA members and the broader Banded Morwong fishing community that noting the improvements to catch rates the TAC should remain at the current level and give the fishery a chance to respond to the cuts already put in place.

The letter also highlighted the recent health and wellbeing survey by Deakin University that indicates that fishers are highly susceptible to stress due to red tape/bureaucracy and uncertainty of resource access.

DPIPWE view is that the current reduction strategy factors in the continued reduction of the TAC for the fishery to meet the 90% probability of staying above the limit reference point and that reducing the current unit value to 25kg/unit is necessary.

The community and conservation member stated that 30% of virgin biomass is too low and believes is should be higher. Also believes the DPIPWE’s proposed 1 kg/unit reduction is too low, but prefers that to no action. He noted that he had suggested a big cut to the TAC a number of years ago and believes that if that had been done at the time then the fishery would now be in a much better position.

One industry member doesn’t think that we have a clear indication of where things are going and believes the stock has stabilised. Another mentioned that he wants to see industry make money and suggested that DPIPWE is trying to manage the stock and not taking into account the effect on people’s lives. The TSIC representative suggested that the current data — assuming the modelling is correct — does not indicate that there will be a major collapse of the stock next year if the current TAC is maintained.

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It was also pointed out that the undercatch should not be taken into account in the TAC setting process. It was noted that the probability of staying above the limit reference point would be reduced if the 5% undercatch continued to be factored into the model.

Also noted was that the model projections have not kicked up yet and that because of this the 1kg/unit reduction should be maintained.

As consensus could not be achieved the Chair asked all members for their views on the proposed TAC recommendation.

TSIC supports the views of the TSFA and industry members that have contacted them directly to retain the status quo due to the cuts already achieved including the conversion from numbers to weight.

DPIPWE supports a reduction of 1kg/quota unit.

Dave Cannon supports a reduction of 1kg/quota unit.

Todd Francis, supports maintaining the status quo, noting that a larger cut may need be taken if the fishery has not improved.

Dave Blake supports the TSIC position.

Jon supports the DPIPWE view of having a 1 kg/unit cut and further cuts next year if model shows no improvement

Jeremy noted that the current season the catch rates show signs of improvement, but notes this data in not included in the current model outputs. The TAC setting is not based on the current fishing year. IMAS could aim to present the data sooner (say March/April during the closure), but the TAC setting discussion will always be based on data from the year before — and not the current fishing year. IMAS will be reviewing the model and the size limits.

Craig Garland had written of his support to maintain the current TAC when communicating his apology via email.

The following recommendations were proposed.

Option 1 was proposed by DPIPWE, noting there was no support from the majority of industry members present. One industry member, community and conservation member, DPIPWE member and IMAS member supported the one kilogram per quota unit reduction for the 2018/19 quota year.

Option 2 was proposed by the majority of industry and supported by the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishermen’s Association (as per the tabled letter).

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RECOMMENDATION

OPTION 1: That the East Coast Banded Morwong Fishery Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is set at 25 kilograms per unit (a total of 29,000 kg) for the 2018/19 quota year as the second step to further movements to allow the biomass stay above the limit reference point of 30% spawning stock biomass.

OPTION 2: That the East Coast Banded Morwong Fishery Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is left at 26 kilograms per unit (a total of 30,992 kg) for the 2018/19 quota year with the firm view that the most recent catch data for the 2017/18 quota season provides evidence of stock recovery, which when combined with gains from a move to a weight based quota management system would strongly suggest the 30% virgin biomass limit reference point will not be breached in the 2018/19 quota year.

6. Reports

6.1 Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Jeremy Lyle advised that the main activities relevant to the Scalefish Fishery IMAS are working on include:

• Statewide recreational fishery survey (Nov-Oct), which will contribute to updated catch estimates for the 2018/19 assessment — not the 2017/18 assessment.

• New staff member working on getting a garfish project up and collecting more samples • Bastard trumpeter – a problem getting samples, particularly the adult portion of the stock.

Looking at targeting shark fishers for samples • Striped trumpeter – have trouble getting samples from the commercial fishery, and have

started a sampling (frames) program through the recreational sector. • King George Whiting - looking at working with some of the recreational sector and

hopefully some commercials on the NE coast for sampling • Calamari research is underway and seems to be on track.

6.2 Marine Police

Constable Ashley Kent provided a brief update on offender stats. Current marine offenses stand at 226, which include 148 MAST offenses. Looking at providing a better breakdown of offences (recreational & commercial) new Inspector Steve Burke is keen to improve and with 98% of work involves infringement notices and should be able to do this in the future.

Three recreational offences for striped trumpeter and one commercial (factory).

Three cautions to recreational fishers were issued during the northern calamari closures.

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The Fishwatch phone line has been very busy. Have had some good scalefish fishery results – seizures of juvenile blue warehou and silver warehou – recreational offences line fishing. There were comments that the silver trevally size limits are too small.

New boat Cape Wickham going well (although currently on the slip for a paint issue) and will be back in the water by the end of the week. The Van Diemen will be based in the north.

6.3 Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council

Julian Harrington reported that seal relocations from the south to NW had occupied the majority of his time over the preceding months, with significant consultation with the Minister and his advisors, a salmon company and local NW fishers. The end outcome was the Minister has banned seal relocations.

This was a tough time for fishers and the TSIC Chief Executive with respect to mental health and wellbeing issues. Recent research by Deakin University looking into Health and Wellbeing of the Australian fishing industry found the following:

• 1000 surveys completed of which 28% were from Tasmania. • Fishers are enduring levels of psychological distress almost double that of the general

population (19% v 10% in normal population). • Only 9% of respondents said they had experienced no bodily pain in the month prior to

the survey, with 58% saying they had experienced moderate to very severe pain. • Thirty nine percent reported they had been dissuaded from addressing their physical and

mental health problems because they felt their GP didn’t understand the pressures of the fishing industry.

• May respondents also felt their work was “culturally undervalued” or misunderstood. • Main causes of distress and depression were red tape/bureaucracy and uncertainty of

resource access.

TRLFA and TSIC will invest significant funding to support and leverage a fundraising venture to support charity supporting the issue.

The transition for delivery of marine safety from MAST to AMSA continues to throw significant challenges for industry. There is still no certainty of costs and there are continued issues and concerns around the new system to be delivered by AMSA. The Tasmanian maritime industry is fully supporting a status quo approach where MAST can continue to deliver the national system under a delegated authority model.

Government has announced a further three years direct funding ($2 million) to subsidise Seafood Training Tasmania to deliver key training to the seafood and maritime industries.

6.4 Tasmanian Scalefish Fishermen’s Association

Rob Milner was an apology for this meeting. Julian reported that there have not been regular meetings in recent months.

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6.5 DPIPWE Marine Resources

Grant Pullen (Wild Fisheries Branch Manager) advised of an issue that had come out of a recent recreational forum held in St Helens with regard to the current size limit of King George Whiting as they believe it to be too high. Recreational fishers will be collecting samples around Georges Bay and IMAS will look at Size of Maturity.

The northern calamari closure was generally accepted, however there was some grievance regarding the boundary at Port Sorell — as it prevented fishers from Port Sorell travelling back from a squid spot west of Port Sorell.

There were reports of fishers carrying jigs on rods in closed areas. Compliance officers have suggested that future closures could consider prohibiting carrying squid jigs attaches to lines in closed areas.

7. Other Business

7.1 Future Research Needs (update table 3)

The FAC reviewed Table 3 and confirmed the research priorities that were generated from today’s discussions regarding Bastard Trumpeter and Blue Warehou.

7.2 Date and potential Agenda items for meeting number 64

It was proposed that the next meeting be held week commencing 8 April 2018.

Items to be included are:

• Review of calamari project data and northern closure (field work wraps up in January 2018).

• Recording of seal interactions.

• Review of Banded Morwong model.

• Review of Banded Morwong size limits – subject to IMAS investigation.

Meeting closed at 2:10 pm.

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Table 1: Declaration of SFAC members’ pecuniary interests Member Interest declared

Stephen Bartels Owner of a processor licence and scalefish licence package with scalefish B, wrasse and banded morwong licences and banded morwong quota. Holds all recreational licences.

Dave Blake Owner operator. Holder of a scalefish licence package with a scalefish A, banded morwong licence and quota.

Jon Bryan Tasmanian Conservation Trust representative. Member of other Tasmanian FACs, TARFish Board, TASSAL Sustainability and a couple of recreational diving clubs, also AFMA SouthMAC member. No pecuniary interest.

David Cannon Former owner operator of a scalefish licence package with a scalefish B, wrasse and banded morwong licence and quota. No longer holds a licence package.

Todd Francis

Owns and operates two scalefish licence packages. Package 1: scalefish B. Package 2: scalefish B, purse seine net (non-transferable), wrasse and southern calamari licences. Generally targets calamari, garfish and flathead. Holder of recreational rock lobster pot, graball net and dive licences.

Craig Garland Owner operator. Holder of a scalefish licence package with a scalefish A and beach seine B. Small mesh gillnet licence. Is also endorsed to use small mesh gillnets on the north coast.

Julian Harrington Chief Executive of Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council. Holds most recreational licences. Member of various fisheries committees and forums. No pecuniary interest.

Ashley Kent Marine Police Officer. Holds recreational licences. No pecuniary interest.

Max Kitchell Independent Chair. No pecuniary interest.

Jeremy Lyle Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies research scientist. No pecuniary interest, although noted that he does research for Tasmanian fisheries.

Rob Milner Co-Vice President of the Tasmanian Scalefish Fisherman’s Association. Owner/operator of licence package with Scalefish A, Small Mesh Gillnet, Wrasse, Purse Seine Net, Beach Seine A and a scallop entitlement. Holds endorsements for the Tamar River for gillnet, beach seine and dip net. Also holds all recreational licences

Grant Pullen DPIPWE Manager, Wild Fisheries Management. No pecuniary interest.

John Sansom Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen’s Association. Member of CFAC. Director of Southern Rock Lobster Ltd. Owns a rock lobster entitlement and quota.

Frances Seaborn DPIPWE Fisheries Management Officer. No pecuniary interest.

Malcolm Budd DPIPWE Manager, Fisheries Compliance & Licensing. No pecuniary interest.

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Table 2: SFAC action arising from previous meetings

Meeting no., Agenda Item

no. & date Action item Action by Outcome

60, item 4.2 1 July 2016

Draft a discussion paper relating to proposal for extra traps for wrasse fishers. TSIC COMPLETE

60, item 7.1 1 July 2016

Draft a discussion paper relating to the proposal to allow the take of marblefish by small mesh gillnet fishers. TSIC COMPLETE

63, item 3 8 November 2017

DPIPWE to discuss a way forward with TSIC to develop a small working group to discuss options for better recording of seal interactions then communicate to wider industry.

DPIPWE TSIC

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Table 3: Research priorities for the scalefish fishery

Meeting no. & Date Species/Fishery Research required Status

53 20/09/2013

North coast night netting

Does unattended night netting have an issue with bycatch and fish wastage? How often are commercial nets being checked and emptied? Bycatch and fish wastage are the issues not sustainability. Look at catch, bycatch and condition of catch. Effort → endorsements

61 3/10/2016 (updated)

Garfish

Better understanding of if the fishery is undergoing availability issues or recruitment failure. Review existing closures and determine if timing and zones are appropriate, particularly for the north.

61 3/10/2016 (updated)

Wrasse Require more information to enable determination of the size and age structure of Wrasse species statewide.

61 3/10/2016

Striped Trumpeter Require more information to enable determination of the size and age structure of the stock.

61 3/10/2016

Bastard Trumpeter Require more information to enable determination of the size and age structure of the stock.

62 3/03/2017

Socio-economic characterisation of the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery: barriers and opportunities for future profitability and a strategic vision for the sector.

An assessment of the socio-economic characteristics of the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery, opportunities to improve economic and social outcomes for the sector and a more holistic approach to the management of the fishery. RAG title: What’s the economic/social trend and future of the scale fishery

63 8/11/2017

IMAS

Bastard Trumpeter & Blue Warehou

Both classified as overfished. Recreational sector is main catcher and require targeted research specifically on the recreational gillnet fishery.

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meeting number 63, 8 november 2017 scalefish fishery ... · flounder, gould’s squid, jack...

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