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Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark

FisheryShelf Resource

Assessment Group (ShelfRAG)

MINUTES

CHAIR: MR SANDY MORISON

25-27 SEPTEMBER 2013FREYCINET ROOM

CSIRO MARINE LABS

CASTRAY ESPLANADE TAS

PARTICIPANTSChairMr Sandy Morison

ShelfRAG MembersDr Neil Klaer (CSIRO)

Dr Ian Knuckey (Fishwell)

Mr Robert Curtotti (ABARES economic member)

Mr Andrew Penney (ABARES scientific member, for Dr Peter Ward)

Mr Tony Lavalle (Trawl industry)

Mr Tom Bibby (industry)

Mr Simon Boag (SETFIA CEO)

Mr Wayne Cheers (industry)

Dr Marcus Finn (AFMA fisheries manager)

Mr Malcolm Poole (Recreational member)

ShelfRAG Observers and Invited GuestsMr George Day (AFMA senior manager)

Dr Sally Wayte (CSIRO)

Dr Rich Little (CSIRO)

Dr Malcolm Haddon (CSIRO)

Dr Judy Upston (CSIRO)

Dr Jemery Day (CSIRO)

Dr Geoff Tuck (CSIRO)

Dr Kevin Rowling

ShelfRAG Executive OfficerMr Ryan Keightley (AFMA)

ApologiesDr Peter Ward (ABARES Scientific member)

Dr Marcus Finn (Friday only)

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Agenda Item 1 – Preliminaries

1.1 Welcome, Introductions and Apologies1. The Chair, Mr Sandy Morison, opened the meeting by welcoming all attendees to the

meeting. The Chair informed the group that the meeting is being recorded for the purposes of minute-taking.

2. The Chair announced that the objective of the meeting is to review the preliminary stock assessments and while the aim will be for consensus on all advice and decisions made, dissenting views will be recorded accordingly.

1.2 Declarations of Interest3. The Chair outlined the requirements that RAGs must follow in regards to conflicts of

interest, and the following declarations of interest by participants were noted:

Participants Declarations of Interest

Mr Sandy Morison Chair of SlopeRAG and ShelfRAG, member of SEMAC and SESSFRAG. Consultant with interests in funding for research. Conducts fisheries related consultancies for Industry, companies and Government departments.

Dr Ian Knuckey Director of Fishwell Consulting.

Provides consultancy advice and undertakes research projects for a variety of industry clients, including SETFIA, GABIA and SSIA.

Mr George Day AFMA. Senior Manager of Demersal and Midwater Trawl Fisheries. No pecuniary interest

Dr Marcus Finn AFMA. Manager of Commonwealth and GAB Trawl Fisheries section. No pecuniary interest

Mr Ryan Keightley AFMA. Demersal and Midwater Trawl Fisheries section. ShelfRAG Executive Officer. No pecuniary interest

Dr Malcolm Haddon CSIRO. Involved in Stock Assessments. Interest in obtaining funding for future research.

Dr Neil Klaer CSIRO. Involved in stock assessments. Interest in obtaining funding for future research.

Dr Rich Little CSIRO. Involved in stock assessments. Interest in obtaining funding for future research.

Dr Jemery Day CSIRO. Involved in stock assessments. Interest in obtaining funding for future research.

Dr Sally Wayte CSIRO. Involved in stock assessments. Interest in obtaining funding for future research.

MINUTES – SHELFRAG 25-27 September 2013

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Participants Declarations of Interest

Dr Judy Upston CSIRO. Involved in Stock Assessments. Interest in obtaining funding for future research.

Dr Geoff Tuck CSIRO. Involved in Stock Assessments. Interest in obtaining funding for future research.

Mr Andrew Penney ABARES. Interest in obtaining funding for future research

Mr Robert Curtotti ABARES. Interest in obtaining funding for future research

Mr Tony Lavalle Commonwealth Trawl Sector boat and quota SFR holder

Mr Wayne Cheers Commonwealth Trawl Sector boat and quota SFR holder

Mr Tom Bibby Commonwealth Trawl Sector boat and quota SFR holder

Mr Simon Boag SETFIA CEO, CFA vice-Chair, runs a consultancy firm. Sits on boards of Commonwealth Trawl Sector boat and quota SFR holding companies as a non-beneficiary director, Member Victorian Fisheries Advisory Council.

Mr Malcolm Poole Treasurer and Board member Recfish Australia, member of Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, Chairman Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, committee member on NSW Maritime Advisory Council, NSW Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Fund. No pecuniary interest.

Dr Kevin Rowling No pecuniary interest.

4. Members Tony Lavalle, Wayne Cheers, Tom Bibby, Ian Knuckey and Simon Boag left the room in turn while the RAG discussed their conflicts of interest. The RAG resolved that their conflicts did not preclude them from RAG discussions and the RAG would deal with any conflicts as they arose. It was noted that their experience in the fishery was desired by the RAG and that all commercial operators would have similar conflicts of interest. No other members declared conflicts with any of the agenda items.

1.3 Adoption of Agenda5. The draft agenda was accepted with no further changes.

1.4 Status of action items arising out of previous ShelfRAG meetings 6. The status of action items from the October and November ShelfRAG 2012 meetings

were discussed, noting all items are finalised and one item will be carried over from the previous meeting.

ACTION ITEM #1 – Simon Boag SETFIA to provide Dr Klaer with alternative values of species other than market price for use in his targeting work.


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Agenda Item 2 - General updates for ShelfRAG

2.1Report on management issues7. Dr Marcus Finn gave a report to the RAG. It is summarised below:

Catchwatch reports – Compared catch to date against TAC, flagging any species that are of concern.

Eastern Gemfish – AFMA was looking into alternative model runs for Eastern Gemfish to test alternate catch scenarios is underway by CSIRO. Commission noted that closures were not a simple option for gemfish, and a regime shift may be possible (need sufficient evidence).

Blue Warehou – Rebuilding strategy is due for review in 2014 and the Minister is due to make a decision on the listing of Blue Warehou as a threatened species by September 2014.

Flinders Research Zone Closure – AFMA has amended the closure with up to date depth data. Mr Boag offered his appreciation to AFMA and Industry for their work on this.

Redfish – Redfish port sampling will be targeted at Sydney Fish Markets in the upcoming months.

Seabird Trial – Interactions from the seabird trial were with the RAG noting that these interactions should be explicitly separated from the data.

2.2ABARES Fishery Status Report 20128. Mr Andrew Penney informed members that the 2012 Fishery Status Report is currently

progressing through the final stages of clearance, and is scheduled for publication at the end of October 2013.

9. Mr Penney further noted the Status of Key Australian Fish Stocks report is due to be updated for 2014, headed by ABARES.

2.3 SESSFRAG Issues10. The Chair reported briefly on the results of recent SESSFRAG meetings. SESSFRAG

had accepted that current funding would allow AFMA to conduct a winter FIS only, every second year (next FIS due in 2014). The RAG requested to be sent the most recent FIS report.

ACTION ITEM #2 – AFMA EO Distribute the final FIS report to ShelfRAG.

11. SESSFRAG noted a strong push to recommend setting Multiyear TACs where possible:

Useful for Tier 1 species in particular (if the projected RBCs over 3 years are within 10%, set an average of the 3 years). This will be subject to advice from RAGs on a species by species basis.

Not much benefit for MYTACs for tier 3 and tier 4 assessments due to the small cost associated with the assessments. The RAG acknowledged that these should be seen as multiyear RBCs, and there may need to be adjustments to TACs if mortality is higher or lower than expected.

12. There was agreement from SESSFRAG that the CPUE metarule will be removed from the Harvest Strategy Policy framework


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13. SESSFRAG discussed different targets (e.g. B40) for secondary species for low value non target species. AFMA management is proposing a lower target for two species (Ocean Perch and Ribaldo). There was discussion on the rules/criteria that apply to secondary species, and it was noted that the criteria hasn’t been formally agreed to, but the commission has preferences.

ACTION ITEM #3 – AFMA EO Distribute the final ABARES report to ShelfRAG regarding secondary species at alternative targets.

14. The Chair reported a summary of the Dr Gavin Fay paper on discount factors, and noted SESSFRAGs discussion regarding the paper, as follows:

there is no default discount factor suited to all species on a particular Tier level and the appropriate discount needed to maintain risk equivalence needs to be determined on a species by species basis;

stability of CPUE is not a good reason not to apply the discount factor.

15. The RAG noted that SESSFRAG had not explicitly changed its previous advice about when the discount factor need not be applied, and stated that it requires specific advice from SESSFRAG as to whether stability in the CPUE estimate is sufficiently precautionary not to apply the appropriate discount factor.

ACTION ITEM #4 – Sandy Morison Recommendation from ShelfRAG to SESSFRAG to provide updated advice on the criteria for the application of discount factors and the level of any discounts.

16. Other SESSFRAG matters reported:

discard estimates used in TAC calculations for Tier 1 species should be derived from the assessment models

whether to use discards in Tier 4 assessments is a RAG decision for each species a new template for reporting RAG outcomes is being developed and will be trialled

this year.

Agenda Item 3 - Tier 1 Species

3.1 Tiger FlatheadIndustry feedback on flathead (calendar year 2012)17. Mr Tony Lavalle provided his view on the Flathead fishery as follows:

The last 3 years have probably been the best flathead years they’ve had for some time

He has been avoiding flathead from around November because they had caught most of their quota early. This meant he changed fishing to target mixed species with less flathead.

This year has not been quite as good, but we have been concentrating more on deep water species.

18. Mr Wayne Cheers agreed, with his views as follows:

Last year was a really good year for flathead, with lots of small fish reported all along the east coast and down to Tassie (<28cm).

From Christmas to about April many boats were not targeting flathead due to a lack of remaining quota.


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The last 3 months have been quiet but is probably due to poor weather and cold water temperatures.

Tier 1 assessment19. Dr Jemery Day presented the assessment as follows, noting the following updates in

the new assessment from the 2010 base case:

Updated software (SS-V3.24f) Added catch and CPUE data to 2012 Added updated discard estimates and length data Updated age error matrix and age at length data Changed final year for which recruitments are estimated from 2006 to 2009 Added FIS data (winter) for 2008, 10 and 12. Retuned All assumptions remain the same

20. Dr Day stated that the only major change in the new data was that recruitment wasn’t as strong as in the previous assessment, and the RAG needs to be aware (when applying to a MYTAC) it is possible for future data to result in modifications to estimates of recent recruitment events (for example, 2008 onwards shows above average recruitment estimates).

21. The RAG discussed a conflict with CPUE in recent years for trawl and Danish Seine. The model for Danish seine shows CPUE is going up, however trawl is going down. Mr Penney suggested we drop the last two recruitment years in the assessment to see what the difference would be.

22. Mr Penney mentioned that it may be worth running the Francis method (new method of weighting which down weights the effect of length data on CPUE) as suggested to do with Pink Ling in SlopeRAG.

23. Mr Lavelle expressed concern with standardisation of CPUE, and stated that standardisation needs to be updated when major management changes are implemented (e.g. closures, quota reconciliation changes). Dr Malcolm Haddon agreed and said he will explore the data to see whether there are any hiccups in catch rates where quota reconciliation is occurring. He stated that it could be changing fishing behaviour. The Chair noted that if there was an effect it would be most apparent when management went from calendar year fishing season to April/May fishing season.

24. The RAG accepted the new base case noting it shows the spawning stock biomass to be at 50% virgin stock biomass. Mr Penney noted he would like to see the spawning depletion trajectory without the estimated recent recruitment (2008 onwards), and this would give us a highly precautionary answer.

Data overview25. Dr Klaer presented the Data Summary and Dr Haddon presented the CPUE

Standardisation with the following observations:

26. Zones 10 and 20

Most catch between 20-200m deep. Number of vessels has remained stable since 2007 Increased catch rates post buyout (fish availability increased with fewer boats) –

standardization has dealt with this adequately.

27. Zone 30 (eastern Tasmania)


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Minor catch in this zone. Catch rates have increased recently, fish are generally bigger. Danish seine has two modes of depth (area 60 (Bass Strait) and area 20). Catch in zone 20 has increased slightly and zone 60 has been stable.

28. The RAG discussed the Harvest Control Rule (HCR) in depth. Dr Knuckey confirmed the management target of 40% and the HCR of 20:40:40.

29. The RAG agreed that the HCR inflection point should be changed to 20:35:40, and this should be recommended to the AFMA Commission.

ACTION ITEM #5 – AFMA EO Investigate what Tiger Flathead harvest control rule was accepted by the AFMA commission in 2011/12.

30. The RAG discussed placing flathead on a 3 year MYTAC, and stated we must explore whether there is any significant variation in projected RBC (>10%) before making a decision to set a MYTAC. The RAG also discussed that there is a possibility to set a 5 year MYTAC (or rolling it over after 3 years), and this requires looking at both the 3 and 5 year projected average to see if there is any major difference between them.

31. The Chair reminded the RAG that there are three summer FIS’s that could be used in the assessment, and it was agreed to include this in a sensitivity test for presentation at the next meeting.

32. The RAG agreed to finalise Tiger Flathead at the next meeting.

3.2 Jackass Morwong33. The RAG noted that Jackass Morwong isn’t formally on a MYTAC, and Dr Sally Wayte

had conducted a forward projection on the 2011 assessment last year. The RAG discussed Dr Wayte’s assessment and agreed to conduct another forward projection with updated catch data for presentation at the November meeting.

ACTION ITEM #6 – Sally Wayte Conduct a forward projection on Jackass Morwong for the next meeting included projected discards.

34. Dr Haddon noted Jackass Morwong is not breaking out of a CPUE breakout rule.

Data overview Dr Klaer presented the Data Summary and Dr Haddon presented the CPUE

Standardisation with the following observations:

Landings are less than the TAC, and are slightly declining. It was noted that gulper shark closures have closed many of the Morwong grounds

in the west, so this is contributing to the reduction in catch. Catch by zone has remained fairly stable (eastern catch has increased slightly, west

declining slightly).

35. The RAG noted there is very little observer and port data taken in the West recently, and this will need to be addressed.

ACTION ITEM #7 – AFMA Observer Section

Increase sampling of Jackass Morwong in the West.


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36. Dr Knuckey was concerned with the number of very large fish in the data summary, and there is a possibility that the larger fish are being misidentified (possibly King tarakihi). The RAG agreed to explore this and whether the large fish should be excluded from the summary.

37. The RAG agreed that the indicators do not present any issues. CPUE is flat, catches are well under the estimated RBC and the size/age composition data shows no signs of any problems. The RAG noted that some spatial closures (gulpers) have also applied more protection recently which should be taken into account.

38. The RAG agreed to look at the projected assessment at the next meeting, review the indicators again, and if there is no adverse risk to the stock, roll over the TAC.

3.3 School Whiting39. The RAG was reminded that it has previously set and considered a long term RBC for

School Whiting as the short term RBC fluctuated wildly. It was noted that approach should be continued while monitoring indicators for any significant risks to the stock.

40. The RAG noted that an assessment hasn’t been done for four years now, and the projections are becoming less confident (the next assessment won’t be for at least 3 years) but that the RBC remained under-caught which provided precaution. It was further noted that there has been a push to look at a spatially aggregated model for School Whiting, and should be on the list as a priority.

41. The Chair discussed some points raised at the last data meeting as follows.

Fish are much smaller in the port sampling than those from on-board sampling which suggested that it was from different times of year or different methods.

ACTION ITEM #8 – Neil Klaer Investigate at a data level why the last three years of on board and port sampling data for School Whiting are so different.

Whether ISMP observers continue to sample School Whiting in state waters inside 3nm, and if so how is the data coded.

ACTION ITEM #9 – AFMA Observers Section

Report back on whether ISMP observers continue to sample School Whiting in state waters inside 3 nautical miles, and if so how is the data coded?

Data overview Most catch is by Danish Seine in the Bass Strait Landings are constant even though the TAC has fluctuated Discard estimates are low (<2%) made up of small fish No concern with age patterns

42. The RAG agreed the reason the TAC isn’t being caught is market driven.

43. Dr Day raised issues with state catch (primarily NSW), which is likely to be much higher than Commonwealth catch, and getting this data is incredibly important. He raised concerns with reporting of state catch as well.

44. The RAG noted that School Whiting is not breaking out of the CPUE breakout rule, and agreed to start the process of updating the assessment, look at spatial analysis of data and see where it sits on the list of priorities. Continue with a field catch option (as per SESSFRAG).


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45. The RAG agreed to confirm the RBC at the November meeting, but could not see any reason why we shouldn’t continue with the same process we did last year (projecting forward and subtracting discards and state catches from the RBC).

3.4 Eastern gemfish46. The Chair stated that Eastern Gemfish is estimated to be below the limit reference point

and is currently on an incidental catch TAC. The RAG also noted the last assessment was in 2009.

47. The RAG suggested there may grounds to look at gemfish for a productivity shift (i.e. there is an external factor in the environment that is limiting recruitment/carrying capacity that has changed). Dr Klaer discussed this through a weight of evidence technique (from his draft paper titled ‘Letting Fishery Managers Off The Hook’). The RAG suggested we conduct a risk assessment of what would happen if you did, and didn’t, accept a productivity shift of Eastern Gemfish.

48. Dr Kevin Rowling suggested simple stock collapse of Eastern Gemfish rather than a regime shift.

49. Mr Malcolm Poole explained that the recreational catch has increased in NSW because of good weather conditions enabling fishers to head offshore. He stated that there is a recreational bag limit of two fish per person (and a boat limit of 10 fish), and there are some big fish being caught with minimal upsizing occurring compared to recent years.

50. Dr Klaer stated the targeting analysis shows around 10t was targeted for 2012 in the east, consistent with the low amounts also for 2010 and 2011. Mr Boag noted that industry is doing a great job of avoiding Eastern Gemfish and if the TAC is lowered it won’t reduce current mortality.

51. The RAG noted that discard rates reduced in 2012 to 30% from >50% previously. It was noted that this is the first time the discards are much lower than the total catch (28t out of 78t).

52. The RAG flagged that it is mostly small fish being discarded, and there is evidence of new recruitment coming though in the age frequency data. It was flagged that if there is a strong recruitment coming through we should expect to see more discards next year.

53. The RAG agreed Eastern Gemfish may be a good candidate for a MYTAC with the targeting analysis as breakout rule. Mr Lavalle explained that he was uncomfortable with the targeting analysis being used a breakout rule.

54. The RAG recommended staying with the 100t incidental catch TAC, but look at setting it as a MYTAC over 3 years. The RAG agreed to review the indicators each year and if mortality increases substantially, or if the targeting analysis shows a substantial increase, then we have a breakout.

Agenda Item 4 – Tier 3/4 Species

4.1 Mirror Dory55. The Chair stated that Mirror Dory is a Tier 3 species, and there has been a drastic

change in RBC in this year’s assessment.

Data overview The TAC has been quite large in recent years (>1500t, only catching around 500t) Most catch on the east coast. There are no discard estimates in recent years.


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The otoliths of the species are hard to collect, with little data available.

56. Dr Klaer noted that the Tier 3 was previously length based and not particularly accurate. Now we have some aging data (single year), but this is not particularly representative. The RAG noted last year’s fit was very poor and this year’s appears much better, but is statistically similar.

57. Mr Penney suggested there is an availability issue disrupting the Tier 3. The RAG noted when there was the lowest availability of big fish, CPUE went down, and when large fish came in CPUE went up. This availability of the large fish is driving CPUE and it needs to be accounted for somehow.

58. Mr Lavalle stated his frustration with the drastic change in RBC outcomes, however agreed the TAC has probably been set too high the last few years. He stated that going from an RBC of >2500t last year to 148t this year doesn’t give much confidence in the science.

59. Mr Penney stated the length data shows that in 2009 we were catching lot of large fish, and in the last few years it looks as though we’ve either fished all the large fish out, or they have gone for other factors (differential availability).

60. Dr Rowling explained that much of the catch comes from the winter spawning aggregation where there are larger fish, and the rest of the year is mostly smaller fish. He pointed out that there was no port sampling in NSW for the last few years, and this is where the much of the catch is coming from, particularly in May and June when they are spawning. This misrepresents size/age data, even though there is a good sample size.

61. The RAG highlighted a need for the ISMP to collect representative size and age composition data, particularly from NSW in May and June.


Observers to get better size and age data of Mirror Dory particularly from Sydney. It is important to ensure we are getting age and length data in NSW over their winter spawning time.

62. Dr Knuckey presented length frequency data from the FIS, and noted it’s a reasonable sample that should be used. He further noted that there is a small sample of otoliths from 2012 that could be used.

63. The RAG agreed that the previous Tier 3 assessment (length based) was not robust due to unrepresentative length data and the previous RBC was probably to be too high.

64. The RAG also agreed that the new age based Tier 3 is not robust either due to insufficient and unrepresentative age data (too few large fish from on-board sampling).

65. The RAG noted that we can only go back to a Tier 3 assessment if sampling improves.

66. The RAG decided a Tier 4 assessment is more reliable, and agreed to explore the Tier 4 (separate east and west, but then combined) at the next meeting as follows:

o Including discards in CPUE for the East, but not the westo Use recent discards for 2011 and 2012.

ACTION ITEM #11 – Malcolm Haddon Conduct a Tier 4 assessment for Mirror Dory (including discards in the east only) for presentation at the November meeting.


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67. Dr Haddon noted there is no reliable estimate of discarding from the last two years, and suggested using a discard methodology (same as what is used for ocean perch and redfish). He stated this would be important if we were going to a Tier 4.

68. The RAG agreed to address Mirror Dory at the next meeting.

4.2 Silver Trevally69. The Chair explained that Silver Trevally is highly mobile and long lived (to about 25

years), and is assessed under a Tier 4 assessment.

Data overview State catch is significant, but has lowered in the last few years to levels similar to the

Commonwealth due the NSW Batemans Bay Marine Park. TAC increasing but CPUE is low Caught mostly by trawl mostly in Commonwealth waters adjacent to NSW Eastern Bass Strait catches have dropped Discards are very low (<3%) and are well estimated Good length samples

70. The RAG emphasised the main impact on the fishery was the implementation of the Batemans Bay Marine Park in 2007, noting that catch rates within the closure were higher than was outside.

71. The RAG noted that the recreational component of this fishery is likely to be large but is not estimated due to a lack of data.

72. The Chair raised the issue of an apparent inconsistency in previous decisions not to apply a discount factor to Silver Trevally but including all catches in the Tier 4 target. He proposed that the argument for not applying the default discount factor (because the Marine Park provides equivalent protection) is inconsistent with the argument for including catches from within the Marine Park in the reference period (because of the highly mobile nature of the species). The RAG acknowledged this is something the Commission has questioned in the past.

o Dr Knuckey stated that in the past the RAG discussed the inconsistency, and decided that the protective aspect of the closure had far more impact than the potential for mixing inside and outside of it.

o Dr Knuckey suggested an alternative is to take the closure protection out of the assessment and apply the discount factor.

73. The RAG suggested Dr Haddon conduct two assessments for presentation at the next meeting, one assuming 100% protection from the Batemans Bay marine park, and the other assuming no protection. This will provide best case and worst case scenarios to consider.

ACTION ITEM #12 – Malcolm Haddon Conduct two Tier 4 assessments (removing WA and SA catch data) for Silver Trevally for presentation at the November meeting:

1) Including the marine reserve (providing 100% protection)

2) Not including the reserve (providing 0% protection)


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4.3 John Dory74. Dr Klaer presented the assessment for John Dory as follows, noting it is in its second

year of a 221t MYTAC.

Data overview State catch minor to compared to Commonwealth. TAC has been same for last 3 years, fairly consistent historically. Landings have been consistently below the TAC. CPUE fairly stable. Mostly caught by trawl in the eastern Bass Strait and NSW. Total catch steadily decreasing. Discards estimates are good, with very low discards due to high value of the species. Much of the catches have been less than 30kgs (bycatch) from zones 10 and 20.

75. The RAG noted that the indicators show no concern; the Tier 3 assessment fits well, and results in an RBC of 321t (at a target of B48).

76. The AFMA senior manager raised concerns with whether John Dory is within the confidence intervals of the breakout rules. It was noted the Tier 4 does look concerning (based on a default target reference point at B48).

ACTION ITEM #13 – Malcolm Haddon Formally look at breakout rules for John Dory to see if they have been triggered.

77. The Chair summarised stating that John Dory is clearly a bycatch species; it is high value, but not an economic driver of the fishery. The RAG suggested a B40 target should be applied, and the RAG will wait until the next meeting to make its recommendation following confirmation of whether the species is breaking out.

4.4 Royal Red Prawn78. Dr Klaer presented the data summary for Royal Red Prawn as follows.

Most catch between 400-500m. Now 8-9 vessels. Area 10 (NSW) accounts for most of the catch. Landings going up, but still not anywhere near the TAC. State catch has been quite high at times.

79. The RAG questioned the lack of length frequency data for 2012, and agreed this needs to be followed up.


Investigate whether there has been an observed Royal Red Prawn trip and explain why there are no prawn measurements where there has been observer coverage.

80. Mr Boag explained that industry (not SETFIA) are working on the establishment of a WWF fisheries improvement program for the Royal Red Prawn fishery.

81. The Tier 4 assessment was presented (CPUE series of all gear), resulting in an RBC 393t.

82. The RAG agreed that Royal Red Prawn is a good candidate for a multiyear TAC (3 years). The RAG accepted the RBC and recommended setting a 3 year MYTAC for


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Royal Red Prawn. It was agreed that if a MYTAC is approved the RAG will need to provide advice on a CPUE breakout rule, suggesting a 50% change in CPUE may be appropriate.

83. A formal recommendation will be made at the next meeting.

4.5 Redfish84. Dr Klaer presented the data summary for Redfish as follows.

Catches historically were very high (>1500t). Since 98 there has been a steady decline in catch. TAC is around 200t but only be getting less than 100t. CPUE is steadily decreasing to a historically low level in 2012. Most catch is by trawl off NSW. Discards are highly variable and is size based (new recruitment). Discards in 2012 were low (<10%), and were made up of small fish. Big differences between port and onboard length samples, and year to year

differences. The RAG pointed out it is particularly important for robust sampling of Redfish.

Three recruitment events showing in the data. An availability affected fishery.

85. The RAG noted that fish sampled from the Sydney Fish Markets are small (mean size of around 15cm), however the data shows a number of larger, older fish. The RAG considered the mixed age classes may be coming from small pockets of the population that have not being fished heavily. The RAG agreed it is worth investigating where the fish are being sampled.

ACTION ITEM #15 – Neil Klaer Provide a breakdown of where the age samples for Redfish are coming from for comparison with length samples.

86. The AFMA senior manager stated that Observers will also be targeting Redfish sampling over the next few months.

87. The RAG explained that the data should be adequate for a Tier 1, and this has been agreed to be done in 2014. There was general consensus that the Tier 1 assessment will show a heavily depleted stock.

88. The RAG discussed the Tier 3 assessment as follows.

There are good age samples and the age structure results in a good fit. The RAG agreed that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the Tier 3 assessment,

but the fish have not been available. The RAG noted the RBC resulting from the Tier 3 assessment was 3 791t.

89. Dr Haddon presented the Tier 4 assessment (not including discards) for Redfish. The RAG noted the Tier 4 shows the stock to be below BLIM and results in an RBC of 0t.

90. The RAG noted there has been no real change from last year. The Tier 3 looks robust, but we can’t ignore the Tier 4 result. The RAG agreed the Tier 1 is a very high priority.

91. The RAG questioned whether ocean warming could be a factor affecting Redfish, drawing them to deeper water.


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92. The Chair concluded that the RAG will need to finalise Redfish at the next meeting.

4.6 Ocean Perch93. The RAG agreed to address Ocean Perch at the next meeting.

4.7 Blue Warehou94. The RAG agreed to address Blue Warehou at the next meeting.

Agenda item 5 - Key bycatch species not under a TAC95. The RAG agreed to address this agenda item at the next meeting.

Agenda Item 6 – Other business / for information

6.1 RUSS project96. The RAG delayed the update on the RUSS project as the ABARES member was

absent.

6.2 Research Update97. The Chair noted that research priorities will be confirmed following the next meeting at

SESSFRAG, with priorities likely to be addressed as follows:

FIS ISMP Assessments

6.3 Update on FIS for 201498. Dr Knuckey noted there is no update on whether the FIS will be going ahead at this

stage, and this will be addressed at SESSFRAG.

6.4 SETFIA Update99. Mr Boag explained current projects SETFIA and industry are working on as follows:

Seabirds: SETFIA worked with AFMA to develop and then trial the efficacy of pinkies (windy buoys), with the promising signs in they have reduced interactions. However, fishermen don’t like them stating they can be dangerous. Industry are now trialling water sprayers, with preliminary results showing potential. SETFIA have applied for a ‘Caring for our Country’ grant to complete an evaluation on sprayers.

Seals: Seal Excluder Devices work well, but they can be expensive for smaller boats. SETFIA are running a project with a shortened codend. Preliminary results from the project have been positive (have done a few hundred shots so far), however we had issues with video footage. It was also noted there has been have been higher fish catch rates in the shortened codend.

GED – SETFIA has also initiated a grid exclusion device trial for Gulper Sharks. AFMA has funded $20 000 towards the project. A vessel is being selected and an application for a scientific permit will follow.

100. The Chair thanked all and closed the meeting, noting we will finalise advice for all species at the next meeting.


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Action items arising ShelfRAG: 25-27 September 2013No.

Action item Action person Result

1. SETFIA to provide Dr Klaer with alternative values of species other than market price for use in his targeting work.

Simon Boag Completed – recent price information was provided, but need averages over long periods which can be difficult.

ABARES may be able to provide a better data set to NK.

2. Distribute the final FIS report to ShelfRAG.

Ryan Keightley Distributed to the RAG on 29/10/2013.

3. Distribute the final ABARES report to ShelfRAG regarding secondary species at alternative targets.

Ryan Keightley Distributed to the RAG on 29/10/2013.

4. Recommendation from ShelfRAG to SESSFRAG to provide updated advice on application of discount factors and the level of any discounts.

Sandy Morison Will be addressed at next SESSFRAG meeting.

5. Investigate what Tiger Flathead harvest control rule (20:40:40?) was accepted by the AFMA commission in 2011/12.

Ryan Keightley Based on RAG and MAC advice, use 20:35:40 for the current assessment.

6. Conduct a forward projection for Jackass Morwong including projected discards for presentation at the November meeting.

Sally Wayte Completed and distributed to the RAG on 28/10/2013.

7. Increase sampling of Jackass Morwong in the West.

AFMA observer section

As always western Jackass Morwong remains a high priority for sampling, for unknown reasons Jackass Morwong catch is low in the west when observers are on board. Hopefully increased sampling from western ports will result in an increase in Jackass Morwong data collection.

8. Investigate at a data level why the last three years of on board and port sampling data for School Whiting are so different.

Neil Klaer Completed and discussed at the November meeting.


17

No.

Action item Action person Result

9. Report back on whether ISMP observers continue to sample School Whiting in state waters inside 3nm, and if so how is the data coded.

AFMA Observers Section

If an observer happens to be on board when a boat fishes NSW state waters then normal sampling regimes remain in place, if school whiting are part of the catch in NSW state waters then they will be sampled. The data from NSW state is coded as NSW Ocean Trawl (NOT).

10. Conduct a Tier 4 assessment for Mirror Dory (including discards in the east only) for presentation at the November meeting.

Malcolm Haddon

Completed and distributed to the RAG on 25/10/2013.

11. Observers to get better size and age data of Mirror Dory particularly from Sydney. It is important to ensure we are getting age and length data in NSW over their winter spawning time.

AFMA observer section

On board sampling of Mirror Dory during winter was low, this was not aided by the reduction in at sea days to pay for the FIS during the winter period. Looking to the future increased port sampling in Bermagui and Sydney will increase Mirror Dory sampling in Zone 10.

12. Conduct two Tier 4 assessments for Silver Trevally for presentation at the November meeting:

1) including the marine reserve (providing 100% protection)

2) Not including the reserve (providing 0% protection)

Malcolm Haddon

Completed and distributed to the RAG on 25/10/2013.

13. Formally look at breakout rules for John Dory to see if they have been triggered.

Malcolm Haddon

Completed and discussed at the November meeting.

Breakout rules were within the 95% confidence levels.

14. Investigate whether there has been an observed Royal Red Prawn trip and explain why there are no prawn measurements where there has been observer coverage?

AFMA Observer section

Four royal red prawn trips were undertaken by observers for the 2012 calendar year, during these four trips seven shots were sampled with 1676 royal red prawn measurements were recorded.

15. Provide a breakdown of where the age samples for Redfish are coming from for comparison with length samples.

Neil Klaer Completed and discussed at the November meeting.


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