For detailed descriptions of the outputs for
this project for Year 4 (2009/2010) of the MTSRF Research
Programme, see the Annual Research
Plan.
Project 4.8.3 will significantly build on to the
previous data collections of the Effects of Line Fishing (ELF)
research initiated by the CRC
Reef Research Centre.
Changes to management of the
coral reef finfish fishery in 2004 resulted in the implementation
of an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system for the management
of all harvested reef fish. Within this system, the 'other
species' group comprise over fifty species and one-third of the
total quota; highlighting the importance of this ecological
resource. However, very little is known about the life history
characteristics or the patterns resource use of the species in this
group.
In addition, the aggregation of
a large number of species into a single quota group has also
increased the risk of over-exploitation of some species within this
group. Consequently, there is an urgent need to examine the
life history parameters of species within the 'other species' group
in order to improve knowledge of the vulnerability and risk of
over-exploitation.
Project 4.8.3 is comprised of
two components: 1) a description of historic and current patterns
of resource use of key inter-reef fish species; and 2) an
estimation of biological parameters of key 'other reef fish'
species.
Research conducted to date has
completed the first of these objectives, identifying the key
species taken in the fishery, and demonstrating that the majority
of the catch of the 'other species' group is taken by recreational
fishers. The project has also processed and analysed samples
from important three families to improve the knowledge of life
history of species within the group.
Key objectives of this project are to:
-
Document the resource use of 'other reef fish' species in the
GBR, and identify key ecologically and economically important
inter-reef fish species; and
-
Estimate biological parameters for key 'other reef fish' species
in order to assess their vulnerability to increased fishing
pressure.
