Project Leader: Dr Colin Simpfendorfer, James Cook
University
Project 4.8.3 will significantly value-add to
the data collections of the CRC Reef Effects
of Line Fishing (ELF) research and build on the existing
modelling simulation framework developed by the CRC Reef / JCU
Fishing and Fisheries team and the CSIRO to evaluate effects of
fishing on the reef and inter-reef (i.e. shoals) fish resources of
the Great Barrier Reef.
The extensions to this framework will aim to
develop a cross-shelf, inter-reef habitat model to capture the
population dynamics and resource use of key inter-reef fish species
that comprise the 'other reef fish' species group in the Great
Barrier Reef line fishery. Recent changes to management of
the fishery have resulted in the implementation of an Individual
Transferable catch Quota (ITQ) system for the management of all
harvested reef fish, where the 'other reef fish' comprise one third
of the total quota; highlighting the importance of this ecological
resource.
However, very little is known about patterns
and motivation in resource use or biology of species in this group
as historically most attention has focused on the main target
species in the fishery (i.e. coral trout and red throat
emperor). Consequently, there is a need to document historic
and present resource use of 'other reef fish' to monitor shifts in
targeting behaviour of fishers with the introduction of the GBR
Zoning Plan and ITQ system, and an urgent need to obtain basic
biological parameters for at least the key species within the
'other reef fish' group to assess their vulnerability to increased
resource use and alternate management arrangements.
This Project aims to document the resource use of 'other reef
fish' species in the Great Barrier Reef and identify key
ecologically and economically important inter-reef fish
species. It also aims to estimate the biological parameters
for key inter-reef fish species.
