Fishery statistics and performance indicators for the ... › documents › 20180612 › 1... · Fishery statistics and performance indicators for the South Australian Lakes and Coorong

Fishery statistics and performance

indicators for the South Australian

Lakes and Coorong Fishery

J. Earl

SARDI Publication No. F2009/000669-8 SARDI Research Report Series No. 949

SARDI Aquatics Sciences

PO Box 120 Henley Beach SA 5022

May 2017

Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture

Earl, J. (2017) Fishery statistics and performance indicators for the LCF

II

Fishery statistics and performance indicators for the South Australian

Lakes and Coorong Fishery

Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture

J. Earl

SARDI Publication No. F2009/000669-8 SARDI Research Report Series No. 949

May 2017


III

This publication may be cited as: Earl, J. (2017). Fishery statistics and performance indicators for the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2009/000669-8. SARDI Research Report Series No. 949. 19pp. South Australian Research and Development Institute SARDI Aquatic Sciences 2 Hamra Avenue West Beach SA 5024

Telephone: (08) 8207 5400 Facsimile: (08) 8207 5406 http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/research

DISCLAIMER The authors warrant that they have taken all reasonable care in producing this report. The report has been through the SARDI internal review process, and has been formally approved for release by the Research Chief, Aquatic Sciences. Although all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure quality, SARDI does not warrant that the information in this report is free from errors or omissions. SARDI does not accept any liability for the contents of this report or for any consequences arising from its use or any reliance placed upon it. The SARDI Report Series is an Administrative Report Series which has not been reviewed outside the department and is not considered peer-reviewed literature. Material presented in these Administrative Reports may later be published in formal peer-reviewed scientific literature. © 2017 SARDI This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owner. Neither may information be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission.

Printed in Adelaide: May 2017 SARDI Publication No. F2009/000669-8 SARDI Research Report Series No. 949

Author(s): J. Earl Reviewer(s): G. Ferguson and C. Noell (SARDI) and R. Atkins (PIRSA) Approved by: S. Mayfield Science Leader - Fisheries Signed: Date: 17 May 2017 Distribution: PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, SAASC Library, SARDI Waite Executive

Library, Parliamentary Library, State Library and National Library Circulation: Public Domain

http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/


IV

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................ VII

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 1

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 2

2. METHODS .......................................................................................................................... 3

2.1. Fishery statistics ........................................................................................................ 3

2.2. Environmental performance indicators (finfish) ........................................................... 3

2.3. Quality assurance processes ..................................................................................... 4

3. RESULTS ........................................................................................................................... 4

3.1. Catch composition...................................................................................................... 4

3.2. Finfish ........................................................................................................................ 5

3.3. Pipi (Donax deltoides) ...............................................................................................16

4. SYNTHESIS ......................................................................................................................17

REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................18

APPENDIX ...............................................................................................................................19


V

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 3.1. Annual commercial catches in the LCF, by species category (top) and individual primary species (bottom). ........................................................................................... 5

Figure 3.2. Fishery statistics for Mulloway, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF by habitat (estuarine/marine), and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. ................................................................................... 6

Figure 3.3. Fishery statistics for Greenback Flounder, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. Crosses indicate confidential data. .................................................................... 7

Figure 3.4. Fishery statistics for Black Bream, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. Crosses indicate confidential data. ............................................................................. 8

Figure 3.5. Estimates of the ELMGN performance indicator for habitat available to Mulloway in the Coorong estuary from 1984/85 to 2016/17 (reporting years), showing target, trigger and limit reference points (RP). .................................................................................. 9

Figure 3.6. Fishery statistics for Yelloweye Mullet, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for small mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for small mesh gill nets. ..................................................................................................................................10

Figure 3.7. Estimates of the ESMGN performance indicator for habitat available to Yelloweye Mullet in the Coorong estuary from 1984/85 to 2016/17 (reporting years), showing target, trigger and limit reference points (RP). ...........................................................11

Figure 3.8. Fishery statistics for Golden Perch, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. ..................................................................................................................................12

Figure 3.9. Fishery statistics for Bony Bream, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2014/15; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. Crosses indicate confidential data. ............................................................................13

Figure 3.10. Fishery statistics for Common Carp, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. ..................................................................................................................................14


VI

Figure 3.11. Estimates of the FWLMGN performance indicator for mean water level in the Lower Lakes from 1984/85 to 2016/17 (reporting years), showing target, trigger and limit reference points (RPs). .............................................................................................15

Figure 3.12. Fishery statistics for Pipi, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and MSF (combined) and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); and (C) targeted annual catch and effort for cockle rakes (LCF only). Note: (i) total catch was constrained by the TACC from 2009/10 to 2015/16; and (ii) total catch for 2012/13 was higher than the TACC due to a shift in the quota period from calendar years to financial years. ..16

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1. Primary and Secondary species and latest stock assessment reports for the three habitat/gear-based finfish sectors of the LCF. ............................................................ 3

Table 2.1. Performance indicators and reference points (RP) for the three finfish sectors of the LCF. ........................................................................................................................... 4

Table 4.1. Environmental performance indicators and reference points (RP) for the three habitat/gear-based finfish sectors of the LCF in 2016/17. ..........................................17

Table A.1. Summary table showing total commercial catches by financial year for fourteen LCF species defined as ‘primary’, ‘secondary’, ‘tertiary’ or ‘other’ species in the Management Plan (PIRSA 2015). Total catches for Pipi includes LCF and MSF catches. Crosses indicate confidential data. Abbreviations: W.A. Salmon = Western Australian Salmon (Arripus trutta); Aust. Herring = Australian Herring (Arripus georgianus). ..................19


VII

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We gratefully acknowledge Angelo Tsolos and Milly Boyle of the Fisheries Information Services

Group at SARDI Aquatic Sciences for providing the catch and effort data from the Lakes and

Coorong Fishery Information System. We also acknowledge Claire Sims (Department of

Environment, Water and Natural Resources) for providing outputs from the Coorong

Hydrodynamic Model to update the environmental performance indicators used in the finfish

harvest strategy. The report was formally reviewed by Drs. Greg Ferguson and Craig Noell

(SARDI Aquatic Sciences) and Rebecca Atkins (Fishery Manager, PIRSA Fisheries and

Aquaculture). The report was approved for publication by Dr. Stephen Mayfield (Science Leader,

Fisheries, SARDI Aquatic Sciences).


1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report provides a summary of fishery statistics for South Australia’s Lakes and Coorong Fishery

from 1984/85 to 2015/16. Data are presented for key finfish species harvested within the estuarine

large mesh gill net (ELMGN), estuarine small mesh gill net (ESMGN) and freshwater large mesh gill

net (FWLMGN) sectors of the fishery, along with an assessment of the recent condition of the

environment in which the finfish fishery operates against reference points specified in the fishery’s

management plan. Fishery statistics are also presented for the bivalve mollusc Pipi (Donax

deltoides), which is harvested in the nearshore marine environment adjacent the Coorong estuary.

For the ELMGN finfish sector, total catch of Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) increased to 73 t in

2015/16 reflecting concurrent increases in targeted catch, effort and catch per unit effort. The

Greenback Flounder (Rhombosolea tapirina) catch of 4.5 t in 2015/16 was higher than that in

2014/15, while the total Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) catch of 1.9 t in 2015/16 was among

the lowest recorded in the fishery. The environmental performance indicator for habitat available to

Mulloway in the Coorong estuary for the 2016/17 reporting year (1 February 2016 to 31 January

2017) was 63.3%, which was above the target reference point of 55%.

For the ESMGN finfish sector, the total Yelloweye Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) catch of 135 t in

2015/16 was 12% higher than that in 2014/15, but remained below the long-term average. The

environmental performance indicator for habitat available to Yelloweye Mullet in the Coorong estuary

for the 2016/17 reporting year was 69.7%, which was above the target reference point of 50%.

For the FWLMGN finfish sector, total catches of Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua) (77 t), Bony

Bream (Nematalosa erebi) (389 t) and Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) (392 t) in 2015/16 were

marginally lower compared to the previous year. The environmental performance indicator for mean

annual water level in the Lower Lakes for the 2016/17 reporting year was 0.72 m, which was above

the target reference point of 0.4 m.

For Pipi, annual catches have been constrained by quota since 2009/10. The total Pipi catch of 492 t

in 2015/16 was higher than that in 2014/15 presumably due to an increase in the total allowable

commercial catch.


2

1. INTRODUCTION

This is the eleventh annual report that summarises the fishery statistics for the multi-gear and

multi-species Lakes and Coorong Fishery (LCF) of South Australia. The aims of the report are to:

(i) provide a historical summary of the commercial and recreational fishery statistics for the key

species in the LCF; and (ii) assess the recent condition of the environment in which the finfish

fishery operates against a suite of reference points. The requirement for these reports is

prescribed in the previous (Sloan 2005) and current management plan for the LCF (PIRSA 2015).

The current management plan (hereafter referred to as the ‘Management Plan’) came into effect

on 1 March 2016, and includes a harvest strategy for finfish (PIRSA 2015). This harvest strategy

aims to manage the sustainable harvest of finfish relative to environmental conditions –

specifically the amount of habitat available to key species for three habitat/gear-based sectors.

The sectors are: (i) estuarine large mesh gill net (ELMGN); (ii) estuarine small mesh gill net

(ESMGN); and (iii) freshwater large mesh gill net (FWLMGN).

This report summarises the fishery data for seven different finfish species that are taken across

the three habitat/gear-based finfish sectors of the LCF (Table 1.1). These are distributed across

the ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ species categories defined in the Management Plan (PIRSA 2015),

and are consistent with those considered in previous fishery statistics reports (e.g. Earl 2016).

Estimates of total catch are presented for several other species, including three listed as ‘tertiary’

species in the Management Plan (PIRSA 2015).

The finfish harvest strategy uses environmental performance indicators, reference points and

decision rules to guide management of the fishery through adjustment of annual total allowable

commercial effort (TACE) for each of the three habitat/gear-based sectors. Estimates of the

performance indicators for the 2016/17 reporting year (1 February 2016 to 31 January 2017)

relative to target, trigger and limit reference points are presented to inform setting of the TACE for

the three sectors for the 2017/18 fishing season (financial year).

The report also summarises fishery data for Pipi (Donax deltoides), which is a primary species in

the Management Plan. A quota management system was introduced for Pipi in 2007/08. In 2013,

a harvest strategy was developed for Pipi, which was updated in the current Management Plan.

The revised harvest strategy contains performance indicators and associated decision rules for

setting annual total allowable commercial catch (TACC). The TACC for Pipi for the 2015/16 fishing

season was 500 t, which was 50 t higher than for 2014/15. The Pipi performance indicators will

be presented in a stock assessment report due in mid-2017, and are not presented in this report.


3

Table 1.1. Primary and Secondary species and latest stock assessment reports for the three habitat/gear-based finfish sectors of the LCF.

Finfish sector Key species Stock assessment report

Estuarine large mesh gill net

Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicas) P

Greenback Flounder (Rhombosolea tapirina) S

Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) S

Earl and Ward (2014) Earl and Ye (2016)

Earl et al. (2016)

Estuarine small mesh gill net Yelloweye Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) P Earl and Ferguson (2013)

Freshwater large mesh gill net

Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua) P

Bony Bream (Nematalosa erebi) P

Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) P

Ferguson and Ye (2012) - -

P Primary; S Secondary.

2. METHODS

2.1. Fishery statistics

Daily commercial catch and effort data have been collected by LCF fishers since 1 July 1984 and

are submitted to SARDI Aquatic Sciences on a monthly basis. Data include catch (kg), effort

(fisher days, net-days) for targeted and non-targeted species, and location of the activity.

Annual catch totals for primary, secondary and tertiary species groups are presented for each

financial year from 1984/85 to 2015/16. The total catch of each primary species is also presented

to show inter-annual catch dynamics. For each primary and secondary species, annual estimates

are provided for: (i) total catch by LCF reporting block for 2015/16; (ii) total catch; (iii) targeted

catch; (iv) targeted effort; and (v) catch per unit effort (CPUE; targeted catch divided by targeted

effort) for the main gear type. CPUE is not presented for Pipi because it is considered a poor

indicator of relative abundance for this species (Ferguson et al. 2015). Data relating to less than

five licences are not shown as these are considered confidential.

Where available, the total commercial catches for each species were supplemented with

recreational catch estimates, sourced from the: (i) National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing

Survey from May 2000 to April 2001 (Henry and Lyle 2003), and State-wide telephone/diary

surveys of South Australian residents from (ii) November 2007 to October 2008 (Jones 2009) and

(iii) December 2013 to November 2014 (Giri and Hall 2015).

2.2. Environmental performance indicators (finfish)

For each of the three finfish sectors, the recent condition of the environment in which the LCF

operates was assessed by comparing the environmental performance indicator for the 2016/17

reporting year against target, trigger and limit reference points derived from the 1984/85 to

2012/13 reference period (Table 2.1).


4

The performance indicators for the ELMGN and ESMGN sectors represent annual estimates of

the proportion (%) of the Coorong estuary available to Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) and

Yelloweye Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri), respectively. These metrics are determined based on the

salinity tolerances of the each species, and estimates of salinity at 1 km increments along the

longitudinal gradient of the Coorong estuary (Knuckey et al. 2015). Detailed descriptions of the

methods used to calculate estimates of the performance indicators and reference points are

provided in the Management Plan (PIRSA 2015).

Table 2.1. Performance indicators and reference points (RP) for the three finfish sectors of the LCF.

Finfish sector Performance indicator Target RP

Trigger RP

Limit RP

Estuarine large mesh gill net Habitat available to Mulloway (%) 55 24.9 10

Estuarine small mesh gill net Habitat available to Yelloweye Mullet (%) 50 30.9 10

Freshwater large mesh gill net Water level in Lake Alexandrina (m, AHD) 0.4 -0.71 -1.2

AHD = Australian Height Datum

2.3. Quality assurance processes

Various quality assurance processes were implemented to ensure the accuracy of this report:

1. Commercial catch and effort data were validated by SARDI’s Fisheries Information Services

Group based on:

i. random cross-checking of raw data transferred from commercial catch returns,

ii. random cross-checking of data entered to the database by trained personnel, and

iii. automated filters and structured queries built into the fisheries statistics database;

2. Extracted catch and effort data for each species were graphed into their necessary

species/gear/time categories and cross-checked with the time-series presented in previous

fishery statistics reports (e.g. Earl 2015, 2016);

3. Tabulated fishery data were cross-checked against the computer output; and

4. The report was formally reviewed by two SARDI scientists before approval for publication.

3. RESULTS

3.1. Catch composition

Total production of the LCF has varied considerably over time (Figure 3.1). This variation is mainly

attributed to inter-annual variation in total catch of the primary species, as this group has

consistently made up >95% of total production over the past three decades. Among the primary

species, catches of Bony Bream (Nematalosa erebi), Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Pipi


5

have collectively accounted for most (>78%) of the annual catches since 1984/85, with smaller

contributions from Yelloweye Mullet, Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua) and Mulloway (Figure

3.1). A summary of total annual catches for twelve LCF species is shown in Appendix 1.

Figure 3.1. Annual commercial catches in the LCF, by species category (top) and individual primary species (bottom).

3.2. Finfish

Estuarine large mesh gill net sector

Fishery statistics

For the ELMGN sector, fishery statistics are presented for Mulloway, Greenback Flounder

(Rhombosolea tapirina) and Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri). For Mulloway, there was an

increase in total catch in 2015/16, which occurred concurrently with increases in targeted catch,

effort and CPUE (Figure 3.2). A small proportion (4%) of the total Mulloway catch in 2015/16 was

taken in marine waters adjacent the Coorong estuary using swinger nets. For Greenback

Flounder, annual catches and targeted effort have been highly variable over the past decade

(Figure 3.3). The total catch of Greenback Flounder in 2015/16 was higher compared to the

previous year, but substantially lower than the relatively high catch in 2011/12. For Black Bream,

annual catches have been historically low in most years since 1990/91, reflecting low targeted

effort (Figure 3.4).

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Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus)

Figure 3.2. Fishery statistics for Mulloway, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF by habitat (estuarine/marine), and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets.

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Greenback Flounder (Rhombosolea tapirina)

Figure 3.3. Fishery statistics for Greenback Flounder, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. Crosses indicate confidential data.

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Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri)

Figure 3.4. Fishery statistics for Black Bream, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. Crosses indicate confidential data.

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9

Environmental performance indicator

The ELMGN performance indicator for habitat available to Mulloway in the Coorong estuary was

63.3% for the 2016/17 reporting year, which was above the target reference point of 55%

(Figure 3.5).

Figure 3.5. Estimates of the ELMGN performance indicator for habitat available to Mulloway in the Coorong estuary from 1984/85 to 2016/17 (reporting years), showing target, trigger and limit reference points (RP).

Estuarine small mesh gill net sector

Fishery statistics

For the ESMGN sector, fishery statistics are presented for Yelloweye Mullet. In 2015/16, total

catch for Yelloweye Mullet increased marginally from the relatively low level in 2014/15, despite

a decline in annual targeted effort (Figure 3.6). This increase in catch was associated with an

increase in CPUE for small mesh gill nets.

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ilab

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10

Yelloweye Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri)

Figure 3.6. Fishery statistics for Yelloweye Mullet, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for small mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for small mesh gill nets.

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31 - 45

confidential

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Total catch (t)

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Recreational


11


The ESMGN performance indicator for habitat available to Yelloweye Mullet in the Coorong

estuary was 69.7% for the 2016/17 reporting year, which was above the target reference point of

50% (Figure 3.7).

Figure 3.7. Estimates of the ESMGN performance indicator for habitat available to Yelloweye Mullet in the Coorong estuary from 1984/85 to 2016/17 (reporting years), showing target, trigger and limit reference points (RP).

Freshwater large mesh gill net sector

Fishery statistics

For the FWLMGN sector, fishery statistics are presented for Golden Perch, Bony Bream and

Common Carp. For Golden Perch, estimates of total catch, and targeted catch and effort were

marginally lower in 2015/16 than in 2014/15, while there was a marginal increase in CPUE (Figure

3.8). For Bony Bream, the total catch of 389 t in 2015/16 was within the range of annual catches

since 2001/02 (212–550 t), although it has progressively declined over the past four years (Figure

3.9). For Common Carp, there was a marginal decline in total catch in 2015/16, which was

associated with a decline in targeted catch and CPUE (Figure 3.10).

84/8

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ilab

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llet


12

Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua)

Figure 3.8. Fishery statistics for Golden Perch, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets.

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26 - 50

51 - 75

confidential

0 10 20

Kilometres

Total catch (t)

5

4

MurrayMouth

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9

10

13

158

6 7

12

Murray RiverA

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160

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240B

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LCF

Recreational


13

Bony Bream (Nematalosa erebi)

Figure 3.9. Fishery statistics for Bony Bream, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2014/15; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets. Crosses indicate confidential data.

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101 - 200

201 - 300

301 - 400

confidential

0 10 20

Kilometres

Total catch (t)

5

4

MurrayMouth

1116

14

9

10

13

15

8

6 7

12

Murray RiverA

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(t)

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14

Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Figure 3.10. Fishery statistics for Common Carp, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); (C) targeted annual catch and effort for large mesh gill nets; and (D) targeted annual CPUE for large mesh gill nets.

´

0

1 - 100

101 - 200

201 - 300

301 - 400

confidential

0 10 20

Kilometres

Total catch (t)

5

4

MurrayMouth

1116

14

9

10

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15

8

6 7

12

Murray RiverA

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The FWLMGN performance indicator for mean water level in the Lower Lakes was 0.72 m for the

2016/17 reporting year, which was above the target reference point of 0.4 m (Figure 3.11).

Figure 3.11. Estimates of the FWLMGN performance indicator for mean water level in the Lower Lakes from 1984/85 to 2016/17 (reporting years), showing target, trigger and limit reference points (RPs).

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Target RP

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Limit RP


16

3.3. Pipi (Donax deltoides)

Fishery statistics

The LCF harvests Pipi from nearshore marine waters adjacent the Coorong estuary (Figure 3.12).

Commercial catches of Pipi exceeded 1,000 t for several years during the late 1990s and early

2000s, but have been constrained by quota since 2009/10. The total catch of 492 t taken in

2015/16, which includes small contributions from two Marine Scalefish Fishery (MSF) licences,

was the highest catch since 2007/08, largely a result of an 11% increase in TACC from 2014/15.

Catch data from the MSF are not presented due to data confidentiality.

Figure 3.12. Fishery statistics for Pipi, including: (A) a map of the LCF catch and effort reporting blocks showing catches during 2015/16; (B) total annual catches for the LCF and MSF (combined) and the recreational sector (2000/01, 2007/08, 2013/14); and (C) targeted annual catch and effort for cockle rakes (LCF only). Note: (i) total catch was constrained by the TACC from 2009/10 to 2015/16; and (ii) total catch for 2012/13 was higher than the TACC due to a shift in the quota period from calendar years to financial years.

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Kilometres

Total catch (t)

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17

4. SYNTHESIS

In this report, a summary of the annual fishery statistics was presented for key finfish species

harvested within the three habitat/gear-based sectors of the LCF (i.e. ELMGN; ESMGN and

FWLMGN) and the bivalve mollusc Pipi, which is harvested in the nearshore marine environment

adjacent the Coorong estuary. For the ELMGN sector in 2015/16, total catches of Mulloway and

Greenback Flounder were slightly higher than in the previous year, while the Black Bream catch

remained low. For the ESMGN sector, the total catch of Yelloweye Mullet was marginally higher

in 2015/16 compared to 2014/15 consistent with an increase in CPUE. For the FWLMGN sector,

catches of Golden Perch, Bony Bream and Common Carp were marginally lower in 2015/16 than

in the previous year. For Pipi, the total catch of 492 t in 2015/16 was higher than that in 2014/15

presumably due to an increase in the TACC.

For the three finfish sectors, the estimate of the environmental performance indicator for the

2016/17 reporting year was assessed against the target, trigger and limit reference points used

in the finfish harvest strategy (PIRSA 2015) to inform setting the TACE for the 2017/18 fishing

season. All three environmental performance indicators for 2016/17 were above their respective

target reference point (Table 4.1).

Table 4.1. Environmental performance indicators and reference points (RP) for the three habitat/gear-based finfish sectors of the LCF in 2016/17.

Finfish sector Performance indicator Target RP

Trigger RP

Limit RP

2016/17 estimate

Estuarine large mesh gill net Habitat available to

Mulloway (%) 55 24.9 10 63.3%

Estuarine small mesh gill net Habitat available to

Yelloweye Mullet (%) 50 30.9 10 69.7%

Freshwater large mesh gill net Water level in Lake

Alexandrina (m AHD) 0.4 -0.71 -1.2 0.72 m

With the recent recovery of Long-nosed Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) populations in South

Australia (Shaughnessy et al. 2015), interactions with gill nets used by fishers of the LCF have

increased (Mackay et al. 2016). Interactions typically involve the seals eating fish caught in gill

nets, which can result in loss of catch and damage to fishing gear. Uncertainty surrounds the

impacts of seal interactions on the LCF, as levels of discarding of seal-damaged finfish and catch

losses attributable to seal interactions have not been quantified. This knowledge gap may be

addressed with data collected as part of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

project: ‘Developing alternative strategies for managing seal-fisher interactions in the South

Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery’ (Project No. 2016-001).


18

REFERENCES

Earl, J. (2015) Fishery statistics for the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery (1984/85 - 2013/14). Report for PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2009/000669-3. SARDI Research Report Series No. 831. 18 pp.

Earl, J. (2016) Fishery statistics for the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery 2014/15. Report for PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2009/000669-7. SARDI Research Report Series No. 917. 20 pp.

Earl, J. and Ferguson, G. (2013) Yelloweye Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) Stock Assessment Report 2011/12. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/001048-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 737. 54 pp.

Earl, J., Ward, T. and Ye, Q. (2016) Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) Stock Assessment Report 2014/15. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2008/000810-2. SARDI Research Report Series No. 885. 44 pp.

Earl, J. and Ward, T. M. (2014) Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) Stock Assessment Report 2013/14. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/000898-3. SARDI Research Report Series No. 814. 55 pp.

Earl, J. and Ye, Q. (2016) Greenback Flounder (Rhombosolea tapirina) Stock Assessment Report 2014/15. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/000315-2. SARDI Research Report Series No. 889. 44 pp.

Ferguson, G. J. and Ye, Q. (2012) Stock Assessment of Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua). Fishery Stock Assessment to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/001051-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 656. 52 pp.

Ferguson, G. J., Ward, T. M. and Gorman, D. (2015) Recovery of a surf clam Donax deltoides population in southern Australia: successful outcomes of fishery-independent surveys. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 35: 1185–1195.

Giri, K. and Hall, K. (2015) South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey 2013/14. Fisheries Victoria, Internal Report Series No. 62. 66 pp.

Henry, G. W. and Lyle, J. M. (2003) The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey. Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, No. 99/158, Canberra.

Jones, K. (2009) 2007/08 South Australian Recreational Fishing Survey. Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, Adelaide.

Knuckey, I. A., Sen, S., Ward, T. M., Koopman, M., Earl, J., McPhail, J., MacDonald, N. and Fistr, A. (2015) Developing management frameworks and harvest strategies for small-scale, multi-species, multi-method, community-based fisheries, using the South Australian Lakes and Coorong Fishery as a case study. FRDC Project 2013/225. Fishwell Consulting.

PIRSA (2015) Management Plan for the South Australian Commerical Lakes and Coorong Fishery. PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, Adelaide. South Australian Fisheries Management Series Paper No. 72. 116 pp.

Sloan, S. (2005) Management Plan for the South Australian Commercial Lakes and Coorong Fishery. Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, No. 44, Adelaide.

Mackay, A. I., McLeay, L., Tsolos, A. and Boyle, M. (2016) Operational interactions with Threatened, Endangered or Protected Species in South Australian Managed Fisheries. Data summary: 2007/08–2014/15. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2009/000544-6. SARDI Research Report Series No. 905. 92 pp.

Shaughnessy, P. D., Goldsworthy, S. D. and Mackay, A. I. (2015). The long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) in South Australia in 2013-14: abundance, status and trends. Australian Journal of Zoology. 62(3): 101-110.


19

APPENDIX

Table A.1. Summary table showing total commercial catches by financial year for fourteen LCF species defined as ‘primary’, ‘secondary’, ‘tertiary’ or ‘other’ species in the Management Plan (PIRSA 2015). Total catches for Pipi includes LCF and MSF catches. Crosses indicate confidential data. Abbreviations: W.A. Salmon = Western Australian Salmon (Arripus trutta); Aust. Herring = Australian Herring (Arripus georgianus).

Primary Secondary Tertiary Other

Mulloway

Yelloweye Mullet

Golden Perch

Bony Bream

Common Carp

Pipi Greenback Flounder

Black Bream

Snapper W.A.

Salmon Aust.

Herring Redfin Perch

84/85 41 128 89 449 370 459 20 47 0 1 0 15

85/86 32 219 62 629 311 385 29 36 x 2 0 52

86/87 31 277 64 808 292 449 23 37 0 1 0 54

87/88 14 147 63 977 456 457 10.5 22 0 2 0 72

88/89 26 235 95 972 378 308 4.2 16 x 4 0 92

89/90 37 346 133 1157 383 311 3.3 10 0 8 x 59

90/91 42 224 164 947 508 533 65 3.7 0 4 x 37

91/92 45 198 157 1053 1021 758 58 4.7 0 23 x 32

92/93 34 210 279 612 673 737 27 2.6 0 3 0 40

93/94 85 181 299 695 842 942 10 3.1 0 1 x 69

94/95 78 239 286 838 816 783 3 3.3 x x 0 44

95/96 57 195 292 706 767 927 30 4 0 5 0 24

96/97 56 161 235 688 767 829 15 3.9 0 3 0 30

97/98 50 158 190 757 635 1041 11 4.3 1 4 0 22

98/99 95 139 154 609 444 932 28 3.4 1 3 0 45

99/00 69 150 97 429 269 1024 39.9 4.1 2 4 0 24

00/01 136 127 173 474 274 1211 18.6 7.5 0 2 0 25

01/02 109 155 97 299 210 1046 25.6 8.2 0 1 0 10

02/03 45 167 64 212 404 1180 5.8 11.6 0 1 x 6

03/04 31 111 82 228 575 1073 5.5 10 x 2 0 9

04/05 39 110 103 287 558 1108 8.5 5.5 0 4 0 11

05/06 39 127 125 319 749 1062 6.6 6.6 0 3 0 23

06/07 44 141 152 376 694 990 5.2 4.7 1 4 0 16

07/08 32 216 117 411 709 607 2 4 0 6 0 29

08/09 30 210 87 422 713 470 0.5 1.8 0 10 0 28

09/10 26 207 49 550 630 301 1 1.1 3 10 0 41

10/11 19 243 68 464 404 301 0.1 2.3 3 8 0 61

11/12 64 144 57 443 308 374 31.1 3 1 1 0 68

12/13 103 217 34 502 349 443 9.2 1.9 x 1 0 12

13/14 68 196 88 469 422 444 1 1.9 x 0 0 8

14/15 59 121 85 407 403 443 0.3 2.4 0 1 0 14

15/16 73 135 77 389 392 492 4.5 1.9 0 3 0 12

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