StewardShip action plan - Home - GBRMPA · 2011-07-13 · StewardShip action plan A statement of operational standards and climate change contingency planning ... Phil Woodhead, [email protected]

StewardShip action planA statement of operational standards and climate change contingency planning

E f f E c t i v E 2 0 0 9

For Pro-vision Reef members who are license holders in the:

Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery

and the

Queensland Coral Fishery

and the

Coral Sea Fishery (Aquarium Collection)

Proudly supported by:

enter

Cover Photo: Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon). Photo by Fenton Walsh,

Northern Barrier Marinelife, Cairns QLD Australia.

Copyright © Pro-vision Reef Inc 2009

This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part

may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from Pro-vision Reef

Inc. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to:

President

Pro-vision Reef Inc

Email: [email protected]

This publication is available online at www.pro-visionreef.org

First published 2009 by:

Pro-vision Reef Inc

ABN: 57 442 161 812

PO Box 5N Cairns North QLD Australia 4870

National Library of Australia

Cataloguing in Publication entry:

Pro-vision Reef: Stewardship Action Plan. A Statement of Operational Standards and

Climate Change Contingency Planning.

ISBN: 978-0-646-51212-9

Author: Ryan Donnelly, Strategic Projects Manager, Cairns Marine Pty Ltd

Design: Andreas Wagner, www.coolplanetdesign.com.au

The author acknowledges the guidance and input from the Pro-vision Reef committee:

Lyle Squire Jnr, Fenton Walsh, Don Gilson and Ros Paterson; and the support and

contribution from Margie Atkinson from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority;

Tara Smith and Brigid Kerrigan from Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries;

and Josh Davis from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Sincerest thanks to contributors of photographic material:

Richard Fitzpatrick, [email protected]; Jurgen Freund, freundimages@

gmail.com; Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; Russell Kelley, [email protected];

Kirsten Michalek-Wagner, [email protected]; Ros Paterson, [email protected];

John Rumney, [email protected]; Roger Steene; Lyle Squire Jnr, [email protected];

Fenton Walsh, [email protected]; Phil Woodhead, [email protected]

Signatories to this Stewardship Action Plan fulfil a compulsory condition of Pro-vision Reef

membership. Members have exclusive use of the Copyright © Stewardship Action Plan and

the Trademark Registered Pro-vision Reef Inc logo under license from Pro-vision Reef Inc.

Printed on recycled paper by Lotsa Printing, Cairns

Navigation: Foreword | Preface | Contents | Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Bibliography | Attachment 1 | 2

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Whether you are a collector of marine species, a visitor

to an aquarium, or a diver who enjoys seeing marine life

underwater, the Pro-vision Reef Stewardship Action Plan

is pertinent.

This Stewardship Action Plan has been established in order

to protect the fragile marine ecosystem relevant to aquarium

fisheries while also enabling those involved in the aquarium

commerce to benefit from its riches in a thoughtful and

sustainable way. The Stewardship Action Plan has been

created by the industry, for the industry and membership

is voluntary, highlighting that those dependent on the

collection of marine species are aware of their responsibility

to create better practices. In addition, those buying

aquarium species for their own or public use can be assured

that the specimens they are acquiring through members of

Pro-vision Reef have been collected in accordance with this

Stewardship Action Plan.

Self-governed and regulated, accepting the penalties

for improper collection of marine species, members

demonstrate that the aquarium supply industry on the

Great Barrier Reef and in the Coral Sea is accountable for its

impact and responsibility towards the ecosystem affected.

Furthermore, the inclusion of a contingency plan as it relates

to climate change and it’s impact on the aquarium fisheries

resources in the ocean, point to a global understanding of

our connection to and impact on the oceans.

The collective choice to unite efforts for the protection

of the marine system as well as the parallel interests of

the benefiting organizations shows a significant maturing

within the industry. Creating a Plan that is replicable in other

fisheries in Australia and abroad further extends the reach of

this guide, making it a universal tool. The creation of this Plan

reveals Australia’s aquarium fisheries as exemplary leaders

in the sustainable collection, handling, and distribution of

aquarium species.

In order for us all to continue to enjoy and care for the

marine species we so love to see in the aquariums and in the

wild, it is imperative that we become the guardians of these

species. The Pro-vision Reef Stewardship Action Plan ensures

that we will do so.

Celine Cousteau

Celine Cousteau


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Marine aquarium collections have grown in popularity in

recent years. Access to efficient low maintenance systems,

primarily from China, have assisted home hobbyists to

more easily venture from freshwater to marine collections.

The diversity of species available is phenomenal and the

creatures are spectacular. Displays can be complemented

with living coral, invertebrates and crustaceans in a dramatic

mini replication of reef environments.

But where do the specimens come from? How does a

hobbyist or a visitor to a public aquarium know whether he

or she is inadvertently contributing to the degradation of

habitat or endangering wild populations, even perpetuating

the exploitation of remote coastal communities? How can

customers be really sure that a particular specimen has

arrived at their door with a minimal environmental footprint?

In Australia, most specimens for display are sourced from

the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. This is a region of

international significance for biodiversity and the relatively

pristine condition of reefs and other habitats. It is also a

wonder of the natural world that is subject to world-class

multiple award-winning management.

Scientists predict that global climate change will result in an

increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, many

of which impact directly on coral reefs. It is incumbent upon

marine industry to plan for such events and to develop a

guide for operators that minimises further environmental

impact during these times.

This Stewardship Action Plan is developed to ensure that

licensed participants in the Queensland-based fisheries

that supply the marine aquarium industry adhere to a

uniform operational standard; and that operators have clear

contingency plans in place to respond to catastrophic events

linked to global climate change. The Stewardship Action

Plan will ensure that Australia’s international reputation

for environmental performance remains strong; and will

engender community and market confidence in the

Queensland marine aquarium supply industry.

Communities are the ultimate environmental performance

auditors. Producers are expected to demonstrate that,

in collecting or harvesting a community asset, they do

so wisely and sustainably. In Queensland, there exists a

comprehensive legislative and management framework to

meet national standards prescribed by Australia’s landmark

environmental legislation, the Environment Protection &

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Importantly, in developing

this Stewardship Action Plan, collectors demonstrate their

eagerness to take these environmental safeguards and set

the ecological sustainability benchmark even higher and

proactively address a range of emerging issues, such as

climate change, in a transparent and auditable manner.

There is a substantial wider educational and conservation

benefit to a sustainable aquarium supply industry and

this Stewardship Action Plan, in conjunction with existing

fisheries and protected areas management and legislation

will ensure that today’s supply does not diminish the natural

integrity of our precious marine environment.

Lyle Squire Jnr

President

P r e f a c e

Lyle Squire Jnr

[ President, Pro-vision Reef Inc

Director, Cairns Marine Pty Ltd ]


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Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................................. I

Preface .................................................................................................................................................................................... II

Part 1 – The Aquarium Supply Industry ................................................................................ 2

1.1 Demand .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

1.1.1 Home Hobbyists .................................................................................................................................................. 2

1.1.2 Public Aquaria ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.2 Supply ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.2.1 Global ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.2.2 Australia ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.3 The Queensland Aquarium Supply Sector ............................................................................................................... 4

1.3.1 Pro-vision Reef ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

1.3.2 Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery ............................................................................................. 6

1.3.3 Queensland Coral Fishery ................................................................................................................................ 6

1.3.4 Coral Sea Fishery .................................................................................................................................................. 8

1.4 Legislative Framework ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

1.4.1 Queensland Government Framework ........................................................................................................ 8

1.4.2 Commonwealth Government Framework ............................................................................................ 10

1.4.3 International Framework ............................................................................................................................... 11

1.5 Industry/Government Liaison ................................................................................................................................... 11

1.5.1 Industry/Queensland Government Liaison .......................................................................................... 11

1.5.2 Industry/Commonwealth Government Liaison .................................................................................. 12

Part 2 – Purpose of the Stewardship Action Plan ............................................................... 14

2.1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

2.2 Context ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14

2.3 Professional Ethics .......................................................................................................................................................... 16

2.4 Aims and Objectives ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

2.4.1 Aims ........................................................................................................................................................................ 16

2.4.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................ 16

Part 3 – Administration ....................................................................................................... 17

3.1 Complaints Assessment Committee ........................................................................................................................ 17

3.2 Review Committee ......................................................................................................................................................... 17

Part 4 – Complaints and Sanctions .............................................................................. 18

4.1 Incident Reporting ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

4.2 Assessment of Complaints .......................................................................................................................................... 20

4.3 Non Compliance Sanctions Schedule ................................................................................................................... 20

4.4 Mechanism for Appeal .................................................................................................................................................. 21

4.5 Data Collection ................................................................................................................................................................ 21

Part 5 – Day to Day Operations ........................................................................................... 22

5.1 Fisheries & Protected Areas Management ........................................................................................................... 22

5.2 Consideration of Other Stakeholders ..................................................................................................................... 23

5.3 Collecting Fish in the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery & Coral Sea Fishery ................... 24

5.4 Collecting Coral in the Queensland Coral Fishery ............................................................................................ 25

Part 6 – Responding to Climate Change ............................................................................. 26

6.1 Assessing Bleached Environments .......................................................................................................................... 28

6.2 Response Plan for Bleached Environments ......................................................................................................... 28

Part 7 – The Role of Pro-vision Reef Inc .............................................................................. 30

7.1 Collaboration .................................................................................................................................................................... 30

7.2 Address Localised Issues .............................................................................................................................................. 30

7.3 Third Party Accreditation of Fishery Operations ............................................................................................... 30

7.4 Implement Environmental Management System ............................................................................................ 31

7.5 Develop an Industry Specific Dive Code .............................................................................................................. 31

7.6 Implement a Communication Strategy ................................................................................................................ 31

7.7 Community and Consumer Awareness ................................................................................................................. 31

Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 32

Attachment 1. Integrated Coral Stress Monitoring and Response ..................................... 33

Attachment 2. Reef Health & Impact Summary .................................................................. 34

C o n t e n t s


2

1.1 DeMAnD

1.1.1 Home Hobbyists

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the

United Nations described the ornamental

fish sector as “a widespread and global

component of international trade, fisheries,

aquaculture and development”. It said: “The

entire industry, when non-exported product,

wages, retail sales and associated materials

are considered, has been estimated to be

worth US$15 billion” (Bartley, 2000).

In Europe, the US and Britain, home

aquariums are kept in 8%, 10% and 14% of

households respectively. The majority of

those are freshwater systems. However, many

freshwater hobbyists graduate to marine

specimen displays indicating that future

growth in the marine sector can be expected.

In Australia, there are 879 registered

aquarium and aquarium supply shops that

sell approximately 15 million fish annually

(Hill, 2006), about one per cent of which are

marine specimens accounting for about 10%

of total value (Dr. Alex Ploeg, pers comm.

2009). Around $60 million was spent on the

purchase of fish; around $60 million on fish

food and around $100 million was spent on

aquariums and related equipment in Australia

in 2005 (Hill, 2006). Again the marine sector is

expected to grow with access to inexpensive,

self contained systems.

Membership of the Netherlands-based

Ornamental Fish International, a worldwide

trade association that represents all sectors

of the ornamental aquatic industry in 40

countries includes consultants, manufacturers,

publishers, wholesalers, collectors, breeders,

retailers, importers, exporters, plant

specialists, freight forwarders, airlines and

exhibition companies. This indicates that the

wider ornamental fish industry is a significant

employer and contributor to economies

throughout the world.

1.1.2 Public Aquaria

In an increasingly urbanised world,

connectivity with the creatures of the natural

world is weakened. Public aquaria provide

a one-stop-shop for parents to show their

children the wonders of the ocean in an

educational environment. Several hundred

million people visit public aquaria worldwide

annually (more than 143 million per year in

the United States alone (Falk et al., 2007)),

making the public aquarium sector a major

contributor to conservation awareness and

education worldwide. In addition, many

public displays are outside of the formalised

public aquarium setting and may be found in

corporate offices and shopping centres.

The American Association of Zoological

Parks and Aquariums commissioned a three

year study in the United States to determine

whether a visit to a zoo or aquarium has

a measurable impact on the conservation

attitudes and understanding of visitors

(Falk et al., 2007). Key findings included:

n Visits to accredited zoos and aquariums

prompt individuals to reconsider

their role in environmental problems

and conservation action, and to see

themselves as part of the solution.

n Visitors believe zoos and aquariums

play an important role in conservation

education and animal care.

n Visitors believe they experience a

stronger connection to nature as a

result of their visit.

n Visitors bring with them a higher-

than-expected knowledge about

basic ecological concepts. Zoos and

aquariums support and reinforce the

values and attitudes of the visitor.

Pa r t 1

The Aquarium Supply Industr y

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Public aquaria provide an outstanding platform

for education and connecting with animals that

many of us will never see in the wild.


3

Compliance and

associated costs

are much higher in

Australia than in other

countries. We provide

premium quality

specimens to the market

and must position our

product in the market

accordingly. This

document will help us

to achieve that.


4

1.2 SuPPly

1.2.1 Global

The primary source of supply for the glovbal

trade in marine ornamental specimens

is the archipelagos of Indonesia and the

Philippines. It has been estimated that these

two countries supply around two thirds of

the market. The remainder of market supply

is sourced from several countries, including

Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Hawaii, the Maldives,

Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Around half of the specimens traded are

fish with coral and invertebrates, each

representing around 25% of product traded.

Significant effort has been exerted by the

Marine Aquarium Council to minimise

social and environmental consequences of

destructive collection methods employed in

some countries, including the largest supply

countries. The primary issue is the use of

a sodium cyanide solution to stupefy fish

for capture. The practice is lethal to smaller

organisms in proximity, including corals. High

levels of post harvest mortality results from

this collection method and the longevity of

the specimen on display can be drastically

reduced. In addition, Marine Aquarium

Council works to achieve implementation

of limited entry to the fisheries and for

marine protected areas. Such regulation and

management is well established in Australia

and provides a sound model these fisheries.

1.2.2 Australia

In Australia, collection of marine specimens

for display is regulated with distinct checks

and balances in fishery management to

ensure that collection does not convey

detriment to the environment that supports

the trade. All Australian fisheries, whether

managed by state or Commonwealth

government agencies, are subject to a

continuous improvement model legislated

in Australia’s landmark environmental

legislation, the Environment Protection &

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, described

in section 1.4.2.

Around 60% of the total national marine

aquarium fish collection occurs in

Queensland, including those collected on the

Great Barrier Reef and from the Coral Sea.

In Western Australia, there are 13 licenses,

variously permitted to collect marine

fish, coral and invertebrates, operating in

nearshore waters adjacent to nearly 21,000

km of coastline. The total marine aquarium

fish harvest in Western Australia represents

about 35% of the national total.

In the Northern Territory, there are 13

aquarium licenses that permit the collection

and sale of all aquatic life, including

freshwater and marine fishes, plants and

coral. Only seven licenses were active in

2006. Commercial harvesting of marine

species is concentrated in coastal waters

near Nhulunbuy and the greater Darwin area.

Few marine fishes are collected. The marine

harvest primarily comprises hermit crabs, live

rock, corals and anemones, much of which

services the domestic market. More than 70%

of the Northern Territory coastline has access

prohibited under Native Title legislation.

1.3 THe QueenSlAnD AQuARIuM SuPPly SeCTOR

Marine specimens are collected in

accordance with the management of the

Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery,

the Queensland Coral Fishery and the

Coral Sea Fishery. The Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery and Queensland

Coral Fishery are managed by Queensland

Primary Industries & Fisheries. The Coral Sea

Fishery is managed by the Australian Fisheries

Management Authority, a Commonwealth

Commission responsible for the efficient

management and sustainable use of

Commonwealth fish resources on behalf of

the Australian community.

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My first interest in the ocean

began with an aquarium full

of sea creatures. Educational

experiences like this remind

tens of thousands of the

importance of our Reef.

Personally, I am impressed

by the proactive Stewardship

Action Plan, especially

given that it has ecological

sustainability at its heart and

takes into account unforeseen

climate impacts like mass

coral bleaching. Industry

should be applauded for

its forward thinking and

responsible leadership.

“

”

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

[ Smart State Premier's Fellow

(2008-2013), Director, Stanford

Australia; Reviewing Editor

at Science Magazine; and

Deputy Director, ARC Centre for

Excellence in Coral Reef Studies ]


5

Operators in the Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery and Queensland

Coral Fishery that work in the Great Barrier

Reef Marine Park must also acquire a joint

permit from the Great Barrier Reef Marine

Park Authority, a Commonwealth statutory

authority responsible for the protection of

the natural resources of the Great Barrier

Reef, while providing for reasonable use;

and Queensland Parks & Wildlife, the State

Environmental Protection Agency responsible

for the adjacent Great Barrier Reef Coastal

Marine Park as well as some day-to-day

management activities of the Great Barrier

Reef Marine Park.

Fisheries are managed using input controls,

which manage fishing effort; and others are

additionally managed with the use of output

controls, which manage catch. All fisheries

in Australia have limited entry, meaning

that a new fishery entrant must purchase an

existing license.

Demand is for species variety and this has

resulted in supply of a large array of species.

Export to international wholesalers is growing

as the reputation of Australian suppliers

and the multi-jurisdictional management

framework within which they operate is

recognised by the market and preferred to

cheaper specimens that might not meet the

market with the same sound environmental

credentials. Servicing large public aquaria

is undertaken by very few operators in

Australia, although those that do have an

international reputation for delivering animals

to the market in premium condition. Exports

destinations are primarily to the United

States, Asian and European markets.

1.3.1 Pro-vision Reef

Pro-vision Reef is an association of licensed

aquarium fish and coral collectors. Our

mission is to engender community and

market confidence in our industry through

demonstration of, and commitment to, the

highest standards of operational efficiency

and environmental performance.

Pro-vision Reef membership accounts for 91%

of active licenses in the Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery; 88% of active licenses

in the Queensland Coral Fishery; and both of

the aquarium sector permits in the Coral Sea

Fishery. It is estimated that Pro-vision Reef

membership accounts for approximately 90%

of output from the Queensland-managed

fisheries that operate on the Great Barrier

Reef.

Collection businesses operate at widely

disparate scales but most operate within both

the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery

and Queensland Coral Fishery. There are two

collection businesses that operate within

all three fisheries that are the subject of this


Signatories to this Stewardship Action Plan

fulfil a compulsory condition of membership

of Pro-vision Reef.

Fish collection is labour

intensive and entails careful

handling to ensure the well

being of the animals.

Our fishery is controlled by

multiple State and Federal

government departments;

this along with “due process”

and conflicting legislation

such as the National

Competition Policy, makes

management changes

difficult and frustratingly

slow. If Industry can show that

it is credible and trustworthy

then self management is the

way to go.

“

”

Don Gilson [ Inter-Fish ]


6

1.3.2 Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery

The Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish

Fishery operates on the east coast of

Queensland between the Tweed River in the

south and Cape York in the north and east to

the outer boundary of the Great Barrier Reef

Marine Park. There are 44 commercial licenses

in the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish

Fishery, of which 32 are active in the fishery.

Twenty nine of the active licenses are held by

Pro-vision Reef members.


Fishery is input controlled, firstly by

restricting the collection effort under each

license to three divers at any one time; and

secondly by imposing Special Management

Areas adjacent to major population centres

to protect high use areas from potentially

unsustainable concentrations of effort.

These areas are located adjacent Cairns,

Whitsundays, Keppels, Sunshine Coast and

Moreton Bay.

Divers can use SCUBA or surface air supply.

Fish and invertebrates are collected

individually by hand or by use of hand-held

apparatus, including fishing line with a

barbless hook, scoop nets, barrier nets

and herding devices, such as a small rod.

Cyanide assisted collection does not occur

in Australia.


Fishery targets a wide range of marine

aquarium fish and invertebrates. More

than 60% of all fish collected from

Australian wild fisheries are from five

families, including Pomacentridae (mainly

damselfish), Chaetodontidae (butterflyfish),

Pomacanthidae (angelfish), Labridae (wrasses)

and Gobiidae (gobies), although no particular

species could be said to dominate the species

mix. In addition, a range of echinoderms

(starfish, sea urchins); sponges; ascidians and

polychaete worms are also collected.

In 2006 the total take for the fishery was

171,641 individual fish from 57 species

groups. Trade levels in the Queensland

Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery are very small

compared to the global aquarium trade,

which ranges from 20–24 million individuals

annually. Marine species from Australia are

predominantly collected from the wild.

Notable exceptions from the Australian market

include iconic marine aquarium “must have”

species, such as anemone fish, Amphiprion spp

and Premnas spp., which are overwhelmingly

produced through captive breeding. More

than 80% of anemonefish species supplied

from the Australian market are produced in

this way. Industry provides broodstock for

aquaculture and is currently in discussion with

researchers looking at methods of chemically

marking otoliths of cultured specimens in

order to differentiate these specimens from

those caught in the wild.

1.3.3 Queensland Coral Fishery

The Queensland Coral Fishery area includes

all tidal waters on the east coast of

Queensland. The fishery ostensibly operates

within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

as there are just two small areas south of

the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park that are

open to harvesting under special license

conditions. There are 59 licenses in the

Queensland Coral Fishery, of which 47 are

active in the fishery. Forty two of the active

licenses are held by Pro-vision Reef members.

In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and

World Heritage Area, the Great Barrier Reef

Marine Park Act and Regulations list all corals

(all species of the classes Anthozoa and

Hydrozoa) as no-take, except via a permit.

Scientific assessment of a longstanding Total

Allowable Catch of 200t in the Queensland

Coral Fishery determined it to be sustainable

providing effort was widely spread to ensure

that localised concentration of effort did not

occur at a regional scale.

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Pro-vision Reef is an exciting

initiative that creates a win-

win situation for the industry

and the environment. Having

worked extensively in SE Asia,

it's extremely refreshing to

see the Australian marine

aquarium industry assuming

responsibility for important

issues that ultimately protect

valuable reef resources,

an integral part of our

natural heritage.

“

”

Dr Gerald R. Allen

[ Western Australia Museum ]


7

Since the Queensland Primary Industries &

Fisheries policy to manage the Queensland

Coral Fishery was implemented in July 2006,

just 60t (30%) of the Total Allowable Catch

may be collected as live coral, known in the

management arrangements as “Specialty

Coral”. The remaining 140t (70%) comprises

specimens of the abundant and fast-growing

corals of the Acroporidae and Pocilloporidae

families, live rock and coral rubble, known

as “Other Coral”. Divers can use SCUBA or

surface air supply. Coral is collected by hand

or with the aid of hand-held non-mechanical

implements such as a bolster, meaning that

only one specimen can be collected at a time.

In 2007-08, the catch from the Queensland

Coral Fishery was a little more than half of the

Total Allowable Catch and was very similar

to catches in 2006–07. It was approximately

105t; of which 67t was live rock and just 19t

was live coral.

Live rock, which is dead coral rubble that

has been colonised by organisms such as

coralline algae, is used as a substrate and

filter in mini-reef aquaria. It is collected in

the Queensland Coral Fishery and forms a

substantial component of the overall take. In

the 2007-08 quota year, live rock comprised

67t or 63.8% of the take. To put the scale of

collection in this fishery in perspective, one

tonne of live rock represents approximately

25m2 (equivalent to the size of one car

parking space at a shopping centre).

Market demand for live coral is for small and

vibrant varieties, including those from the

Euphyllidae, Zoanthidae, Corallimorpharia

and Fungidae families. Anemones are also

part of the Queensland Coral Fishery. The

market accepts only specimens in premium

condition. Collectors do not collect imperfect

specimens. The fickle nature of market

demand necessitates prudent selectivity of

specimens by collectors, which results in the

overwhelming majority of specimens being

left to provide parent stock for the future.

A comprehensive Species Vulnerability and

Ecological Risk Assessment tool has been

developed for the Queensland Coral Fishery.

It takes account of accessibility, vulnerability

to disturbance, life history characteristics and

collection pressure, then calibrates against

local and scientific knowledge systems

and provides a risk ranking with respect to

depletion for each species of coral collected

in the Queensland Coral Fishery.

The Ecological Risk Assessment (Roelofs,

2008) determined that overwhelmingly,

the degree of risk to corals was “negligible”.

However, 12 species were assessed as “low”

risk. Additionally, the likelihood of that risk

manifesting through collection for each of

those 12 species was graded to be “remote”

and the collection consequence of that risk

was graded as “minor”.

The one exception was Catalaphyllia jardenei

(Family: Caryophyllidae). This species was

assessed as “low” risk. However, likelihood

of that risk manifesting through collection

was graded as “rare” and the collection

consequence of that risk was graded as

“moderate”. This species is not particularly

specialised in niche requirements. It is

collected in depths of 15-20m but occurs

in depths greater than 30m. Importantly, C.

jardenei in an inter-reefal species. Industry

observes that it occurs in vast beds on sandy

substrates. As it is not a reef coral, it has not

been the subject of intensive study.

The Species Vulnerability Assessment (Roelofs

& Silcock, 2008) determined that the only

species of hard coral that was moderately

vulnerable to over harvesting by the fishery

was Montipora sp (Family: Acroporidae).

All the remaining species assessed were

determined to be at low risk from Queensland

Coral Fishery harvesting activity. Montipora

genus is not a dominant catch component in

the fishery.

Coral reefs are some of

the most biologically rich

ecosystems on earth.

Keeping an aquarium

helps people to better

understand them.

The research facilitation

component of the

Stewardship Action Plan is

very important. In defining

world’s best practice, we

now have the opportunity

to help the researchers to

validate those strategies

and to improve them.

“

”

Fenton Walsh

[ Northern Barrier Marinelife ]


8

1.3.4 Coral Sea Fishery

The Coral Sea Fishery covers an area of

780,000 square kilometres in waters from

Sandy Cape on Fraser Island to Cape York,

generally east of the outer boundary of the

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to the edge

of the Australian Fishing Zone. No take areas

within the fishery area include the Coringa-

Herald and Lihou Reef National Nature

Reserves, which cover an area of 17,000

square kilometres.

A Marine Bioregional Plan is in preparation,

which includes more than 2.4 million square

kilometres of ocean from the northern

reaches of the Coral Sea, south into the

Tasman Sea, which will encompass the entire

Coral Sea Fishery area. That process will result

in a network of Commonwealth Reserves that

are zoned in accordance with the seven IUCN

categories for Marine Protected Areas.

An area of just under one million square

kilometres has been declared a Conservation

Zone, which is an interim measure to limit

further economic activity in the area until

proposed Commonwealth Reserves are

declared. It is expected that aquarium

fish collection will remain in the Coral

Sea Fishery, including in some sections of

the Commonwealth Reserves. The Marine

Bioregional Planning process applies to the

entirety of Australia’s territorial waters of more

than 15 million square kilometres and, when

completed, will include a comprehensive

network of marine protected areas.

The Coral Sea Fishery comprises 18 fishing

concessions spread across the multi-gear

multi-method fishery, including Demersal Line,

Demersal Trawl, Sea Cucumber Collection,

Lobster and Trochus Collection and Aquarium

Collection sectors. Each sector is managed

under conditions outlined in an annual permit,

which includes various input and output

controls. The aquarium fish collection sector

comprises two permit holders, which are

permitted to hand collect fish, invertebrates

and live rock. Collection of live coral from the

Coral Sea Fishery is prohibited.

1.4 legISlATIve FRAMewORk

1.4.1 Queensland Government Framework

Under Offshore Constitutional Settlement

between the Australian States and the

Australian Government, management of

fisheries within the Great Barrier Reef Marine

Park is the responsibility of the Queensland

Government through Queensland Primary

Industries & Fisheries. Fisheries in Queensland

are managed according to the Fisheries Act 1994

and its subordinate legislation, including the

Fisheries Regulation 2008 and legislated fishery

management plans. This legislative framework

is complemented by policies, license and

permit conditions and non-regulatory

arrangements. Other State legislative

instruments that impact on operations

within marine fisheries include the Marine

Parks Act 2004, Nature Conservation Act 1992,

State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 and the

Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995.

The main purpose of the Fisheries Act is

to provide for the use, conservation and

enhancement of the community’s fisheries

resources and fish habitats in a way that

seeks to: apply and balance the principles

of ecologically sustainable development;

and promote ecologically sustainable

development.

Both the Queensland Marine Aquarium

Fish Fishery and Queensland Coral Fishery

operate under management arrangements

stipulated in the Fisheries Regulation 2008 and

supplementary license conditions.

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Coral Sea collectors

install their own moorings

to minimise the risk of

anchor damage.

The Stewardship Action Plan

is an excellent and credible

"code of conduct" that

will ensure collections of

ornamental specimens from

the Great Barrier Reef are

sustainable, and establishes

"World's best practice" for

this fishery. With its extensive

voluntary actions, the Plan

sets a new benchmark for

the responsible stewardship

of marine resources that will

distinguish the Australian

product as the "greenest" in

the global market place.

“

”

Dr Peter Doherty

[ Research Director, Australian

Institute of Marine Science ]


9

It's important for

the aquarium supply

industry on the

Great Barrier Reef

and Coral Sea to take

the lead and establish

the global benchmark

for best practice in

specimen collection.


1 0

1.4.2 Commonwealth Government Framework

The Coral Sea Fishery is managed by the

Australian Fisheries Management Authority in

a precautionary manner in accordance with

objectives under the Fisheries Management

Act 1991 and the Fisheries Management

Regulations 1992. Management arrangements

are enforced through fishing permit

conditions and are outlined in a Management

Arrangements booklet produced by the

Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

Fishery management performance is

measured against the ‘Guidelines for the

Ecologically Sustainable Management of

Fisheries’, which are based on the principles

that guide the Marine Stewardship Council.

The guidelines cover a number of individual

objectives broadly relating to impacts to

target species; bycatch and byproduct

species; endangered, threatened and

protected species; ecologically threatened

communities; and the marine ecosystem

generally.

A series of recommendations is issued as part

of this ‘Strategic Assessment’ and the fishery

manager has a specified time frame in which

to satisfy obligations and recommendations.

In this way, fishery management performance

is monitored and reported on transparently.

Ecological Risk Assessments are conducted

at three year intervals to prioritise issues for

management that could infer risk, such as the

adequacy of existing data.

Following strategic assessment of the fishery,

Wildlife Trade Operation and export approvals

may be granted under the Environment

Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

for the fishery. These approvals are subject

to various conditions and recommendations

being met. The Coral Sea Fishery is an

accredited Wildlife Trade Operation.

In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is

the principal adviser to the Commonwealth

Government on the care and development

of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Participants in the East Coast Dive-Based

Fisheries (or Harvest Fisheries) are required

to obtain a permit for operations within the

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The Emerald Agreement of 1979 determined

that the day-to-day management of the

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Great

Barrier Reef World Heritage Area should be

undertaken by officers of Queensland Parks

& Wildlife, subject to Great Barrier Reef Marine

Park Authority policy. Queensland Parks &

Wildlife employs around 100 Marine Park

Officers, including professional rangers and

conservation staff working with industries

and coastal communities.

Highly skilled and

experienced divers ensure

fish are maintained in

premium condition.

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This Stewardship Action Plan

reinforces the commitment

of responsible collectors to

a minimal environmental

footprint and a positive and

timely response to future

climate change events.

“

”

Ros Paterson [ Marine Arts ]


1 1

1.4.3 International Framework

Strategic Assessment of the Queensland

Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery, Queensland

Coral Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery under

the Environment Protection & Biodiversity

Conservation Act 1999 determined the

fisheries to be “Wildlife Trade Operations”,

which enables export of products from those

fisheries. Some species, including stony corals

(Scleractinia) and Syngnathids (seahorses) are

listed under Appendix II of the Convention on

International Trade in Endangered Species of

Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The purpose of Appendix II is to list ‘species

that are not necessarily now threatened with

extinction but that may become so unless

trade is closely controlled’. CITES Export

Permits are issued by the Commonwealth

Department of Environment, Water, Heritage

& Arts for the export of coral harvested

under the Queensland Coral Fishery. The

Strategic Assessment of the Queensland Coral

Fishery fulfils the Non Detriment Finding

as required under CITES. Of the 350 species

of reef building corals found on the Great

Barrier Reef, 52 genera/species are regularly

collected in the Queensland Coral Fishery.

The Strategic Assessment for the fishery

consequently includes many more species

than are actually subject to trade. Harvest

of live hard corals in the Queensland Coral

Fishery represents a tiny fraction of what

naturally accretes in a year on the Great

Barrier Reef (Atkinson et al., in press). Corals

collected in the Queensland Coral Fishery are

very diverse and many of the aquarium trade

species are not CITES-listed e.g. soft corals,

zooanthids, corallomorphs etc. Listed fish

species collected in the Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery

also require CITES Export Permits.

1.5 InDuSTRy/gOveRnMenT lIAISOn

1.5.1 Industry/Queensland Government Liaison

The aquarium supply industry is directly

engaged with Queensland Primary Industries

and Fisheries in the on-going management of

the Queensland Coral and Marine Aquarium

Fish Fisheries. Representatives sit on a

specialist working group that provides advice

regarding the day-to-day management of the

fisheries, research priorities and key issues

to be addressed to improve the efficiency of

operation of the management arrangements.

The working group reports directly back to

Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Into the future, fisheries managers will

continue to work closely with Pro-vision

Reef to identify and develop opportunities

for co-management of the fisheries.

Co-management can provide a framework for

government doing business with Industry;

the right model may provide the opportunity

for enhanced profitability through driving

change to the management of the fishery.

Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries

have collaboratively developed a Coral

Stress Response Plan, to address local scale

impacts to reefs, from stresses such as

mass coral bleaching. Strategies outlined

in this Stewardship Action Plan have been

developed to integrate with the Coral Stress

Response Plan.

Queensland Parks & Wildlife work closely with

the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

to provide the day-to-day management of

marine protected areas on the Great Barrier

Reef. In this role, they have developed the

Reef Health & Impact Summary survey system

to assist managers and a range of reef users

to monitor reef health. Queensland Parks &

Wildlife manage this program and provide

training for users. The Reef Health & Impact

Summary system provides a simple objective

framework to obtain consistent information,

regardless of the reason for using it.

Coral Stress Response Plan for the Coral & Marine

Aquarium Fish Fisheries (left)

Coral Bleaching Response Plan 2008-2009 (right)


ensures that the industry

is both responsible and

responsive. The plan has

demonstrated a capacity to

incorporate recent scientific

findings in developing

sustainable practices. This

bodes well for the future of

the industry and the reef.

“

”

Professor David Bellwood

[ James Cook University ]

This Stewardship Action

Plan captures the growing

professionalism of the

industry; a strong level of

adoption by industry will

strengthen the credibility of

these fisheries internationally

and provide a benchmark for

other fisheries to follow.

“

”

Dr. Brigid Kerrigan

[ Fishery Manager, Queensland

Primary Industries & Fisheries ]


1 2

Reef Health & Impact Summary has recently

become an integral part of the Great Barrier

Reef Marine Park Authority’s Coral Bleaching

Response Plan and is used regularly to

monitor reef health over the summer months.

More broadly, Pro-vision Reef recognizes the

value in contributing industry expertise and

local knowledge of reef ecosystems (over

and above catch records) to managing and

monitoring the resources they use. The Reef

Health & Impact Summary system provides a

common metric for all users to consistently

quantify the health of the reefs they visit

or work on. This enables a time series to be

built that provides a baseline for condition at

important collection sites. Should an impact

occur, this methodology allows relative

change to be unambiguously documented

and tracked at the site. Such information

demonstrates that Pro-vision Reef members

are on-going partners in knowledge

gathering on the Great Barrier Reef. It also

ensures that effective site–specific responses

can be collaboratively developed in response

to particular impacts.

1.5.2 Industry/Commonwealth Government Liaison

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

maintains a Fisheries Reef Advisory

Committee comprising stakeholders

from a range of interest groups, including

commercial, charter and recreational fishing,

conservation groups, fishery and protected

areas managers and indigenous community

representatives. Currently, Pro-vision Reef

has a representative on this committee. The

aquarium supply industry forms part of the

Harvest fisheries that includes those that

target tropical rock lobster, bêche-de-mer

and trochus.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

coordinates the annual, integrated, multi-

jurisdictional response to mass coral

bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, through

the Coral Bleaching Response Plan. Pro-vision

Reef work closely with the Great Barrier

Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure that

stewardship initiatives and development

of any research projects identified in this

Stewardship Action Plan are integrated

within the broad Coral Bleaching Response

Plan framework.

Australian Fisheries Management

Authority conducts an annual Coral Sea

Stakeholders meeting, which is attended by

representatives of all five sectors working in

the Coral Sea Fishery, including operators in

the aquarium collection sector.

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We hope that this document

helps the public to understand

what really goes on out at

“The Reef”. Also that the

utmost care is taken in

collecting and preserving

the reef for future

generations.

“

”

Christina Shkreli and Sonya

Ridden [ Oz Reef Connections ]

In a time of increasing concern

about the overall health of our

reefs, this document clearly

demonstrates the proactive

stewardship approach taken

by our industry and also

provides transparency on our

operating practices.

“

”

Rob Lowe [ All Marine Fish ]


1 3

The Stewardship Action

Plan marks a new era

of collaboration between

management agencies

and industry.


1 4

2.1 SCOPe

The Stewardship Action Plan is voluntary

and is developed by industry for industry.

However, the Stewardship Action Plan also

develops a pathway whereby concerns and

complaints can be addressed independently

in a transparent and accountable manner,

including provisions for natural justice.

Sanctions may be imposed for breaches

according to a predetermined points

schedule following assessment of complaints

by an independent Complaints Assessment

Committee. It is the intention that all

participants in the Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery, Queensland Coral

Fishery and the Coral Sea Fishery adhere

to the operational standards and strategies

articulated herein.

The Stewardship Action Plan outlines a vision

for ‘best practice’ aimed to differentiate

marine ornamental specimens collected

in the Queensland based fisheries from

those collected elsewhere. It defines fishery

operational standards in order to clearly and

transparently articulate sustainable collection

strategies to the community and the market.

The Stewardship Action Plan provides a

framework for regular review of best practice,

and actively encourages sound research

to ensure that best practice strategies are

based on the best available knowledge.

Development of best practice strategies

is both a proactive experience-based

industry initiative and a practical response

to outcomes of a recognised Ecological

Risk Assessment process for each fishery.

As circumstances and knowledge change,

best practice strategies are reviewed and

amended as required by a Review Committee.

2.2 COnTexT

This Stewardship Action Plan should be

read in the context of the existing fishery

and protected areas management and

legislation. It should be identified as an

important component of the collaborative

management tool-box for these fisheries. The

relevant fisheries are managed according to

the principles of ecosystem based fisheries

management; the principles of ecologically

sustainable development; and within a

continuous improvement model established

through the Environment Protection &

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

In addition, two of the fisheries operate

within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,

which was zoned under the Representative

Areas Program commencing 1st July 2004.

Under that program, 33% of the Great Barrier

Reef Marine Park is assigned to no-take zones

and a range of restrictions apply to other

zones. No-take zones account for a minimum

of 20% of each of 70 identified bioregions

(important breeding and nursery areas such

as seagrass beds, mangrove communities,

deepwater shoals and coral reefs). Licensed

specimen collection is allowed under permit

in some Conservation Park zones; and all

Habitat Protection and General Use Zones.

No two reefs are the same in terms of the

communities they support. Given that an

important aspect of most collection businesses

relates to having a diverse stock list, this then

drives collectors to collect from a range of

sites on a regular basis. This in turn spreads

collection effort across multiple sites.


Fishery operates at less than 50% of

the managed capacity. The table below

demonstrates the Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery at maximum input

capacity and at the actual scale of fishing

effort. Note that the fishery management

strategies are designed to manage the fishery

when operating at maximum capacity.

Pa r t 2

Purpose of the Stewardship Ac tion Plan

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I applaud Pro-vision Reef’s

initiative with the Stewardship

Action Plan. With their pro-

active approach they signal

the underlying love of nature

that typifies the aquarium

trade and hobby while, at

the same time, they set an

important standard that

other parts of the ornamental

aquatic industry will be

measured against.

“

”

Svein A. Fosså

[ Marine Aquarium Council;

Ornamental Fish International;

International Pet Advisory Council;

European Pet Organization;

Scandinavian Pet Trade Union;

Norwegian Pet Trade Association ]

The industry is eager to have

our practices on display to

the public and the market.

We are proud of our custodial

approach to the marine

environment.

“

”

Brian Hose

[ Australian Tropical Marines;

Pro-vision Reef Life Member ]


1 5


Capacity Actual

no. licenses (A1) 44 32 in operation

divers/license 3 av. 2

dives/day e.g. 2 av. 2

total dives/day 264 128

no. days/year e.g. 100 av. 75

total dives/year 26,400 9,600

Hookah hose length av. 150m

dive site av. 0.0707 km2

fishery area ~ 400,000 km2

divers/site e.g. 3 av. 2

site visits/year e.g. 2 av. 2

dive time 2 hours av. 2 hours

annual fishery coverage 311.06 km2 169. 67 km2

% of fishery area fished 0.078% 0.042%

dive hours/site/year 12 8

Around 70% of commercial licenses (A1

symbol) are active in the Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery. Most of the license

holders do not deploy three divers per

license. Total dive effort in the Queensland

Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery is around 64

divers, which is around 48% of the fishery

input capacity.

Output from the fishery may be viewed

in terms of biomass. A study of fish

collection activity in the Coral Sea in 2006,

in conjunction with a fishery observer from

Australian Fisheries Management Authority,

measured biomass removed from coral reef

ecosystems during the course of normal

collection activity. The study found that two

divers on a three day trip collected 776 fish

comprising 74 species with a total biomass

of 10.9 kilograms. This equated to an average

of fewer than 130 fish weighing a total of 1.8

kilograms per diver per day.

There are 25 businesses that operate in the

Queensland Coral Fishery, 15 of which also

operate in the Queensland Marine Aquarium

Fish Fishery, including the two businesses

that are holders of Coral Sea Fishery licenses.

Most Queensland Coral Fishery businesses

hold multiple endorsements in order to

increase their allocated pool of quota and

therefore their volume of output.

The Queensland Coral Fishery businesses do

not deploy a diver for each endorsement;

and Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish

Fishery businesses do not deploy extra

divers for Queensland Coral Fishery activity.

Consequently, the total dive effort for the


and Queensland Coral Fishery in combination

is little more than that described for the


alone.

This Stewardship Action Plan

describes what we do in the

water. It will help people

in the community to better

understand our industry and

the low impact collection

strategies that we adopt.

“

”

Bev Squire [ Cairns Marine ]


demonstrates that collectors

are conscious of exerting

a minimal environmental

footprint and are proactive in

our approach to events linked

to climate change.

“

”

Renison Bell

[ Pacific Marine Aquarium Fish ]


1 6

2.3 PROFeSSIOnAl eTHICS

The Professional Ethics set forth are

aspirational in character and represent broad

objectives towards which every Signatory

should strive. Perceived contravention of

these aspirations will not be assessed by the

Complaints Assessment Committee.

n Exercise a moral responsibility to

professional associates and the

public and to the animals under care.

n Display the highest integrity, the

best judgment and ethics, and

use professional skills for the best

interests of all.

n Promote the interests of wildlife

conservation, biodiversity, and

animal welfare to the public and to

colleagues.

n Aid the professional development

of those who enter the aquarium

supply profession by assisting them

to understand the functions, duties,

and responsibilities of the profession,

including legislative compliance.

n Conduct business operations in

a manner that does not adversely

affect, or is prejudicial to,

the concepts and ideals of

Pro-vision Reef.

n Contribute to continuous

improvement in the aquarium supply

industry through participation in

projects that enhance operational

efficiency and environmental

performance.

n Where practical seek to develop

partnerships and improve

relationships with other user groups

within their local communities.

2.4 AIMS AnD OBjeCTIveS

2.4.1 Aims

The aim of the Stewardship Action Plan is

to develop and document non regulatory

approaches for world’s best practices,

thereby engendering community and

market confidence in the marine aquarium

supply industry, particularly in terms of

environmental performance and responding

to the challenge of global climate change.

2.4.2 Objectives

1. Describe ‘best practice’ collection

standards in the Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery, Queensland

Coral Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery

2. Detail contingency operational

plans for coral bleaching events and

formalise linkages with response

plans developed by fishery and

protected areas managers

3. Form a Complaints Assessment

Committee to oversee the validity of

complaints and severity of breaches

4. Form a Review Committee

to continuously improve the

Stewardship Action Plan

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Plan is extremely positive.

Pro-vision Reef and the

fishing industry ought to

be commended on their

proactive approach to

encouraging best practice

and sustainable practice

in the fishery.

“

”

Josh Davis [ Manager of the

Coral Sea Fishery, AFMA ]

Hopefully this document

will help the community to

understand what happens

below the waves. We are

very selective and careful

in what we do. Also, there

is myriad management

and assessments that the

community may not

be aware.

“

”

Kim Grunske

[ Keppel Bay Corals ]


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3.1 COMPlAInTS ASSeSSMenT COMMIT Tee

This Stewardship Action Plan establishes

a Complaints Assessment Committee

whose sole purpose is to assess the

validity of complaints and determine

the graded severity of breaches. The

Complaints Assessment Committee will

comprise individuals that have a direct

stake in the sustainable management of

the fishery and environment; and will be

independently chaired. The Complaints

Assessment Committee will be comprised of

stakeholders who are non-industry members;

persons who can act impartially; and that

have sufficient knowledge to make fully

informed judgement. Composition may vary

dependant upon availability and approval by

the Pro-vision Reef executive.

The Complaints Assessment Committee will

have the capacity to request advice from

industry or other relevant stakeholders in

the decision making process. However, any

industry or other advisor will not undertake a

decision making role.

3.2 RevIew COMMIT Tee

This Stewardship Action Plan establishes a

Review Committee. Led by Pro-vision Reef,

the Review Committee will convene on an

annual basis or as new information comes to

light. The Stewardship Action Plan operates

alongside the Great Barrier Reef Marine

Park Authority’s Coral Bleaching Response

Plan and Queensland Primary Industries &

Fisheries’ Coral Stress Response Plan. The

Review Committee will undertake review of

the Stewardship Action Plan in proximity to

review of the Coral Bleaching Response Plan

and the Coral Stress Response Plan.

The Stewardship Action Plan is produced

by industry for industry and forms a critical

step in the aspirations for a co-management

approach to aquarium supply fisheries in

Queensland held by managers and industry.

The Review Committee will be chaired

by Pro-vision Reef and will comprise a

mix of industry participants and agency

representatives.

The Review Committee will consider input

from researchers from bona fide research

institutions, particularly regarding research

that tests the validity of collection strategies

articulated in the Stewardship Action Plan to

ensure that those strategies represent world’s

best practice.

In addition, Pro-vision Reef will participate in

a Review Task Force in the event of identified

high risk of coral bleaching. The Review

Task Force will convene in accordance with

triggers stipulated in the Coral Bleaching

Response Plan and Coral Stress Response Plan

(see Attachment I).

Pa r t 3

Administration

The Stewardship Action Plan will be administered by Pro-vision Reef Inc.

Divers painstakingly

collect one fish at a time.

This initiative is typical of

the forward thinking culture

within this group of operators.

The fishery is small and spread

widely along the Queensland

coast. We all love the sea and

the work we perform.

“

”

Ray Reddacliff

[ Aquamarine Industries ]


1 8

For the purpose of this Stewardship Action

Plan, a complaint is defined as “an expression

of dissatisfaction with compliance with the

Stewardship Action Plan”. The Stewardship

Action Plan relates specifically to operational

standards, including enacting contingency

plans in the event of coral bleaching.

Anybody can register a complaint. Complaints

should specifically identify the section of

the Stewardship Action Plan for which

it is believed the Signatory is in breach.

Complaints that do not specify a breach of the

Stewardship Action Plan may be registered

with Pro-vision Reef for consideration when

the Stewardship Action Plan is reviewed.

4.1 InCIDenT RePORTIng

In the first instance, a complaint may be

registered directly with the Signatory via

business contact details listed on the Pro-vision

Reef website. Identification that the operator

is a Signatory to the Stewardship Action Plan

will be clearly visible on the operator’s vessel.

Look for the Pro-vision Reef logo.

If the Signatory and complainant cannot

resolve the issue, the complaint should be

lodged with Pro-vision Reef for referral to

the Complaints Assessment Committee.

Complaints should be registered in writing,

either by post, fax or email; or via a dedicated

complaints form downloadable from the Pro-

vision Reef website and should include:

n Date of incident

n Precise location

n Boat mark

n Description of the incident

n Section of the Stewardship Action

Plan that was breached

n Grade of breach that the complainant

believes applies to the breach

n Evidence, including photographs

and/or corroborating witness

accounts

All complaints referred to the Complaints

Assessment Committee will be addressed at

scheduled meetings and the complainant

notified in writing of the outcome.

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Complaints and Sanc tions

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With its Stewardship Action

Plan, Pro-vision Reef shows to

read the signs of this period

of time. It contributes to the

need for more transparency

and it shows the care for the

reef of professional collectors

of marine ornamental fish,

corals and invertebrates in

Australia.

“

”

Dr Alex Ploeg

[ Secretary General,

Ornamental Fish International ]

In a globally competitive

market, we need the

Stewardship Action Plan to

help differentiate our product

from those sourced elsewhere

where the same high

standards do not apply.

“

”

Lyle Squire Snr

[ Director, Cairns Marine;

Pro-vision Reef Life Member ]


1 9

The Australian public

expects high standards

of environmental

performance from

all users of the

Great Barrier Reef.


Plan outlines how

the aquarium supply

sector delivers on

that expectation.


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4.2 ASSeSSMenT OF COMPlAInTS

The Complaints Assessment Committee

will assess the validity or otherwise of the

complaint based on evidence presented.

If in the opinion of the Complaints

Assessment Committee, a prima facie1 case

exists, the Complaints Assessment Committee

will then grade the severity of the breach.

The Signatory subject to complaint will be

granted opportunity to respond, either in

person, in writing or via teleconference.

If in the opinion of the Complaints

Assessment Committee, a prima facie case

does not exist, the Complaints Assessment

Committee will then dismiss the case.

Following assessment of the complaint, the

Complaints Assessment Committee will refer

their recommendation to Pro-vision Reef. The

sanction that applies to the determination of

the Complaints Assessment Committee will

be taken from the Non Compliance Sanctions

Schedule described in Section 4.3. Pro-vision

Reef has no subjective role in assessing

complaints or determining sanctions.

Sanctions for non compliance are articulated

in the Non Compliance Sanctions Schedule.

The grades of penalty are commensurate

with the grade of breach as determined

by the Complaints Assessment Committee

and will reflect the nature and seriousness

of the breach. The Complaints Assessment

Committee will be guided by a non

compliance scale, depicted below.

Severity of a breach is determined by a

three point grading system where Grade 1

is the least severe. Penalty points allocated

to grades reflect the determination that a

Grade 2 breach is twice as severe as a Grade

1 breach; and that a Grade 3 breach is three

times as severe as a Grade 1 breach.

4.3 nOn COMPlIAnCe SAnCTIOnS SCHeDule

To ensure consistency and fairness, sanctions

are allocated according to a pre-determined

points system. Each 50 penalty points

received by a Signatory to the Stewardship

Action Plan will result in an incremental

progression up the scale of serious breaches

and subsequent sanctions (see Table).

For example, a penalty of 180 points will

result in a Signatory receiving a Level 3

sanction (150 points), with the remaining

30 points staying on the Signatory’s record

for two years as 'carry-over points'. Carry over

points will be added to points resulting

from subsequent breaches within that two

year period.

If a Signatory to the Stewardship Action Plan

has no history of breaches of the Stewardship

Action Plan, the Signatory is entitled to a

reduction equivalent to 20 per cent of the

base penalty points applied to the breach.

A Signatory is entitled to full cancellation of

penalty points carried-over from a breach

after two years if no further breaches are

recorded. If further breaches are recorded,

cancellation of points will occur two years

after the last breach.

Signatories must ensure that company

employees and contractors are aware of the

content of the Stewardship Action Plan. This

is an ongoing task due to staff turnover. Pro-

vision Reef will issue periodic reminders to

Signatories to this effect.Severity of Breach (Grade)

Seve

rity

of P

enal

ty (P

oint

s)

1 Evidence that is sufficient to raise a presumption of fact or to establish the fact in question unless rebutted.

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

This Stewardship Action

Plan demonstrates that the

Australian corals enjoyed by

aquarium hobbyists the world

over are collected according

to a well thought out strategy

designed to minimise the

impacts on our marine

environment.

“

”

Russell Kelley [ Coral Scientist

and Author of the Indo-Pacific

Coral Finder ]


2 1

4.4 MeCHAnISM FOR APPeAl

In the event that conclusions reached by

the Complaints Assessment Committee are

not to the satisfaction of the complainant

or defendant, and/or that new information

comes to light after the assessment, there

is an avenue for appeal to a designated

Independent Decision Maker, which will be

recruited from outside of the industry for the

purpose by Pro-vision Reef at the cost to the

appellant.

The Independent Decision Maker will

assess the grounds for appeal against

the Complaints Assessment Committee’s

handling of the complaint. Grounds for

appeal should be submitted to Pro-vision

Reef in writing, either by post, fax or email

by no later than 5:00pm 14 days after

the assessment of the complaint by the

Complaints Assessment Committee.

The decision of the Independent Decision

Maker is final and no further correspondence

will be entered into.

4.5 DATA COlleCTIOn

Data will be collected that reflect the origins

and causes of complaints in relation to

adherence to this Stewardship Action Plan for

the identification of systemic and recurring

problems that the industry should address.

These data will assist the Review Committee

in the production of an annual report on the

operation of the Stewardship Action Plan

and will aid continuous improvement of the

Stewardship Action Plan. Data collected will

include details regarding:

n Complainant

n Signatories complained about

n Type and frequency of complaint

n How the complaint was resolved

n Time taken to deal with the

complaint

n Type of sanction(s) imposed

Level Sanction Points Consequence Carry Over

1 Warning 50 No external consequence 51-99

2 Exposure 100 Identified in Pro-vision Reef Inc member newsletter

101-149

3 150 Same as Level 2 plus… n Identified in ‘Searead2’

151-199

4 200 Same as Level 3 plus… n Identified on the Pro-vision Reef Inc website

201-249

5 Expulsion 250 Same as Level 4 plus… n Six months expulsion from Pro-vision Reef Inc n Remove Pro-vision Reef Inc logo from vessel

251-299

6 300 Same as Level 5 plus… n Twelve months expulsion from Pro-vision Reef Inc n Must re-apply for membership

301+ carried

forward if readmitted

2 Periodical magazine published by the

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

I think the Stewardship

Action Plan takes our fishery

and associated industry in

the right direction.

“

”

Russell Snook

[ Snook’s Marine Fish ]

As the second generation of

a family that has harvested

coral since 1957, I have seen

this fishery develop into one

that operates with world's

best practice collection

methods. Strong collaboration

between industry, fishery

managers and coral reef

scientists has achieved a

management regime that

works exceedingly well.

“

”

David Paterson [ Marine Arts ]


2 2

Divers in the Queensland Marine Aquarium

Fish Fishery, Queensland Coral Fishery and

Coral Sea Fishery typically collect at a range

of depths within any given dive. Physical

constraints are applied according to the

length of the Hookah hose employed; and

physiological constraints are applied whereby

time spent at depth is limited and the diver

must graduate a dive to shallower water.

Consequently, any dive is constrained to a

designated horizontal diameter and limited

time at various depths. Weather is the

greatest restraint with collectors’ ability to

embark on, and to sustain, a voyage at the

mercy of the elements at all times.

Collecting fish and corals commercially

requires diving skills and experience far in

excess of those held by recreational divers

and tourist divers. Control of buoyancy

and fin position and movement are highly

advanced in this gear intensive activity that

is practiced and refined in all manner of

conditions. Most diving activity is conducted

using surface air supply via a Hookah hose.

The hose floats and does not pose any risk

to substrate. Barrier nets are deployed in a

static fashion and do not come into contact

with coral, which damages the fine mesh.

Barrier nets are used to capture fish that

the collector herds into them. An industry

specific Dive Code that satisfies all Workplace

Health and Safety legislative requirements is

currently under development.

The objectives of Part 5 of this Stewardship

Action Plan are to:

n Ensure that abiding by the law

establishes the minimum operational

standard for Signatories.

n Ensure that Signatories adopt a

custodial approach to public relations

n Ensure that ‘best practice’ collection

standards apply in the Queensland

Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery,

Queensland Coral Fishery and Coral

Sea Fishery.

5.1 FISHeRIeS & PROTeCTeD AReAS MAnAgeMenT

Fisheries and protected areas management

is incorporated in legislation and/or

subordinate legislation, including regulations

and management plans. Compliance is

enforced by the Boating and Fisheries

Patrol at Queensland Primary Industries &

Fisheries; and by Great Barrier Reef Marine

Park Authority and Australian Fisheries

Management Authority.

Failure to abide by the fishery management

arrangements for the Queensland Marine

Aquarium Fish Fishery, Queensland Coral

Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery; Queensland

and/or Commonwealth fisheries legislation

and license conditions; and Queensland

and/or Commonwealth marine protected

areas legislation and permit conditions,

incurs penalties including fines imposed by

government authorities.

Pa r t 5

Day to Day Operations

da

y t

o d

ay

op

er

at

ion

S

Part 5 of the Stewardship Action Plan exposes Signatories to complaint and the complaints handling process, including the allocation

of sanctions, that is described in Part 4 of this Stewardship Action Plan. Signatories agree to abide by the strategies outlined herein.

Complainants must identify a numbered section within this Part when reporting an alleged breach.

Divers select only perfect

coral specimens that suit

the market.


complements the modern

fisheries and protected areas

management within which we

already operate. It is hoped

that all licensed operators

sign up and that a uniform

high standard of operation

can be set.

“

”

John Ford [ Keppel Bay Corals ]


2 3

Serious offences are referred to the judicial

system and convictions are placed on the

public record. Signatories to this Stewardship

Action Plan that record a conviction for

breaches of fishery and marine protected

areas laws face sanctions imposed under

this Stewardship Action Plan for bringing the

industry into disrepute.

Signatories that record a conviction under

fishery and protected areas laws face an

automatic penalty of 240 points under

the Stewardship Action Plan. This will not

be referred to the Complaints Assessment

Committee as the judicial system will have

made the necessary assessment.

5.2 COnSIDeRATIOn OF OTHeR STAkeHOlDeRS

Signatories to the Stewardship Action Plan

are licensed operators, most of whom

conduct a permitted activity in the Great

Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Stewardship

Action Plan compels Signatories to observe

strategies that consider other licensed or

permitted stakeholders and the broader

community. These provisions are aimed at

ensuring and enhancing the continued use

and enjoyment of a shared resource by other

user groups.

Signatories will refer to their participation

in the Stewardship Action Plan on their

stationary, packaging, company branding,

advertising material and websites. Such

identification on company branding material

and vessels will include reference to the

Pro-vision Reef website, whereupon the

Stewardship Action Plan can be viewed and

downloaded.

Identification that a fishery operator is a

Signatory to the Stewardship Action Plan will

be clearly visible on the operator’s vessel.

The dimensions of the Pro-vision Reef logo3,

which is the indication that the operator

is a Stewardship Action Plan Signatory,

should conform with that stipulated for boat

marks in s.229 “Requirements for placing

boat mark on an authorised boat” of the

Fisheries Regulations 2008 (p146). These

requirements do not alter obligations relating

to identification codes for boats specified in

the Commonwealth Fisheries Management

Regulations 1992 for Coral Sea Fishery permit

holders.

Code Stipulation Penalty Points

Breach Grade 1 2 3

5.2.i Signatories will not undertake collection at sites4 that are, at that time, in use by bona fide tour operators5 as at the date of implementation of this Stewardship Action Plan.

70 140 210

5.2.ii Signatories will not collect clownfish or anemones at sites6 that are within a 50 metre radius from legal tourist moorings registered in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; or, in the Cairns Area Plan of Management area, within a 200 metre radius from a pontoon.

70 140 210

5.2.iii Signatories processing collected fish in a public place will display an explanatory sign based on a template produced by Pro-vision Reef.7

70 140 210

3 Logo use will be subject to a license

agreement, which will be a condition of

membership. This is to ensure that there

are legal consequences for unauthorized

use by non-members.

4 A site is defined as the area designated by

the radius of the operator’s hookah hose,

which is determined by the position of the

vessel.

5 Bona fide tour operators are defined

as those permitted to operate by

management agencies such as the Great

Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority &

Queensland Parks & Wildlife.

6 A site is defined as the area designated by

the radius of the operator’s hookah hose,

which is determined by the position of the

vessel.

7 Explanatory signage will include reference

to this Stewardship Action Plan, fishery

management, best practice etc.

Aquarium fisheries have

a bad reputation in some

parts of the world. The


will help to separate the

Great Barrier Reef and Coral

Sea fisheries from those

that employ destructive

fishing practices.

“

”

Rene Jenson

[ Northern Barrier Marinelife ]


2 4

da

y t

o d

ay

op

er

at

ion

S

5.3 COlleCTIng FISH In THe QueenSlAnD MARIne AQuARIuM FISH FISHeRy & CORAl SeA FISHeRy

The dynamics of market demand dictates

the nature of the species distribution of

collected fish. The market demands species

variety and there are up to 1,500 species of

fish that may be collected with no single

species outstanding as a targeted species.

Damsel fish species are the most commonly

encountered species and are consequently

the most commonly collected, particularly

Chromis spp and Chrysiptera spp.

Seven species of anemone fish are now farmed

successfully in Australia by several providers.

Currently, around 80% of anemonefish in the

aquarium trade from Australia are sourced

in this way. Licensed Queensland Marine


collectors supply anemonefish broodstock

to fish farmers. Some collectors also provide

broodstock of high value species to the

Australian Institute of Marine Science for the

development of captive breeding technology,

with a view to commercialisation. Reference to

anemonefish in this Stewardship Action Plan

pertains to Amphiprion spp.

Collectors of fish in the Queensland Marine


are limited in their collection capacity

because fish are hand collected and possess

greater mobility than any diver. Many coral

reef fishes, including anemonefish, are cryptic

and some are never seen by divers; and many

others are unsuitable for market demand. The

primary limitation on fish collection overall is

outlined in Section 2.2 Context.

Collection strategies in this Stewardship

Action Plan apply to collection of

fish for supply of domestic retail and

international wholesale custom, which is the

overwhelming majority of collection activity.

Public display supply activity is sporadic and

can involve larger animals collected under

special permit. The strategies listed below do

not apply when collection is for the purpose

of supplying larger animals for public display.

Collection strategies are based on the best

available information and will be reviewed

as new information becomes available.

Strategies apply to reefs that are not

subject to stress determined by the

in situ assessment tabled in Part 6 of this



Breach Grade 1 2 3

5.3.i Signatories will target primarily juvenile and sub-adult fish specimens of long lived species, e.g. Pomacanthus spp8 (except anemonefish – see 5.3.iii).

70 140 210

5.3.ii When fish species live in schools and larger groups e.g. Pseudanthias spp. and Chromis spp., Signatories will collect no more than half of the fish from the group.

70 140 210

5.3.iii Signatories will only collect mated pairs of anemonefish from large solitary anemones,9 such as Heteractis magnifica.

70 140 210

5.3.iv Signatories will only collect juvenile and sub-adult anemonefish10 from anemones that arrange in beds, such as Entacmaea quadricolor subject to 5.3.v.

70 140 210

5.3.v Signatories will not collect anemonefish from an anemone that the collector assesses as stressed.

70 140 210

8 Natural mortality through predation appears high in these age cohorts relative to adult specimens.

Consequently collection is more easily absorbed in these cohorts.

9 Mated pairs of anemonefish are collected and the majority of juveniles are often left in the anemone. This allows

the largest juveniles to protect the anemone and does not adversely affect recruitment to the population.

10 Except when the anemone is also collected. When the anemone is left in situ, some fish will be left within the

anemone.

We feel confident that the


reassures the community

that we, as harvest divers

are moving forward to help

protect “the reef” for

everyone to enjoy!!

“

”

David Shkreli and Brad Jolly

[ Oz Reef Connections ]

Making my living from the

ocean I am always conscious

of what I am collecting and

that the collecting itself does

not deplete the resources

ability to restore and maintain

itself! My love of the ocean

and my ability to be in a

job I love, gives me a huge

incentive to make sure there

is always enough for my

tomorrow and my children’s

tomorrows.

“

”

John Daymond

[ John Daymond Marines ]


2 5

Divers typically use surface

air supply while collecting.

5.4 COlleCTIng CORAl In THe QueenSlAnD CORAl FISHeRy

The market demands high quality coral

specimens. Australian operations have high

overhead costs and must present premium

quality specimens to the market. There are

relatively few perfect pieces of suitable size

for the market and very few of any particular

species that are suitable for collection.

Collectors additionally vary collection areas

to include deeper water and inter-reefal areas

where dive time is extremely limited.

Collection strategies are based on the best

available information, gathered from both

collectors’ knowledge and formal research,

and will be reviewed as new information

becomes available. The strategies outlined

in this section are designed for collection

from healthy reef systems (refer to Part 6 for

strategies for reefs exhibiting stress from

coral bleaching).

Strategies apply specifically to species

identified in Queensland Primary Industries

& Fisheries’ Species Vulnerability Assessment

and Ecological Risk Assessment that feature

in the aquarium trade. This response is part

of the integrative approach to managing the

use of resources in the fisheries between

industry and the fishery and protected areas

management agencies.

Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries’

“Policy for the Management of the Coral

Fishery” refers to all corals not belonging to

the families Pocilloporidae or Acroporidae

as ‘Speciality Coral’. These corals are mostly

collected live for display in aquaria and

account for 30% of the Total Allowable Catch

for the fishery. The majority of corals targeted

for ornamental products are the fast-growing

and abundant species that belong to the

families Pocilloporidae and Acroporidae.

These are referred to as “Other Coral”

and form part of the balance of the Total

Allowable Catch along with Live Rock, which

is the major component, and Coral Rubble.


Breach Grade 1 2 3

5.4.i Wherever possible, Signatories collecting Specialty Coral that arrange in beds will primarily11 target specimens that are smaller than 30cm. This includes those that occur in inter-reefal areas e.g. Goniopora spp., Duncanopsamia spp., Catalaphyllia spp. and Trachyphyllia spp.

70 140 210

5.4.ii Wherever possible, Signatories collecting Specialty Coral that arrange singularly or in a roughly uniform manner will primarily12 target specimens that are smaller than 30cm. This includes Euphyllia spp. and Goniopora spp. and Plerogyra spp.

70 140 210

5.4.iii Wherever possible, Signatories collecting Other Coral will primarily13 target specimens that are smaller than 45cm.

70 140 210

5.4.iv Where anemones arrange in beds, such as Entacmaea quadricolor, Signatories will not collect anemones from beds that the collector assesses as stressed or bleached.

70 140 210

5.4. v Where anemones arrange individually, such as Heteractis magnifica, Signatories will not collect large to extra large specimens14 within Special Management Areas.

70 140 210

11 “primarily” refers to more than 50%

of collected specimens.





14 These species are elastic and may expand

and contract to a very large extent. It is

not feasible to nominate a specific linear

measurement. “Large to extra large” is an

industry standard based on the size of the

anemone when it is not responding to a

stimulus, such as feeding or in defence.


2 6

Manifestation of global climate change in

the region of the Great Barrier Reef and

Coral Sea is expected to include an increased

frequency and severity of coral bleaching;

increased frequency and intensity of tropical

storms, including cyclones; and increased

coastal flooding.

Coral bleaching is the main stress indicator

used for this Stewardship Action Plan as

storm damaged and flood affected reefs are

not favourable for viable collection activity.

Signatories assist with general monitoring

and management of the Great Barrier Reef by

completing Reef Health & Impact Summary

surveys to provide an annual baseline of reef

health at key collection sites. Completion of

Reef Health & Impact Summary by Signatories

is triggered by degrees of risk outlined in the

Coral Bleaching Response Plan and the Coral

Stress Response Plan.

Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys

collect information on key health parameters

such as algal and coral cover, physical

damage and coral disease. Surveys also

provide a means of capturing information on

the extent and severity of coral bleaching.

Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys are

the standard tool used by managers for

defining the level of stress on a given reef.

Once an area has been clearly impacted,

commonsense prevails and Signatories

routinely review their options and seek

potential alternative sites to collect from to

ensure they do not reduce the resilience of

an impacted area. However, bleaching does

not always affect an entire site. For example,

under some circumstances it may be very

patchy, it may affect only a few species

present or it may be limited to

shallow waters.

Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys

provide a mechanism for Signatories to

continue with reduced levels (low risk

species and low impact activities only) of

collecting at low or moderately stressed sites.

The surveys provide managers with site-

specific information (often from places not

visited by others) to better inform decision-

making as an event progresses. The level of

stress determined by doing the survey also

triggers the appropriate harvest response for

Signatories.

Signatories to this Stewardship Action Plan

will be guided by the principles outlined

in Section 6.1 in adjusting collection

practices according to the occurrence and

severity of the bleaching events. Detailed

and enforceable strategies are described in

Section 6.2.

The objectives for Part 6 of the Stewardship

Action Plan are to:

n Ensure that Signatories register

the location and assessment of

the severity of coral bleaching

encountered.

n Ensure that Signatories report

the location and assessment of

the severity of coral bleaching to

the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Authority.

n Ensure that Signatories adopt

stipulated collection strategies

commensurate with the degree of

coral bleaching assessed at the site.

Pa r t 6

Responding to Climate Change

cl

ima

te

ch

an

ge

Part 6 of the Stewardship Action Plan exposes Signatories to complaint and the complaints handling process, including the allocation

of sanctions, that is described in Part 4 of this Stewardship Action Plan. Signatories agree to abide by the strategies outlined herein.

Complainants must identify a numbered section within this Part when reporting an alleged breach.

Scientists predict that global

climate change will result in greater

frequency of coral bleaching.


will help hobbyists to choose

the animals they buy at the

shop on the basis of the least

impact on the environment.

“

”

Cadel Squire [ Cairns Marine ]


2 7

Climate change

presents many

challenges to our

Great Barrier Reef.

This initiative assists

those charged with

its protection to

more effectively

monitor changes to

reef condition.


2 8

15 A site is defined as the area designated by the radius of the operator’s hookah hose, which is determined by

the position of the vessel.

re

Sp

on

din

g t

o c

lim

at

e c

ha

ng

e

6.2 ReSPOnSe PlAn FOR BleACHeD envIROnMenTS

Class of stress upon bleached reef

environments will be determined by a visual

assessment by the Signatory in accordance

with the table in Section 6.1.

Coral bleaching is triggered by prolonged

increased sea surface temperatures. Prior

to each summer an assessment is made as

part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Authority’s Coral Bleaching Response Plan

Early Warning System (http://poama.bom.gov.

au/) and Queensland Primary Industries

& Fisheries’ Coral Stress Response Plan

(see Attachment I). If the risk is assessed as

high by this early warning system, the Coral

Bleaching Response Plan will be triggered.

At this point, Signatories will conduct Reef

Health & Impact Summary surveys (see

Attachment II) to provide a baseline of reef

health at their key collection sites that fall in

the predicted high risk area.

In recognition that coral bleaching may be

patchily distributed within a reef complex

or even within a site15, Signatories will adopt

the following collection strategies. Note

that collectors will generally start to look at

minimising their business risks and look for a

range of other locations when an area show

signs of being impacted.

Stress Depth Indicator

Light <10% of corals impacted

<2m Patchily bleached corals

2-5m No apparent stress

>5m No apparent stress

Moderate 10%-50% of corals impacted

<2m Light or yellowish bleached corals

2-5m Patchily bleached corals

>5m No apparent stress

Heavy >50% of corals impacted

<2m Totally bleached white corals/dead coral with algae

2-5m Light or yellowish bleached corals

>5m Patchily bleached corals

6.1 ASSeSSIng BleACHeD envIROnMenTS

Signatories to the Stewardship Action Plan

will assess the extent of stress that collection

environments are subject to following a

bleaching event by completing Reef Health

& Impact Summary surveys and forwarding

these to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Authority. The frequency of surveys will

be determined by agreement with the

Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries

Task Force.

As the structure and dynamics of coral reefs

vary according to a range of environmental

parameters, the guide table below is

deliberately broad and is designed to assist

Signatories to determine which designated

collection strategy to adopt. Note that the

bleaching indicators are consistent with

those detailed in Great Barrier Reef Marine

Park Authority’s BleachWatch Program.

The BleachWatch program helps

reef managers to monitor bleaching

through community participation.


2 9

6.2.1 light Stress Penalty Points

Breach Grade 1 2 3

6.2.1.i Reef sites assessed as lightly stressed from coral bleaching should be reported as quickly as possible to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys should be completed to document relative reef health at the site.

50 50 50

6.2.1.ii Signatories should not collect whole or part colonies of coral that exhibit signs of stress.

60 120 180

6.2.1.iii Signatories should not collect any specimens in depths less than two metres at these sites.

60 120 180

6.2.1.iv Signatories should not collect anemonefish from stressed anemones at any depth.

60 120 180

6.2.2 Moderate Stress Penalty Points

Breach Grade 1 2 3

6.2.2.i Reef sites assessed as moderately stressed from coral bleaching should be reported as quickly as possible to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys should be completed to document relative reef health at the site.

60 60 60

6.2.2.ii Signatories should not collect whole or part colonies of coral that exhibit signs of stress.

80 160 240

6.2.2.iii Signatories should not collect any specimens in depths less than five metres at these sites.

80 160 240

6.2.2.iv Signatories should not collect anemonefish from stressed anemones at any depth.

80 160 240

6.2.2.v Signatories should not collect herbivorous/grazing species that control algal growth in coral habitats (e.g. parrot fish, rabbit fish, surgeon fish, and urchins)16 at any depth.

80 160 240

6.2.3 Heavy Stress Penalty Points

Breach Grade 1 2 3

6.2.3.i Reef sites assessed as heavily stressed from coral bleaching should be reported as quickly as possible to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority17.

70 70 70

6.2.3.ii Signatories should not collect from sites that are heavily stressed from coral bleaching

100 200 300

Signatories may decide to continue to

collect in sites assessed as impacted by

coral bleaching, subject to the limitations

outlined below. By participating in Reef

Health & Impact Summary surveys at these

sites, Signatories provide the Coral Stress

Response Plan Taskforce with case-by-case

decision making information that will guide

management action, if any, for that site.

This is the only fishery

anywhere that has proactively

devised operating strategies

and monitoring and reporting

protocols for events linked to

climate change.

“

”

Tracy Bell

[ Pacific Marine Aquarium Fish ]

16 Strategy may be reviewed following

research into the roaming behaviour of

herbivores in the event of coral bleaching.

17 Signatories may choose to contribute to

monitoring at such sites, for information

purposes only.

Our fisheries add value to

conservation of marine

life through education and

awareness. Monitoring

and reporting through the


indicates that that value

begins to be added at the very

start of the supply chain.

“

”

Ben Thompson

[ Marine Life Queensland ]


3 0

The role of Pro-vision Reef will be to identify

opportunities for continuous improvement

in operational efficiency and environmental

performance in the fisheries. This will include:

7.1 COllABORATIOn

Pro-vision Reef will work collaboratively with

officers from Queensland Primary Industries

& Fisheries, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Authority, Queensland Parks & Wildlife and

Australian Fisheries Management Authority

to ensure that fishery management and

fishery operations are responsive to changes

in environmental and market conditions.

Pro-vision Reef will continue to facilitate

industry involvement in the development

of a co-management model for the


and Queensland Coral Fishery.

Pro-vision Reef will collaborate with bona fide

research institutions to validate stipulated

collection strategies to ensure that the

Stewardship Action Plan continuously

improves worlds best practice aquarium

specimen supply.

7.2 ADDReSS lOCAlISeD ISSueS

Pro-vision Reef will implement appropriate

voluntary action in response to localised

environmental concerns, such as those

addressed in Part 6 – Coral Bleaching.

Such voluntary action may include, at the

discretion of the Pro-vision Reef executive

in consultation with local operators and

fishery & protected areas managers,

Memoranda of Understanding that entail

spatial and temporal closure; industry led

monitoring programs with relevant data to be

independently stored at the Great Barrier Reef

Marine Park Authority to be made publicly

available following collaborative analysis and

reporting; and other conditions as deemed

suitable.

7.3 THIRD PARTy ACCReDITATIOn OF FISHeRy OPeRATIOnS

Pro-vision Reef will facilitate third party

accreditation for Signatories to the

Stewardship Action Plan to ensure that

there is a discernible and tangible point of

differentiation between Signatories and non-

Signatories; and that Signatories’ collection

standards are maintained over time.

Pa r t 7

The Role of Pro -vision Reef Inc

th

e r

ol

e o

F p

ro

-viS

ion

re

eF

inc

I love working in the sea and I

take pride in undertaking my

work at the highest standards

of environmental stewardship.

I hope the Stewardship Action

Plan encourages other

fisheries both in Australia

and elsewhere to define

best-practice and to

implement it.

“

”

Alex Tindall [ Tindall Marine ]


3 1

7.4 IMPleMenT envIROnMenTAl MAnAgeMenT SySTeM

The Stewardship Action Plan will be

complemented by an Environmental

Management System that will identify

environmental risk through all aspects of

operation from frontline management and

key enterprise personnel to skippers, vessel

owners, deckhands and divers.

The Environmental Management System will

establish individual benchmarks that can be

improved upon and measured. It does not

favour operations of a certain scale more than

another, thereby enabling each participant an

opportunity to contribute to the positioning

of the fishery in the market and in the minds

of the community.

Participants in these fisheries are vastly

disparate in terms of capital investment,

staffing and the areas within the market

they supply. However, the Environmental

Management System is equally applicable.

The Environmental Management System

will document and record information in

an industry recognised reporting format to

facilitate internal review or third party audit.

7.5 DevelOP An InDuSTRy SPeCIFIC DIve CODe

In addition to the Environmental

Management System, the Stewardship

Action Plan will also be complemented by an

Aquarium Supply Diving Code of Practice that

is specific to the aquarium supply industry.

The Dive Code will feature best practice in

equipment choice and deployment and

in situ animal husbandry, including the

treatment of barotrauma. The Dive Code

will supplement the Workplace Health and

Safety requirements and will be tailored more

specifically towards the marine aquarium

supply industry.

7.6 IMPleMenT A COMMunICATIOn STRATegy

Pro-vision Reef will develop a communication

plan to inform the community and the market

both Australia wide and internationally of the

provenance model within which Signatories

to the Stewardship Action Plan operate. The

communication plan will promote consumer

choice in favour of product sourced through

Stewardship Action Plan Signatories and will

name Signatories such that those operators

receive a market advantage over those

that choose not to become Signatories. In

addition the communication plan will alert

the community adjacent the fishery area

of the standards practiced by Stewardship

Action Plan Signatories, a benefit that will not

be accessible to non-Signatories.

7.7 COMMunITy AnD COnSuMeR AwAReneSS

Copies of the Stewardship Action Plan will

be distributed to the community through

the regional Natural Resource Management

organisations that are adjacent to the fishery

area. Copies of the Stewardship Action

Plan will also be distributed to the major

consumer organisation for products arising

from this fishery. Signatories are urged to

refer the Pro-vision Reef website to retail

clients, drawing attention to the Stewardship

Action Plan.

Careful management of the

aquarium fishery will ensure

that future generations will

always be able to view these

wonderful creatures in their

natural habitat. Marine

species that are collected

responsibly will allow people

who are unable to dive to

continue enjoying them in

their home aquariums or in

public displays.

“

”

Barrie Monkman

[ Aquarium fish collector ]

It is incumbent on everyone

to respond to the challenge

of global climate change.

As an industry, we have an

obligation to contribute

to the resilience of the reefs

from which we make

our living.

“

”

Heath, Bruce and

John Bezuidenhaut

[ Salty Pets ]


3 2

Atkinson, M., Kerrigan, B., Roelofs, A. and Smith, T. 2008. Non-Detriment Finding for

CITES-listed corals in the Queensland Coral Fishery. A case study presented

to the International Expert Workshop on CITES Non-Detriment Findings,

Cancun, Mexico, November 17th to 22nd, 2008.

Bartley, D. 2000. Responsible Ornamental Fisheries. FAO Aquaculture Newsletter, Issue 24.

Dr. Alex Ploeg, pers. comm., 2009. Secretary General, Ornamental Fish International

Fazantenkamp 5, NL-3607 CA Maarssen, The Netherlands.

Falk, J.H., Reinhard, E.M., Vernon, C.L., Bronnenkant, K., Deans, N.L. & Heimlich, J.E. 2007.

Why Zoos & Aquariums Matter: Assessing the Impact of a Visit. Association of

Zoos & Aquariums. Silver Spring, MD.

Hill, M. 2006. Contribution of the Pet Care Industry to the Australian Economy (6th edition). A

report by BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd for the Australian Companion Animal Council

Incorporated.

Roelofs, A & Silcock, R 2008. A sustainability assessment of marine fish species collected

in the Queensland marine aquarium trade, Queensland Primary Industries

and Fisheries, Brisbane.

Roelofs, A & Silcock, R 2008. A vulnerability assessment of coral taxa collected in the

Queensland Coral Fishery, Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries,

Brisbane.

Roelofs, A 2008. Ecological Risk Assessment of the Queensland Coral Fishery, Queensland

Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.

Roelofs, A 2008. Ecological Risk Assessment of the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish

Fishery, Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.

Bibliography

BiB

lio

gr

ap

hy


3 3

Attachment 1. Integrated Coral Stress Monitoring and Response

at

tac

hm

en

t

R E P L A C E


3 4

Attachment 2. Reef Health & Impac t Summar y

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www.pro-visionreef.org

Keeping and caring for ornamental fish is a global phenomenon. Freshwater specimens

account for the overwhelming majority of species involved in the trade. However, the availability

of inexpensive self-contained saltwater filtration systems has seen significant growth in the

popularity of keeping marine specimens in colourful mini-reef displays.

The global trade in marine specimens accounts for about 10% of the total ornamental fish

trade with the vast majority of specimens sourced from the archipelagos of Indonesia and

the Philippines. However, it is in the supply of marine species that Australia can announce its

credentials as a supplier of quality specimens collected according to the highest standards

of resource stewardship.

This Stewardship Action Plan complements the comprehensive and continuously improving

fisheries management and regulation that applies in Australia. It establishes a uniform standard

of operational efficiency and environmental performance in aquarium specimen supply.

Importantly, it links with Australian government efforts to reduce the impacts of global climate

change on our iconic Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. This custodial approach to marine

resource use establishes Australia’s marine aquarium industry as a world leader in this field.

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StewardShip action plan - Home - GBRMPA · 2011-07-13 · StewardShip action plan A statement of operational standards and climate change contingency planning ... Phil Woodhead, [email protected]