Research

RECREATIONAL FISHING RESEARCH PROJECT

The Department of Primary Industries and Water has commissioned Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) to assess the size and importance of Tasmania's recreational fisheries.

The research is being funded through a Fishwise Community Grant with sea fishing licence fees being used to improve recreational fishing. The research project follows on from a national recreational fishing survey in 2000-01, which showed that Tasmania had the second highest participation rate in recreational fishing with almost one in three Tasmanians fishing at least once a year.

The results will be used to help guide sustainable fisheries management by giving a clearer picture of recreational fishing participation rates, catch and effort by species, fishing method and area, demographic profiles of fishers and expenditure on fishing activities.

Project schedule

• October - November 2007: random telephone survey of 5,000 Tasmanian households
• December 2007 - November 2008: selected fishers to keep 12-month recreational fishing diary
• December 2008: telephone survey of on awareness of and attitudes to fisheries issues
• January 2009 - mid 2009: information from all sources to be analysed and the results released.

See the DPIW web site for further details.

RECREATIONAL LOBSTER FISHERY

A socio-economic study of the Tasmanian recreational lobster fishery has started in September 2007. The study is part of a PhD project funded by the University of Tasmania and the Department of Primary Industries and Water. Assistance is also provided by the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI). Contact Sven Frijlink on 6265 7310 for further details.

REDMAP PROJECT

The CCC REDMAP Project will commence in January 2009 and is an initiative of Dr Gretta Pecl of TAFI (Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute. Climate change is leading to redistribution of marine species and is thus altering ecosystem dynamics as species either extend their geographic ranges polewards with warming waters. This is a major, immediate challenge confronting our marine environments and fisheries policy and decision makers. The project will build a web-based on-line database and mapping capability where members of the public can submit data on catches/observations of species that may be undergoing range shifts and/or expansions along the coastal waters of Tasmania. To find out more about the project click here.

ROCK LOBSTER TRANSLOCATION TRIAL

The Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) have commenced a trial that involves moving rock lobster from waters near Matsuyker Island in the South West to sites around Tasmania. Around 2000 rock lobster were moved to each site. The trial aims to increase rock lobster growth and yield throughout Tasmania by moving undersized rock lobster from deep water for sea ranching in shallow water.

Rock lobster in deep water are pale, have slower growth, but are more abundant than rock lobster in inshore shallow water. In early results, survival has been high, growth has increased and colour has changed from pale to red within 6 months. The long term benefits of translocation include, higher catches, more large rock lobster and higher egg production.

Translocated rock lobster are identified using either a pink or white tag, whileall other tagged rock lobster carry a yellow tag. If you catch a tagged rock lobster, please help the research by sending the following details to Crustacean Research, Tasmanian Aquaculture & Fisheries Institute, Reply Paid 252, Hobart, 7001. No Postage Stamp Required.

Tag Number, Carapace Length in mm, Date it was caught, Gender (Male/Female), Whether it was measured with callipers (Y/N), and where it was caught. For more info contact TAFI on 03 6227 7274. Bi-monthly prizes are on offer for returned tag details.

TASMANIAN SOUTHERN ROCK LOBSTER NATIONAL COASTAL CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

The Commonwealth Depart of Climate Change has commenced a project proposal for a case study to assess climate change impacts on southern rock lobster productivity (Tasmanian East Coast) and the implications for adaptive capacity of governments. The project is one of six case studies being undertaken for the National Coastal Change Vulnerability Assessment that investigate key policy and governance issues in the coastal zone arising from climate change impacts. The main aim of the case study is to investigate the key socio-economic risks and improve understanding of government policy responses to climate change. An initial draft report was presented to stakeholders in November 2008.

Further information can be obtained from the Department of Climate Change