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c h a p t e r 1 6

16 Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster FisheryP Ward, m rodgers and c Perks

F i g u r e 1 6 .1 Management area of the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery

c h a p t e r 1 6 Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery 295

ta B l e 1 6 .1 Status of the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery

Fishery status 2008 2009 Comments

Biological status Overfishing Overfished Overfishing Overfished

Tropical rock lobster(Panulirus ornatus)

Spawning stock biomass above target level. Fishing mortality rate well below the target. Poor fishing and economic conditions contributed to reduced fishing effort and catches in 2009.

Economic statusFishery level

Estimates of net economic returns not available Economic conditions in the fishery have worsened. Total net economic returns are likely to be low.

not overfiShed / not Subject to overfiShing overfiShed / overfiShing uncertain not aSSeSSed

ta B l e 1 6 . 2 Main features and statistics of the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery

Feature Description

Key target and byproduct species

Tropical rock lobster (Panulirus ornatus)

Other byproduct species Other tropical rock lobsters (Panulirus spp.). Less than 1% of the catch comprises other lobster species, mainly P. versicolor.Pearl oysters (Pinctada spp.)

Fishing methods Hand-held implement (snare, net or spear) on shallow reef flats at night; free-diving or with the use of hookah gear during the day

Primary landing ports Thursday Island, Cairns, Daru Island (PNG), Yule Island (PNG)

Management methods Input controls: hookah-gear ban (December–January), commercial fishing ban (October–November), and spring-tide hookah closures for a week around either the full or new moon each month (whichever has the highest tidal range)Output controls: minimum size limit (≥115 mm tail length or ≥90 mm carapace length) to protect pre-recruits and newly recruited lobsters; a bag limit of three lobsters per person or six lobsters per dinghy for traditional and recreational fishers; nominal TAC

Management plan A management plan is being developed and the PZJA Standing Committee is reviewing interim management arrangements.

Harvest strategy A harvest strategy approach is being trialled.

Consultative forums Torres Strait Fisheries Management Advisory Committee (TSFMAC), Torres Strait Scientific Advisory Committee (TSSAC), Tropical Rock Lobster Resource Assessment Group (TRLRAG), Tropical Rock Lobster Working Group (TRLWG)

Main markets Domestic: live lobsters and frozen tailsInternational: United States (frozen tails), China (live lobsters)

EPBC Act assessments:—listed species (Part 13)—international movement of wildlife specimens (Part 13A)

Current accreditation dated 22 November 2007Current accreditation (Wildlife Trade Operation) expires 23 November 2010

Ecological risk assessment Level 1: Scale, Intensity, Consequence Analysis (SICA) completed on 91 species (Furlani et al. 2007)Level 2: Productivity Susceptibility Analysis (PSA)—noneLevel 3: Sustainability Assessment for Fishing Effects (SAFE)—noneEcological risk management report (AFMA 2009)

Bycatch workplans None

Table 16.2 continues over the page

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1 6 . 1 B a c k g r o u n d

The Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery (TSTRLF) was the most valuable fishery in the Torres Strait in 2009 and provides significant economic opportunities for Torres Strait Islanders. Torres Strait Islanders fish traditionally and commercially (Traditional Inhabitant boat—TIB—licences) on local reefs and on more distant reefs. Their fishing trips usually last one day. Growth of the non-Islander sector of the fishery has been capped for more than two decades (Table 16.3). A small fleet of non-Islander freezer vessels (transferable vessel holder—TVH—licences) travels to the fishing grounds. Their trips last from a few days to several weeks. Lobsters from the Torres

Feature Description

Fishery statisticsa 2008 fishing season 2009 fishing season

Fishing season 1 December 2007–30 September 2008 (commercial)

1 December 2008–30 September 2009 (commercial)

TAC Nominal TAC of 751 t live weight Nominal TAC of 484 t live weight (304 t for the Australian sector)

Catch (live weight):—Australia—PNG

297 t (TVH—111 t, TIB—186 t)352 t

228 t (TVH— 99 t, TIB—129 t)114 tb

Effort: AustraliaTVH: 1323 tender days 809 operation daysTIB: 4564 tender days

PNG: 1232 tender days

AustraliaTVH: 1281 tender days 719 operation daysTIB: 3146 tender days

PNG: 1415 tender days

Fishing licences 12 TVH licences (with 25 tenders), 333 TIB licences, 8 PNG freezer vessel licencesHundreds of PNG dinghies and canoes fish unrestricted from coastal villages

13 TVH licences (with 34 tenders), TIB licences = n.a., 6 PNG freezer vessel licencesHundreds of PNG dinghies and canoes fish unrestricted from coastal villages

Active vessels TVH: 13TIB: 357PNG: 6

TVH: 10TIB: 279PNG: 3

Observer coverage Zero Zero

Real gross value of production (2008–09 dollars)

2007–08: $9.72 million 2008–09: $6.94 million

Allocated management costs n.a. n.a.

EPBC Act = Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; PNG = Papua New Guinea; PZJA = Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority; TAC = total allowable catch; TIB = Traditional Inhabitant boat; TVH = transferable vessel holder; n.a. not available

a Fishery statistics are provided by fishing season unless otherwise indicatedb This figure will be reviewed in 2010.

ta B l e 1 6 . 2 Main features and statistics of the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery C O N T I N U E D

Strait stock are also fished in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) area of jurisdiction in the Torres Strait and to the north-east around Yule Island. The southern extension of the stock is fished commercially off north-east Queensland as far south as 14˚S (Fig. 16.1).

Unlike temperate and subtropical rock lobsters (P. cygnus and Jasus spp.), tropical rock lobsters do not enter baited traps. Most lobsters are caught by divers with spears, or are caught alive by hand or with snares during the day. Divers usually work in pairs from dinghies (tenders or service vessels) that are about five metres long. They either free-dive or use hookah gear, which supplies the diver with compressed air through a hose from the vessel (Table 16.2). Free-divers work in waters to about four metres deep; hookah

c h a p t e r 1 6 Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery 297

divers work in waters to about 20 metres deep. However, some fishers take lobster by hand-held net or spear while pulling their dinghies across shallow reef flats at night in areas where lobsters emerge to forage.

The majority of product is marketed as frozen tails. There is some trade in live lobsters, which began in the mid-1990s to service lucrative export markets and a small

domestic market. Handling and shipping of live lobsters require more sophisticated transport infrastructure than handling frozen tails, and there is always a risk of lobsters dying between the point of harvest and the market. There is increasing interest among the TIB and TVH sectors in using alternative methods to shipboard tanks, such as submerged cages, to hold live lobsters at sea.

ta B l e 1 6 . 3 History of the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery

Year Description

1960s Commercial fishing for tropical rock lobster began in the Torres Strait.

1970s to 1980s Some trawl catches of tropical rock lobster, with most catch taken in PNG waters.

1984 Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 determined. Trawling for lobsters banned to protect the breeding migration.

1985 Torres Strait Treaty ratified by Australia and PNG.

1986 Australian catches peaked at 914 t live weight.

1988 Minimum size implemented (100 mm tail length).

1989 Baseline abundance and age-composition survey of tropical rock lobster conducted.

1990 Beginning of annual mid-season fishery-independent surveys.

1990s Introduction of a closure from October to November to prevent fishing using hookah gear.

1997 Logbooks made compulsory for TVH operators.

2001 Australia reported a catch of 116 t, the lowest on record. Minimum legal length of lobsters increased from 100 mm to 115 mm tail length. Hookah closure extended from October to January.

2002 October–November hookah closure extended to all methods of commercial fishing.

2003 30% tender reduction on TVH vessels implemented; this measure has been reintroduced annually. Moon-tide hookah closure introduced for one week during peak spring tide each month as an interim arrangement; this measure has been reintroduced annually.

2005 TRLRAG established. Fishery-independent pre-season survey introduced to support the development of a proposed quota-based management system.

2007 13 TVH vessel licences and 29 associated non-Islander licence tenders voluntarily surrendered in an open-tender process to meet Australia’s obligations under the Torres Strait Treaty.

2008 TRLRAG agreed to a new weight-conversion factor of 2.677 for converting lobster tail weight to live weight.

2009 New stock assessment model introduced. PNG cross-endorsed vessels took up option under the Torres Strait Treaty to fish in Australian waters for the first time since 2002.

PNG = Papua New Guinea; TRLRAG = Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Resource Assessment Group; TVH = transferable vessel holder

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continue, may have also affected effort. Economic drivers such as high fuel prices and a downturn in the export market are also likely to contribute to reduced effort.

PNG reported a catch of 114 t, or 33% of the total reported catch for the fishery, which is within the normal range (PNG catch represents, on average, 20–35% of the total Torres Strait catch). The PNG fishery had a nominal TAC of 180 t. Following discussions at the 2009 resource assessment group meeting, the 2008 PNG catch was revised to 352 t (up from initial reports of 41 t). PNG fishers are not obliged to provide records of catch and effort, although catch data are recorded by fish receivers, and some operators do provide catch records. As for the Australian fleet, PNG fishers may be constrained by poor fishing and economic conditions.

PNG was granted cross-endorsement for six primary vessels to fish in Australian waters during the 2009 fishing season. They took up this option and fished in Australian waters for the first time since 2002. PNG is proposing to review its lobster fishery management plan, which was introduced in 2002, but this review did not occur in 2009.

The PZJA has agreed that the existing 2009 management arrangements be carried over into 2010. It has also agreed to a 30% tender reduction for TVH fishers for 2010.

There was no pre-season survey in 2009; therefore, no final TAC (which is based on the pre-season survey) will be calculated for 2010. However, the provisional TAC for 2010 will be the same as for 2009. Mid-season surveys are again proposed for the 2010 fishing season.

Tropical rock lobster production in the fishery fell in 2008–09 for the fourth consecutive year, to 240 t, a 29% reduction from 2007–08 production. Real gross value of production (GVP) also decreased for the fourth consecutive year, to $6.9 million (Fig. 16.2). After three years of consecutive rises, real prices remained steady in 2008–09 averaging $27.79 per kilogram.

1 6 . 2 h a rv e s t s t r at e g y

The Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy (HSP; DAFF 2007) is not prescribed for fisheries jointly managed by the Australian Government and other management agencies (domestic or international). Although the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) has asked its management forums to provide advice on the application of the HSP to Torres Strait fisheries, there is currently no formal harvest strategy in effect for the TSTRLF. However, one is currently in development and is expected to be completed during 2010. The four fishery-specific parameters—BLIM, BTARG, FLIM and FTARG—have been defined. The harvest control rule consists of a constant exploitation rate (FTARG

= 0.15 per year) while the stock size is above BTARG (= SBMSY), and an exploitation rate that falls linearly to zero as the stock declines to the 0.2SB limit. The limit fishing mortality was set at FMSY. In addition, a maximum total allowable catch (TAC) of 1200 t was defined as a precautionary measure to prevent extremely high fishing pressure.

With the introduction of the new stock assessment model, and its inherent assumptions and estimates of uncertainty, the proposed harvest strategy would benefit from a management strategy evaluation.

1 6 . 3 t h e 2 0 0 9 F i s h e ry

key target and byproduct speciesCatches in 2009 were below those recorded in 2008 (Table 16.2), following the decreasing catch trend since 2007. The Australian fishery recorded a preliminary catch of 228 t, 25% below the nominal Australian TAC of 304 t. The TIB Sector reported a greater catch than the TVH Sector, by approximately 30 t. Lower stock abundance and economic conditions contributed to reduced fishing effort and catches in 2009. Uncertainty about future management arrangements, as discussions on the management plan

c h a p t e r 1 6 Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery 299

1998−99 2000−01 2002−03 2004−05 2006−07 2008−090

5

10

15

20

Figure 16.2 GVP: Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery, TS

GV

P (

2008

−09

A$

mill

ion

)

F i g u r e 1 6 . 2 TSTRLF real GVP, by financial year, 1997–98 to 2008–09

SOURCE: ABARE–BRS (unpublished data).

minor byproduct speciesOther lobster species, mainly P. versicolor, and pearl oysters (Pinctada spp.) are a minor byproduct of the TSTRLF. Pearl oysters have been reported in catches in recent years.

1 6 . 4 B i o l o g i c a l s tat u s

troPical rock lobSter(Panulirus ornatus)

LINE DRAWING: KARINA HANSEN

ta B l e 1 6 . 4 Biology of tropical rock lobster

Parameter Description

General In spring each year, 2–3 year-old lobsters emigrate from the Torres Strait to breed. Tagging shows that some lobsters move north-east into the Gulf of Papua while they are becoming sexually mature. Some move as far as the eastern Gulf of Papua where, for a few months each summer, they are targeted in a seasonal fishery around Yule Island. Studies have concluded that nearly all post-emigration lobsters would die at the end of the summer breeding season from the combined stresses of emigration and breeding.

Range Species: Widely distributed throughout the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. In Australia, they are found throughout tropical northern waters and generally as far south as North West Cape (Ningaloo Reef region) and Sydney.Stock: The assessment covers the main Australian and PNG fishing grounds—waters less than 25 m deep, in the area west of 142°E to Warrior Reef and 142.9°E in the east, from the southern PNG coastline southwards along the Queensland coastline to 10.8°S.

Depth Generally found in seabed holes or crevices in shallow reefs or the deeper areas between reefs to depths of about 50 m, but occasionally reported from deeper waters.

Longevity 3–5+ years, although individuals older than 3 years are rare in the Torres Strait, due to the annual emigration of 2–3-year-old lobsters to breeding grounds.

Maturity (50%) age: 2–3 yearsSize: ~100 mm CL

Spawning season

Eastern Torres Strait and eastern Gulf of Papua: November–March. Mature females brood 2–4 clutches of 300 000–750 000 eggs. The eggs hatch after about one month. The planktonic larval stage lasts 4–6 months, before recruiting to shallow habitats of the Torres Strait and coastal Queensland. Dispersal is thought to be largely influenced by the Coral Sea Gyre.

Size Maximum: At least 150 mm CL. Fast growing, attaining 40–60 mm CL at 1 year of age. Recruitment into the fishery: The minimum legal size is 90 mm CL or 115 mm tail length. Lobsters typically reach this size in the Torres Strait between 1 and 2 years of age. Most lobsters taken in the fishery have tails weighing 250–450 g, corresponding to a whole-lobster weight of about 625–1100 g. Some lobsters remain in the Torres Strait for an additional year, and tails of 1000 g are often reported.

CL = carapace length

SOURCE: MacFarlane & Moore (1986); Kailola et al. (1993); Skewes et al. (1997).

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levels will be close to the preliminary final TAC if the PNG reported catch is at levels similar to those in 2008.

In 2009 the stock is assessed as not overfished (Table 16.1) because the spawning stock biomass is estimated to be at 56% of the initial (1973) level, which is well above the 20% biomass limit. The fishery is assessed as not subject to overfishing because the average fishing mortality rate is 6% per year, which is less than half the 13% limit (Plagányi et al. 2009). Fishing effort is at historically low levels due to factors other than stock abundance.

reliability of the assessment/sPlagányi et al. (2009) considered the estimates of reference points to be preliminary because the new model requires further testing and development. The base-case estimate of depletion (current spawning biomass at 56% of the initial biomass) had 90% confidence intervals of 39–72% of the initial biomass. Depletion estimates ranged from 50% to 94% for various sensitivity runs, which included non-reporting of catches, stock–recruitment variability and length-at-age scenarios. Model estimates of stock–recruitment steepness (0.27–0.31) seem low for this short-lived species, but are similar to steepness estimates for prawns in the Northern Prawn Fishery. Low steepness suggests that management should maintain a larger spawning biomass with low yields (Plagányi et al. 2009). The proportion of 0+ year-old lobsters that settle in PNG waters and the proportion that migrate from Australian to PNG as they get older are uncertain. This information is necessary for estimating the percentage of the Torres Strait stock originating in PNG waters. Queensland catches are not included in the assessment. Incorrect assumptions on mixing, stock relationships and catch levels may lead to under- or over-estimation of biomass. Concerns remain, over illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, and localised depletion in PNG waters due to unconstrained artisanal fishing effort (Table 16.2).

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009

Figure 16.3 Catch: tropical rock lobster, TS

Papua New GuineaAustralia

Cat

ch (

tho

usa

nd

to

nn

es, l

ive

wei

gh

t)

F i g u r e 1 6 . 3 Tropical rock lobster catch history, 1978 to 2009

stock status determinationThe 2009 assessment involved a new, integrated, age-structured stock assessment model (Plagányi et al. 2009). It used annual fishery-independent survey data (including the 2008 mid-year and pre-season surveys) and commercial catch data, which extended back to 1973. Abundance indices derived from surveys were checked against catch rates reported by the non-Islander sector since 1989. The new model used a Beverton–Holt stock–recruitment relationship, with an estimated low steepness value.

The model estimated a preliminary TAC of 450 t for the fishery, which was substantially lower than the final TAC for 2007 (835 t) and 2008 (751 t). However, this was not unexpected because the preliminary TAC must be conservative and because of low stock abundance in 2006 and subsequent poor recruitment. The 2008 mid-year and pre-season surveys showed a low abundance of recruiting (1+ year-old) and fished (2+ year-old) lobsters. The abundance of recently settled (0+ year-old) lobsters was slightly higher than in the previous year, suggesting prospects for improved recruitment after 2009.

The fishery recorded a catch of 342 t in 2009 (Fig. 16.3), which was about 100 t less than the preliminary final TAC. The PNG catch may be underestimated. Catch

c h a p t e r 1 6 Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery 301

and are significantly larger than those in the south-east and south-west (Table 16.4).

The 2007 stock assessment estimated the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) to be 700 t (live weight). This was an increase of 60 t on the estimate provided in 2006. At the close of the 2007 fishing season, the spawning stock biomass was estimated to be above the level required to support MSY. Overall, the results of the 2007 stock assessment indicated that the 2007 spawning stock and the number of 2+ year-old lobsters were higher than in 2006.

Future assessment needsCurrent data deficiencies in the assessment include uncertainties in catch data for the TIB sector and PNG. Catch reporting is voluntary in the TIB sector (although fish receivers may keep records through the voluntary docket book system), and little is known about the level and location of TIB fishing effort. The PNG catch and effort data are provided mainly by two companies and therefore represent only part of the catch. Records from PNG fish receivers are also used to help estimate the PNG catch. The accuracy of the catch and effort data directly influences the reliability of the stock assessment and the subsequent estimation of TACs.

previous assessment/sA baseline survey of the population was conducted in 1989. Subsequent annual surveys of abundance and age composition have provided fishery-independent estimates of stock size, of the relative abundance of recruits that would comprise target stocks in the following year, and of potential yield. The annual surveys are conducted in May–June (mid-season) to measure the abundance of recruiting (1+ year-old) and fished (2+ year-old) lobsters in the Torres Strait. To support the introduction of a quota-based management system, an additional fishery-independent, pre-season survey was introduced in 2005. The trials over the past four years show that the pre-season survey provided the most reliable information for the setting of a TAC. The running of the mid-season and pre-season surveys are subject to ongoing review.

The surveys highlight a poor stock–recruitment relationship and variability in adult abundance. Annual recruitment varies both temporally and spatially. Analyses of size-frequency data have shown that growth rates can differ by more than 10% between years, and up to 40% between different areas of the Torres Strait. For example, lobsters in the north-western Torres Strait grow faster

Tropical rock lobster tails on ice PHOTO: KATE DUNKERLEY, AFMA

Tropical rock lobsters PHOTO: AFMA

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overall economic performanceLittle information is available on the TSTRLF. However, Figure 16.4 shows the price per kilogram of tropical rock lobster and the quantity caught. Prices have increased by 28% since 2005–06, but quantities caught have fallen by 60%, and the result is a 48% decrease in revenues. Unless operating costs have fallen by more than 48%, it would appear that economic conditions in the TSTRLF have deteriorated since the last survey.

2000−01 2002−03 2004−05 2006−07 2008−090.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

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1.0

0

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30

40

Figure 16.4 TSRL landings and real price

Whole weightPrice

Lan

din

gs

(th

ou

san

d t

on

nes

wh

ole

wei

gh

t)

Pri

ce p

er k

g (

2008

−09

A$)

F i g u r e 1 6 . 4 Quantity landed and real price per kilogram of Torres Strait tropical rock lobster, 1999–00 to 2008–09

SOURCE: ABARE–BRS (unpublished data) .

future considerationsWith the exception of the 2007 ABARE survey, there is little information on the economic performance of the TSTRLF. Since it is a single-species fishery, information about stocks and revenues is relatively accessible. It is possible that the fishery may move from the current system of input controls to a management system based on individual transferable quotas (ITQs). If the move to an ITQ system were to occur, issues such as high-grading and the monitoring of landings would need to be considered further.

In addition to catch reporting, there is uncertainty about the natural mortality rates of 1+ and 2+ year-old lobsters (Plagányi et al. 2009). The high variability in recruitment since 1989 highlights the need for accurate monitoring of the lobster population to ensure that sustainable TACs are set each year under the proposed quota-management system.

Extending the pre- and mid-season surveys to the area from the southern boundary of the TSTRLF to the northern boundary of the Queensland East Coast Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery would provide information on movement between Queensland and the TSTRLF, and perhaps provide insights into the size of the spawning stock outside the Torres Strait (Ye et al. 2007).

These issues highlight challenges to the successful introduction of the proposed quota-management system. TAC forecasts will need to provide sufficient notice for fishers and management agencies to plan appropriately. Another challenge is how to monitor, and potentially restrict, catches during the season to ensure that they remain within limits. Annual variations in lobster abundance will result in significant fluctuations in TACs from year to year, presenting some fishing businesses with cash-flow and marketing problems.

1 6 . 5 e c o n o m i c s tat u s

In 2007 ABARE surveyed the fishers in the TSTRLF and Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (see Fairhead & Hohnen 2007). Between 2004–05 and 2005–06, total cash receipts and total cash costs declined by 43% and 33%, respectively, in the TSTRLF. Because of the larger relative decrease in total cash receipts than in total cash costs, vessel business profit declined by 65% between the two years (Fairhead & Hohnen 2007). The partial buy-back of non-Islander (TVH) licences in 2007 (TSSAC 2009), which was initiated by the Australian Government, may have had an impact on economic performance by decreasing the fixed capital costs associated with the fishery.

c h a p t e r 1 6 Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery 303

Fairhead, L & Hohnen, L 2007, Torres Strait islanders: improving their economic benefits from fishing, ABARE research report 07.21, prepared for the Fisheries Resources Research Fund, Canberra.

Furlani, D, Dennis, D, Dowdney, J, Butler, A & Mason, F 2007, Ecological risk assessment for the effects of fishing: report for the Torres Strait Rock Lobster Fishery, report for the AFMA, Canberra.

Kailola, PJ, Williams, M, Stewart, P, Riechelt, R, McNee, A & Grieve, C 1993, Australian fisheries resources, Bureau of Resource Sciences & the FRDC, Canberra, pp. 64–67.

MacFarlane, JW & Moore, R 1986, ‘Reproduction of the ornate rock lobster, Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius), in Papua New Guinea’, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, vol. 37, pp. 55–65.

Plagányi, É, Dennis, D, Kienzle, M, Ye, Y, Haywood, M, Mcleod, I, Wassenberg, T, Pillans, R, Dell, Catchability, Coman, G, Tonks, M & Murphy, N 2009, TAC estimation and relative lobster abundance surveys 2008/09, final report to the AFMA, project no. 2008/837, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Cleveland, Queensland.

Skewes, TD, Pitcher, CR & Dennis, DM 1997, ‘Growth of ornate rock lobsters, Panulirus ornatus, in Torres Strait, Australia’, Marine and Freshwater Research’, vol. 48, pp. 497–501.

TSSAC (Torres Strait Scientific Advisory Committee) 2009, Strategic Research Plan for Torres Strait Fisheries, July, <www.pzja.gov.au/resources/publications/Stratplan_TSF_Jul09.pdf>.

Ye, Y, Dennis, D, Skewes, T, Polon, P, Pantus, F, Brewer, D, Haywood, M, McLeod, I, Wassenberg, T, Pillans, R, Chetwynd, D & Sheils, J 2007, 2006 relative abundance and preseason surveys, assessment of the Torres Strait Lobster Fishery and TAC estimation, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Cleveland, Queensland & AFMA, Canberra.

1 6 . 6 e n v i r o n m e n ta l s tat u s

The fishery has little direct impact on the marine environment or other fish species because hand-collection fishing methods allow careful selection of catch.

ecological risk assessmentThe Level 1 ecological risk assessment did not identify any species with a medium or high risk associated with TSTRLF fishing activities (Furlani et al. 2007; AFMA 2009).

threatened, endangered and protected speciesTIB operators may opportunistically take dugong or turtles while fishing in the TSTRLF.

benthic habitatsDamage to the marine benthos might occur through vessel anchors, fishers walking on emergent reefs and divers damaging corals. The extent of such damage has not been estimated in the Torres Strait.

1 6 . 7 h a rv e s t s t r at e g y p e r F o r m a n c e

Not applicable.

1 6 . 8 l i t e r at u r e c i t e d

AFMA (Australian Fisheries Management Authority) 2009, Ecological risk management report for the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery, AFMA, Canberra.

DAFF (Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) 2007, Commonwealth Fisheries Harvest Strategy: policy and guidelines, DAFF, Canberra.