Report of the Abalone Fisheries Research Assessment Group (FRAG)

1
Report of the Abalone Fisheries Research
Assessment Group (FRAG)

• Ian Cartwright
• Independent Chair, FRAG

2
FRAG - Origins

• Tasmanian Abalone Council agreed to establish a
  transparent and effective process so that
  stakeholders in the abalone fishery could provide
  advice on/recommend appropriate levels of TAC and
  associated issues to
• AbFAC
• the Abalone Council and
• the Minister.
• The FRAG will also consider associated management
  arrangements, including spatial distribution of
  catch/effort, zone boundaries and size limits.

3
FRAG TORs

• Consider the outcomes of the annual abalone stock
  assessment, the interim data report and updates
• review performance of the fishery, at the block
  level
• discuss and suggest key drivers in the fishery
  e.g. market and processer preferences
• consider TAC setting motions and provide comments
  prior to the AGM
• provide recommendations to AbFAC and the Council
  AGM on the annual TAC and related issues and
• provide other advice from time to time, including
  size limits and zone boundaries.

4
Decision making at the FRAG

• Decision making by consensus and not voting
  where agreement not possible, views will be
  recorded and provided in the advice of the Group.

5
FRAG Membership

• independent Chairperson
• the full membership of the Tasmanian Abalone
  Council Board
• CEO of the Council
• 3 scientific representatives from TAFI
• 1 DPIW fisheries manager
• executive support for the FRAG will be provided
  by the Council

6
Observers

• Observers always welcome at the FRAG requests
  through the Chair.
• Very useful input provided to date, including a
  number of submissions for improving management/
  TAC setting.
• At two most recent meetings, a total of eight
  abalone divers have attended and provided advice
  to the FRAG on future management of the Western
  Zone.

7
FRAG Schedule

• Four meetings a year
• April Review outcome of Stock Assessment
  Working Group meeting, including preliminary data
• June Consider full annual stock assessment
  report
• August Review updates on data from the fishery
  and stock assessment
• October Develop TAC recommendation options for
  consideration by Council AGM

8
FRAG process in 2008

• Had to shorten process and deal with bedding in
  of arrangements.
• Four meetings 30 May, 24 June, 31 July, and 25
  August.
• First two meetings mostly on TORs etc
• Recommended mechanism to deal with SW
  catch/effort issues this was agreed by FAC and
  Minister (over).

9
SW Arrangements

• Agreed that if a trigger point is reached during
  2008, the FRAG will review the performance of the
  region, and recommend action, where appropriate.

10
FRAG recommendations for 2009 W. Zone (1)

• TAFI recommendation that catch in SW (10-13B) be
  reduced by around 200t.
• Catch/effort to be moved northwards to relieve
  pressure on SW.
• TAFI and some industry concerned at the ability
  of mid-west to absorb additional catch and the
  wisdom of rapidly increasing catches there.
• Agreed to a phased approach by reducing the catch
  in (10-13B) in 2009 by 140t and review after one
  year.
• Overall 30 Tonne reduction in Western zone quota
  to 1230 tonnes, which corresponds to the total of
  upper confidence limit of long term average
  catches (agreed principle).

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FRAG recommendations for 2009 W. Zone (2)

• Considered caps vs. new zone at length, both have
  drawbacks, but zone considered to deal with
  sustainability, rational harvesting and equity
  issues better.
• Position of boundaries need to recognise
  sustainability issues while minimising adverse
  impacts in terms of compliance, diver movement,
  dingy vs. mother ship ops, processing and
  marketing influences.
• Preferred southern boundary option currently
  between sub-blocks 8C and 9A (Ocean Beach)
• more consideration of boundary position
  needed.

12
Arthur River
Mid-West Zone Arthur River to Ocean Beach Blocks
5D, 6, 7, 8 304.5 tonnes 87 kg/unit
Ocean Beach
Western Zone Ocean Beach to Whale Head Blocks 9,
10, 11, 12, 13A, 13B 924 tonnes 264 kg/unit
Whale Head
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FRAG recommendations for 2009 W. Zone (3)

• Agreed need to ensure adequate distribution of
  catch and encourage/provide incentive to catch
  older, less desirable fish potential of shell
  study discussed
• one view that long term average catches
  (including data prior to 1985) and lack of
  fishing (esp. block 6) indicate that mid-west
  zone (5D-8) capable of absorbing additional catch
  and could support an increase in fishing effort.

14
FRAG recommendations for 2009 Western Zone (4)

• TAC
• Assumes creation of a new zone.
• Hard cap for block 9 at 166 Tonne
• (upper confidence limit)

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FRAG recommendations for 2009 E. Zone

• A 5 increase for the Eastern Zone for next year
  noting that there may be a sentiment towards
  seeking a greater increase.
• Also noted that there may well be some need for
  caps and/or other management mechanisms to
  achieve a 5 increase in 2010.
• View expressed that TAC increases should not be
  expressed as a percentage and that TACs should be
  based on the maximum catch an area can stand.

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Concluding Remarks

• First year so a learning process, especially for
  the Chair.
• Many different view points and considerations
  provided and considered in advance of TAC
  setting.
• TAFI cooperating in terms of updating assessments
  and answering specific queries on new proposals,
  additional data etc.
• Focus on transparency, and information to support
  decision making.
• Excellent spirit of discussions and input by all.
• Chairmans summary posted on TAC website
• Minutes of FRAG meetings available on request
• Will do better next yearhave your say as to how
  we can improve