Title

Enhancement of dugong recovery through the development of alternative methods to mesh netting for harvesting inshore fin fish

Objectives

1. To develop and evaluate the use of 'dugong safe' fishing gear as a possible replacement for mesh nets in the commercial inshore fishery.
2. To investigate methods of maintaining fishers’ economic viability while reducing or eliminating adverse impacts of mesh nets on marine megafauna.

Relevance

Netting has been nominated as a key threatening process for dugongs, leading to the current strategy of removing commercial mesh nets from areas of high dugong significance. This has caused dislocation, market loss and social disruption to local fishing communities. There is an urgent need to develop methods for harvesting valuable commercial species that satisfy the goals of dugong protection, that are ecologically and environmentally acceptable, and that ensure continuity to local fishing communities. Providing viable alternatives to mesh netting will enhance the success of Dugong Protection Areas (DPAs) and, if widely adopted, will directly assist dugong recovery outside the DPAs. This proposal responds to issues raised at the Dugong Research Strategy Workshop, 30 October 1997, and subsequent discussions with the Queensland Commercial Fishing Organisation.

Feasibility

Alternative techniques to mesh netting for fish species with similar life histories to those in Queensland are used in inshore fisheries overseas (e.g. South Africa, United States of America). The need for evaluation of the potential for such alternatives in the Queensland inshore net fishery is:

• Industry driven, to maintain local and national markets;
• Local fishing community driven, to maintain local economies and life style; and
• Wider community driven, to see more environmentally acceptable harvest techniques used in the fishing industry.

The Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries Northern Fisheries Centre has a long research history in the biology and harvest of target species in the inshore fisheries, and has built-up excellent links with the commercial fishing industry. It is essential that the fishing community be involved with the proposed gear assessments to facilitate the transfer of technology and to ensure the widest possible adoption by the industry.

Methodology

The following methods for fish harvest are to be field-tested and evaluated.

1. Replacing mesh nets with hook and line, both long line (multi hook) and single hook gear;
2. Attracting fish to specific locations with artificial fish aggregating devices (FADs), improved baits, chemical attractants, or drives; then use lift, ring or haul nets to harvest (i.e. active netting not unattended mesh-nets);
3. Using fish traps to target fish aggregations and migration pathways (using small mesh or solid bar trap walls). Possible use of bubble curtains or sound barriers on the outer walls of the trap;
4. 'Sea ranching' cage culture for holdover of legal size fish at times of high abundance but low market prices, to ensure maximum economic return from fewer fish.

Performance criteria to be used in the evaluations will include catch of target species, catch per unit of fishing effort, cost per unit of fishing unit, and fishing gear selectivity with identification and quantification of bycatch. Commercial fishing operators will be involved in the development and evaluation program to promote industry cooperation and acceptance.

Cost

$50 000 per year (to be supplemented by a FRDC grant proposal).

1 full-time staff member to be appointed plus on-costs.

Fishing gear, boat time, and operating costs.

Time required

Three year program, with annual milestone reports providing useable results from the first year.