Workshop summary management and science of fish spawning aggregations in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, 12-13 July, 2007

Fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) are a key issue for management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.Marine Park. A workshop was held by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in July 2007 to bring together an expert group including reef fish scientists, managers and fishers to discuss the current status of fish spawning aggregations in the Marine Park and prioritise a strategic approach to management and science needs. Knowing that fish species that form spawning aggregations are, or potentially are vulnerable to overexploitation, the 28 workshop participants developed a list of research priorities and management considerations. The following research priorities were identified for the next five years (2007-2012): 1. The Queensland Government’s long-term monitoring programme for the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery should include collection of reproductive samples for key target species. 2. Continue and expand the long-term dataset from Scott Reef and Elford Reef coral trout spawning site monitoring project offshore from Cairns, with replication in the north and south of the Marine Park. 3. Priority species for research are large mouth nannygai, black jewfish and grunter. 4. Implement a Marine Park wide interview survey to compile historic and current information on spawning aggregations for all key species. 5. Survey Old Reef to determine actual aggregation sites and timing for key species. 6. Investigate the impacts of fishing disturbances on aggregations, specifically for Spanish mackerel, grey mackerel, flowery cod, camouflage cod and coral trout species

Procedures for the salvage and necropsy of the Dugong (Dugong Dugon)-second edition 2007

This manual provides a detailed guide for dugong (Dugong dugon) carcass handling and necropsy procedures. It is intended to be used as a resource and training guide for anyone involved in dugong incidents including management officers, biologists, parks and wildlife field staff, and veterinarians and pathologists who may lack dugong expertise. Because of the wide range of professionals this book is targeting, information and the use of technical terms is extensive. Section 8.0 provides definitions of various terms used which are italicised throughout the text

Assessment of the ecological vulnerability of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery to climate change: a brief synthesis of information and results of an expert workshop

This vulnerability assessment report is a synthesis of information and a preliminary assessment of the ecological vulnerability to climate change of selected components of the Queensland East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery (ECOTF). The report also incorporates results from an expert workshop, which refined the assessment.... All of the ecological components were assessed as having a high level of ecological vulnerability to at least one of the selected climate change variables in the 20 to 50 year time frame of the assessment. Saucer scallops were assessed as having a high vulnerability to five of the climate change variables, some species of sea snakes [incidental catch] to three variables, red-spot king prawns, Balmain bugs and Habitat 10 [upper continental slope] to two variables, and the other components to a single variable. The biology and habitat associations of each species influences which climate variables are most important..

Ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: Summary report

An ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Region was undertaken in 2010 and 2011. It assessed the risks posed by this fishery to achieving fishery-related and broader ecological objectives of both the Queensland and Australian governments, including risks to the values and integrity of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The risks assessed included direct and indirect effects on the species caught in the fishery as well as on the structure and functioning of the ecosystem. This ecosystem-based approach included an assessment of the impacts on harvested species, bycatch, species of conservation concern, marine habitats, species assemblages and ecosystem processes. The assessment took into account current management arrangements and fishing practices at the time of the assessment. The main findings of the assessment were: • Current risk levels from trawling activities are generally low. • Some risks from trawling remain. • Risks from trawling have reduced in the Great Barrier Reef Region. • Trawl fishing effort is a key driver of ecological risk. • Zoning has been important in reducing risks. • Reducing identified unacceptable risks requires a range of management responses. • The commercial fishing industry is supportive and being proactive. • Further reductions in trawl bycatch, high compliance with rules and accurate information from ongoing risk monitoring are important. • Trawl fishing is just one of the sources of risk to the Great Barrier Reef.This summary report is accompanied by a technical report and data report

Ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: Technical report

An ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Region was undertaken in 2010 and 2011. It assessed the risks posed by this fishery to achieving fishery-related and broader ecological objectives of both the Queensland and Australian governments, including risks to the values and integrity of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The risks assessed included direct and indirect effects on the species caught in the fishery as well as on the structure and functioning of the ecosystem. This ecosystem-based approach included an assessment of the impacts on harvested species, bycatch, species of conservation concern, marine habitats, species assemblages and ecosystem processes. The assessment took into account current management arrangements and fishing practices at the time of the assessment. The main findings of the assessment were: • Current risk levels from trawling activities are generally low. • Some risks from trawling remain. • Risks from trawling have reduced in the Great Barrier Reef Region. • Trawl fishing effort is a key driver of ecological risk. • Zoning has been important in reducing risks. • Reducing identified unacceptable risks requires a range of management responses. • The commercial fishing industry is supportive and being proactive. • Further reductions in trawl bycatch, high compliance with rules and accurate information from ongoing risk monitoring are important. • Trawl fishing is just one of the sources of risk to the Great Barrier Reef