Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol

Scallop: (1997 onwards) Section 1

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Queensland the Smart State

Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol

Scallop: (1997 onwards) Section 1

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

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Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland

ISSN 0727-6273

QI05110

This document may be cited as:

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (2005). Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol – Scallop: (1997 onwards) Section 1. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland, QI05110, Brisbane, Australia.

Acknowledgements:

This protocol has been contributed to by many DPI&F staff, in particular Sandra O’Sullivan, Jason McGilvray, Eddie Jebreen, Mike Dredge, Brook Young, Len Olyott, Malcolm Dunning and Olivia Whybird.

General Disclaimer:

The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) seeks to maximise the economic potential of Queensland’s primary industries on a sustainable basis.

This publication provides information on the LTMP scallop sampling methods.

While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained in this report.

© The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 2005

Copyright protects this publication. The State of Queensland has no objection to this material being reproduced but asserts its right to be recognised as author of its original material and the right to have its material remain unaltered.

Inquiries should be addressed to:

Manager, DPI&F Publications

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

GPO Box 46

Brisbane Qld 4001

ContentsSection 1

Rationale 1

Objectives 2

Sites 3

Phase 1 sites selection 3

Phase 2 sites selection 3

Times 6

Monitoring Procedures 6

Vessel Charter 6

Gear and deployment 6

Field procedure 7

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Permits and Approvals 9

Permits and Permissions 9

Notifications 9

Data Access 10

References 10

Section 2 - Operational Protocols

Section 2 of this sampling protocol can be obtained by contacting the Fisheries Data Coordinator:

Telephone +61 7 3405 6822, Fax +61 7 3224 2805 or Email FishDataCoordinator@dpi.qld.gov.au

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Acronyms

0+ Scallops younger than one year old

BRD Bycatch Reduction Device

CFISH Commercial Fisheries Information System, DPI&F

DPI&F Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland

GBRMP Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

GPS Global Positioning System

LTMP Long Term Monitoring Program, DPI&F

SOCI Species of Conservation Interest

SRA Scallop Replenishment Areas

TED Turtle Excluder Device

Rationale

The Queensland fishery for saucer scallops (Amusium japonicum balloti) is a significant component of the Queensland east coast trawl fishery. In 2004, annual catch was 664 tonnes with a gross value of $13.2 million (CFISH database, August 2005). The fishery takes an appreciable quantity of permitted by-product species, including Moreton Bay bugs (Thenus orientalis), blue swimmer crabs (Portunus pelagicus), smaller quantities of Sepia spp. (cuttlefish), fish of the family Nemipteridae and pipehorses.

The scallop fishery is managed by a series of input and output controls, including spatial and temporal closures, effort and gear regulation and size limits under the Fisheries (East Coast Trawl) Management Plan 1999. Scallop size limits have also varied over the sampling period, and seasonal size limits are currently being trialed (O’Sullivan et al. In Press).

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Closures in the form of scallop replenishment areas (SRAs) were implemented in 1997 to maintain spawning stock levels. Since their formation the SRA closures have been modified in number, area and closure period, these modifications are summarised by O’Sullivan et al. (In Press). The annual southern trawl closure, introduced in 2000, extends from south of Mackay to Brisbane from 20th September to 1st November each year (Fisheries (East Coast Trawl) Management Plan 1999), allowing scallops to grow to optimal size and condition without the impact of fishing.

In 1997, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) Long Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) commenced the annual fishery-independent scallop survey described in this sampling protocol. Initially the survey was a pre-recruitment survey (Phase 1) and continued annually until 2000, during which the surveys were expanded to include additional information on bycatch. Since 2001, turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) have been made compulsory in the Queensland trawl fishery. The integration of these devices into the survey methods commenced in 2001, with there use in all nets from 2005.

In 2001, corresponding with the introduction of rotational fishing within the SRAs, the objectives of this survey were refined, to cover a reduced geographical area and focus on the performance of the rotational scallop replenishment areas (Phase 2). In 2000 and 2002, subsamples of benthic species were collected and identified to provide information on the potential bycatch in the fishery. Barker et al. (2004) reported these benthic community composition results.

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Objectives

Phase 1 – 1997 to 2000

To provide long term data within Queensland’s main scallop grounds on:

• The relative abundance and size structure of scallops, Moreton Bay bugs and blue swimmer crabs

• The incidence of interaction between trawl gear and species of conservation interest (SOCI)

Phase 2 – 2001 to current

To provide long term data from within SRA’s and the CFISH grid T30 on:

• The relative abundance and size structure of scallops, Moreton Bay bugs and blue swimmer crabs

• The incidence of interaction between trawl gear and SOCI

• To quantify the effects of TED’s and BRD’s on scallop catch rate (to 2004 only)

Bycatch subproject – 2000 to 2002

• To describe the benthic fauna composition captured in trawls from each survey site as an indication of potential bycatch in the scallop fishery

Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol – Scallop: (1997 onwards) Section 1 2

Sites

The survey occurs within the main scallop grounds between 22°30'S and 25°S, and includes the SRA’s (scallop replenishment areas). The area excludes the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) “General Use B Zone” area around the Capricorn Bunker Group. Survey sites are selected from the CFISH grid system, which covers this area and within SRAs off Yeppoon, Bustard Head and Hervey Bay. Shape and size of CFISH grids were modified for the survey and therefore are referred to as survey strata.

Ideally trawls are deployed at, or towed through the selected site co-ordinates. However, if the seafloor conditions are not practical for trawling the shot is undertaken within two tenths of a nautical mile (approx 370 m) of the site. If this is not possible the site is abandoned and replaced by the closest reserve site. Reserve sites are sampled as extra sites where time permits.

Phase 1 sites selection

From 1997 to 2000, over 400 sites were surveyed each year (Figure 1). Survey effort was stratified based on commercial catch and effort data, and the existing CFISH 30 minute fishery reporting grid system (Dichmont et al. 2000). In 1997, 9 strata (modified CFISH grids) were chosen plus the three SRAs.

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From 1998 onwards the number of trawls per stratum was weighted by the CFISH mean catch per grid. The SRA strata sampling intensity was based on area and the 1997 survey’s CPUE or the surrounding grid CPUE, whichever was highest. Extra trawls were added to the strata if the numbers of trawls determined for that strata represented less than 2% of the total sampling effort.

In 2000, weighting was based on the combined effect of area multiplied by CPUE and the all previous surveys densities of scallops younger than one year old (0+).

Phase 2 sites selection

During the Phase 2 surveys (from 2001) approximately 200 sites are sampled annually. The sites are randomly selected each year and restricted to within the SRAs and the T30 strata (Figure 2).

A grid of possible sites was established for each strata with a distance of two nautical miles between each site. There are 40 possible sites within the Hervey Bay and Bustard Head SRAs and 48 possible sites within the Yeppoon SRAs. Thirty two sites are randomly selected for sampling from each of the lists of possible SRA sites. A further 50 sites within the T30 stratum were also sampled. All remaining possible sites in each strata were used as “reserve” sites.

All site Global Positioning System (GPS) points are available through the DPI&F, Fisheries Data Coordinator (see Data Access).

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Figure 1. Map of Long Term Monitoring Program scallop survey Phase 1 (1997 – 2000) survey strata and 2000 survey sites are shown as an example.

Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol – Scallop: (1997 onwards) Section 1 4

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Figure 2. Map of Long Term Monitoring Program scallop survey Phase 2 (2001 – current) survey strata, showing as an example the 2001 survey sites.

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Times

Surveys occur in October during the southern trawl closure and prior to the peak fishing period in November. Both phases of the survey are conducted between the full and new moon, centreing on the neap tides, to minimise the effect of tidal flow on scallop catchability.

Monitoring Procedures

Vessel Charter

Expressions of interest in tendering for the survey work are sought annually. Early in each survey year, a notice is sent to commercial trawl fishers advising of the survey work and inviting expressions of interest in vessel charter. Potential charter tenderers are asked to bid for the charter. Tenders are evaluated against the predetermined criteria, outlined in the tender document, and awarded on a competitive basis. Four vessels were required during the Phase 1 surveys and two vessels for Phase 2 surveys.

Gear and deployment

Vessels use standard 2¼ inch (57 mm) prawn trawl gear. Trawl gear is rigged in a three or five net configuration, with a maximum headline length of 21 fathoms (39.522 metres).

From 2001, nets included turtle excluder devices (TEDs) and bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) (on outside nets only during 2001 to 2004). The TEDs are a top shooting standard grid type, while the BRDs are the Fisheye and Bigeye type. The effect of TEDs and BRDs on scallop catch rate was investigated during 2001 using a randomised block design. They were rotated between port and starboard outer nets, but not added to the middle nets. From 2005 all nets included TEDs and BRDs.

Vessel Calibration

Phase 1 - Before each survey, calibration shots were carried out in areas of known high scallop density during the day for at least 20 sites. Calibration shots were not included as part of the survey.

Phase 2 - Calibration shots are carried out over the first 2 nights of the survey. Calibration shots are randomly selected from within the survey stratum. The calibration shots are included as part of the survey.

Approximately ten trawls are completed per night with each trawl being approximately 20 minutes in duration. Where possible the direction of tow is across the tidal flow however the skipper will base this decision on prevailing weather conditions.

Trawl gear details and any changes to the gear configuration during the survey are recorded. TIDBIT® data loggers are attached to the trawl gear of each vessel for the duration of each survey to record bottom temperature.

Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol – Scallop: (1997 onwards) Section 1 6

Field procedure

Site data

The shot characteristics recorded for each survey site in the survey vessel logbook are:

• Start and end latitude and longitude

• Depth

• Surface water temperature

• Distance of trawl

• Net configuration

Scallops

At each survey site the following information is recorded:

• All scallops from all nets are counted

• From the outside nets only, a subsample of 200 Scallops are randomly selected and measured. Shell height is measured as the maximum vertical length (shell height to nearest 1 mm).

After processing, all scallops are released alive, close to the point of capture.

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The following information is recorded when species other than scallops are caught in the outside nets:

• Moreton bay bugs, blue swimmer crabs and lobsters o Species

o Sex

o Carapace measurement (width or length to nearest mm dependent on species)

• SOCI (from 2000) o Species

o Count

The following information is recorded when species other than scallops are caught in the middle net

• Moreton bay bugs, blue swimmer crabs and lobsters o Species

o Count

• SOCI (from 2000) o Species

o Count

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In years 2000 and 2002 the following information was recorded from middle net only

• Total bycatch weight (kg)

• Large specimens that will not be represented in the bycatch subsample i.e. turtles, sharks, rays, puffer fish (tetradontids) and sponges

o Species

o Count

o Weight of species

• A 10 kg sample of all bycatch other than that recorded as per above, is retained and processed in the laboratory (see Laboratory Procedures)

All caught specimens are released close to the point of capture except during 2000 and 2002, when the 10 kg bycatch sample was retained.

Laboratory Procedures

The 10 kg bycatch subsample (collected in 2000 and 2002) was processed in the laboratory, and for each site the following recorded:

• Species (where possible)

• Number of each species caught

• Size of 20 randomly selected specimens of each species (measurements taken as per DPI&F In Prep.)

• Total weight of each species

Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol – Scallop: (1997 onwards) Section 1 8

Permits and Approvals

Permits and Permissions

This project requires current permits or approval from:

• DPI&F - General Fisheries Permit (Fisheries Act 1994)

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Marine Parks Permit)

• Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (Marine Parks Permit)

Survey staff familiarise themselves with and follow all permit conditions and have a copy with them on each vessel during the survey.

Notifications

The following notifications must be sent at least one week prior to the surveys, quoting relevant permit numbers and any variations to the methods:

• Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol, DPI&F (Gladstone)

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Townsville)

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and Bundaberg)

• Vessel Monitoring System Unit, DPI&F, Brisbane, must be notified of the use of commercial vessels for the survey and the dates they are being used.

• Harbourmaster (Gladstone), is notified of the survey vessels and dates, as vessels will be entering the harbour to collect DPI&F staff

Any interactions with protected species are reported in a timely manner to the appropriate agencies (The Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra and/or Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane).

Other stakeholders and the general public are notified of the survey by DPI&F through a press release. All media releases are authorised by the Regional Co-ordinator, Principal Fisheries Scientist (Assessment and Monitoring) and Regional Manager and final drafts sent to the Fisheries Data Coordinator who forwards the media release to the DPI&F Fisheries Principal Communications Officer. Draft media releases are required by the Fisheries Data Coordinator at least three weeks before the surveys commence. All contact with the media is to be undertaken following DPI&F standard procedures.

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Data Access

Access to LTMP survey data is subject to a formal application process. The Fisheries Data Coordinator is to be contacted for all applications: Telephone +61 7 3405 6822, Fax +61 7 3224 2805 or Email FishDataCoordinator@dpi.qld.gov.au.

All use of DPI&F data is subject to a data agreement between the Department and the party requesting the data. The data agreement covers how data must be acknowledged in publications and other restrictions that may be placed on data use. If the publication is based substantially on LTMP data and on LTMP survey design then co-authorship may be requested or advised. All documents that utilise LTMP data must be sent to the Fisheries Data Coordinator as drafts for perusal before they are published. Copies of final documents utilising LTMP data must be provided to the Fisheries Data Coordinator free of charge for lodgement in the DPI&F library.

References

Barker, J., O’ Sullivan, S., Jebreen, E.J., Roy, D., and Kennedy, C. (2004). Fisheries Long-Term Monitoring Program: Benthic Marine Fauna Composition of the Scallop Fishery Area in 2000 and 2002. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane, Australia.

Dichmont, C.M., Dredge, M.C.L., and Yeomans, K. (2000). The first large-scale fishery-independent survey of the saucer scallop, Amusium japonicum balloti in Queensland, Australia. Journal of Shellfish Research 19, 731-739.

DPI&F (In Prep.). Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program - Data Protocol. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane, Australia.

Fisheries Act 1994, http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/F/FisherA94.pdf, Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Council.

Fisheries (East Coast Trawl) Management Plan 1999, subordinate legislation of the Fisheries Act 1994, http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/F/FisherECTMP99.pdf, Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Council.

O’Sullivan, S., Jebreen, E.J., Smallwood, D., McGilvray, J., Breddin, I., and MacKenzie, B. (2005). Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program: Summary of Scallop Survey Results 1997 - 2004. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland, QI05108, Brisbane, Australia.

Fisheries Long Term Monitoring Program Sampling Protocol – Scallop: (1997 onwards) Section 1 10