Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery

Submission for assessment of the Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish

Trawl Fishery Wildlife Trade Operation approval under the

Environment Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999

Submission prepared by Fishwell Consulting

Submission provided for assessment by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

July 2020

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Table of ContentsSummary...............................................................................................................................................31. Title and Introduction....................................................................................................................5

Target species....................................................................................................................................5Catch and effort.................................................................................................................................5Fleet size............................................................................................................................................5

2. Statement of goals and aims.........................................................................................................53. Harvest details...............................................................................................................................6

Management arrangements..............................................................................................................6Area of the fishery.............................................................................................................................6Methods of harvesting......................................................................................................................7Permits and gear types......................................................................................................................7Catch and effort and data..................................................................................................................8Catch Management.........................................................................................................................10Quota...............................................................................................................................................11

4. Impacts of harvest on the taxa and the relevant ecosystem...........................................................11Stock status of target fish stocks.....................................................................................................11Ecological Risk Assessment..............................................................................................................12

Overview of Ecological Risk Assessments in Queensland............................................................12ERA framework............................................................................................................................13Gulf of Carpentaria ERA...............................................................................................................13

Interactions with Species of Conservation Concern........................................................................15SOCC mitigation measures..........................................................................................................16

Protected Teleosts...........................................................................................................................16Batoids.............................................................................................................................................16Sawfish............................................................................................................................................16Sharks..............................................................................................................................................17Syngnathids.....................................................................................................................................18Seabirds...........................................................................................................................................18

5. Monitoring and assessment........................................................................................................186. Management strategies...............................................................................................................19

Assessments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.............19Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy.....................................................................................19SOCI interactions.............................................................................................................................20Status of export approval under the EPBC Act 1999.......................................................................20

7. Compliance......................................................................................................................................218. Reports............................................................................................................................................219. Background Information..................................................................................................................21References...........................................................................................................................................22

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SummaryThe Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) requires the Australian Government to assess the environmental performance of fisheries and promote ecologically sustainable fisheries management. The Sustainable Fisheries Section of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) is responsible for the assessment of fisheries managed under Commonwealth legislation and state export fisheries in accordance with the Act. Their primary role is to evaluate the environmental performance of fisheries, including:

the strategic assessment of fisheries under Part 10 of the EPBC Act; assessments relating to impacts on protected marine species under Part 13; and assessments for the purpose of export approval under Part 13A.

This report is in support of an application by the Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery (GOCDFFTF) for approval of a Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO) under Part 13A of the EPBC Act. This report was prepared by Fishwell Consulting on behalf of the fishery. The report was provided to and is being submitted for assessment by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The GOCDFFTF was assessed under Part 13A of the EPBC Act in November 2010 and the fishery was subsequently WTO-accredited until 24 November 2019. Several conditions and recommendations were made under the previous accreditation which were subsequently met or adopted during the period of the accreditation.

The GOCDFFTF is a limited-entry, quota-managed, semi-demersal fish trawl fishery and is managed as a developmental fishery under permit by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF). Developmental fishery permits for the fishery expired on 30 June 2020.

There were three permits to fish in the GOCDFFTF, held by three separate companies: Australia Bay Seafoods, ABS Queensland and A. Raptis and Sons Pty. Ltd. It should be noted that there has not been any fishing undertaken in the fishery since 2016.

The fishery mainly targets Lutjanid species (tropical snappers). Five Lutjanid species and all other teleost species are managed under quota. Quota species are: Crimson Snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus), Saddletail Snapper (L. malabaricus), Red Emperor (L. sebae), Golden Snapper (L. johnii), Mangrove Jack (L. argentimaculatus), and all other teleost species are managed under a basket quota. Catches in the GOCDFFTF have fluctuated from a high of 532t in 2011 to a low of about 17t in 2016 (Table 3). Effort has ranged from 282 days trawled in 2011 to 7 days trawled in 2013 and 2016. Catch per unit effort ranges from 1.8t to 4.8t per day (Table 4). Subsequent to 2016, there has been no fishing effort in the fishery, but there is increasing interest in resuming the fishery.

This report describes the monitoring, assessment and compliance of the fishery with respect to the following ecological components: target species, bycatch and byproduct, species of conservation interest (SOCI), and communities / habitats.

Stock status of GOCDFFTF target species are reported in the Status of Australian Fish Stocks Report 2018. The stock status of Crimson Snapper, Saddletail Snapper and Golden Snapper are reported as sustainable, Mangrove Jack is reported as recovering and Red Emperor as undefined (Table 2).

Ecological components of the GOCDFFTF, including by-catch and by-product, were assessed by a Level 1 Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) prepared by QDAF. Outputs from the ERA show a level 1

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risk rating of low to intermediate for all target and by-product1 species and intermediate for non-SOCI by-catch2. Noting the lack of recent fishing activity, risks to fishery ecological components assessed by the ERA were found to be adequately addressed by current management arrangements. However, the ERA recommended that the need to conduct additional ERAs will depend on the level of effort in the fishery in the future.

Measures to reduce the fishery’s interaction with SOCI and unwanted bycatch species were implemented in the fishery permit conditions. These measures included turtle exclusion devices and minimum trawl net mesh size. Operators were required to report any interactions with SOCI in the SOCI logbooks. No interactions with SOCI have been reported from the GOCDFFTF since the introduction of a SOCI specific logbook in 2005 (QDAF 2020).

Any risks associated with illegal fishing, landings or non-compliance with the legislation are managed through reporting, monitoring requirements and programs that are undertaken by QQDAF and the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP). Requirements for operators to provide records of catch, effort and landings, take onboard observers and install vessel monitoring systems (VMS) are prescribed under the relevant legislation and permit conditions. QDAF have not reported any breach of the legislation or permit conditions.

1 By-product – The portion of catch retained for commercial sale that was not intentionally targeted.2 By-catch – The portion of the catch that is discarded/returned to sea. For the purpose of the fishery ERA, the definition of bycatch does not include unwanted target and by-product species.

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1. Title and IntroductionThis report is in support of an application by the Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery (GOCDFFTF) for approval of a Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO) under Part 13A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This report was prepared by Fishwell Consulting on behalf of the fishery. The report was provided to and is being submitted for assessment by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The GOCDFFTF was assessed under Part 13A of the EPBC Act in November 2010 and the fishery was subsequently WTO-accredited until 24 November 2019. Several conditions and recommendations were made under the previous accreditation which were subsequently met or adopted during the period of the accreditation.

The GOCDFFTF is a limited-entry, quota-managed, semi-demersal fish trawl fishery and is managed as a developmental fishery under permit by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF). There were three permits issued to fish in the GOCDFFTF, held by three separate companies: Australia Bay Seafoods, ABS Queensland and A. Raptis and Sons Pty. Ltd. These permits expired on 30 June 2020.

Target speciesThe fishery mainly targets Lutjanid species (tropical snappers. Five Lutjanid species and all other teleost species are managed under quota. Quota species are: Crimson Snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus), Saddletail Snapper (L. malabaricus), Red Emperor (L. sebae), Golden Snapper (L. johnii), Mangrove Jack (L. argentimaculatus), and all other teleost species are managed under a basket quota. Lesser but important harvests are also taken of the emperor species (Lethrinidae) and Goldband Snapper (Pristipomoides multidens). Most of the product is sold to domestic processors as whole fish. No retained fish species are protected under State or Federal legislation; however the fishery interacts with some species protected under the EPBC Act (see Section 4).

Catch and effortCatches in the GOCDFFTF have fluctuated from a high of 532t in 2011 to a low of about 17t in 2016 (Table 3). Effort has ranged from 282 days trawled in 2011 to 7 days trawled in 2013 and 2016. Catch per unit effort ranges from 1.8t to 4.8t per day (Table 4). Catch per unit effort ranges from 1.8t to 4.8t per day. It should be noted that there has not been any fishing undertaken in the fishery since 2016 (Table 4).

Fleet sizeAlthough a number of boats can be nominated to fish under each of the three permits, only one boat can fish under each permit at any one time, therefore the fleet size is restricted to a maximum of three boats at any one time.

2. Statement of goals and aimsThe GOCDFFTF is classified as a developmental fishery and is managed under the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Developmental Fishing Policy 2015. (the Policy). The Policy defines developmental fishing activity as “…any activity directed at commercially harvesting fisheries resources in a manner that is not currently permitted under the existing regulatory framework”.

Developmental fishing determines whether a potential new fishery is commercially viable, socially acceptable and ecologically sustainable. Developmental fishing is generally regarded as:

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fishing for a species of fish that has been previously unexploited or significantly underutilised;

fishing for an existing commercial species using apparatus currently not permitted by legislation;

fishing for an existing commercial species or use of prescribed apparatus (or both) in locations where such activities have not previously occurred; or,

combinations of the above.

The primary purpose of a developmental fishing activity is for the proponent to gather sufficient information on the activity in question to allow QDAF to make an informed decision on whether the proposed activity should be allowed in the first instance, or once the activity has been undertaken, if it should be allowed to continue and if so how.

Developmental fisheries operate under a set of permit conditions, which are based on the principles of ecologically sustainable development, in particular, the precautionary principle. Developmental fishing permits are usually issued for 3-5 years, during which time information is gathered through a combination of methods, including logbooks and independent surveys.

For an activity to be considered suitable to continue, the proponent must demonstrate to QDAF that the activity is:

ecologically sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable.

3. Harvest detailsManagement arrangementsThe GOCDFFTF is managed by QDAF under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994, Queensland Fisheries (Commercial Fisheries) Regulation 2019 and the Fisheries (General) Regulation 2019. It has operated under Queensland Fisheries Joint Authority (QFJA) jurisdiction since June 1998. The QFJA is established in the Arrangement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Queensland in relation to the Fishery for Northern Demersal and Pelagic Fish in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The 1995 arrangement provides, among other things, that the relevant species be managed by the QFJA under Queensland law. 3

The Developmental Fishing Permit and its conditions will be reviewed by QDAF every 12 months. The permit may be withdrawn (and fishing ceases) if any activity undertaken authorised under the permit is having and undue impact of the sustainability of the fisheries resource or ecosystem; or if the holder fails to comply with permit conditions or there is a discrepancy between data reported between observed and non-observed trips.

Area of the fisheryThe GOCDFFTF operates in Gulf of Carpentaria (GOC) waters beyond 25 nautical miles (nm) from the Queensland coast to the boundary of the Australian Fishing Zone in the north (Figure 1). The western boundary of the fishery is the Queensland – Northern Territory border and the southern boundary is Latitude 15o S (Figure 1).

3 https://afma.govcms.gov.au/sites/default/files/qfja_annual_report_2017-18_for_printing.pdf (Accessed February 2020)

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Figure 1. Area of the GOCDFFTF.

Methods of harvestingOperators in the GOCDFFTF are permitted to use a semi-demersal fish otter trawl within the fishery area. The demersal trawl net fishes from the sea floor to approximately 5.5 m above the sea floor. Trawling speeds are between 3.5 and 4.0 knots, and trawl duration usually ranges from 30 to 90 minutes. There are several gear conditions under the fishery Permits as part of bycatch reduction measures (see Permits and Gear Types).

Permits and gear typesThree Developmental Fishing Permits (permits) were issued on 15 February 2017 by QDAF to operate in the GOCDFFTF. The permits expired on 30 June 2020. QDAF is assessing applications to issue new permits for the fishery. It should be noted that there has not been any fishing undertaken in the fishery since 2016.

The previous permits included numerous conditions including: the area of the fishery; the total allowable catch (TAC) for each species allowed to be retained; the names of the boats allowed to fish under the permit; no-take species:

Barramundi, sharks, tuna and tuna-like fish (namely Yellowfin, Southern Bluefin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna,

Longtail Tuna, Albacore Tuna, Northern Bluefin Tuna and Skipjack Tuna), pomfrets (Family Bramidae), billfish, Black Jewfish (Protonibea diacanthus),

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Queenfish (Scomberoides spp.), King Salmon (Polydactylus sheridani), Blue Salmon (Eleutheronema tetradactylum), Grey Mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasiatus), Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), and squid (Photololigo spp.),

requirements to hold quota before fishing and the order to cease fishing if a species quota limit is reached;

reporting requirements; must have installed an operational Turtle Excluder Device (TED) which meets the objective

of allowing turtles to escape immediately after being taken in the net; must have installed an operational Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) in trawl fishing gear

which meets the objective of excluding fish from the catch that are less than 35cm in total length and excluding all “species of conservation interest”.

The GOCDFFTF is a semi-demersal trawl fishery. To mitigate interactions with unwanted species (including protected species) and to reduce bottom disturbance the permit holders were only allowed to use trawl nets that meet the following specifications. The trawl net:

must have a mesh size of more than 110mm; must have mesh size, in the forward half of the net (including wing and belly sections) not

exceeding 300mm with a diameter of not more than 4mm; must be uncovered, other than within 1.5m of its drawstring; and, must have the weight on the footline (including bobbin lines, chains, bridles and any other

device weighing on the footline) not exceeding 4 kilograms wet weight in the air per linear metre.

Catch and effort and dataCatches in the GOCDFFTF have fluctuated from a high of 532t in 2011 to a low of about 17t in 2016 (Table 1) and effort has ranged from 282 days trawled in 2011 to 7 days trawled in 2013 and 2016. Catch per unit effort ranges from 1.8t to 4.8t per day and shows that fewer days fished has resulted in higher catch per unit effort (Table 2). It should be noted that there has not been any fishing undertaken in the fishery since 2016.

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Table 1. Retained catch (kg) from the GOCDFFTF. Source QDAF logbooks.

Species/retained catch kg 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016Grand Total

Crimson Snapper*1 176,195 211,484 28,688 12,420 99,665 7,125 535,577Saddletail Snapper*2 127,860 192,972 21,052 8,883 66,910 3,920 421,597Jobfish - Gold Banded 14,410 31,298 2,308 990 18,075 2,025 69,106Mangrove Jack 20,025 21,356 2,574 330 11,618 1,955 57,858Golden Snapper 9,470 29,986 2,400 180 5,395 120 47,551Painted Sweetlip 15,730 13,250 4,016 390 3,460 440 37,286Emperor - Red 3,140 6,971 3,383 630 1,450 315 15,889Cod - unspecified 3,710 4,675 1,153 270 1,790 90 11,688Perch - Moses 1,805 2,659 350 300 2,518 390 8,022Emperor - Pink-Eared 2,427 88 710 2,985 435 6,645Emperor - Spangled 4,619 504 50 60 5,233Fish - unspecified 610 3,380 17 0 5 4,012Coral Trout 1,120 926 468 90 760 35 3,399Frypan Bream 895 1,306 330 560 90 3,181Emperor - Unspecified 1,365 875 60 30 55 2,385Trevally - unspecified 529 52 1,680 2,261Tusk fish - unspecified 245 411 517 30 340 30 1,573Cobia 285 606 130 180 1,201Tusk fish - Blue 945 170 30 30 1,175Perch - Dark Tailed Sea 627 394 40 1,061Trevally - Golden 915 915Jew fish - Black 80 81 20 320 501Goat fish 140 30 300 30 500Trevally - Gold Spot 480 480Squid - unspecified 160 200 360Trevally - Black 300 300Grunter - unspecified 200 200Mackerel - Spanish 140 54 194Hussar - unspecified 20 100 30 30 180Trevally - Silver 160 160Blue Trevally 90 90Jew fish - unspecified 20 60 80Pomfret - unspecified 75 75Jew fish - mulloway 60 60Stripey Snapper 60 60Butterflybream - Monogram mono 30 30Emperor - Yellow Spotted 30 30Mackerel - Spotted 30 30

*1 Reported as Small-mouth Nannygai (Lutjanus erythropterus) in logbook data.*2 Reported as Large-mouth Nannygai (Lutjanus malabaricus) in logbook data

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Table 2. Catch and effort for the GOCDFFTF. Source QDAF logbooks.

Year Days Catch (kg) kg/day2010 214 379,815 1,7752011 282 531,438 1,8852012 39 68,688 1,7612013 7 25,393 3,6282014 26 118,085 4,5422015 29 100,386 3,4622016 7 17,140 2,449

Catch ManagementCatches in the fishery are managed by quota (Table 3). For the years 2004–2014, the GOCDFFTF Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) was fixed at 1250 tonnes (t) for Crimson Snapper, Saddletail Snapper, Red Emperor and other emperor species. The TACC was based on report findings (Ramm 1994; Ramm 1997a; Ramm 1997b; Sainsbury 1990; Sainsbury, Campbell et al. 1991) and management committee interpretations of stock survey and modelling results from the early 1990s. The TACC evolved from a limited yield-per-recruit analysis scaled by the 1990 survey estimate of large Lutjanus species in Sainsbury (1990) and Campbell et al. (1991). For the whole of the Gulf of Carpentaria, a sustainable yield of about 3000 t of all large Lutjanids was used as a basis by management. This value was divided by two for the eastern gulf, with the GOCDFFTF TACC set equal to 1250 t and 250 t kept by management and industry in reserve.

In 2011 new stock analyses were published for the fishery. Results included the estimated equilibrium maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of 450 t for east Gulf of Carpentaria waters. The MSY value represented the maximum average combined species harvest that can be taken long-term, combining MSY harvests of the five main species. For the 2015 calendar year, a revised 450 t harvest quota was set for crimson snapper, saddletail snapper, red emperor and other emperor species: plus, a tonnage allowance for other permitted species.

The revised quota tonnage represented a considerable reduction from the 1250 t set in previous years. The 450 t MSY represents at present the best estimate available and is consistent with pre-2011 estimates.

In 2011, data analyses and stock modelling were published for tropical snappers in northern Australian fisheries including the east Gulf of Carpentaria fishery (O'Neill, Leigh et al. 2011). Standardised catch rates (1998–2009) were used as indicators of abundance and calculated to assist understanding of the variability in the data and catch trends. Trawl catch rates of tropical snappers from eastern Gulf of Carpentaria waters varied between years and were below their long-term average in the last three years (2007–2009). Fish age frequencies between 2004 and 2006 showed significant age truncations but may provide misleading impressions of high fishing mortality because of the low effective samples sizes of the data, as a result of the spatial effect of fish schooling by age (O'Neill, Leigh et al. 2011). The stock modelling concluded that the Gulf of Carpentaria snapper populations were not overfished. The exploitable biomass for Gulf of Carpentaria waters was estimated to be greater than 40% of unfished biomass (B2009/B1945 > 0.4). Declines in 2007–2009 exploitable biomasses corresponded with the increased harvests.

Following a Northern Territory stock assessment, an exploitation rate of 6% of B0 was adopted due to slow growth and low natural mortality rates of the stocks fished in the GOCDFFTF.

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Quota There are 5 species of fish and one group category of teleosts under quota.

Table 3. Species quotas

Species Unfished biomass B0

(tonnes)

6% of B0, TAC (tonnes)

Crimson Snapper 2820 169

Saddletail Snapper 2500 150

Mangrove Jack 500 30

Golden Snapper 1010 61

Red Emperor 350 21

Other GOC teleosts

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4. Impacts of harvest on the taxa and the relevant ecosystemStock status of target fish stocksQDAF assesses important Queensland fishery species using the Status of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS)4 classification framework and reporting template. SAFS assessments are completed biennially and cover a list of species agreed on by all participating jurisdictions. QDAF assesses the status of other important species not included in the SAFS assessment every other year. All species with sustainability concerns are reviewed annually to ensure they are closely monitored. The following summaries of the status of each species was obtained from the SAFS assessments (Table 4).

Saddletail Snapper5

Saddletail snapper were most recently assessed in 2018, based on data up to 2017. The Northern Australian biological stock, of which fish in the Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria are a part, was classified as a sustainable stock.

Crimson Snapper6

Crimson snapper was most recently assessed in 2018, based on data up to 2016. Current evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the Northern Australia stock of Crimson Snapper to become recruitment impaired. The Northern Australian biological stock, of which fish in the Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria are a part, was classified as a sustainable stock.

Golden Snapper7

Golden snapper was most recently assessed in 2018, based on data up to 2017. The Gulf of Carpentaria (Queensland) management unit was classified as an undefined stock. Evidence indicates

4 https://www.fish.gov.au/ (Accessed January 2020)5 https://www.fish.gov.au/report/224-Saddletail-Snapper-2018 (Accessed January 2020)6 https://www.fish.gov.au/report/223-Crimson-Snapper-2018 (Accessed January 2020)7 https://www.fish.gov.au/report/226-Golden-Snapper-2018 (Accessed January 2020)

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that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired.

Goldband Snapper8

Goldband snapper was most recently assessed in 2018, based on data up to 2016. The Northern Australian biological stock, of which fish in the Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria are a part, was classified as a sustainable stock.

Red Emperor9

Red emperor was most recently assessed in 2018, based on data up to 2016. There is insufficient evidence available to confidently classify the status of this stock, therefore the Gulf of Carpentaria (Queensland) management unit is classified as an undefined stock.

Mangrove Jack10

During the years from 2003–04 to 2010–11 GOCDFFTF harvest of Mangrove Jack exceeded the 30 t MSY. Since then effort has been absent or very low. The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is likely to be depleted and that recruitment is likely to be impaired. However, for the period 2011–12 to 2016–17, the indicators of low to zero fishing effort and harvest well below MSY suggest a recovering stock. Evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality should allow the stock to recover from its recruitment impaired state. Based on the evidence provided, the Gulf of Carpentaria management unit is classified as a recovering stock.

Table 4. Summary of stock status of target fish stocks (SAFS 2018)

Species Stock Date assessed Stock status

Crimson Snapper Northern Australia 2018, based on data to 2017 Sustainable

Saddletail Snapper Northern Australia 2018, based on data up to 2016 Sustainable

Mangrove Jack Gulf of Carpentaria 2011, based on data up to 2009 Recovering

Golden Snapper Gulf of Carpentaria 2018, based on data up to 2017 Sustainable

Red Emperor Gulf of Carpentaria Qld

2018, based on data up to 2016 Undefined

Ecological Risk AssessmentOverview of Ecological Risk Assessments in QueenslandThe primary objective of an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) is to quantify the level of risk fishing activities pose to key species, species groups, marine habitats and ecosystem processes. This is done through a detailed examination of the current fishing activities; the areas being fished and the life history constraints of key species. As part of this process, ERAs take into consideration information including the overlap of the fishery footprint with the distribution of the species, biological studies (e.g. longevity, size at maturity, fecundity), fisheries specific data (e.g. catch and effort, number of licences, management arrangements) and expert advice from members of the scientific community, 8 https://www.fish.gov.au/report/221-Goldband-Snapper-2018 (Accessed January 2020)9 https://www.fish.gov.au/report/222-Red-Emperor-2018 (Accessed January 2020)10 https://www.fish.gov.au/report/225-Mangrove-Jack-2018 (Accessed January 2020)

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fisheries management agencies, conservation groups and the commercial and recreational fishing sectors.

ERAs can identify at-risk species, communities or marine habitats along with the characteristics that make them more susceptible to fishing pressures.

ERA framework The Queensland ERA Guideline (the Guideline) was released in March 2018 as part of the Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017–2027. This Guideline provides an overview of the strategy being used to develop ERAs for Queensland’s fisheries. The Guideline describes a four-stage framework consisting of: 1) a Scoping Study; 2) a Level 1, whole of fishery qualitative assessment; 3) a Level 2, species-specific semi-quantitative or low-data quantitative assessment; and 4) a Level 3 quantitative assessment (if applicable). Beyond the scoping study, the different ERA levels are descripted below:

Level 1 ERA. Qualitative ERAs are often used for data poor species or fisheries and use descriptive scales (e.g. low, medium or high) to describe the magnitude of a potential negative consequence and the likelihood that it will occur. Data thresholds for a qualitative assessment are lower, with expert opinion often forming part or all of the assessment. These limitations are frequently countered through the adoption of a precautionary risk assessment approach which, on occasion, leads to more conservative outcomes.

Level 2 ERA (Semi-quantitative/low-data quantitative). Level 2 ERAs retain options for undertaking both a semi-quantitative and low data/low tier quantitative assessment. The suitability and applicability of each method is largely dependent on the fishery and the amount of available data.

Semi-quantitative ERA. The accuracy of qualitative ERAs is frequently improved through inclusion of additional scientific analyses. This type of analysis is often referred to as a semi-quantitative ERA and it is used to increase the sensitivity of the assessment, therefore providing additional context to the risk prioritisation process.

Low-data/low-tier quantitative ERA. Alternatives to semi-quantitative ERA tools such as a Productivity Susceptibility Analysis are more quantitative tools that can still be applied to species with lower levels of information. One tool is the Sustainability analysis for fishing effects or SAFE (Zhou & Griffiths, 2008; Zhou et al., 2011). While quantitative in nature, this approach is still considered to be a low-data or low-tier quantitative approach as it retains several of the PSA’s precautionary elements

Level 3 ERA (Quantitative assessment). Level 3 or a fully quantitative assessment is the highest form of ERA within Queensland’s framework. Quantitative ERAs provide an absolute value of risk, rely on in-depth scientific analyses and require access to well established and well-developed datasets. In a fisheries context, Level 3 assessments can be difficult to achieve: particularly for multi-species fisheries. Consequently, in-depth quantitative analyses tend to be more synonymous with stock assessments for target species. In Queensland, most Level 3 assessments will involve stock assessments for key species. These will be developed as part of the harvest strategy process within the broader strategy.

Gulf of Carpentaria ERAIn 2004, the Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria (hereafter termed “the Gulf”) commercial line, net, trawl and crab pot fisheries were each approved as a Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO) under the EPBC Act. The then Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) submitted ecological assessments on each fishery in order to demonstrate they were being managed in an ecologically sustainable manner. Continued export approval for species harvested in the fisheries

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was contingent upon each fishery meeting a range of recommendations made by the Australian Government’s Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH).

Preliminary assessments for the GOCDFFTF (QDAF 2020) indicated that all but three of the ecological components were at a low to intermediate risk of experiencing an undesirable event. Three ecological components were ranked at intermediate/high risk: bycatch species; marine habitats; and ecosystem processes. The six quota species management units were all assigned a preliminary risk rating of intermediate and their risk profiles were influenced by both the direct (e.g. harvesting, contact without capture) and indirect (e.g. disturbance due to presence in the area) impacts of trawl fishing. For the bycatch component, batoids, sharks and protected teleosts, the direct and indirect impacts of trawl fishing were compounded by an absence of data on catch compositions and release fates.

When mitigation measures and risk likelihood were given further consideration, a number of the preliminary risk ratings were downgraded. Risk ratings assigned to all quota species management units were downgraded with Crimson Snapper, Saddleback Snapper, Golden Snapper and Red Emperor all assessed as low risk. The mangrove jack and other species management units were marginally higher at low/intermediate and intermediate respectively. Risks posed to target and by-product species are managed through permit conditions that include enforceable TACC limits and a requirement for operators to cease fishing if the proportion of undersized fish exceeds 10%. For ecological components like bycatch, rays and sharks, the mandated use of a TED, BRD and larger mesh sizes will reduce the level of risk for these species. Data deficiencies identified in some of the risk profiles are also being addressed through permit conditions that require an observer to be on board the vessel for the first two trips of the season and on every third trip thereafter.

With the GOCDFFTF reporting low levels of effort, the outcomes of the Level 1 ERA should be viewed as precautionary in nature and indicative of what may occur if fishing were to recommence in the fishery. Due to the current inactivity, the GOCDFFTF will not be progressed to a finer scale (Level 2) ERA. The need to conduct additional ERAs will depend on the level of effort in the fishery at that point in time. A summary of the outputs from the Level 1 (whole of fishery) Ecological Risk Assessment for the GOCDFFTF can be found in Table 5.

Continued export approval is contingent upon each fishery meeting a log of recommendations from the DAWE. Common across all Queensland Gulf fishery WTO approvals was a requirement to conduct a risk assessment and implement appropriate management actions to reduce species most at risk.

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Table 5. Summary of the outputs from the Level 1 (whole of fishery) Ecological Risk Assessment for the Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery.

Interactions with Species of Conservation ConcernNo interactions with SOCI11 have been reported from the GOCDFFTF since the introduction of a SOCI specific logbook in 2003. Prior to the introduction of this logbook, permit holders reported interactions with three groups that are now classified as SOCI—sea snakes, caught and discarded on five separate occasions; unspecified sawfish, caught and discarded on six separate occasions; and unspecified marine turtles, caught and discarded on two separate occasions (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 2020). A discontinued fishery observer program and industry consultation also identified olive Ridley turtles, flatback turtles, elegant sea snakes, pipefish, narrow sawfish, Queensland gropers, barramundi cods, scalloped hammerheads, great hammerheads, and leopard sharks as species that interact infrequently with this fishery (Roelofs & Stapley, 2004; Zeller & Snape, 2006; Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation, 2011). As this information pre-dates the use of TEDs and BRDs, QDAF anticipates that a number of these species will now be excluded from the catch with more regularity (Brewer et al., 2006; Griffiths et al., 2006).

Despite there being no official SOCI interactions recorded in GOCDFFTF, neighbouring fisheries using similar trawl apparatus and targeting similar fin fish have recorded interactions with SOCC species (QDAF 2020).

11 SOCI or the Species of Conservation Interest refers to a specific subset of no-take species that are subject to mandatory reporting requirements through the SOCI logbook. These species form the basis of the Species of Conservation Concern (SOCC) ecological component. The SOCC ecological component has an expanded species list and includes species that are not included in the SOCI reporting requirements.

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SOCC mitigation measuresThe GOCDFFTF permit conditions mandate mitigation measures to reduce the interaction rate between operators and SOCC.

Table 6. Permit conditions and mitigation effect.

Permit condition Mitigation effect

Minimum trawl net mesh size Reduces undersize fish and syngnathid bycatch

Keep codend uncovered Reduces undersize fish and syngnathid bycatch

Maximum ground gear weight

Reduces benthic contact

Turtle excluder device Allows turtles, sharks and marine mammals to escape

Bycatch reduction device Allows fish < 35cm and sea snakes to escape

Protected Teleosts There are four species of teleost with SOCI reporting requirements: the Humphead Maori Wrasse (Cheilinus undulates), the Potato Rockcod (Epinephelus tukula), the Queensland Groper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) and Barramundi Cod (Chromiletes altivelis). The distribution of all four species largely centres on the Queensland east coast with only limited reports of the Queensland Groper and barramundi cod occurring in waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria (Australian Museum, 2013; 2016a; b; c).

The Queensland groper was identified in observer reports in 2009, and an estimated 20 per year are caught in the GOCDFFTF. Barramundi cod are also infrequently caught in this fishery (Zeller & Snape, 2006). Queensland groper grow to become extremely large, can be harder to handle without injury, and are at risk of experiencing the effects of barotrauma. Large gropers may be expelled though escape hatches or BRD’s, but smaller individuals are likely to be retained in the cod end.

While difficult to quantify, post-release mortality rates for trawl caught Queensland groper and barramundi cod may be high. This risk though is countenanced by the fact that these two species generally inhabit areas unsuitable for trawling (Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994) and therefore interactions with this fishery (when in operation) will be comparatively low.

Batoids GOCDFFTF catch composition data indicates that most of these species are discarded as bycatch. There is little current information on batoid catch compositions in this fishery. For batoids, research has shown that TEDs are effective at preventing larger rays from entering the cod-end although smaller individuals can still slip through a TED. This problem is compounded by the fact that smaller batoids are more likely to experience higher rates of mortality.

SawfishIn Australia, up to five species of sawfish are found and three of these, the largetooth sawfish, green sawfish and the dwarf/Queensland sawfish, are currently listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)12 (Table 7).

12 https://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/sharks/sawfish. Accessed 10/3/2020

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Table 7. Sawfish EPBC Act listing classifications.

Common name Species EPBC Act listing

Dwarf/Queensland Sawfish Pristis clavata Listed as Vulnerable and Migratory

Largetooth Sawfish formally known as Freshwater Sawfish

Pristis pristis

Pristis microdon

Listed as Vulnerable and Migratory

Green Sawfish Pristis zijsron Listed as Vulnerable and Migratory

Narrow/Knifetooth Sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata)

Listed as Migratory

Wide/Smalltooth Sawfish Pristis pectinata Not listed

Sawfish have been reported as bycatch in previous reports, by fisheries observers and in historical catch records. While sawfish are largely associated with inshore waters, the largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis) and the green sawfish (Pristis zijsron) are found in offshore waters. As sawfish are highly susceptible to entanglement in trawl gear, they would be susceptible to trawl fishing activities in the GOCDFFTF.

Due to the shape of rostrum, sawfish are less likely to be expelled from a trawl net through the TED or a BRD. More often, they are entangled in the mesh of the nets or in the BRD itself (Wakefield et al., 2017). This type of interaction can lead to injuries and mortalities; therefore, increasing the likelihood of the subgroup experiencing an undesirable event. Fishery operators release all sawfish by cutting the rostrum free from the net and then returning it to the water (Michael O’Brian pers. comm.) In the GOCDFFTF, this risk is currently offset by the low levels of interaction and, to a smaller degree, an absence of fishing pressures in shallow water environments. The fishery though does have the potential to contribute to the cumulative fishing pressures exerted on this subgroup which are also caught in adjacent gill net fisheries and in the Commonwealth Northern Prawn Fishery.

Sharks As permit holders in the GOCDFFTF cannot retain sharks or shark product (QDAF GOCDFFTF permit), discarding and contact without capture are considered the biggest drivers of risk in this subgroup.

A range of species has been caught as trawl bycatch in the GOCDFFTF in the past, including Pigeye Shark (Carcharhinus amboinensis), Spinner Shark (C. brevipinna), Whitecheek shark (C. dussumieri), Spot-tail Shark (C. sorrah), Australian Blacktip Sharks (C. tilstoni, and C. limbatus), Lemon Shark (Negaprion acutidens), Australian Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon taylori), Weasel Shark (Hemigaleus australiensis), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), Great Hammerhead Shark (S. mokarran) and Zebra Shark (Stegostoma fasciatum). As this information was collected before the introduction of TEDs, this information is now considered to be outdated.

The benefits of using TEDs in this fishery will be similar to that observed for larger ray species. Most larger sharks should be excluded from the catch, although smaller species and individuals may be retained within the cod-end (contact without capture, discarding).

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Previous bycatch mitigation trials in the GOCDFFTF demonstrated that the use of both a square mesh cod-end BRD and a TED were effective in reducing the capture of large sharks (contact without capture.

Syngnathids Bycatch records indicate that the fishery interacts infrequently with syngnathids. Given the morphology of the species and their overall size, syngnathids will derive significant benefit from the combined use of a TED, BRDs and a larger minimum mesh size (110mm). These factors indicate that the risk to this subgroup is relatively low with contact without capture identified as the most likely outcome.

Seabirds No seabird interactions have been recorded in previous GOCDFFTF fishery reports. As the GOCDFFTF utilises a demersal trawl apparatus, the weighted gear sinks quickly and presents limited opportunities for seabird fatalities and injuries. Accordingly, this subgroup is considered to be at the lower end of the risk spectrum.

5. Monitoring and assessmentQDAF assesses important Queensland fishery species using the SAFS13 classification framework and reporting template. SAFS assessments are completed biennially and cover a list of species agreed on by all participating jurisdictions. Stock status of GOCDFFTF target species are reported in the Queensland Status of Australian Fish Stocks 2018. The stock status of Crimson Snapper, Saddletail Snapper and Golden Snapper are reported as sustainable, Mangrove Jack is reported as recovering and Red Emperor as undefined (Table 2).

Ecological components of the GOCDFFTF, including by-catch and by-product, were assessed by a Level 1 Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA). Outputs from the ERA show a level 1 risk rating of low to intermediate for all target and by-product14 species and intermediate for non-SOCI by-catch15. Noting the lack of recent fishing activity, risks to fishery ecological components assessed by the ERA were found to be adequately addressed by current management arrangements. However, the ERA recommended that the need to conduct additional ERAs will depend on the level of effort in the fishery in the future.

Measures to reduce the fishery’s interaction with SOCI and unwanted bycatch species are implemented in the fishery permit conditions. These measures include turtle exclusion devices and minimum trawl net mesh size. Operators are required to report any interactions with SOCI in the SOCI logbooks. No interactions with SOCI have been reported from the GOCDFFTF since the introduction of a SOCI specific logbook in 2005 (QDAF 2020).

S118 of Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 prescribes that documents permit holders must keep and supply records of fishing activities. The GOCDFFTF logbook has data fields for: boat and skipper details, type of gear used, shot location, length of shot, species and quantities of fish retained and discarded and interactions with SOCI.

Fishery permit conditions also included a requirement: to take observers on the first two trips of each fishing year and then on every third trip

thereafter;

13 https://www.fish.gov.au/ (Accessed January 2020)14 By-product – The portion of catch retained for commercial sale that was not intentionally targeted.15 By-catch – The portion of the catch that is discarded/returned to sea. For the purpose of the fishery ERA, the definition of bycatch does not include unwanted target and by-product species.

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install and maintain a Vessel Monitoring System; and, to notify QDAF of time and place of unloading of catch.

The EPBC Act requires fishers to report all interactions with protected species to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE). This requirement is met when permit holders report TEP interactions in the SOCI logbook. QDAF provides a summary of SOCI interactions by fishery to the Department of the Environment and Energy.

6. Management strategies The fishery remains developmental, and any change to a licensed status depends on it continuing to demonstrate ecological sustainability, commercial viability and social acceptability. Because this fishery operation interacts with threatened species, migratory species, cetaceans and/or listed marine in Commonwealth areas assessment and approval is required under the EPBC Act, prior to a developmental fishing permit being issued. This accreditation requires a yearly review of the fishery against the requirements and conditions of the accreditation. Any non-compliance with the accreditation may result in the Minister withdrawing the fishery accreditation that would result in the fishery ceasing to operate.

In addition, each year QDAF assesses the exploitation status (stock status) of Queensland’s key fish stocks. However, no fishing activity was reported by permits operating in the Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery in the 2013- 2014, 2016-2017 or 2017-18 financial years.

Catches in the GOCDFFT are managed by a commercial total allowable catch (TAC) with permit conditions detailing non-transferrable quota entitlements. The Developmental Fishing Policy establishes a Developmental Fishing Activity Assessment Panel (the Panel). Included in the objectives of the Panel is to “develop suitable management arrangements for developmental fishing activities”. This includes reviewing and resetting TACs if required (Ryan Keightley QDAF, Fisheries manager pers. comm.).

Assessments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999If a fishery under a developmental permit interacts with threatened species, migratory species, cetaceans and/or listed marine in Commonwealth areas (e.g. outside of State waters at 3nm or in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park) or if product is to be exported, assessment and approval is required under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).

Queensland Sustainable Fisheries StrategyThe Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy: 2017–2027 (the Strategy) sets out the government’s reform agenda for the next ten years. The Strategy sets targets to be achieved by 2020 and 2027 and a range of actions to deliver on the vision and targets.

The Strategy provides the overarching approach to manage wild harvest fisheries in Queensland, and aims to:

set sustainable catch limits based on achieving at least maximum sustainable yield for all Queensland fisheries (around 40-50% biomass);

implement harvest strategies for all Queensland fisheries, which set clear targets for fishery performance, triggers for action and clear decision rules for the actions that will be taken;

maintain all Commonwealth export approvals; improve stakeholder satisfaction about engagement mechanisms; and,

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better data for key fisheries to underpin evidence-based management.

Key actions include: additional monitoring and research (including new technologies); setting clear sustainable limits for each of Queensland’s fish stocks; working groups and a Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel to engage stakeholders; establishing harvest strategies for all fisheries which set clear targets for fishery

performance, triggers for action, and clear decision rules for the actions that will be taken; piloting regionally based fisheries management; satellite tracking on all commercial fishing vessels; and, helping facilitate industry led structural adjustment to reduce the number of fishing licences

and improve sustainability and profitability.

The Strategy will be reviewed in 2022 to ensure it is effectively delivering the vision for sustainable fisheries management in Queensland and ensure the targets and actions are being successfully implemented.

SOCI interactionsThe EPBC Act requires fishers to report all interactions with protected species to the Department of the Environment and Energy and in 2005 QDAF implemented logbook reporting of SOCI interactions. GCCDFFTF permit conditions require that operators in the fishery notify QDAF of any interaction with SOCI. Information required in the logbook includes species caught, life status of the released animal, position of the interaction and gear type used. QDAF reports a summary of SOCI interaction by fishery to the Department of the Environment and Energy. No interactions with SOCI have been reported from the GOCDFFTF since the introduction of a SOCI specific logbook (QDAF 2020).

Status of export approval under the EPBC Act 1999The GOCDFFTF was assessed under Part 13A of the EPBC Act in November 2010. The Delegate of the then Commonwealth Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities subsequently amended the list of exempt native specimens to include product from the fishery until 25 November 2015.

In August 2015, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF) provided an application to the Department of the Environment and Energy seeking continued export approval for the fishery. When considering the application, the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy considered the progress made by QDAF in implementing previous conditions and recommendations. These included:

trialing and implementing bycatch reduction measures; mandatory use of turtle excluder devices on trawl nets; regular compliance inspections; QDAF to inform the Department of the Environment and Energy of any intended changes to

management arrangements that may affect the assessment of the fishery against the criteria on which EPBC Act decisions are based; and,

QDAF to continue to cooperate with other relevant jurisdictions to pursue complementary research and management of shared stocks for target and by-product species that may be affected by cross-jurisdictional issues.

An extension to the fishery’s inclusion in the list of exempt native specimens was granted until 24 November 2016.

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In August 2015 a further application was made by QDAF to extend the accreditation and after taking into account the management arrangements currently in place in the fishery and, being satisfied that the operation of the fishery over the next three years was unlikely to be detrimental to the survival or conservation status of any taxon to which the fishery operation relates or threaten any relevant ecosystem, the GOCDFFTF was declared an approved wildlife trade operation until 22 November 2019.

7. ComplianceAny risks associated with ensuring that only legally obtained material enters commercial trade, illegal fishing, landings or non-compliance with the legislation are managed through reporting, monitoring requirements and programs that are undertaken by QDAF and the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP). Requirements for operators to provide records of catch, effort and landings, take onboard observers and install vessel monitoring systems (VMS) are prescribed under the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 and the developmental fishery permit conditions. QDAF have not reported any breach of the legislation or permit conditions.

Amongst other things permit conditions prescribe: Commercial fishers are required to use a vessel monitoring system (VMS) unit, which reports

the position and activity of their fishing vessels; Permit holders must advise QBFP at least 24 hours prior to landing fish detailing when and

here the fish will be unloaded; Transhipping fish is not permitted without prior approval from QDAF; Permit holders must carry any persons nominated to observe fishing activities including for

scientific purposes and management; and, Permit holders must keep and give to QDAF records, documents and other information as

requested.

8. ReportsThe most recent reports for the key target species are provided at the Status of Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS) website. https://www.fish.gov.au/. The specific reports for each species is provided as footnotes in Section 4 of this report.

9. Background Information Background information on the biology of the key species is provided in the references below.

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ReferencesAustralian Museum (2013). Humphead Maori Wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus Rüppell, 1835. Available

at https://australianmuseum.net.au/humphead-maori-wrasse-cheilinus-undulatus (Accessed 20 June 2018).

Australian Museum (2016a). Potato Rockcod, Epinephelus tukula (Morgans, 1959). Available at https://australianmuseum.net.au/potato-rockcod-epinephelus-tukula-morgans-1959 (Accessed 20 June 2018).

Australian Museum (2016b). Queensland Groper, Epinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790). Available at https://australianmuseum.net.au/queensland-groper-epinephelus-lanceolatus-bloch-1790 (Accessed 20 June 2018).

Australian Museum (2016c). Barramundi Cod, Chromileptes altivelis (Valenciennes, 1828). Available at https://australianmuseum.net.au/barramundi-cod-chromileptes-altivelis-valenciennes-1828 (Accessed 20 June 2018).

Brewer, D., Heales, D., Milton, D., Dell, Q., Fry, G., Venables, B. & Jones, P. (2006). The impact of turtle excluder devices and bycatch reduction devices on diverse tropical marine communities in Australia's northern prawn trawl fishery. Fisheries Research 81, 176-188.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland. (2015). Developmental Fisheries Policy.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland. (2018). Status of Queensland Fish Stocks https://www.QDAF.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/monitoring-compliance/data/sustainability-reporting/stock-status-assessment/queensland-stock-status-results

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland. (2020). Gulf of Carpentaria Developmental Fin Fish Trawl Fishery Level 1 ERA—Whole of Fishery Assessment

Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, No. Fishery Report no. 39 (FRDC project 96/158), Darwin.

Dept of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland. (2016). Gulf of Carpentaria Finfish Trawl Fishery Maximum Sustainable Yield.

Ecological Risk Assessment Guideline, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. (2018). https://www.QDAF.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/sustainable/sustainable-fisheries-strategy/ecological-risk-assessment-guidelines

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. (2018). Status of Australian Fish Stocks 2018. http://www.fish.gov.au/

Griffiths, S. P., Brewer, D. T., Heales, D. S., Milton, D. A. & Stobutzki, I. C. (2006). Validating ecological risk assessments for fisheries: assessing the impacts of turtle excluder devices on elasmobranch bycatch populations in an Australian trawl fishery. Marine and Freshwater Research 57, 395-401.

Lieske, E. and R. Myers, 1994. Collins Pocket Guide. Coral reef fishes. Indo-Pacific & Caribbean including the Red Sea. Harper Collins Publishers, 400 p.

O'Neill, M.F., Leigh, G.M., Martin, J.M., Newman, S.J., Chambers, M., Dichmont, C.M., and Buckworth, R.C. (2011) Sustaining productivity of tropical red snappers using new monitoring

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and reference points. The State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. FRDC Project No. 2009/037

Queensland Government. (2017). Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, 2017–2027.

Queensland Government. (2019). Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017–2027. Progress report, Year 2.

Ramm, D.C. (1994) Assessment of the status, composition and market potential of demersal trawl fish resources in northern Australian waters. Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, project no. 86/049, No. 86/049, Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Darwin.

Ramm, D.C. (1997a) Assessment of Groundfish Stocks in Northern Australian Waters between 127– 137°E. Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, No. Fishery Report no. 38 (FRDC Project 90/15), Darwin.

Ramm, D.C. (1997b) Towards the Sustainable Use of Northern Territory Fishery Resources: Review Workshops Led by Carl J. Walters. Fishery Report no. 39 (FRDC project 96/158). Northern Territory

Roelofs, A. & Stapley, J. (2004). Ecological assessment of the Gulf of Carpentaria developmental finfish trawl fishery. Queensland Government, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Sainsbury, K.J. (1990) Northern Fisheries Research Committee Fisheries Assessment Working Group Report April 1990.

Sainsbury, K.J., Campbell, R., Brewer, D.T., Harris, A.N., McLoughlin, K., Ramm, D.C., Staples, D.J., Xiao, Y., and Knuckey, I. (1991) Northern Fisheries Research Committee Trawl Fisheries Assessment Working Group.

Wakefield, C. B., Santana-Garcon, J., Dorman, S. R., Blight, S., Denham, A., Wakeford, J., Molony, B. W., Newman, S. J. & Handling editor: Simon, N. (2017). Performance of bycatch reduction devices varies for chondrichthyan, reptile, and cetacean mitigation in demersal fish trawls: assimilating subsurface interactions and unaccounted mortality. ICES Journal of Marine Science 74, 343-358.

Zeller, B. and Snape, N. (2006). Ecological Risk Assessment of Queensland-Managed Fisheries in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane, Queensland. https://www.QDAF.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/61671/EcolRiskAssess-GOC-ERA.pdf

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