2019-07-18 OM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 2 - Fisheries Regulation Discussion Paper

Urgent management action to take the pressure off snapper and pearl
perch




Snapper and pearl perch are classified as depleted in Queensland. When fish stocks are considered
depleted, it is of significant concern and warrants government response.
The most recent snapper stock assessment estimated spawning biomass to be between 10% and
45% of unfished levels. Models using line catch rate data estimated spawning biomass in 2016 to be as
low as 10% to 23%, suggesting there had been no rebuilding of snapper stocks in Queensland, despite
management changes put in place in 2011. See the full report.
Pearl perch biomass was estimated to be between 15% and 40% of unfished levels in 2014. The most
likely model scenarios estimate biomass to be below 20% of unfished levels. See the full report.
Snapper and pearl perch are caught by both the commercial and recreational sectors. For snapper,
recreational catch is higher than commercial catch. The stock assessment suggested a 30% reduction
in catch from all sectors was needed to help rebuild snapper.
Reforms to the Rocky Reef Fishery are underway but will likely take longer to implement, therefore it is
critical that urgent management action be progressed for snapper and pearl perch. The objectives of
the urgent management action (for snapper in particular) are to immediately limit and reduce fishing
pressure to halt any further stock declines, protect the spawning stock, be consistent with a rebuilding
strategy and apply the strategy to all sectors based on their catch share. A number of urgent short-term
measures have been identified to reduce fishing pressure and help the rebuilding strategy.
46. Introduce a seasonal closure for snapper and pearl perch.
    In Queensland, snapper are known to spawn in aggregations over several months (approximately
    June to September) and across many locations, and synchronise spawning on the lunar cycle. The
    timing and duration of spawning varies depending on water temperature and other environmental
    conditions. Snapper are vulnerable to being caught during this time and are subject to high fishing
    pressure during the winter months. It is proposed that a 1-month fishing closure be implemented in
    July each year (starting from July 2020) to protect snapper at the start of its spawning season to
    maximise the opportunity for successful reproduction and recruitment. A minimum of 1 month in a
    high-catch period is required to reduce fishing pressure to a level that could allow stocks to rebuild.
    While there is limited information on the spawning behaviour of pearl perch, they are included in
    the closure as they are commonly caught with snapper.
47. Establish a total allowable commercial catch (TACC) for snapper and pearl perch.
    In order to allow these stocks to rebuild, it is proposed that a TACC limit of 42 tonnes for snapper
    and 15 tonnes for pearl perch be introduced to support the recovery of these species.
48. Prohibit the use of net apparatus to take snapper.
    Snapper can currently be taken commercially using line and net apparatus. In some inshore
    locations, schooling snapper can be targeted by net fishers. It is proposed to only allow the take of
    snapper by line to remove the incentive to target inshore snapper aggregations, particularly
    undersize snapper.




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