Spanner crab fishery working group

This working group provides operational advice on the management of the spanner crab fishery.

• 22-23 May 2018

  The spanner crab fishery workshop was held in Mooloolaba on 22-23 May 2018. The purpose of the workshop was to review the decision rules, associated data and input controls in the fishery to inform the development of a harvest strategy. The workshop was independently facilitated by Dr Cathy Dichmont.

  Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy and Harvest Strategy Policy in Queensland. The workshop noted that the total allowable catch (TAC) for the 2018/19 year has been set and it will not be reviewed at this workshop.

  Working group members noted a presentation on the status of the spanner crab fishery, which included an overview of the factors that may influence spanner crab recruitment, catchability and stock abundance. Along the East Australian coastline spanner crabs comprise a single genetic stock (including New South Wales). Despite being a single stock, the workshop noted that localised depletion may be an issue for some regions of the fishery such as Bundaberg which was one of the primary producing areas, but no longer sustains significant catches. The workshop also discussed known and unknown biological characteristics for spanner crabs (spawning periods, planktonic phase, sizes at maturity and age structure). While it is very difficult to define growth rates or age spanner crabs, the workshop agreed that spanner crabs are considered to be longer lived and slower growing than other crab species. The complex biology of spanner crabs is a significant consideration for developing appropriate management responses and improving stock resilience.

  The workshop discussed several environmental variables that may influence spanner crab catchability and abundance including: salinity, currents, rainfall, flood events/siltation and sea temperature. The need to better understand how the environment (i.e. currents and eddies) effects spanner crabs movement among regions was noted as important for identifying possible source or sink populations.

  The workshop spent considerable time reviewing the two fishery indicators/indices; catch per unit effort (CPUE) (kg/boat-day) and the fishery independent survey (FIS) (numbers of crab/ground line). The two indices have been showing diverging trends since 2010 and the workshop debated whether they continue to reflect spanner crab abundance. The workshop felt the FIS was important monitoring tool and should be undertaken annually as an indicator of spanner stock health, noting it reflects a narrow window of the fishery (less than 1% of annual pot lifts) and its confidence to reflect abundance was uncertain. The workshop agreed that the harvest strategy should continue to use both indices with improved rules to inform management action when they are in conflict. Industry members advised that they would be happy to explore options for additional surveys to improve certainty of the FIS.

  Draft fisheries objectives were developed by the workshop incorporating a triple bottom line approach (ecological, social and economic) based on vision statements provided by industry ahead of the workshop.

  The workshop considered the maximum number of dillies (currently 120 through General Fisheries Permits GFPs) used in the fishery. The workshop did not reach consensus, with the majority view at 75 dillies with alternative views of 90 or 45 dillies. Issues discussed included the following:

  • That the fishery has changed, with larger operators now relying on a higher numbers of dillies to remain economically viable. Some fishers advised that a max of 75 dillies would be unviable and felt the difference between 75 and 90 dillies would not have a significant impact on the fishery;
  • Whether the extra dillies have contributed to the current low stock status, noting that there is uncertainty in this assumption because the effect of additional dillies on crab stocks have not been assessed and that the quota had not acted to constrain the catch previously;
  • There is range of operators using different dilly / crew number combinations and that this needs to be standardised across the fishery. Additional crew members are required to operate more than 45 dillies to minimise handling impacts (e.g. discard mortality) and soak times (e.g. predation); and
  • Some participants of the workshop felt that information to independently validate the ability of operators to handle 90 dillies appropriately would be useful;

  The feedback will be considered by Fisheries Queensland to develop a policy position to inform upcoming decisions on GFP applications for the period 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2019. Formal arrangements will provide consistency in the longer-term, as part of the legislative work scheduled for 2019.

  The workshop recommended that the spawning closure be revised to the period of 1 November – 15 December. This recommendation would provide the spawning stock in the northern part of the fishery an additional 15 days of protection during the peak spawning period and allow operators better access to the important Christmas market. No change to mesh size and dilly dimension limits were recommended, but there was a view that the size of boats could be increased to 25 metres consistent with other quota managed fisheries to allow innovation with live tanks and marketing opportunities into the future. The workshop noted the history of the management areas and recommended no change.

  The workshop reviewed the decision rules and agreed that in principle the current structure was sound, however, a number of shortcomings need addressing, including;

  • To ensure that a review of the decision rules is undertaken or a third indicator be developed (e.g. number of undersize crabs) to inform quota decisions when the primary indicators diverge.
  • Update the current FIS and CPUE indices to improve consistency.
  • Maintain the TAC setting every two years with a review of fishery performance annually and the option to make a decision to change to the TAC if necessary.

  The workshop agreed that there is currently not enough certainty in adopting a model based approach to inform routine decision making, but that a stock model may be able to inform sustainable upper and lower limits for the fishery. Given this it was recommended that in the medium term the current empirical approach be used and that alternative harvest strategy frameworks be considered during the Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) of the new decision rules.

  The workshop reviewed data and agreed that the FIS and CPUE target reference points were too low, as they reflected low periods of the fishery, and should instead reflect an aspirational level of catch from when the fishery was in a healthy state. The workshop recommended a FIS target reference point between 16-18 (from 14) and a CPUE target reference point between 1.2-1.3 (from 1.034). The workshop recommended a minimum change buffer of 50 tonnes and maximum change of 200 tonnes, along with revising the upper TAC limit so that it maintains catch within sustainable limits, noting the MSE will inform this.

  Throughout the workshop monitoring and research needs were identified. Noting resource constraints, the workshop prioritised the short, medium and long-term priorities for the fishery, with a focus on the data review and MSE testing to support harvest strategy development. A further workshop session is planned for November 2018 to review a draft harvest strategy ahead of public consultation during December 2018. The aim is to finalise the harvest strategy ahead of the 2019/20 season.

  The Spanner Crab Workshop participants were: Independent Chair- Cathy Dichmont, commercial participants (Mal Starky, Richard Hamilton, Richard Swanson, Shane Underhill, Andrew Mclean, Richard Freeman, Les Apps, Mark Cook, Vanessa Hughes), conservation (Adrian Gutteridge), independent scientists (Rik Buckworth, Ian Brown, Jim Prescott), Animal Science Queensland (Michael O’Neill), QBFP (Russell Overton) and Fisheries Queensland (Mark Doohan, Kimberly Foster, Sian Breen, Sam Williams, Jason McGilvray). Apologies: NSW Fisheries (Dale Gollan), ASQ (Matthew Campbell)

• 24 February 2020

  The Spanner Crab Working Group meeting was held in Mooloolaba on 24 February 2020. The purpose of the working group meeting was to review the recommended final harvest strategy, the 2019 status of the fishery, apply the decision rules and associated data and provide recommendations for Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) setting for the 2020 and 2021 seasons in accordance with the harvest strategy.

  Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy), proposed regulation changes, development of harvest strategies and the coronavirus Industry Support Package. The working group noted a number of regulation amendments commenced on 1 September 2019 that related to the spanner crab fishery. Some members raised concerns around compliance of the number of spare dillies now permitted (10) under regulation, noting that there is a high risk that some fishers would deploy all of these spare dillies as part of normal operations. Fisheries Queensland agreed to work with Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol to ensure operations were compliant.  The working group also identified an administrative error that has resulted in a 15-dilly limit per string, rather than a maximum of 25-dilly limit per string, being specified in the regulation. Fisheries Queensland will look at addressing this as soon as practical.

  The working group noted the process and consultation undertaken to develop a final recommended harvest strategy for the spanner crab fishery. The harvest strategy aligns the fisheries with the Strategy and meets key objectives to set sustainable catch limits based on achieving maximum economic yield (MEY), or a proxy of 60% biomass, establish decision rules for setting the TACC on a biennial basis and rules setting out when these decision rules should be departed from as well as other ‘triggers’ for management actions.

  The working group discussed and noted the results of consultation on the draft harvest strategy which was released for public consultation in December to January 2020.  Sixteen formal responses were received, with 20% indicating they thought the harvest strategy meets the objectives of the fishery, 20% were unsure and 60% indicated that the harvest strategy did not meet the objectives of the fishery. However, most unsupportive comments were found to be less about the harvest strategy itself and more around regulation reform or the target of 60% biomass outlined in the Strategy.

  Industry members provided an overview of their 2019-20 fishery season generally, commenting on catch rates, predator interactions, product quality, seasonality, prices and demand. Some members noted that they had just completed some work to look at expanding into China, only to now be significantly impacted by coronavirus. All members considered that investment in promotion had generally lead to better spanner crab value in recent years and there was general interest in doing more and looking at third party accreditation (e.g. Marine Stewardship Council) for the fishery to support better access to export markets. Most members commented that they had been experiencing increased catch rates, but also noted that crabs were still absent from some traditional fishing grounds.

  Fisheries Queensland provided an outline of the catch standardisation undertaken for the spanner crab fishery, and explained the various standardisation factors that go in to these calculations. The working group were keen to continue to improve catch standardisation for the fishery, and supported the use of an annual gear sheet to inform catch standardisation calculations. The working group also recommended Fisheries Queensland do more to communicate the importance of standardisation and how it is calculated (including providing information comparing the standardised catch to raw catch to assist fishers ground truth the information against their experience).

  The working group was presented with the catch and effort information, from commercial logbooks and the fishery independent survey, to assess the performance of the fishery. Overall, it was noted that the fishery trends had improved with increasing catch rates from both data sources, and all regions showing positive signs.

  Being year one of the harvest strategy, the working group applied the catch and effort information against the decision rules for setting the TACC. This results in a pooled index of 0.56 (average of the commercial index 0.54 and survey index 0.58). As this pooled index is less than one, the decision rules indicate no change to the TACC for the next two years (2020/21 and 2021/22). The working group agreed that the break out rules relating to regional catch rates and the pooled index were not triggered warranting a different decision.  The working group also considered and agreed there was no other information to suggest that decision rules should be set aside and a different decision made (Attachment 1 indicates the decision tree that was applied).

  In addition to the TACC, the working group provided advice on transitioning the quota year to align with a financial year.  The members supported Fisheries Queensland’s proposal for a one off 13-month quota season from 1 June 2020 to 30 June 2021 with a 43.8 tonne increase to account for the extra month of fishing. The increase agreed to was based on the average of the last 5 years catches in June, excluding the worst year in 2017 (see Attachment 2 for options considered). Therefore, the working group supported the following recommended TACC’s, in line with the harvest strategy, of 890 890 kg for 1 June 2020 to 30 June 2021 (13 months), and 847 000 kg for 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 (12 months).

  The working group reviewed research and monitoring priorities, as outlined in the harvest strategy. In considering a previously recommended independent data review project, members felt that avenues for reviewing and improving monitoring initiatives could be achieved by collaborating between the working group and Fisheries Queensland staff rather than seeking advice from independent scientists. It was agreed that this approach would present better value for money.

  The Working Group also discussed possible updates to the commercial logbooks, and agreed discarding and the presence of berried females would be good data to capture in the future. In considering how to incorporate this information, the working group recommended waiting to see if electronic monitoring could capture this data rather than logbooks. The working group agreed that reporting berried female crabs could be part of any proposed electronic logbooks. The working group also noted upcoming research including a depredation study and environmental influences on the fishery.

  The working group discussed updating the Code of Practice for the fishery, which was last done in 1997, to improve and promote responsible fishing practices across the fishery. Fisheries Queensland agreed to coordinate the development of updating this code of practice based on working group advice and consultation once a revised draft is available.

  The working group agreed that the next meeting should occur in July 2020, and focus on reviewing data collection, industry research priorities and updating the code of practice.

  The Spanner Crab Working Group participants were: Kimberly Foster (Chair), Richard Hamilton, Richard Swanson, Les Apps, Vanessa Hughes, Jason Simpson, Peter Jones, Sampie Nieuwoudt, Allen Filip (industry), Adrian Gutteridge (conservation), Ian Brown (scientist), QBFP (Russell Overton) and Fisheries Queensland (Nick Boucher, Sian Breen, Michael O’Neill, Jason McGilvray). Observer - NSW Fisheries (Daniel Johnson)

  Attachment 1 – TACC setting decision tree

  

  Attachment 2 – Options considered for the 13 month transitional season

  Year	Total reported catch (kg)	Average of 5 years	Average of 5 years minus 2017 catch
  2015	44 033	41 486	43 890
  2016	43 632	41 486	43 890
  2017	31 870	41 486	43 890
  2018	41 261	41 486	43 890
  2019	46 636	41 486	43 890

• 5 March 2021

  The eighth Spanner Crab Working Group meeting was held via teleconference on 5 March 2021. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the fishery was performing, review the status of the fishery based on 2020 data, and apply the harvest strategy rules to monitor the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) for Year 2 (2021-22).

  Industry members provided an update on fishing operations. Catch rates (kg per net lift) were improving in northern waters but catch rates were still low in the south. Industry members noted the lower catches in the Gold Coast region was due to a lack of demand arising from COVID-19 restrictions (e.g. tourism, border closures, availability of flights). Total harvests, for the expended fishing effort, were lower compared to previous years due to limited product. Local, interstate and international market demands have varied, with COVID-19 rules and transport restrictions a challenge for selling harvests to markets. Industry expressed continued interest in obtaining biological spawning information to inform the spawning closure.

  Fisheries Queensland provided a general update on the:

  • Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy)
  • Recent regulation changes
  • Development of harvest strategies in other fisheries
  • COVID-19 impacts on fisheries
  • The new commercial fishing application
  • Vessel tracking review.

  Working group members noted the only change for spanner crab is the new single commercial fishing licencing framework. Fisheries Queensland offered to connect commercial fishing businesses with Trade Investment Queensland to explore ideas for export markets and increase the reliability of freight flights, noting the need for frequent supply to be effective.

  Fisheries Queensland reported the 2020 fishery data. Overall, total harvest for the expended fishing effort was down compared to the previous years. Lower total harvests were more likely due to market demand than spanner crab stock availability. The working group members noted the standardised catch rate for the 2020 season. Standardised catch rates of spanner crab increased compared to the previous three years. Standardised catch rates increased in all regions except for region 6. Some members reiterated historical trends in catch rates vary and sometimes cycle between north and south.

  Fisheries Queensland compared the standardised catch rates against the harvest strategy decision rules. Members noted Year 2 of the harvest strategy is not a TACC setting year and there were no indicators triggered for an early change to the TACC. Members endorsed the TACC to remain at 847 tonnes for Year 2 (2021-22).

  Members noted that there was no fishery independent survey (FIS) for 2020. COVID-19 restrictions prevented the 2020 survey from being undertaken.  The 2021 FIS survey is scheduled for May.  The working group discussed options to handle the missing 2020 survey index. The index is required in the TACC calculation. Options are to be presented to the working group in detail at the next meeting before recommending the method to use in the TACC setting for Year 3 (2022-23).

  Fisheries Queensland provided a compliance update. Working group members noted high compliance within the spanner crab industry with 77 inspections and 6 offences detected in the last 12 months. Industry noted the low number of inspections. This was due to inspections being more targeted and intelligence based. Compliance noted catches of spanner crab being taken by charter vessels, and members expressed an interest in seeing data from the charter sector at the next meeting.

  The working group noted the research updates relevant to spanner crab depredation and effects of environmental drivers on spanner crab productivity and catchability. Early findings suggest multiple species are depredating upon spanner crabs, not only sharks. In some instances, the target is not the spanner crabs themselves but the bait bags. Preliminary findings suggest that Chlorophyll and sea surface height anomaly (i.e. indicating changes in primary productivity and upwelling / downwelling conditions) may be associated with changes in catch rates in region 2 and 3 (Rockhampton to Bundaberg). The research is ongoing.

  The working group endorsed the release of the current draft of the Spanner Crab Code of Practice for wider consultation. Fisheries Queensland will source further images for the draft document prior to consultation.

  The working group agreed that the next meeting should occur in November 2021 with a focus on reviewing the options for dealing with the missing 2020 FIS and finalising the Code of Practice.

  The Spanner Crab Working Group participants were: Chair (John Dexter), commercial sector (Allen Filip, Richard Hamilton, Jason Simpson, Peter Jones, Sampie Nieuwoudt), Fisheries Queensland (Kimberly Foster, Tony Ham, Samantha Miller, Nancy Trieu, Michael O’Neill, Nicholas Dennis), Animal Science Queensland (Samuel Williams), University of the Sunshine Coast (Jackson Milburn), New South Wales Fisheries (Daniel Johnson) and Safe Food Production Queensland (Georgina Walker).

  Apologies (Les Apps, Richard Swanson, Vanessa Hughes, Ian Brown, Adrian Gutteridge)

• 4 February 2022

  The ninth Spanner Crab Working Group meeting was held via teleconference on 4 February 2022. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss options and recommend a methodology for estimating the missing 2020 fishery independent survey (FIS) data.

  Fisheries Queensland presented two possible options, mean and proportional, for the 2020 FIS data that is not available due to COVID-19 restrictions preventing the FIS from being undertaken. The first option uses the mean (i.e. average) of the nearest FIS data values from the year before (2019) and the year after (2021). This option maintains fishery independence and does not incorporate any commercial fishery data. The second option is based on the relation between commercial and the available FIS catch rates. The relationship is proportional based on the mean log differences and does not maintain fishery independence as commercial data is used.

  Members discussed the pros and cons of the two options. The benefit of the mean option is that it is independent to the commercial catch data, however it would not capture any trends observed in the 2020 commercial catch. The benefit of the proportional option is that it incorporates the commercial catch trend observed in 2020 but is no longer an independent source of data. The proportional option retrospectively has been a closer fit in most instances to the FIS data. Minimal difference was observed in the outcome between methods when two year averages were calculated.

  Members recommended the proportional method for calculating the unavailable 2020 FIS data, however the working group would like to review this method if FIS data is unavailable again in future. Members have requested further analysis of the commercial catch data in the time periods and areas where FIS surveys are undertaken.

  Industry members provided an update on fishing operations. Poor weather has been impacting on the number of available days to conduct fishing trips. Catch rates have been variable along the coast with average catches. Above average catches were observed in some areas prior to the December 2021 closure.

  Further independent research is ongoing into growth rates of spanner crab by Dr. Ian Brown who is interested in timing and occurrence of berried, very small and soft/weak crabs. Further information will be circulated to industry in the near future.

  The working group agreed that the next meeting should occur in March 2022 with a focus on reviewing the total allowable catch (TAC) ahead of the 2022-23 fishing season.

  The Spanner Crab Working Group meeting participants were: Chair (John Dexter), commercial sector (Peter Jones, Sampie Nieuwoudt, Richard Swanson, Les Apps), research (Dr. Ian Brown), Fisheries Queensland (Tony Ham, Samantha Miller, Nancy Trieu, Michael O’Neill, Russell Overton), New South Wales Fisheries (Daniel Johnson).

  Apologies: Vanessa Hughes, Allen Filip Jason Simpson, Richard Hamilton and Adrian Gutteridge.

• 17 March 2022

  The tenth Spanner Crab Working Group meeting was held in Mooloolaba on 17 March 2022. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the fishery was performing, review the status of the fishery based on 2021 data, and apply the harvest strategy rules for Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) setting for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

  Industry members provided an update on fishing operations. There was a good start to the spawning season with reasonable catch rates, but poor weather and strong currents have negatively impacted on the number of available days to conduct fishing trips. Members mentioned small crabs and berried crabs were observed in areas where they were less frequent in previous years. Both domestic and export markets continue to be impacted by COVID-19.

  Fisheries Queensland provided a general update on the:

  • Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (the Strategy)
  • Recent regulation changes which primarily focused on other commercial fisheries
  • Development of harvest strategies in other fisheries
  • High compliance rate observed by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol within the spanner crab fishery.

  Dr Ian Brown presented his new research into spanner crab reproductive cycle and growth. The project aims to firstly, address industry concerns regarding the appropriateness of spawning closure dates and secondly, attempts to increase understanding of spanner crab growth rates. The aim of the research is to lead to a better understanding of critical life-history events such as the timing of the reproductive cycle, the crabs’ size-specific moult cycles, their age at maturity and entry to the fishery, and their longevity. The success of this project is largely dependent upon information provided by industry with a notice having been sent to spanner crab licence holders on 24 February 2022. Additional participation by commercial fishers is encouraged.

  The working group was presented with the catch and effort information from commercial logbooks and the fishery independent survey, to assess the performance of the fishery. Overall, it was noted that fishery performance was lower in 2021, however, this is not a cause for concern at this stage given the long-term trend was still on the increase.

  The working group applied the catch and effort information against the decision rules for setting the TACC for year three. This resulted in a pooled index of 0.61 (average of the commercial index 0.60 and survey index 0.63). Based on harvest strategy rules one and two, the TACC should be decreased in proportion to the decrease in the pooled index from 2019-20 to 2020-21. This would result in a TACC decrease of 28 t. However, rule four of the harvest strategy does not require a TACC increase or decrease if that change is less than 50 t. The working group examined all harvest strategy rules and agreed the TACC should not change for the next two years (2022-23 and 2023-24). The Total allowable commercial catch review for Queensland spanner crab (Ranina ranina), with data to December 2021 report provides a review of catch data and application of harvest strategy rules.

  As a follow up from a previous meeting’s action, additional calculations were presented for refining the formula used for the missing FIS data for 2020 by using commercial data only from the survey grids in May 2020. Although agreeing that this provided a closer fit, it did not materially change the resulting TACC.

  The working group noted the research updates relevant to the effects of environmental drivers and depredation on spanner crab productivity and catchability. Key findings found that downwelling (or lack of upwelling) may be deleterious to subsequent spanner crab catch rates. Related to this is a significant association between chlorophyll-a concentrations and catch rate of legal-size crabs particularly in regions 2 and 3. These associations may help to explain the lack of recovery in regions 2 and 3 over the past two decades. A model was developed that allows for stock modelling under varying levels of fishing mortality and environmental influences. The work also examined whether environmental factors that had been associated with the catchability of crabs could be used to improve the catch standardisations, however, preliminary investigations indicated that the existing standardisation factors such as region, month and year already captures much of the variability due to environmental factors. The research is published in Modelling environmental changes and effects on wild-caught species in Queensland.

  Spanner crab depredation occurred on 3.68% of dilly deployments, with 3.82% of crabs depredated by bowmouth and giant guitarfish which are known as at risk species. It was interesting to note that other shark species such as tiger sharks were observed targeting the bait bags rather than the crabs, which is in line with research findings into Hawaiian kona crab fishery. The data also indicates a 27% reduction in crabs from the maximum number on the gear to the point before the gear is hauled, and a 13% reduction in crabs during the hauling process. It is likely that longer soak times may have been a primary factor contributing to the reduced number of spanner crabs remaining on the dillies at the time of hauling. The implications of the results on fishery management were discussed by the working group.

  Fisheries Queensland provided a presentation on the methodology and outcomes from the BDO social and economic indicators report for commercial and charter fisheries for the 2018 and 2019 financial years as well as comparable indicators for the recreational fishing sector. The working group noted the release of the BDO social and economic report for the spanner crab fishery with a dashboard accessible via the department’s website. For the Spanner Crab Fishery, the 2018-19 financial year estimated $13.2 million in gross state product directly and as flow on contributions through Queensland’s economy. The fishery provided 123 full time equivalent jobs directly and as flow on contributions through Queensland’s economy. BDO will be repeating the social and economic survey for 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years which will incorporate the impacts of COVID-19.

  Members discussed how this information could be incorporated into the management of the spanner crab fishery and under which circumstances it could be used. This includes being able to inform decision makers and possible indicators in future harvest strategies.

  Members agreed to encourage uptake by the broader industry and identify obstacles to participation.  Members noted trust and reassurance of confidentiality were essential and an online version would be welcomed.

  Fisheries Queensland provided a demonstration of the new Queensland commercial fishing app which spanner crab fishers and other fisheries can use for reporting. The app allows a commercial fisher to submit pre-trip, quota, reporting notices, logbooks, catch disposal records; check the status of vessel tracking devices; manually report positions; view authorities and quota balances; and receive Fisheries Queensland notifications. The working group stepped through a workflow for a spanner crab trip and made suggestions for improvement.

  Possible changes to temporal spawning closure were discussed and agreed a paper would be discussed at the next working group meeting, with a view to canvasing the broader industry for their level of interest. Members raised the possibility of using larger dillies including the impact on the catch rate standardisation.

  The working group agreed that the next meeting should occur in November 2022.

  The Spanner Crab Working Group meeting participants were: Chair (John Dexter), commercial sector (Peter Jones, Richard Swanson, Les Apps, Richard Hamilton, Allen Filep), research (Dr. Ian Brown), Conservation (Adrian Gutteridge), Fisheries Queensland (Samantha Miller, Nancy Trieu, Michael O’Neill, Russell Overton, Jason McGilvray), New South Wales Fisheries (Daniel Johnson).

  Apologies: Vanessa Hughes, Sampie Nieuwoudt.

• 11 April 2024

  The 11th spanner crab working group meeting was held in Mooloolaba on 11 April 2024. This was the first meeting held since members were reappointed in late 2023.

  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the spanner crab fishery was performing, to review the status of the fishery based on data up to December 2023, and apply relevant harvest strategy rules for total allowable commercial catch (TACC) setting for the 2024–25 fishing season.

  The working group noted Fisheries Queensland have released discussion papers on reforms to the commercial crab (C1) proposed by parts of industry and changes to recreational fishing rules and are seeking feedback from stakeholders. The working group noted the proposal to "clarify the scope of the C1 fishery" in relation to deep-water crab species and whether the current management methods are appropriate or a separate fishery symbol is required. Stakeholders were encouraged to provide feedback by 9 May 2024.

  Fisheries Queensland also provided a general update on the future fishing structural adjustment scheme and gillnet changes in Queensland.

  Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol provided an update on general fishery compliance and noted an exceptionally high level of compliance with no infringement notices or prosecutions issued during the current fishing season. Industry is highly praised for their efforts.

  Working group members provided a general update on their fishing operations. Key talking points on the fishing season included poor weather and strong currents negatively impacting the number of available fishing days which may also be reflected by skipper experience. The domestic market appears to be busy, however, due to increase in prices of fuel and electricity and other operating costs, such as labour challenges, profit margins are down and could be reflecting the current economic environment.

  Fisheries Queensland acknowledged the lack of First Nations, recreational and conservation representation on the current working group and will continue to consider how to ensure all stakeholder views can be brought to the working group and Fisheries Queensland going forward.

  The working group noted the application for the Wildlife Trade Operation (WTO) that authorises export approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1991 (EPBC Act) will be lodged with the Commonwealth Government by 10 May 2024 ahead of its expiration in August 2025. Part 13A of the EPBC Act allows spanner crab to be exported without the requirement for a WTO and Part 13 provides fishers a defence for unintentional interactions with threatened, endangered, and protected species (TEPs) (such as humpback whales) in Commonwealth waters.

  The working group noted the increase in east coast humpback whale populations suggests that interactions with fishing apparatus are likely to continue to increase. The working group agreed there is a need to continue to explore possible solutions to minimise entanglements and interactions with TEPs.

  Fisheries Queensland encouraged industry to continue to accurately report all TEP interactions to ensure correct baseline data is being collected. Working group members demonstrated a proactive approach to preventing bycatch and interactions with TEPs and are encouraged to continue to engage with technology developers (such as Oceanwatch Australia) to identify suitable devices for testing at sea.

  The working group was presented with catch and effort information from commercial logbooks and the fishery independent survey with data up to December 2023 to assess the performance of the fishery and inform the TACC for the 2024–25 fishing season. Overall, it was noted that fishery performance has shown a negative trend and becoming closer to the limit reference point (0.5kg per dilly-lift) in recent years.

  Industry members reiterated that poor weather conditions and skipper experience could be impacting catch rates and may not be reflected in the current modelling and catch rate standardisation. There were also comments that these factors have been a common theme over many years. The working group observed the commercial index and survey index are mirroring and showing consistent trends.

  The total allowable commercial catch review for Queensland spanner crab (Ranina ranina), with data to December 2023 report provides an in depth review of catch data and application of harvest strategy rules. The working group applied the decision rules against the catch and effort information for setting the TACC for year 5 of the harvest strategy. Given the pooled index of 0.557 (average of sCPUE ratio = 0.546 and sFIS ratio = 0.567), and based on harvest strategy rules 1 and 2, it was noted the TACC should be decreased in proportion to the decrease in the pooled index from 2022–23. This would result in a TACC decrease of 40t. Rule 4 of the harvest strategy does not require a TACC increase or decrease if that change is less than 50t. However, rule 5.1 calls for a 50t change to the TACC if there is an increase or decrease in the pooled index consecutively over the past 3 years. The working group, after implementing the relevant harvest strategy rules, acknowledged the TACC for the next fishing season will change from 847t to 797t (6% decrease) starting 1 July 2024, subject to approval by the delegate. The working group also noted the current harvest strategy and its decision rules are due for review next calendar year.

  Fisheries Queensland provided an update on the Qld eFisher app since its release in December 2021. Since the release of the Qld eFisher app in December 2021, there are now over 420 commercial fishers using it for their reporting. Of these users, 29 are from the spanner crab (C2 and C3) fishery. Spanner crab fishers have completed more than 500 fishing trips using the app. Overall, for the last 2 years 39% of spanner crab vessel logbooks have come from the app rather than paper. For the last month alone, 48% of spanner crab vessel logbooks have come from the app. As a result of extensive engagement from Fisheries Queensland, there has been a significant increase in the use of the app by spanner crab fishers since November 2023. Fisheries Queensland applauds the spanner crab industry on their efforts and are encouraged to continue using the app. Members noted the app is generally well supported amongst industry however, further assistance and training is required to encourage further uptake across the fishery.

  The science representative updated the working group on their research into the spanner crab reproductive cycle and growth. The project aims to:

  • address industry concerns regarding appropriateness of spawning closure dates
  • attempt to increase understanding of spanner crab growth rates.

  The aim of the research is to lead to a better understanding of critical life-history events for the crabs, such as:

  • timing of the reproductive cycle
  • size-specific moult cycles
  • age at maturity and entry to the fishery and their longevity

  Members were also provided a presentation on the timing of the spanner crab spawning closure. Previous research into identifying when spanner crabs are in the process of spawning has been inconclusive.

  The timing of the temporal spawning closure was discussed. The working group agreed to consider an additional reporting component in spanner crab logbooks to gather data and further understand when female spanner crabs are carrying eggs with the possibility to accurately understand when the spawning closure would best benefit stocks.

  A PhD student from the University of Sunshine Coast presented on their ongoing field research depredation on spanner crabs by shovelnose rays yet to be published. Out of 103 deployments in Noosa and K'gari waters at depths between 50–70m there were recorded shark interactions with dillies and depredation from shovelnose rays. The working group noted it would be valuable to gain data on spanner crab depredation along the east coast.

  The working group were commended on the value of the discussions and noted timing of the next meeting is yet to be decided.

  Attendees:

  Members

  • Chair: Kimberly Wockner (Agri-science Queensland)
  • Fisheries Queensland: Pauline Jacob, Sian Breen, Michelle Wenner, Lauren Jubb, Samuel Williams, Jason McGilvary, Micheal O'Neil, Nicholas Dennis (Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol)
  • Commercial fishers: Allen Filep, Richard Hamilton, Peter Jones
  • Seafood marketer and processor: Andre Gorissen, Matthew Osborne, Sampie Nieuwoudt
  • Research/Scientific advisor: Dr. Ian Brown

  Observers

  • Fisheries Queensland: Peta Schofield (eFisher app)
  • Researcher: Muhammad Ichsan