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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 58(3)

Two monitoring methods that assess species composition and spatio-temporal trends in bycatch from an important temperate rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) fishery

Daniel J. Brock A B , Peter J. Hawthorne A , Timothy M. Ward A and Adrian J. Linnane A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), PO Box 120, Henley Beach, SA 5022, Australia.

B School of Environmental Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: linnane.adrian@saugov.sa.gov.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 58(3) 273-285 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF06061
Submitted: 18 April 2006  Accepted: 10 January 2007   Published: 27 March 2007

Abstract

The effectiveness of two monitoring programs, designed to describe and quantify the bycatch from commercial pots, was examined in the South Australian rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) fishery (SARLF). The first, logbook sampling, relied on information collected and recorded by fishers in logbooks. The second, bycatch sampling, required fishers to collect bycatch specimens on a nominated day for later scientific analysis. A total of 40 bycatch species were recorded during the study. Finfish, mainly blue-throat wrasse (Notolabrus tetricus) and leather jacket species (Meuschenia hippocrepis and Meushenia australis), were the major component (>90% by number). Data from the logbook program were appropriate for monitoring spatio-temporal trends in bycatch, whereas the bycatch sampling provided more accurate information on bycatch species. Each program was subject to bias when estimating total bycatch numbers and, as a result, a combination of both methods indicated a cost-effective and appropriate way with which to monitor bycatch from the fishery. In comparison with other fisheries, bycatch from the SARLF was relatively low; however, because bycatch was dominated by relatively few species, ongoing monitoring and risk assessment of these populations is needed to ensure long-term sustainability of bycatch levels.

Additional keywords: pots, species composition.


Acknowledgements

This research was made possible by the voluntary collection of bycatch samples by commercial lobster fishers in both the southern and northern zones of the South Australian rock lobster fishery throughout the 2001–02 and 2002–03 seasons. Special thanks also go to processors in both zones who allowed samples to be stored on their premises. Thanks to Coby Mathews for processing samples from the northern zone fishery. We also thank Sean Sloan, John Carragher, Stephen Mayfield and three anonymous referees for their constructive comments on this manuscript.


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