measures may include, but should not be limited to, closed areas, move on rules or rotational zoning. Fisheries activity is closely linked to the international demand for trochus. The fishery has appeared to operate in a boom and bust fashion, with increased catches occurring when high prices of trochus can be obtained. Whilst this has allowed the fishery to recover from potential over harvesting in the past there is a risk that if high prices are sustained for an extended period stocks may not be able to recover. The TAC for the fishery is based on surveys conducted in 2009 in the eastern Torres Strait, which indicated that the population appeared to be stable compared to historic data, with densities similar to 1995 and healthy populations elsewhere (Murphy et al., 2010). The research noted that due to the highly cryptic nature of trochus there was low precision and therefore low reliability to detect even large changes in trochus densities. The research raised concern regarding the appropriateness of the trochus TAC and recommended introducing a trigger catch level of 100t (whole weight) with agreed management actions if this level is reached (Murphy 2010) to mitigate risk of et al. overfishing. Results of any stock assessments The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), taking into consideration the latest surveys along with the current catch levels of trochus, classify the fishery as not being subject to overfishing, but uncertain with respect to the overfished stock status classification (Woodhams et al. 2014). Results of any stock recovery strategies (if applicable) As the fishery is not considered overfished, recovery strategies are not applicable. Interactions with protected species Frequency and nature of interactions Due to the fishery being restricted to hand collection only, no interactions with protected species have been recorded or are considered likely. Management action taken to reduce interactions and results of such action Not applicable Impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem in which it operates Results of any Ecological Risk Assessments Due to the low level of effort in the fishery an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) has not been conducted. Nature of impacts on the ecosystem Although an ERA has not been conducted for the fishery it could be envisaged that impacts on the ecosystem would be restricted to: Concerns about exploitation levels of target species; Concerns translocation of species via hull and anchor fouling; and Anchoring/mooring and other anthropogenic activities such as treading on reef top habitat.
measures may include, but should not be limited to, closed areas, move on rules or rotational zoning. Fisheries activity is closely linked to the international demand for trochus. The fishery has appeared to operate in a boom and bust fashion, with increased catches occurring when high prices of trochus can be obtained. Whilst this has allowed the fishery to recover from potential over harvesting in the past there is a risk that if high prices are sustained for an extended period stocks may not be able to recover. The TAC for the fishery is based on surveys conducted in 2009 in the eastern Torres Strait, which indicated that the population appeared to be stable compared to historic data, with densities similar to 1995 and healthy populations elsewhere (Murphy et al., 2010). The research noted that due to the highly cryptic nature of trochus there was low precision and therefore low reliability to detect even large changes in trochus densities. The research raised concern regarding the appropriateness of the trochus TAC and recommended introducing a trigger catch level of 100t (whole weight) with agreed management actions if this level is reached (Murphy et al. 2010) to mitigate risk of overfishing. Results of any stock assessments The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), taking into consideration the latest surveys along with the current catch levels of trochus, classify the fishery as not being subject to overfishing, but uncertain with respect to the overfished stock status classification (Woodhams et al. 2014). Results of any stock recovery strategies (if applicable) As the fishery is not considered overfished, recovery strategies are not applicable. Interactions with protected species Frequency and nature of interactions Due to the fishery being restricted to hand collection only, no interactions with protected species have been recorded or are considered likely. Management action taken to reduce interactions and results of such action Not applicable Impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem in which it operates Results of any Ecological Risk Assessments Due to the low level of effort in the fishery an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) has not been conducted. Nature of impacts on the ecosystem Although an ERA has not been conducted for the fishery it could be envisaged that impacts on the ecosystem would be restricted to: Concerns about exploitation levels of target species; Concerns translocation of species via hull and anchor fouling; and Anchoring/mooring and other anthropogenic activities such as treading on reef top habitat.
torres-strait-trochus-application-2017.docx