Abstracts - Darren Dennis

This paper presents outcomes of research conducted to support sustainable management of the Torres Strait lobster fishery for islander and non-islander sectors. The outcomes of annual fishery-independent surveys and targeted research to address potential conflict between islander and non-islander sectors and plans for future development of quota management are presented.

The Torres Strait tropical rock lobster Panulirus ornatus fishery is shared between Australia and PNG under the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA). In Australian waters the fishery is further sub-divided into the indigenous (islander) and non-islander sectors and managed to maximize the opportunities for the traditional inhabitants. To this end expansion in participation is limited to traditional inhabitants.

In Torres Strait lobsters are taken exclusively by diving and trawling for lobsters was banned in 1984. About 500 licensed islander fishers based at the many island communities operate from small (<6 m) dinghies. The non-islander sector consists of about 21 freezer boats (7-20 m), each with 1-6 small tenders operating from it. Hence, the non-islander sector is more mobile and more readily able to maintain catch rates by moving between areas.

The fishery is managed by input controls supported by annual stock assessments based on fishery-independent population surveys conducted since 1989. Historical (prior to 1996) estimates of exploitation indicated that the combined catches of the islander and non-islander sectors were below sustainable levels. Catch rates of traditional free-divers were shown to be unaffected by higher catches made by divers using hookah equipment and research showed that small hookah exclusion zones around islands could conserve the island-based catch.

More recently, with increasing stock abundance the ratio of islander to non-islander catch is falling, prompting effort reduction in the non-islander sector. New quota management, including a 50:50 share for islanders and non-islanders may simplify the allocation of catch, but a new suite of complications may arise.

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