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Western Rock Lobster Management for Seasons 2001/2002 and 2002/2003

Executive Summary

The RLIAC has produced this discussion paper primarily to provide a basis for discussion on management options for seasons 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 but also in response to rock lobster association suggestions made to the RLIAC. The release of this paper is an important step in the development of the RLIAC’s management advice because it provides a framework for ongoing discussions.

In Part One of this paper the discussion is focused on the suggestion that the 2001/2002 catch be increased. In Part Two other suggestions, by associations, that are primarily concerned with other aspects of the management of the fishery are discussed.

The suggestion to increase the catch, primarily in Zone C, is based on consideration of catch predictions and estimates of egg production in relation to the targets set for the fishery.

Catches for the fishery are predicted to decline from around 14,000 tonnes for the current season to between 9,350 and 10,250 tonnes in 2001/2002 after which they are expected to increase to between 10,750 and 11,700 tonnes in 2002/2003. Egg production at the start of the 2002/2003 season is expected to be five per cent below the target in Zone A, 18 per cent above in Zone B and 28 per cent above in Zone C.

As the breeding stock is considered to be above the target level (particularly in Zone C ) it has been proposed by some sections of the industry that there is an opportunity to take additional catch and the best time to do this is in 2001/2002 when there is a catch trough (in Zone C).

The following management changes have been generally suggested by industry as having the scope to increase the catch in 2001/2002:

• removing the maximum size rule;
• allowing setose females greater than 105 mm carapace length to be kept;
• increasing pot usage; and
• extending the length of the season by one month.

Removing the maximum size rule all season is expected to result in additional catches of about 290 tonnes in total; 40 tonnes (2 per cent increase) from Zone A, 90 tonnes (3 per cent increase) from Zone B and 160 tonnes (3 per cent increase) from Zone C. Less would be caught if the change applied from 1 January onwards.

Allowing setose females greater than 105 mm carapace length to be kept all season is expected to result in additional catches of about 930 tonnes in total; 130 tonnes (8 per cent increase) from Zone A, 240 tonnes (8 per cent increase) from Zone B and 560 tonnes (13 per cent increase) from Zone C. Less would be caught if the change applied from 1 January onwards.

Pot usages of about 87 per cent in Zone A (Abrolhos Islands), 87 per cent for Zone B and 85 per cent for Zone C are expected to give equivalent catch increases to removing the maximum size rule. Increasing pot usage to 94 per cent in Zone A (Abrolhos Islands), 94 per cent in Zone B and 93 per cent in Zone C are expected to give equivalent catch increases to allowing setose females greater than 105 mm carapace length to be kept. Pot usages for Zone A and Zone B have been made the same to keep a consistency in pot usage in the northern zone even though a higher pot usage in Zone A in some cases may be required to give the desired catch increases.

Extending the length of the season by one month in 2001/2002 is expected to result in additional catches of about 1010 tonnes in total; 90 tonnes (5 per cent increase) from Zone A, 280 tonnes (9 per cent increase) from Zone B and 640 (6.5 per cent increase) tonnes from Zone C.

Allowing the retention of additional mature females should have an immediate but short-term impact on egg production. In contrast increasing pot usage and extending the season should have less impact on egg production in the short term because new recruits of both sexes would mostly be taken. Increasing pot usage and extending the season should have a delayed impact on egg production. In comparison to the other options these two options should increase fishing costs.

It is possible for the northern and southern Zones to have different approaches to management for the 2001/2002 season.

Industry suggestions discussed in part two of the paper which may or may not impact on the catch are listed below and discussed in this paper:

• closing Zone B from 10 January to 9 February;
• introducing a nomination system that gives Zone A and B licensees the choice of fishing Zone B in January or July;
• increasing the maximum pot usage to 150;
• permitting pots to be hauled at night at Big Bank;
• removing separate management arrangements for the Big Bank zone;
• removing the 20 fathom line restriction on Zone A licensees; and
• removing the 77mm minimum size rule in Zone B.

A brief discussion of management arrangements for the 2002/2003 season is provided for the purposes of enabling the RLIAC to implement a three-year rolling plan for the fishery.

A period of around six weeks (July to August) is being allowed for submissions on this paper. After which, the RLIAC will discuss its revised proposal with industry on the coastal tour in October (9th to 13th). Following the coastal tour the RLIAC expects to be in a position to provide the Minister with its management advice for the 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons.

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