Evaluation of prospective assessment, consultation and management actions that should be applied to the Grey mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) fishery in the waters off the former Douglas Shire (Far North Queensland).

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INTRODUCTION

The Network for Sustainable Fishing in Douglas Shire (NSF) and Mossman Boat & Fishing Club (MBFC) have sought to bring the decline of the local grey mackerel (Scomberomorus – semifasciatus) fishery to the attention of the Department of Primary Industry, Queensland. Various papers, presentations and public meetings have taken place in the period 2006 to 2008 to press for management control to be applied during the grey mackerel fishing season (previously from June to mid September). Specific requests for management measures to be applied have met with the following responses:

• An emergency fisheries declaration can only be made if the chief Executive is satisfied that urgent action is needed to meet a significant threat to fisheries resources or a fish habitat or another emergency;
• The Department has to consider how access to the grey mackerel fishery has to be shared between the different stakeholders, i.e. commercial and recreational fishers. One of the most difficult issues to address in any fishery is how to share access to fishery resources between fishery sectors. Throughout the East Coast stakeholders have called for exclusive access to fisheries resources (usually recreational fishers wanting commercial netting banned).
• There is no immediate threat to the sustainability of the grey mackerel fishery since the low level of catch in the region compared to the rest of the east coats suggests that it is unlikely there are small localised populations;
• Recent catch data (from best available data, i.e. extracted from commercial fishers) suggests that the risk-from recent levels of fishing activity to grey mackerel in the Port Douglas area is low.

Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management (Pty) Ltd, an International fisheries consultancy company was requested to undertake a short scoping study to evaluate the processes that could lead to the establishment of management arrangements for the localised fishery, against best available evidence. In this context the Company has reviewed scientific papers, and best available data, including catch information from local fishers and anglers. Poseidon has also analysed the legislation and consultative process that can and should be applied to the fishery, whether on a local, State or Commonwealth Scale.

Poseidon has a track record in fisheries management and control, risk analysis and fishery certification and works primarily for International donors including FAO, World Bank and Asian Development Bank.