Background/Aims
The development of a quota management system for the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster fishery (TRL) was a challenging journey. The management system evolved from output control to the current input control system. To implement the quota system structure, an Empirical Harvest Control Rule (eHCR) was developed with the help of Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) that incorporated the TRL stock assessment model. The management objectives of the fishery included considering social, ecological and economics components.
Methods
The MSE tool tested various management strategies when considering the broad objectives prioritized by consulting with the stakeholders for the quota system structure, the harvest control rules and the eHCR. The eHCR served as a rapid and efficient approach to provide the most suitable candidate for determining the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the fishery, which is the core of the quota management system. The eHCR approach weighed the annual average of recent years’ catch from the fishery, two fishing sectors standardized catch rates and the latest fishery-independent pre-fishing season survey abundance index. The eHCR approach has been rigorously tested using MSE.
Results
The rapid change of economic, environmental and geopolitical conditions, including covid, extreme heat waves and an exportation bans, meant that it was necessary to revise the eHCR. The revised eHCR has been designed for greater robustness to external shocks as well as climate change.
Conclusion
There are a number of trade-offs associated with choice of an eHCR for implementation in a fishery, and these are currently being shared with stakeholders to inform ongoing TRL management.
Keywords: Tropical lobster, TAC, harvest control rules, MSE
Co-authors acknowledgment: Denham Parker, Leo Dutra, Steven Edgar, Nicole Murphy, Kinam Salee, Mark Tonks and Laura Blamey