DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES Workshop Introduction Michael Phelan, Coastal Fisheries Scientist

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES Black Jewfish Black jewfish is the largest tropical sciaenid. Fish grow to 154 cm and ~50 kg. –Large size = revered by ind., rec., and com fishers. Fillets of a 130 cm fish = 70 restaurant serves.

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES Many examples from across the globe that indicates target fishing aggregations may: –truncate size/age structure (e.g. Beets & Friedlander 1992). –decrease reproductive capacity (e.g. Eckland et al. 2000). –alter genetic composition (e.g. Altukhov & Salmenkova 1991). –result in the total loss of aggregations (e.g. Koenig et al. 1997). Pro-active stance taken to avoid the same occurring in NT waters. Need for jewfish research

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES The four projects focusing on NT black jewfish being undertaken by NT Fisheries, AIMS & TAFI. Funded by NT Government and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Collaborative Projects

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES Acknowledgements Project indebted to many people and organisations: Ind., rec., com. fishers and fishing tour operators. Special thanks to: –Tony Franklin, –Adam Collins, –Shane Richardson, –Norm Heditch; –Arafura Pearls, –Marine Harvest; –Dundee, Arafura & Equinox Fishing Charters.

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES Project 1: Age/Reproduction Aim: Determine the age structure and reproductive strategy of black jewfish. –Undertaken by DPIFM. –Preliminary results to be presented by Michael Phelan.

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES Project 2: Acoustic Tagging Aim: Determine the degree of movement between two known aggregation sites. –Project undertaken by TAFI and DPIFM. –Preliminary results to be presented by Michael Phelan

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES Aim: Profile the characteristics of the two aggregation study sites. –Project undertaken by AIMS and DPIFM –Preliminary results to be presented by Dr Mark Meekan Project 3: Habitat Mapping

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES Aim: Pilot study to define the spatial structure of black jewfish stocks. –Project undertaken by DPIFM and AIMS –Preliminary results to be presented by Dr Mark Meekan. Project 4: Otolith Microchemistry

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY, FISHERIES AND MINES These are preliminary results……the results are subject to change……so why present now? This workshop provides the opportunity to: 1. Contribute to the final analysis of the data, and 2. Guide the final report’s recommendations. Project objectives