News release - QLD scallop monitoring report

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/newsreleases/13365.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[Lucky_Phill]

20 August, 2003

Scallop monitoring highlights abundance in Queensland
A recently released report into saucer scallops indicates that scallop replenishment areas are helping to sustain Queensland stocks.

The Department of Primary Industries Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) Long-Term Monitoring Program surveys have been carried out each year since 1997 in the major scallop grounds between Hervey Bay and Yeppoon.

QFS fisheries biologist Eddie Jebreen said the surveys gathered information on scallop stocks, such as where the high and low density areas were situated, and the size structure of scallops in these areas.

“The saucer scallop fishery is a significant part of Queensland’s east coast trawl fishery,” Mr Jebreen said.

“Therefore, it is important to determine whether the fisheries management practices in place are working to sustain scallop stocks.”

The information contained within the recent report relates to the first four years of survey data collected between 1997 and 2000.

A second report including additional data collected in 2001 and 2002 is currently being prepared and reflects changes made to the survey design in 2001.

Mr Jebreen said analysis from the first four years of the survey highlighted high stock densities in scallop replenishment areas, and that high densities of scallops less than one year old were almost entirely restricted to these areas.

He said scallops more than one year old were more widely distributed but were still predominant in the replenishment areas between 1997 and 2000.

“Scallop replenishment areas are large zones opened and closed to commercial trawling on a rotational basis,” Mr Jebreen said.

“When closed, commercial trawl operators are excluded from the areas to help protect brood stock from fishing and allowing stocks to replenish.

“The survey results between 1997 and 2000 highlight that these areas had a high abundance of juvenile scallops which was a positive outcome for the industry.”

Mr Jebreen said the survey also looked at trends in by-product species such as blue swimmer crabs and Moreton Bay bugs which operators were allowed to retain as a component of their catch.

“The results show that blue swimmer crabs tended to be found as a by-product in the southern areas towards Hervey Bay while Moreton Bay bugs were abundant in the central and northern areas,” he said.

“The information helps us to learn more about the populations of by-product species in these areas as well as how much they contribute to the operator’s catch.”

Mr Jebreen said all the information collected was giving fisheries managers and commercial operators a greater understanding of the status of Queensland’s fish stocks.

Copies of the Scallop Report 1997-2000 can be found on the DPI web site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fisheriesmonitoringprogram.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Further information: Eddie Jebreen (07) 3817 9592
Media Officer: Liz Smith Ph: +61 7 3224 7757
Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001. Fax +61 7 3239 0860
DPI Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23

[jaybee]

gee phil i could have posted that 3 or 4 days ago if i knew anybody was interested. let me know i can send it to u with a date
cheers