Ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: Technical report

Abstract

An ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Region was undertaken in 2010 and 2011. It assessed the risks posed by this fishery to achieving fishery-related and broader ecological objectives of both the Queensland and Australian governments, including risks to the values and integrity of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The risks assessed included direct and indirect effects on the species caught in the fishery as well as on the structure and functioning of the ecosystem. This ecosystem-based approach included an assessment of the impacts on harvested species, bycatch, species of conservation concern, marine habitats, species assemblages and ecosystem processes. The assessment took into account current management arrangements and fishing practices at the time of the assessment. The main findings of the assessment were: • Current risk levels from trawling activities are generally low. • Some risks from trawling remain. • Risks from trawling have reduced in the Great Barrier Reef Region. • Trawl fishing effort is a key driver of ecological risk. • Zoning has been important in reducing risks. • Reducing identified unacceptable risks requires a range of management responses. • The commercial fishing industry is supportive and being proactive. • Further reductions in trawl bycatch, high compliance with rules and accurate information from ongoing risk monitoring are important. • Trawl fishing is just one of the sources of risk to the Great Barrier Reef.