Reef Line Fishery Level 2 Ecological Risk Assessment: 2021 Update

Abstract

An updated Level 2 Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) has been finalised for the Reef Line Fishery (RLF). This ERA is based on fishing activities up to the 2021/22 season and examines the risk posed to teleosts from the ‘Other Species’ quota management unit and four protected fin fish. The primary objective of the report was to update a 2019/20 RLF Level 2 ERA to take into consideration the content of the Reef Line Fishery Harvest Strategy 2020–2025 and any new information.
Level 2 ERAs are focused at the species level with risk evaluations based on a Productivity & Susceptibility Analysis (PSA). The PSA evaluates risk for each species through an assessment of seven biological attributes and up to seven fisheries-specific attributes. The updated Level 2 ERA examined the risk posed to 38 target & byproduct species (Other Species quota management unit), and four protected teleosts. Collectively, nine species were found to be at high risk from line fishing activities, and the remaining 33 species were assessed as a medium risk. This is a marked decrease from the previous assessment where 17 species were classified as high risk.
For a portion of the species assessed, the final risk ratings were precautionary and more representative of the potential risk. Management of precautionary risks beyond what is already being undertaken as part of the Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017–2027 is not considered a priority.