Large fish species are rapidly declining around Australia, according to the first continental diver census of shallow reef fish. Contrary to years of sustainability reports, our study indicates that excessive fishing pressure is contributing to the decline of many Australian fish species.
In areas open to fishing, we found that exploited populations fell by an average of 33 per cent between 2005 and 2015. This rate closely matches the 32 per cent downward trend in total Australian fishery catches through the same period.
In contrast, in marine parks where fishing is prohibited, the same species increased by an average of 25 per cent. Other species not targeted by fishers showed a small downward trend (11 per cent decline in fished zones; 16 per cent decline in no-take marine reserves), indicating that recent marine heatwaves off southeastern and southwestern Australia have probably adversely affected marine life over a wide area.
Citizen science
Our audit of 531 study sites was made possible by combining data from 50-metre long transects repeatedly surveyed by Australian Institute of Marine Science and University of Tasmania research divers, and by highly trained volunteers participating in the citizen science Reef Life Survey program.
After the collapse of some high-profile fisheries in the 1990s, such as gemfish, orange roughy and southern bluefin tuna, federal and state agencies took a more conservative approach to fish capture. Australian fisheries are now regarded as among the most sustainable worldwide.
Regardless, the prevalence of downward population trends in our investigation indicates that a reduction in fishing pressure and additional caution is needed. Otherwise, more Australian fisheries may not be economically viable if this trend continues.
Our analysis identified a variety of issues that affect fishery management practices, many of which are also evident overseas, including:
- little relevant data for decision-making related to ecological issues
- a lack of no-fishing reference areas to scientifically assess impacts of fishing
- poorly documented stock assessments with limited public accessibility
- management decisions made by committees dominated by industry-aligned members
- short-term catch maximisation prioritised over precaution
- fishery models that rarely consider species interactions or climate impacts
- wider effects of fishing on ecosystems and their resilience to multiple pressures are overlooked
No-fishing reserves work
Our study indicates that a highly effective but underused tool in the manager’s toolbox is expanded rollout of no-fishing “marine reserves”. Despite receiving wide public support, most Australian marine reserves are small and located in areas with few fishery resources. They consequently house few mature, egg-producing females and do little to assist in the rebuilding of overfished stocks. Nor are they likely to help much in the recovery of important ecosystem functions, as needed for fished-species populations to rebound after climate shocks and other pressures.
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The environmental and economic debt for future generations is both huge and unfair.
The July rollout of Australian Marine Parks, in particular, represents a lost opportunity that may prove a significant problem for fishers. Although covering 2.76 million square kilometres – the largest marine park in the world – it is of limited conservation value.
Through three rounds of public submissions, each largely aimed at minimising any remaining overlap with current fishing activities, the final zoning plans affect very few stakeholders. The outcome is neither an efficient nor effective solution to the actual problem of protecting the oceans.
For example, the Temperate East Zone covering waters from the Victorian border to southern Queensland includes no new “no-take” reserves shallower than 1,000m depth, although these waters are where virtually all fishing impacts occur in this region.
The widespread declaration of marine parks that allow current fishing to continue is perhaps useful when harmful fishing practices for ecosystems are excluded. However, our study indicates that this basic assumption does not apply to Australian Marine Parks.
The environmental and economic debt for future generations is both huge and unfair.
Graham Edgar is Senior Marine Ecologist at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania and Trevor J Ward is Adjunct professor at the University of Technology Sydney. This article was originally published on The Conversation.
