Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery Species-Specific Vulnerability Assessment

Abstract

The purpose of the Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery Vulnerability Assessment (MAFF VA) was to assess the relative vulnerability of marine ornamental fishes by evaluating their resilience to disturbance and their susceptibility to the negative effects of fishing activities. The MAFF VA also identifies avenues where vulnerability can be further understood, managed or mitigated within the Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery (MAFF).

The Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) for data-poor fisheries was adapted and utilised for this assessment. The PSA is a semi-quantitative, species-level assessment that provides indicative vulnerability ratings (i.e. low, medium, high) and the key drivers of this vulnerability for 137 marine ornamental fishes harvested in the MAFF. This vulnerability was calculated based on the biological characteristics (productivity) and fishery-impact profile (susceptibility) of each species.

Of the 137 species assessed, one was assigned a high-vulnerability rating, 32 a medium-vulnerability rating and 104 a low-vulnerability rating. The influence of attributes on the final vulnerability ratings and key drivers of vulnerability varied, showing a high degree of species-specificity. The MAFF VA can be built on through subsequent assessments to examine the vulnerability of secondary species and emerging priorities.

The MAFF VA identified several limitations within the current management regime and the harvest strategy framework. Key recommendations include updating the Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery Harvest Strategy 2021–2026, minimising potential long-term risks to Tier 1 and Tier 2 species and the continued implementation of the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery Data Improvement Plan.