*

Stocks of Southern Calamari are considered to be sustainable in SA, VIC and NSW waters, while the stock in TAS is considered to be depleting. In Commonwealth waters, the stock is negligible.

The biological structure of populations across the distributional range of Southern Calamari is complex and potentially dynamic. One study using allozyme markers identified three genetic types with overlapping distributions and possible stocks off Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania (data were not available for Victoria) [Triantafillos and Adams 2001]. In contrast, another study using microsatellite markers found little genetic differentiation between seven study sites in Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia [Smith et al. 2015]. The same study identified Tasmania as a possibly important site for gene flow. Life history dynamics and studies of movement and statolith microchemistry in Tasmania suggest some localised population structuring [Pecl et al. 2011]. In the absence of conclusive evidence on biological stock boundaries, assessment of stock status is presented at the jurisdictional level—Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

New South Wales

In New South Wales, Southern Calamari is taken primarily as a by-product species in the commercial Ocean Trawl Fishery (OTF), particularly by the fish trawl sector off the central and southern coasts [Hall 2020]. Total commercial landings in New South Wales were consistently above 50 t per year until the mid-2000s, with a peak of 145 t in 1997–98 [Hall 2020]. There was a considerable decrease in catches in 2006–07, and since then, commercial catches have fluctuated between 25–55 t per annum. The most recent catch in 2021–22 was 27.7 t [Hall 2023]. 

Recreational anglers and charter boat operators in New South Wales also take significant quantities of Southern Calamari in estuaries, bays and inshore ocean waters, but often for bait rather than human consumption and at much lower levels than in southern states [Hall 2020]. The most recent estimate of the recreational harvest of Southern Calamari in NSW was approximately 30,403 squid during 2019–20 [Murphy et al. 2022]. This estimate was based on a survey of Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) Households, comprised of at least one fisher possessing a long-term (one or three years duration) fishing licence and any other fishers resident within their household. The equivalent estimates from previous surveys in 2017–18 and 2013–14 were considerably smaller at around 15,247 and 13,087 squid harvested, respectively [Murphy et al. 2020]. The annual statewide Aboriginal harvest of Southern Calamari in New South Wales is unknown.

The reduced commercial landings in recent years have resulted from a concurrent decrease in effort in the prawn and fish trawl sectors of the OTF from 8 081 and 3,370 days fished, respectively, in 1997–98 to 252 and 749 days fished in 2021–22 [Hall 2023]. Standardised catch rates for the two sectors indicate differing historical trends, with mean monthly CPUE (catch-per-unit-effort in kg per day) for the fish trawl sector increasing by over 80% in the early 1990s to a distinct peak of 57.4 kg per day in 1998, followed by a rapid decline by over 50% until 2002. Since then, catch rates have been more stable and were above average levels (7 kg per hour trawled) over the last three years [Hall 2023]. Historical catch rates in the prawn trawl sector decreased by over 80% in the early 1990s and continued to trend downwards until 2013–14. Since, then, catch rates have improved slightly and were above average levels (0.4 kg per hour trawled) over the last three years [Hall 2023]. This sector has always reported lower catches and catch rates, because fishing occurs in the northern extremity of the species' distribution. Populations and catches in northern New South Wales are most likely to be impacted by any southwards range shift in response to climate change [Pecl and Jackson 2008].

Collectively, the above evidence indicates that the biomass is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. Furthermore, the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.

On the basis of the evidence provided above, Southern Calamari in New South Wales is classified as a sustainable stock.

Southern Calamari biology [Pecl 2001; Pecl et al. 2004; Triantafillos 2004]

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Southern Calamari

Commonwealth – Recreational. The Australian government does not manage recreational fishing. Recreational fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the states or territory immediately adjacent to those waters, under their management regulations.

Commonwealth – Indigenous. The Australian government does not manage non-commercial Indigenous fishing (with the exception of the Torres Strait). In general, non-commercial Indigenous fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the states or territory immediately adjacent to those waters. In the Torres Strait both commercial and non-commercial Indigenous fishing is managed by the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA) through the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (Commonwealth), Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (Queensland) and the Torres Strait Regional Authority. The PZJA also manages non-Indigenous commercial fishing in the Torres Strait.

Commonwealth – Commercial (Management Methods/Catch). Data provided for the Commonwealth align with the Commonwealth Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery for the 2021–22 financial year.

New South Wales – Commercial (Catch). Data are provided in financial years.

New South Wales – Recreational (Catch). Estimate from Murphy et al. [2020, 2022], based on a survey of Recreational Fishing Licence households. Note, estimates for Southern Calamari are highly uncertain, with a relative standard error of greater than 30% and based on survey data from fewer than 20 households.

New South Wales – Indigenous (Management Methods). https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/aboriginal-fishing).

Victoria – Indigenous (Management Methods). A person who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is exempt from the need to obtain a Victorian recreational fishing licence, provided they comply with all other rules that apply to recreational fishers, including rules on equipment, catch limits, size limits and restricted areas. Traditional (non-commercial) fishing activities that are carried out by members of a traditional owner group entity under an agreement pursuant to Victoria’s Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 are also exempt from the need to hold a recreational fishing licence, subject to any conditions outlined in the agreement. Native title holders are also exempt from the need to obtain a recreational fishing licence under the provisions of the Commonwealth’s Native Title Act 1993.

Tasmania – Commercial (Catch). Catches reported for the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery are for the period 1 July to 30 June the following year. The most recent (complete) assessment available is for 2021–22.

Tasmania – Recreational (Management Methods). In Tasmania, a recreational licence is required for fishers using dropline or longline gear, along with nets, such as gillnet or beach seine. A bag limit of 10 individuals and a possession limit of 20 individuals is in place for recreational fishers.

Tasmania – Indigenous (Management Methods). In Tasmania, Indigenous persons engaged in traditional fishing activities in marine waters are exempt from holding recreational fishing licences but must comply with all other fisheries rules as if they were licensed. For details, see the policy document 'Recognition of Aboriginal Fishing Activities” (https://fishing.tas.gov.au/Documents/Policy%20for%20Aboriginal%20tags%20and%20alloting%20an%20UIC.pdf).

Commercial catch of Southern Calamari - note confidential catch not shown

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