*

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.

Tasmania

The commercial fishery for Southern Calamari in Tasmania initially developed in the mid-1990s. Annual catches rose to around 100 t between 1998–99 and 2004–05. Total commercial catches then decreased to less than 60 t in 2009–10 before increasing again to peak levels > 110 t in 2016–17. In 2021–22, the total commercial catch amounted to 86.3 t. Overall similar trends were evident for total effort, and, thus, total CPUE was fairly stable from 2000–01 onwards [Sharples et al. 2023]. Estimates of recreational catches of Southern Calamari indicate a consistently increasing interest by this sector, peaking with an estimated catch of 64 t in 2012–13 [Lyle et al. 2019]. The latest estimate from 2017–18 revealed recreational catch was reduced by about 50% (31 t) - similar to commercial catches in that season.

Substantial regional variation is apparent in commercial catch and effort trends over the duration of the time series, which challenges inference of stock status from trends in total catches described above. During initial fishery development, catch and effort were highest on the east and southeast coasts. Subsequent declines in catch and effort in these regions triggered management interventions, including the introduction of a species-specific licence and seasonal closures of key spawning grounds. Catches, effort and catch rates in the State’s south-east have been relatively stable at substantially reduced levels since then, averaging around 20–30 t since 2006–07 [Krueck et al. 2020]. Concurrently, since the late 2000s, commercial landings of Southern Calamari off the State’s north coast have increased from around 15 t prior to 2007 to > 80 t in 2016–17 [Moore et al. 2019]. These catch increases were accompanied by increased levels of both fishing effort (vessel days) and catch rates. With no clear indication that fishing mortality was excessive, the stock was considered sustainable [Moore et al. 2019]. However, data for 2017–18 revealed a sharp decline in both north coast catches and catch rates, leading to a revised classification of the stock as depleting [Moore et al. 2019].  These sharp declines initiated fishery-independent egg surveys on the north coast from late 2017, with numbers of eggs per month during the spawning season showing significant correlations to commercial catch [Ewing et al 2020]. Thus, limited spawning activity on north coast fishing grounds and a low associated abundance of spawning adults might have caused the drop in commercial catch and catch rates during the 2017–18 season. Even if local environmental factors are likely to play a role, the drivers of substantial variation in spawning activity on the north coast remain unclear [Ewing et al. 2020], providing reason for caution against further depleting the stock even if catches and effort had increased again in 2018–19 [Krueck et al. 2020]. To address concerns about north coast populations, extended temporal closures have been introduced (August-October). However, even these extended temporal closures do not fully cover the known range of the Southern Calamari spawning season [Ewing et al. 2020]. In response to continuing concerns expressed by fishery stakeholders about the status of stocks, further management intervention is being considered, including (1) options to reduce participation and/or (2) further adjusting the temporal closure.

In addition to the trends and concerns described above, estimates of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) based on the 'CMSY' approach after Froese et al. [2017, 2021] indicate that peak catches of Southern Calamari notably exceeded maximum sustainable levels in all key fishing areas in the south-east coast region, while in the north coast regions catches have started fluctuating around maximum sustainable levels over the last six to seven years [Sharples et al. 2023]. 

The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. However, the above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is likely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired in the future.

On the basis of the evidence presented above, Southern Calamari in Tasmania is classified as a depleting 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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