Australian Sardine (2023)
Sardinops sagax
Date Published: June 2023
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Summary
The four separate biological stocks of Australian Sardine are sustainable. It is caught commercially in WA, SA, VIC, TAS, NSW and Commonwealth waters using nets.
Stock Status Overview
Jurisdiction | Stock | Stock status | Indicators |
---|---|---|---|
South Australia | Southern Australia | Sustainable | Spawning biomass, exploitation rate, catch |
Stock Structure
Australian Sardine off southern Australia is a meta-population [Whittington et al. 2008], with effective isolation of four separate biological stocks: the South Western (off Western Australia); Southern (off South Australia); South Eastern (off Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW) and Eastern (off northern New South Wales and southern Queensland) Australian stocks [Izzo et al. 2017]. Recent evidence has confirmed the separation of the South Eastern Australia stock from the Eastern Australia stock [Sexton et al. 2018]. There is some evidence that the South Western and Eastern biological stocks each include two separate sub-components [Gaughan et al. 2002, Izzo et al. 2017]. The two sub-components off Western Australia were previously reported as two separate biological stocks, but these have now been merged into a single South Western Australia stock, which is managed as two separate units.
Stock status for Australian Sardine is presented at the biological stock level—South Western Australia, Eastern Australia, South Eastern Australia and Southern Australia.
Stock Status
Southern Australia
The Southern Australia stock of Australian Sardine is fished by the South Australian Sardine Fishery [PIRSA 2023]. The stock was last assessed in 2022 using the DEPM [Grammer and Ivey 2022] and in 2021 using population modelling of estimates of spawning biomass, catch and catch-at-age data [Grammer et al. 2021].
Recent estimates of spawning biomass obtained using both the DEPM and population modelling have been above 300,000 t [Grammer et al. 2021; Grammer and Ivey 2022], which is above the target reference point of 200,000 t identified in the management plan for the SASF [PIRSA 2023]. The current exploitation rate is less than 20% (that is a Total Allowable catch of 50,000 t from an estimated spawning biomass of more than 300,000 t), which is below the 30% level considered safe for this stock by Smith et al. [2015].
The above evidence indicates that the biomass of this stock is unlikely to be depleted and that recruitment is unlikely to be impaired. Furthermore, the above evidence indicates that the current level of fishing mortality is unlikely to cause the stock to become recruitment impaired.
On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Southern Australia biological stock is classified as a sustainable stock.
Biology
Australian Sardine biology [Stewart et al. 2010; Ward and Grammer 2018]
Species | Longevity / Maximum Size | Maturity (50 per cent) |
---|---|---|
Australian Sardine | 9 years; 200–250 mm SL | 1–2 years; 145 mm SL |
Tables
South Australia | |
---|---|
Commercial | |
Purse Seine |
Method | South Australia |
---|---|
Commercial | |
Gear restrictions | |
Limited entry | |
Total allowable catch |
South Australia | |
---|---|
Commercial | 46.94Kt |
Indigenous | Unknown |
Recreational | No catch |
Commonwealth – Commercial (Catch) Commonwealth data is presented for 2021–22 financial year.
Commonwealth – Recreational The Australian Government does not manage recreational fishing in Commonwealth waters. Recreational fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the state or territory immediately adjacent to those waters, under its management regulations.
Commonwealth – Indigenous The Australian Government does not manage non-commercial Indigenous fishing in Commonwealth waters, with the exception of the Torres Strait. In general, non-commercial Indigenous fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the state or territory immediately adjacent to those waters.
Western Australia – Recreational (Management Methods) a Recreational Fishing from Boat License is required for use of a powered boat to fish or to transport catch or fishing gear to or from a land-based fishing location.
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.
Catch Chart
Commercial catch of Australian Sardine - note confidential catch not shown
References
- AFMA. 2022. Species summaries 2022. Small Pelagic Fishery (SPF). SPFRAG Comments December 2022. Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Canberra.
- Blazeski, S, Norriss, J, Smith, KA and Hourston, M 2021. Ecological Risk Assessment for the State-Wide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource. Fisheries Research Report No. 320 Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia. 115 pp.
- Gaughan, DJ, Craine, M, Stephenson, P, Leary, T and Lewis, P 2008, Regrowth of pilchard (Sardinops sagax) stocks off southern WA following the mass mortality event of 1998/99, final report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, project 2000/135, Fisheries research report 176, Western Australian Department of Fisheries, Perth.
- Gaughan, DJ, Fletcher, WJ and McKinlay, JP 2002, Functionally distinct adult assemblages within a single breeding stock of the Sardine, Sardinops sagax: management units within a management unit, Fisheries Research, 59: 217–231.
- Grammer, G. L., and A. R. Ivey. 2022. Spawning biomass of Sardine, Sardinops sagax, in waters off South Australia in 2022. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. Institution: South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/000566-12. SARDI Research Report Series No.1152. 27pp.
- Grammer, G. L., T. M. Ward, and L. M. Durante. 2022. Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery: Fishery Assessment Report 2019-2021. Report to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2010/000270-11. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1133. 101pp.
- Grammer, G., F. Bailleul, A. Ivey, and J. Smart. 2021. Stock assessment of Australian Sardine (Sardinops sagax) off South Australia 2021. Report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2007/000765-8. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1120. 96pp.
- Izzo, C, Ward, TM, Ivey, AR, Suthers, IM, Stewart, J, Sexton, SC and Gillanders, BM 2017, Integrated approach to determining stock structure: implications for fisheries management of sardine, Sardinops sagax, in Australian waters. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries. 1: 267–284
- Management Plan for the South Australian Commercial Sardine Fishery. Fisheries Management Series paper number 87. The South Australian Fisheries Management Series. Department of Primary Industries and Regions. Government of South Australia. 49 pp
- Patterson, H., D. Bromhead, D. Galeano, J. Larcombe, T. Timmiss, J. Woodhams, and R. Curtotti. 2022. Fishery status reports 2022, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra. CC BY 4.0.
- Sexton, S.C., Ward, T.M., Stewart, J., Swaddling, K.M., and Huveneeers, C. 2018 Spawning patterns provide further evidence for multiple stocks of sardine (Sardinops sagax) off eastern Australia. Fisheries Oceanography DOI: 10.1111/fog.12383
- Smith, ADM, Ward, TM, Hurtado, F, Klaer, N, Fulton, E and Punt, AE 2015, Review and update of harvest strategy settings for the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery: Single species and ecosystem considerations, final report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, FRDC project 2013/028. Commonwealth Scientific and Industry Research Organisation Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, Hobart.
- Stewart, J, Ballinger, G and Ferrell, D 2010, Review of the biology and fishery for Australian Sardines (Sardinops sagax) in New South Wales—2010, Industry and Investment New South Wales, Cronulla.
- Stewart, J. 2023. NSW Stock Status Summary 2022/23 – Australian Sardine (Sardinops sagax). NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries. 14 pp.
- VFA. 2022. Victorian Fisheries Authority Commercial Fish Production Information Bulletin 2022. Victorian Fisheries Authority, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia.
- Ward, T. M. and Grammer, G. L. 2018. Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery: Fishery Assessment Report 2017. Report to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2010/000270-9. SARDI Research Report Series No. 982. 114pp
- Ward, T. M., and C. Gardner. 2022. Review of Australia’s small pelagic fisheries; insights to inform the development of a potential new Tasmanian Sardine Fishery. Report prepared for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 57pp.
- Ward, T. M., B. W. Wolfe, G. L. Grammer, A. R. Ivey, E. King, A. Schiller, K. S. McDonald, and J. M. Dambacher. 2023. Large sardine resource discovered off south-eastern Australia: Potential risks, challenges and benefits of establishing a new fishery. Marine Policy 155:105739.
- Ward, T. M., G. L. Grammer, A. R. Ivey, J. J. Smart, and J. P. Keane. 2018. Spawning biomass of Jack Mackerel (Trachurus declivis) and Sardine (Sardinops sagax) between western Kangaroo Island, South Australia and south-western Tasmania. Report to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2018/000174-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 983. 51pp.
- Ward, T. M., G. L. Grammer, and A. I. Ivey. 2022. Spawning biomass of the eastern component of the south-eastern stock of Sardine (Sardinops sagax) in 2019. Report prepared for The Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 28p.
- Ward, T. M., Grammer, G. L. and Ivey, A. R. 2021. Spawning biomass of Blue Mackerel (Scomber australasicus) and Australian Sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the East sub-area of the Small Pelagic Fishery. Report to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2021/000047-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 1084. 56pp
- Ward, TM, Burnell, O, Ivey, A, Carroll, J, Keane, J, Lyle, J and Sexton, S 2015, Summer spawning patterns and preliminary daily egg production method survey of Jack Mackerel and Australian Sardine off the East Coast, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.
- Ward, TM, Grammer, GL, Ivey, AR, Carroll, JR, Keane, JP, Stewart, J and Litherland, L 2015, Egg distribution, reproductive parameters and spawning biomass of Blue Mackerel, Australian Sardine and Tailor off the East Coast during late winter and early spring, FRDC Project 2014/033, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.
- Whittington, RJ, Crockford, M, Jordan, D and Jones, B 2008, Herpesvirus that caused epizootic mortality in 1995 and 1998 in pilchard, Sardinops sagax neopilchardus (Steindachner), in Australia is now endemic, Journal of Fish Diseases, 31: 97–105.