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The Wavy Periwinkle is a moderate-sized marine shellfish found in shallow temperate waters of southern and eastern Australia. Stock status is sustainable in TAS, undefined in SA and VIC, and negligible in NSW.

The Wavy Periwinkle, Lunella undulata, is a moderately sized marine gastropod found on exposed reef and boulder habitat in shallow temperate waters (0–20 m) of southern and eastern Australia. They grow to a maximum length of around 65 mm and are distributed from Hopetoun, Western Australia to Coolangatta, Queensland, and around Tasmania [Edgar 2012]. Wavy Periwinkles form large aggregations in shallow coastal waters. The Wavy Periwinkle has a protracted spawning period from October to May and may undergo incomplete spawning (retain unshed eggs until the next spawning event) [Underwood 1974; Keane et al. 2014]. They have short-term lecithotrophic larvae (planktonic larvae which live off the yolk supplied by the egg), and it is assumed that the larval duration is about five days, similar to other species within the taxon [Underwood 1974]. Stock structure is unknown, however a study of genetic diversity across southern Australia is underway.

Here, assessment of stock status is presented at the jurisdictional level—New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

Tasmania

The harvest strategy for Wavy Periwinkles in Tasmania in the Commercial Dive Fishery policy document [DPIPWE 2005, 2011] uses catch rates and size structure as performance indicators for the fishery. Trigger points for catch rates are reached if there is a decline of 20% in each of two consecutive years or 35% in a year. The fishery is managed by both input and output controls including limited entry, a total allowable commercial catch of 54 t split into five zones. A 45 mm size limit has been in place since 2014 which allows populations to spawn twice before entering the fishery [Keane et al. 2014].

Catches in the fishery since the introduction of a management plan in 2005 averaged 20.7 tonnes (t) between 2006–14, and 40.0 t between 2015–22. The highest catch recorded was 43.4 t in the 2021–22 season. State-wide catch rates in this latter period of increased harvest have varied between 59.4 and 76.3 kg/hr, with catch rates in the 2021–22 season being 69.1 kg/hr and catch cap areas to try and minimize local depletion. Concerns of localised depletion within zones by fishers led to catch caps within zones and has helped to facilitate the spatial spread of catches.  GPS loggers on fishing vessels were made compulsory from the 2022–23 season, with a new program established to incorporate these spatial data into a stock assessment: FRDC 2022/039: Developing spatial based assessment methodologies and tools for small scale dive fisheries: Case study of the Tasmanian Commercial Dive Fishery. 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 (robust size limit and stable catch rates), Wavy Periwinkle in Tasmania is classified as a sustainable stock. 

Wavy Periwinkle biology [Keane et al. 2014]

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.

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