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StewardShip action planA statement of operational standards and climate change contingency planning
E f f E c t i v E 2 0 0 9
For Pro-vision Reef members who are license holders in the:
Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery
and the
Queensland Coral Fishery
and the
Coral Sea Fishery (Aquarium Collection)
Proudly supported by:
enter
Cover Photo: Blueface Angelfish (Pomacanthus xanthometopon). Photo by Fenton Walsh,
Northern Barrier Marinelife, Cairns QLD Australia.
Copyright © Pro-vision Reef Inc 2009
This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from Pro-vision Reef
Inc. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to:
President
Pro-vision Reef Inc
Email: info@pro-visionreef.org
This publication is available online at www.pro-visionreef.org
First published 2009 by:
Pro-vision Reef Inc
ABN: 57 442 161 812
PO Box 5N Cairns North QLD Australia 4870
National Library of Australia
Cataloguing in Publication entry:
Pro-vision Reef: Stewardship Action Plan. A Statement of Operational Standards and
Climate Change Contingency Planning.
ISBN: 978-0-646-51212-9
Author: Ryan Donnelly, Strategic Projects Manager, Cairns Marine Pty Ltd
Design: Andreas Wagner, www.coolplanetdesign.com.au
The author acknowledges the guidance and input from the Pro-vision Reef committee:
Lyle Squire Jnr, Fenton Walsh, Don Gilson and Ros Paterson; and the support and
contribution from Margie Atkinson from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority;
Tara Smith and Brigid Kerrigan from Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries;
and Josh Davis from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
Sincerest thanks to contributors of photographic material:
Richard Fitzpatrick, richard@digitaldimensions.com.au; Jurgen Freund, freundimages@
gmail.com; Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; Russell Kelley, russellkelley@mac.com;
Kirsten Michalek-Wagner, artandatom@gmail.com; Ros Paterson, ros@marinearts.com.au;
John Rumney, jlrumney@gmail.com; Roger Steene; Lyle Squire Jnr, lyle.jnr@cairnsmarine.com;
Fenton Walsh, fenton@northernbarrier.com.au; Phil Woodhead, pawphoto@bigpond.net.au
Signatories to this Stewardship Action Plan fulfil a compulsory condition of Pro-vision Reef
membership. Members have exclusive use of the Copyright © Stewardship Action Plan and
the Trademark Registered Pro-vision Reef Inc logo under license from Pro-vision Reef Inc.
Printed on recycled paper by Lotsa Printing, Cairns
Navigation: Foreword | Preface | Contents | Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Bibliography | Attachment 1 | 2
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Whether you are a collector of marine species, a visitor
to an aquarium, or a diver who enjoys seeing marine life
underwater, the Pro-vision Reef Stewardship Action Plan
is pertinent.
This Stewardship Action Plan has been established in order
to protect the fragile marine ecosystem relevant to aquarium
fisheries while also enabling those involved in the aquarium
commerce to benefit from its riches in a thoughtful and
sustainable way. The Stewardship Action Plan has been
created by the industry, for the industry and membership
is voluntary, highlighting that those dependent on the
collection of marine species are aware of their responsibility
to create better practices. In addition, those buying
aquarium species for their own or public use can be assured
that the specimens they are acquiring through members of
Pro-vision Reef have been collected in accordance with this
Stewardship Action Plan.
Self-governed and regulated, accepting the penalties
for improper collection of marine species, members
demonstrate that the aquarium supply industry on the
Great Barrier Reef and in the Coral Sea is accountable for its
impact and responsibility towards the ecosystem affected.
Furthermore, the inclusion of a contingency plan as it relates
to climate change and it’s impact on the aquarium fisheries
resources in the ocean, point to a global understanding of
our connection to and impact on the oceans.
The collective choice to unite efforts for the protection
of the marine system as well as the parallel interests of
the benefiting organizations shows a significant maturing
within the industry. Creating a Plan that is replicable in other
fisheries in Australia and abroad further extends the reach of
this guide, making it a universal tool. The creation of this Plan
reveals Australia’s aquarium fisheries as exemplary leaders
in the sustainable collection, handling, and distribution of
aquarium species.
In order for us all to continue to enjoy and care for the
marine species we so love to see in the aquariums and in the
wild, it is imperative that we become the guardians of these
species. The Pro-vision Reef Stewardship Action Plan ensures
that we will do so.
Celine Cousteau
Celine Cousteau
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Marine aquarium collections have grown in popularity in
recent years. Access to efficient low maintenance systems,
primarily from China, have assisted home hobbyists to
more easily venture from freshwater to marine collections.
The diversity of species available is phenomenal and the
creatures are spectacular. Displays can be complemented
with living coral, invertebrates and crustaceans in a dramatic
mini replication of reef environments.
But where do the specimens come from? How does a
hobbyist or a visitor to a public aquarium know whether he
or she is inadvertently contributing to the degradation of
habitat or endangering wild populations, even perpetuating
the exploitation of remote coastal communities? How can
customers be really sure that a particular specimen has
arrived at their door with a minimal environmental footprint?
In Australia, most specimens for display are sourced from
the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. This is a region of
international significance for biodiversity and the relatively
pristine condition of reefs and other habitats. It is also a
wonder of the natural world that is subject to world-class
multiple award-winning management.
Scientists predict that global climate change will result in an
increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, many
of which impact directly on coral reefs. It is incumbent upon
marine industry to plan for such events and to develop a
guide for operators that minimises further environmental
impact during these times.
This Stewardship Action Plan is developed to ensure that
licensed participants in the Queensland-based fisheries
that supply the marine aquarium industry adhere to a
uniform operational standard; and that operators have clear
contingency plans in place to respond to catastrophic events
linked to global climate change. The Stewardship Action
Plan will ensure that Australia’s international reputation
for environmental performance remains strong; and will
engender community and market confidence in the
Queensland marine aquarium supply industry.
Communities are the ultimate environmental performance
auditors. Producers are expected to demonstrate that,
in collecting or harvesting a community asset, they do
so wisely and sustainably. In Queensland, there exists a
comprehensive legislative and management framework to
meet national standards prescribed by Australia’s landmark
environmental legislation, the Environment Protection &
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Importantly, in developing
this Stewardship Action Plan, collectors demonstrate their
eagerness to take these environmental safeguards and set
the ecological sustainability benchmark even higher and
proactively address a range of emerging issues, such as
climate change, in a transparent and auditable manner.
There is a substantial wider educational and conservation
benefit to a sustainable aquarium supply industry and
this Stewardship Action Plan, in conjunction with existing
fisheries and protected areas management and legislation
will ensure that today’s supply does not diminish the natural
integrity of our precious marine environment.
Lyle Squire Jnr
President
P r e f a c e
Lyle Squire Jnr
[ President, Pro-vision Reef Inc
Director, Cairns Marine Pty Ltd ]
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Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................................. I
Preface .................................................................................................................................................................................... II
Part 1 – The Aquarium Supply Industry ................................................................................ 2
1.1 Demand .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
1.1.1 Home Hobbyists .................................................................................................................................................. 2
1.1.2 Public Aquaria ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Supply ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1 Global ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.2 Australia ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 The Queensland Aquarium Supply Sector ............................................................................................................... 4
1.3.1 Pro-vision Reef ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.3.2 Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery ............................................................................................. 6
1.3.3 Queensland Coral Fishery ................................................................................................................................ 6
1.3.4 Coral Sea Fishery .................................................................................................................................................. 8
1.4 Legislative Framework ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
1.4.1 Queensland Government Framework ........................................................................................................ 8
1.4.2 Commonwealth Government Framework ............................................................................................ 10
1.4.3 International Framework ............................................................................................................................... 11
1.5 Industry/Government Liaison ................................................................................................................................... 11
1.5.1 Industry/Queensland Government Liaison .......................................................................................... 11
1.5.2 Industry/Commonwealth Government Liaison .................................................................................. 12
Part 2 – Purpose of the Stewardship Action Plan ............................................................... 14
2.1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
2.2 Context ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
2.3 Professional Ethics .......................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.4 Aims and Objectives ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.4.1 Aims ........................................................................................................................................................................ 16
2.4.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Part 3 – Administration ....................................................................................................... 17
3.1 Complaints Assessment Committee ........................................................................................................................ 17
3.2 Review Committee ......................................................................................................................................................... 17
Part 4 – Complaints and Sanctions .............................................................................. 18
4.1 Incident Reporting ......................................................................................................................................................... 18
4.2 Assessment of Complaints .......................................................................................................................................... 20
4.3 Non Compliance Sanctions Schedule ................................................................................................................... 20
4.4 Mechanism for Appeal .................................................................................................................................................. 21
4.5 Data Collection ................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Part 5 – Day to Day Operations ........................................................................................... 22
5.1 Fisheries & Protected Areas Management ........................................................................................................... 22
5.2 Consideration of Other Stakeholders ..................................................................................................................... 23
5.3 Collecting Fish in the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery & Coral Sea Fishery ................... 24
5.4 Collecting Coral in the Queensland Coral Fishery ............................................................................................ 25
Part 6 – Responding to Climate Change ............................................................................. 26
6.1 Assessing Bleached Environments .......................................................................................................................... 28
6.2 Response Plan for Bleached Environments ......................................................................................................... 28
Part 7 – The Role of Pro-vision Reef Inc .............................................................................. 30
7.1 Collaboration .................................................................................................................................................................... 30
7.2 Address Localised Issues .............................................................................................................................................. 30
7.3 Third Party Accreditation of Fishery Operations ............................................................................................... 30
7.4 Implement Environmental Management System ............................................................................................ 31
7.5 Develop an Industry Specific Dive Code .............................................................................................................. 31
7.6 Implement a Communication Strategy ................................................................................................................ 31
7.7 Community and Consumer Awareness ................................................................................................................. 31
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 32
Attachment 1. Integrated Coral Stress Monitoring and Response ..................................... 33
Attachment 2. Reef Health & Impact Summary .................................................................. 34
C o n t e n t s
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1.1 DeMAnD
1.1.1 Home Hobbyists
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations described the ornamental
fish sector as “a widespread and global
component of international trade, fisheries,
aquaculture and development”. It said: “The
entire industry, when non-exported product,
wages, retail sales and associated materials
are considered, has been estimated to be
worth US$15 billion” (Bartley, 2000).
In Europe, the US and Britain, home
aquariums are kept in 8%, 10% and 14% of
households respectively. The majority of
those are freshwater systems. However, many
freshwater hobbyists graduate to marine
specimen displays indicating that future
growth in the marine sector can be expected.
In Australia, there are 879 registered
aquarium and aquarium supply shops that
sell approximately 15 million fish annually
(Hill, 2006), about one per cent of which are
marine specimens accounting for about 10%
of total value (Dr. Alex Ploeg, pers comm.
2009). Around $60 million was spent on the
purchase of fish; around $60 million on fish
food and around $100 million was spent on
aquariums and related equipment in Australia
in 2005 (Hill, 2006). Again the marine sector is
expected to grow with access to inexpensive,
self contained systems.
Membership of the Netherlands-based
Ornamental Fish International, a worldwide
trade association that represents all sectors
of the ornamental aquatic industry in 40
countries includes consultants, manufacturers,
publishers, wholesalers, collectors, breeders,
retailers, importers, exporters, plant
specialists, freight forwarders, airlines and
exhibition companies. This indicates that the
wider ornamental fish industry is a significant
employer and contributor to economies
throughout the world.
1.1.2 Public Aquaria
In an increasingly urbanised world,
connectivity with the creatures of the natural
world is weakened. Public aquaria provide
a one-stop-shop for parents to show their
children the wonders of the ocean in an
educational environment. Several hundred
million people visit public aquaria worldwide
annually (more than 143 million per year in
the United States alone (Falk et al., 2007)),
making the public aquarium sector a major
contributor to conservation awareness and
education worldwide. In addition, many
public displays are outside of the formalised
public aquarium setting and may be found in
corporate offices and shopping centres.
The American Association of Zoological
Parks and Aquariums commissioned a three
year study in the United States to determine
whether a visit to a zoo or aquarium has
a measurable impact on the conservation
attitudes and understanding of visitors
(Falk et al., 2007). Key findings included:
n Visits to accredited zoos and aquariums
prompt individuals to reconsider
their role in environmental problems
and conservation action, and to see
themselves as part of the solution.
n Visitors believe zoos and aquariums
play an important role in conservation
education and animal care.
n Visitors believe they experience a
stronger connection to nature as a
result of their visit.
n Visitors bring with them a higher-
than-expected knowledge about
basic ecological concepts. Zoos and
aquariums support and reinforce the
values and attitudes of the visitor.
Pa r t 1
The Aquarium Supply Industr y
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Public aquaria provide an outstanding platform
for education and connecting with animals that
many of us will never see in the wild.
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Compliance and
associated costs
are much higher in
Australia than in other
countries. We provide
premium quality
specimens to the market
and must position our
product in the market
accordingly. This
document will help us
to achieve that.
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1.2 SuPPly
1.2.1 Global
The primary source of supply for the glovbal
trade in marine ornamental specimens
is the archipelagos of Indonesia and the
Philippines. It has been estimated that these
two countries supply around two thirds of
the market. The remainder of market supply
is sourced from several countries, including
Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Hawaii, the Maldives,
Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Around half of the specimens traded are
fish with coral and invertebrates, each
representing around 25% of product traded.
Significant effort has been exerted by the
Marine Aquarium Council to minimise
social and environmental consequences of
destructive collection methods employed in
some countries, including the largest supply
countries. The primary issue is the use of
a sodium cyanide solution to stupefy fish
for capture. The practice is lethal to smaller
organisms in proximity, including corals. High
levels of post harvest mortality results from
this collection method and the longevity of
the specimen on display can be drastically
reduced. In addition, Marine Aquarium
Council works to achieve implementation
of limited entry to the fisheries and for
marine protected areas. Such regulation and
management is well established in Australia
and provides a sound model these fisheries.
1.2.2 Australia
In Australia, collection of marine specimens
for display is regulated with distinct checks
and balances in fishery management to
ensure that collection does not convey
detriment to the environment that supports
the trade. All Australian fisheries, whether
managed by state or Commonwealth
government agencies, are subject to a
continuous improvement model legislated
in Australia’s landmark environmental
legislation, the Environment Protection &
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, described
in section 1.4.2.
Around 60% of the total national marine
aquarium fish collection occurs in
Queensland, including those collected on the
Great Barrier Reef and from the Coral Sea.
In Western Australia, there are 13 licenses,
variously permitted to collect marine
fish, coral and invertebrates, operating in
nearshore waters adjacent to nearly 21,000
km of coastline. The total marine aquarium
fish harvest in Western Australia represents
about 35% of the national total.
In the Northern Territory, there are 13
aquarium licenses that permit the collection
and sale of all aquatic life, including
freshwater and marine fishes, plants and
coral. Only seven licenses were active in
2006. Commercial harvesting of marine
species is concentrated in coastal waters
near Nhulunbuy and the greater Darwin area.
Few marine fishes are collected. The marine
harvest primarily comprises hermit crabs, live
rock, corals and anemones, much of which
services the domestic market. More than 70%
of the Northern Territory coastline has access
prohibited under Native Title legislation.
1.3 THe QueenSlAnD AQuARIuM SuPPly SeCTOR
Marine specimens are collected in
accordance with the management of the
Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery,
the Queensland Coral Fishery and the
Coral Sea Fishery. The Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery and Queensland
Coral Fishery are managed by Queensland
Primary Industries & Fisheries. The Coral Sea
Fishery is managed by the Australian Fisheries
Management Authority, a Commonwealth
Commission responsible for the efficient
management and sustainable use of
Commonwealth fish resources on behalf of
the Australian community.
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My first interest in the ocean
began with an aquarium full
of sea creatures. Educational
experiences like this remind
tens of thousands of the
importance of our Reef.
Personally, I am impressed
by the proactive Stewardship
Action Plan, especially
given that it has ecological
sustainability at its heart and
takes into account unforeseen
climate impacts like mass
coral bleaching. Industry
should be applauded for
its forward thinking and
responsible leadership.
“
”
Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
[ Smart State Premier's Fellow
(2008-2013), Director, Stanford
Australia; Reviewing Editor
at Science Magazine; and
Deputy Director, ARC Centre for
Excellence in Coral Reef Studies ]
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Operators in the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery and Queensland
Coral Fishery that work in the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park must also acquire a joint
permit from the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority, a Commonwealth statutory
authority responsible for the protection of
the natural resources of the Great Barrier
Reef, while providing for reasonable use;
and Queensland Parks & Wildlife, the State
Environmental Protection Agency responsible
for the adjacent Great Barrier Reef Coastal
Marine Park as well as some day-to-day
management activities of the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park.
Fisheries are managed using input controls,
which manage fishing effort; and others are
additionally managed with the use of output
controls, which manage catch. All fisheries
in Australia have limited entry, meaning
that a new fishery entrant must purchase an
existing license.
Demand is for species variety and this has
resulted in supply of a large array of species.
Export to international wholesalers is growing
as the reputation of Australian suppliers
and the multi-jurisdictional management
framework within which they operate is
recognised by the market and preferred to
cheaper specimens that might not meet the
market with the same sound environmental
credentials. Servicing large public aquaria
is undertaken by very few operators in
Australia, although those that do have an
international reputation for delivering animals
to the market in premium condition. Exports
destinations are primarily to the United
States, Asian and European markets.
1.3.1 Pro-vision Reef
Pro-vision Reef is an association of licensed
aquarium fish and coral collectors. Our
mission is to engender community and
market confidence in our industry through
demonstration of, and commitment to, the
highest standards of operational efficiency
and environmental performance.
Pro-vision Reef membership accounts for 91%
of active licenses in the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery; 88% of active licenses
in the Queensland Coral Fishery; and both of
the aquarium sector permits in the Coral Sea
Fishery. It is estimated that Pro-vision Reef
membership accounts for approximately 90%
of output from the Queensland-managed
fisheries that operate on the Great Barrier
Reef.
Collection businesses operate at widely
disparate scales but most operate within both
the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery
and Queensland Coral Fishery. There are two
collection businesses that operate within
all three fisheries that are the subject of this
Stewardship Action Plan.
Signatories to this Stewardship Action Plan
fulfil a compulsory condition of membership
of Pro-vision Reef.
Fish collection is labour
intensive and entails careful
handling to ensure the well
being of the animals.
Our fishery is controlled by
multiple State and Federal
government departments;
this along with “due process”
and conflicting legislation
such as the National
Competition Policy, makes
management changes
difficult and frustratingly
slow. If Industry can show that
it is credible and trustworthy
then self management is the
way to go.
“
”
Don Gilson [ Inter-Fish ]
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1.3.2 Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery
The Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish
Fishery operates on the east coast of
Queensland between the Tweed River in the
south and Cape York in the north and east to
the outer boundary of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park. There are 44 commercial licenses
in the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish
Fishery, of which 32 are active in the fishery.
Twenty nine of the active licenses are held by
Pro-vision Reef members.
The Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish
Fishery is input controlled, firstly by
restricting the collection effort under each
license to three divers at any one time; and
secondly by imposing Special Management
Areas adjacent to major population centres
to protect high use areas from potentially
unsustainable concentrations of effort.
These areas are located adjacent Cairns,
Whitsundays, Keppels, Sunshine Coast and
Moreton Bay.
Divers can use SCUBA or surface air supply.
Fish and invertebrates are collected
individually by hand or by use of hand-held
apparatus, including fishing line with a
barbless hook, scoop nets, barrier nets
and herding devices, such as a small rod.
Cyanide assisted collection does not occur
in Australia.
The Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish
Fishery targets a wide range of marine
aquarium fish and invertebrates. More
than 60% of all fish collected from
Australian wild fisheries are from five
families, including Pomacentridae (mainly
damselfish), Chaetodontidae (butterflyfish),
Pomacanthidae (angelfish), Labridae (wrasses)
and Gobiidae (gobies), although no particular
species could be said to dominate the species
mix. In addition, a range of echinoderms
(starfish, sea urchins); sponges; ascidians and
polychaete worms are also collected.
In 2006 the total take for the fishery was
171,641 individual fish from 57 species
groups. Trade levels in the Queensland
Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery are very small
compared to the global aquarium trade,
which ranges from 20–24 million individuals
annually. Marine species from Australia are
predominantly collected from the wild.
Notable exceptions from the Australian market
include iconic marine aquarium “must have”
species, such as anemone fish, Amphiprion spp
and Premnas spp., which are overwhelmingly
produced through captive breeding. More
than 80% of anemonefish species supplied
from the Australian market are produced in
this way. Industry provides broodstock for
aquaculture and is currently in discussion with
researchers looking at methods of chemically
marking otoliths of cultured specimens in
order to differentiate these specimens from
those caught in the wild.
1.3.3 Queensland Coral Fishery
The Queensland Coral Fishery area includes
all tidal waters on the east coast of
Queensland. The fishery ostensibly operates
within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
as there are just two small areas south of
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park that are
open to harvesting under special license
conditions. There are 59 licenses in the
Queensland Coral Fishery, of which 47 are
active in the fishery. Forty two of the active
licenses are held by Pro-vision Reef members.
In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and
World Heritage Area, the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Act and Regulations list all corals
(all species of the classes Anthozoa and
Hydrozoa) as no-take, except via a permit.
Scientific assessment of a longstanding Total
Allowable Catch of 200t in the Queensland
Coral Fishery determined it to be sustainable
providing effort was widely spread to ensure
that localised concentration of effort did not
occur at a regional scale.
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Pro-vision Reef is an exciting
initiative that creates a win-
win situation for the industry
and the environment. Having
worked extensively in SE Asia,
it's extremely refreshing to
see the Australian marine
aquarium industry assuming
responsibility for important
issues that ultimately protect
valuable reef resources,
an integral part of our
natural heritage.
“
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Dr Gerald R. Allen
[ Western Australia Museum ]
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Since the Queensland Primary Industries &
Fisheries policy to manage the Queensland
Coral Fishery was implemented in July 2006,
just 60t (30%) of the Total Allowable Catch
may be collected as live coral, known in the
management arrangements as “Specialty
Coral”. The remaining 140t (70%) comprises
specimens of the abundant and fast-growing
corals of the Acroporidae and Pocilloporidae
families, live rock and coral rubble, known
as “Other Coral”. Divers can use SCUBA or
surface air supply. Coral is collected by hand
or with the aid of hand-held non-mechanical
implements such as a bolster, meaning that
only one specimen can be collected at a time.
In 2007-08, the catch from the Queensland
Coral Fishery was a little more than half of the
Total Allowable Catch and was very similar
to catches in 2006–07. It was approximately
105t; of which 67t was live rock and just 19t
was live coral.
Live rock, which is dead coral rubble that
has been colonised by organisms such as
coralline algae, is used as a substrate and
filter in mini-reef aquaria. It is collected in
the Queensland Coral Fishery and forms a
substantial component of the overall take. In
the 2007-08 quota year, live rock comprised
67t or 63.8% of the take. To put the scale of
collection in this fishery in perspective, one
tonne of live rock represents approximately
25m2 (equivalent to the size of one car
parking space at a shopping centre).
Market demand for live coral is for small and
vibrant varieties, including those from the
Euphyllidae, Zoanthidae, Corallimorpharia
and Fungidae families. Anemones are also
part of the Queensland Coral Fishery. The
market accepts only specimens in premium
condition. Collectors do not collect imperfect
specimens. The fickle nature of market
demand necessitates prudent selectivity of
specimens by collectors, which results in the
overwhelming majority of specimens being
left to provide parent stock for the future.
A comprehensive Species Vulnerability and
Ecological Risk Assessment tool has been
developed for the Queensland Coral Fishery.
It takes account of accessibility, vulnerability
to disturbance, life history characteristics and
collection pressure, then calibrates against
local and scientific knowledge systems
and provides a risk ranking with respect to
depletion for each species of coral collected
in the Queensland Coral Fishery.
The Ecological Risk Assessment (Roelofs,
2008) determined that overwhelmingly,
the degree of risk to corals was “negligible”.
However, 12 species were assessed as “low”
risk. Additionally, the likelihood of that risk
manifesting through collection for each of
those 12 species was graded to be “remote”
and the collection consequence of that risk
was graded as “minor”.
The one exception was Catalaphyllia jardenei
(Family: Caryophyllidae). This species was
assessed as “low” risk. However, likelihood
of that risk manifesting through collection
was graded as “rare” and the collection
consequence of that risk was graded as
“moderate”. This species is not particularly
specialised in niche requirements. It is
collected in depths of 15-20m but occurs
in depths greater than 30m. Importantly, C.
jardenei in an inter-reefal species. Industry
observes that it occurs in vast beds on sandy
substrates. As it is not a reef coral, it has not
been the subject of intensive study.
The Species Vulnerability Assessment (Roelofs
& Silcock, 2008) determined that the only
species of hard coral that was moderately
vulnerable to over harvesting by the fishery
was Montipora sp (Family: Acroporidae).
All the remaining species assessed were
determined to be at low risk from Queensland
Coral Fishery harvesting activity. Montipora
genus is not a dominant catch component in
the fishery.
Coral reefs are some of
the most biologically rich
ecosystems on earth.
Keeping an aquarium
helps people to better
understand them.
The research facilitation
component of the
Stewardship Action Plan is
very important. In defining
world’s best practice, we
now have the opportunity
to help the researchers to
validate those strategies
and to improve them.
“
”
Fenton Walsh
[ Northern Barrier Marinelife ]
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1.3.4 Coral Sea Fishery
The Coral Sea Fishery covers an area of
780,000 square kilometres in waters from
Sandy Cape on Fraser Island to Cape York,
generally east of the outer boundary of the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to the edge
of the Australian Fishing Zone. No take areas
within the fishery area include the Coringa-
Herald and Lihou Reef National Nature
Reserves, which cover an area of 17,000
square kilometres.
A Marine Bioregional Plan is in preparation,
which includes more than 2.4 million square
kilometres of ocean from the northern
reaches of the Coral Sea, south into the
Tasman Sea, which will encompass the entire
Coral Sea Fishery area. That process will result
in a network of Commonwealth Reserves that
are zoned in accordance with the seven IUCN
categories for Marine Protected Areas.
An area of just under one million square
kilometres has been declared a Conservation
Zone, which is an interim measure to limit
further economic activity in the area until
proposed Commonwealth Reserves are
declared. It is expected that aquarium
fish collection will remain in the Coral
Sea Fishery, including in some sections of
the Commonwealth Reserves. The Marine
Bioregional Planning process applies to the
entirety of Australia’s territorial waters of more
than 15 million square kilometres and, when
completed, will include a comprehensive
network of marine protected areas.
The Coral Sea Fishery comprises 18 fishing
concessions spread across the multi-gear
multi-method fishery, including Demersal Line,
Demersal Trawl, Sea Cucumber Collection,
Lobster and Trochus Collection and Aquarium
Collection sectors. Each sector is managed
under conditions outlined in an annual permit,
which includes various input and output
controls. The aquarium fish collection sector
comprises two permit holders, which are
permitted to hand collect fish, invertebrates
and live rock. Collection of live coral from the
Coral Sea Fishery is prohibited.
1.4 legISlATIve FRAMewORk
1.4.1 Queensland Government Framework
Under Offshore Constitutional Settlement
between the Australian States and the
Australian Government, management of
fisheries within the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park is the responsibility of the Queensland
Government through Queensland Primary
Industries & Fisheries. Fisheries in Queensland
are managed according to the Fisheries Act 1994
and its subordinate legislation, including the
Fisheries Regulation 2008 and legislated fishery
management plans. This legislative framework
is complemented by policies, license and
permit conditions and non-regulatory
arrangements. Other State legislative
instruments that impact on operations
within marine fisheries include the Marine
Parks Act 2004, Nature Conservation Act 1992,
State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 and the
Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995.
The main purpose of the Fisheries Act is
to provide for the use, conservation and
enhancement of the community’s fisheries
resources and fish habitats in a way that
seeks to: apply and balance the principles
of ecologically sustainable development;
and promote ecologically sustainable
development.
Both the Queensland Marine Aquarium
Fish Fishery and Queensland Coral Fishery
operate under management arrangements
stipulated in the Fisheries Regulation 2008 and
supplementary license conditions.
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Coral Sea collectors
install their own moorings
to minimise the risk of
anchor damage.
The Stewardship Action Plan
is an excellent and credible
"code of conduct" that
will ensure collections of
ornamental specimens from
the Great Barrier Reef are
sustainable, and establishes
"World's best practice" for
this fishery. With its extensive
voluntary actions, the Plan
sets a new benchmark for
the responsible stewardship
of marine resources that will
distinguish the Australian
product as the "greenest" in
the global market place.
“
”
Dr Peter Doherty
[ Research Director, Australian
Institute of Marine Science ]
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It's important for
the aquarium supply
industry on the
Great Barrier Reef
and Coral Sea to take
the lead and establish
the global benchmark
for best practice in
specimen collection.
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1.4.2 Commonwealth Government Framework
The Coral Sea Fishery is managed by the
Australian Fisheries Management Authority in
a precautionary manner in accordance with
objectives under the Fisheries Management
Act 1991 and the Fisheries Management
Regulations 1992. Management arrangements
are enforced through fishing permit
conditions and are outlined in a Management
Arrangements booklet produced by the
Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
Fishery management performance is
measured against the ‘Guidelines for the
Ecologically Sustainable Management of
Fisheries’, which are based on the principles
that guide the Marine Stewardship Council.
The guidelines cover a number of individual
objectives broadly relating to impacts to
target species; bycatch and byproduct
species; endangered, threatened and
protected species; ecologically threatened
communities; and the marine ecosystem
generally.
A series of recommendations is issued as part
of this ‘Strategic Assessment’ and the fishery
manager has a specified time frame in which
to satisfy obligations and recommendations.
In this way, fishery management performance
is monitored and reported on transparently.
Ecological Risk Assessments are conducted
at three year intervals to prioritise issues for
management that could infer risk, such as the
adequacy of existing data.
Following strategic assessment of the fishery,
Wildlife Trade Operation and export approvals
may be granted under the Environment
Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
for the fishery. These approvals are subject
to various conditions and recommendations
being met. The Coral Sea Fishery is an
accredited Wildlife Trade Operation.
In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is
the principal adviser to the Commonwealth
Government on the care and development
of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Participants in the East Coast Dive-Based
Fisheries (or Harvest Fisheries) are required
to obtain a permit for operations within the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The Emerald Agreement of 1979 determined
that the day-to-day management of the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Great
Barrier Reef World Heritage Area should be
undertaken by officers of Queensland Parks
& Wildlife, subject to Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority policy. Queensland Parks &
Wildlife employs around 100 Marine Park
Officers, including professional rangers and
conservation staff working with industries
and coastal communities.
Highly skilled and
experienced divers ensure
fish are maintained in
premium condition.
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This Stewardship Action Plan
reinforces the commitment
of responsible collectors to
a minimal environmental
footprint and a positive and
timely response to future
climate change events.
“
”
Ros Paterson [ Marine Arts ]
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1.4.3 International Framework
Strategic Assessment of the Queensland
Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery, Queensland
Coral Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery under
the Environment Protection & Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 determined the
fisheries to be “Wildlife Trade Operations”,
which enables export of products from those
fisheries. Some species, including stony corals
(Scleractinia) and Syngnathids (seahorses) are
listed under Appendix II of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The purpose of Appendix II is to list ‘species
that are not necessarily now threatened with
extinction but that may become so unless
trade is closely controlled’. CITES Export
Permits are issued by the Commonwealth
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage
& Arts for the export of coral harvested
under the Queensland Coral Fishery. The
Strategic Assessment of the Queensland Coral
Fishery fulfils the Non Detriment Finding
as required under CITES. Of the 350 species
of reef building corals found on the Great
Barrier Reef, 52 genera/species are regularly
collected in the Queensland Coral Fishery.
The Strategic Assessment for the fishery
consequently includes many more species
than are actually subject to trade. Harvest
of live hard corals in the Queensland Coral
Fishery represents a tiny fraction of what
naturally accretes in a year on the Great
Barrier Reef (Atkinson et al., in press). Corals
collected in the Queensland Coral Fishery are
very diverse and many of the aquarium trade
species are not CITES-listed e.g. soft corals,
zooanthids, corallomorphs etc. Listed fish
species collected in the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery
also require CITES Export Permits.
1.5 InDuSTRy/gOveRnMenT lIAISOn
1.5.1 Industry/Queensland Government Liaison
The aquarium supply industry is directly
engaged with Queensland Primary Industries
and Fisheries in the on-going management of
the Queensland Coral and Marine Aquarium
Fish Fisheries. Representatives sit on a
specialist working group that provides advice
regarding the day-to-day management of the
fisheries, research priorities and key issues
to be addressed to improve the efficiency of
operation of the management arrangements.
The working group reports directly back to
Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries.
Into the future, fisheries managers will
continue to work closely with Pro-vision
Reef to identify and develop opportunities
for co-management of the fisheries.
Co-management can provide a framework for
government doing business with Industry;
the right model may provide the opportunity
for enhanced profitability through driving
change to the management of the fishery.
Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries
have collaboratively developed a Coral
Stress Response Plan, to address local scale
impacts to reefs, from stresses such as
mass coral bleaching. Strategies outlined
in this Stewardship Action Plan have been
developed to integrate with the Coral Stress
Response Plan.
Queensland Parks & Wildlife work closely with
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
to provide the day-to-day management of
marine protected areas on the Great Barrier
Reef. In this role, they have developed the
Reef Health & Impact Summary survey system
to assist managers and a range of reef users
to monitor reef health. Queensland Parks &
Wildlife manage this program and provide
training for users. The Reef Health & Impact
Summary system provides a simple objective
framework to obtain consistent information,
regardless of the reason for using it.
Coral Stress Response Plan for the Coral & Marine
Aquarium Fish Fisheries (left)
Coral Bleaching Response Plan 2008-2009 (right)
The Stewardship Action Plan
ensures that the industry
is both responsible and
responsive. The plan has
demonstrated a capacity to
incorporate recent scientific
findings in developing
sustainable practices. This
bodes well for the future of
the industry and the reef.
“
”
Professor David Bellwood
[ James Cook University ]
This Stewardship Action
Plan captures the growing
professionalism of the
industry; a strong level of
adoption by industry will
strengthen the credibility of
these fisheries internationally
and provide a benchmark for
other fisheries to follow.
“
”
Dr. Brigid Kerrigan
[ Fishery Manager, Queensland
Primary Industries & Fisheries ]
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Reef Health & Impact Summary has recently
become an integral part of the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Authority’s Coral Bleaching
Response Plan and is used regularly to
monitor reef health over the summer months.
More broadly, Pro-vision Reef recognizes the
value in contributing industry expertise and
local knowledge of reef ecosystems (over
and above catch records) to managing and
monitoring the resources they use. The Reef
Health & Impact Summary system provides a
common metric for all users to consistently
quantify the health of the reefs they visit
or work on. This enables a time series to be
built that provides a baseline for condition at
important collection sites. Should an impact
occur, this methodology allows relative
change to be unambiguously documented
and tracked at the site. Such information
demonstrates that Pro-vision Reef members
are on-going partners in knowledge
gathering on the Great Barrier Reef. It also
ensures that effective site–specific responses
can be collaboratively developed in response
to particular impacts.
1.5.2 Industry/Commonwealth Government Liaison
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
maintains a Fisheries Reef Advisory
Committee comprising stakeholders
from a range of interest groups, including
commercial, charter and recreational fishing,
conservation groups, fishery and protected
areas managers and indigenous community
representatives. Currently, Pro-vision Reef
has a representative on this committee. The
aquarium supply industry forms part of the
Harvest fisheries that includes those that
target tropical rock lobster, bêche-de-mer
and trochus.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
coordinates the annual, integrated, multi-
jurisdictional response to mass coral
bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, through
the Coral Bleaching Response Plan. Pro-vision
Reef work closely with the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure that
stewardship initiatives and development
of any research projects identified in this
Stewardship Action Plan are integrated
within the broad Coral Bleaching Response
Plan framework.
Australian Fisheries Management
Authority conducts an annual Coral Sea
Stakeholders meeting, which is attended by
representatives of all five sectors working in
the Coral Sea Fishery, including operators in
the aquarium collection sector.
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We hope that this document
helps the public to understand
what really goes on out at
“The Reef”. Also that the
utmost care is taken in
collecting and preserving
the reef for future
generations.
“
”
Christina Shkreli and Sonya
Ridden [ Oz Reef Connections ]
In a time of increasing concern
about the overall health of our
reefs, this document clearly
demonstrates the proactive
stewardship approach taken
by our industry and also
provides transparency on our
operating practices.
“
”
Rob Lowe [ All Marine Fish ]
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The Stewardship Action
Plan marks a new era
of collaboration between
management agencies
and industry.
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2.1 SCOPe
The Stewardship Action Plan is voluntary
and is developed by industry for industry.
However, the Stewardship Action Plan also
develops a pathway whereby concerns and
complaints can be addressed independently
in a transparent and accountable manner,
including provisions for natural justice.
Sanctions may be imposed for breaches
according to a predetermined points
schedule following assessment of complaints
by an independent Complaints Assessment
Committee. It is the intention that all
participants in the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery, Queensland Coral
Fishery and the Coral Sea Fishery adhere
to the operational standards and strategies
articulated herein.
The Stewardship Action Plan outlines a vision
for ‘best practice’ aimed to differentiate
marine ornamental specimens collected
in the Queensland based fisheries from
those collected elsewhere. It defines fishery
operational standards in order to clearly and
transparently articulate sustainable collection
strategies to the community and the market.
The Stewardship Action Plan provides a
framework for regular review of best practice,
and actively encourages sound research
to ensure that best practice strategies are
based on the best available knowledge.
Development of best practice strategies
is both a proactive experience-based
industry initiative and a practical response
to outcomes of a recognised Ecological
Risk Assessment process for each fishery.
As circumstances and knowledge change,
best practice strategies are reviewed and
amended as required by a Review Committee.
2.2 COnTexT
This Stewardship Action Plan should be
read in the context of the existing fishery
and protected areas management and
legislation. It should be identified as an
important component of the collaborative
management tool-box for these fisheries. The
relevant fisheries are managed according to
the principles of ecosystem based fisheries
management; the principles of ecologically
sustainable development; and within a
continuous improvement model established
through the Environment Protection &
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
In addition, two of the fisheries operate
within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,
which was zoned under the Representative
Areas Program commencing 1st July 2004.
Under that program, 33% of the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park is assigned to no-take zones
and a range of restrictions apply to other
zones. No-take zones account for a minimum
of 20% of each of 70 identified bioregions
(important breeding and nursery areas such
as seagrass beds, mangrove communities,
deepwater shoals and coral reefs). Licensed
specimen collection is allowed under permit
in some Conservation Park zones; and all
Habitat Protection and General Use Zones.
No two reefs are the same in terms of the
communities they support. Given that an
important aspect of most collection businesses
relates to having a diverse stock list, this then
drives collectors to collect from a range of
sites on a regular basis. This in turn spreads
collection effort across multiple sites.
The Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish
Fishery operates at less than 50% of
the managed capacity. The table below
demonstrates the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery at maximum input
capacity and at the actual scale of fishing
effort. Note that the fishery management
strategies are designed to manage the fishery
when operating at maximum capacity.
Pa r t 2
Purpose of the Stewardship Ac tion Plan
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I applaud Pro-vision Reef’s
initiative with the Stewardship
Action Plan. With their pro-
active approach they signal
the underlying love of nature
that typifies the aquarium
trade and hobby while, at
the same time, they set an
important standard that
other parts of the ornamental
aquatic industry will be
measured against.
“
”
Svein A. Fosså
[ Marine Aquarium Council;
Ornamental Fish International;
International Pet Advisory Council;
European Pet Organization;
Scandinavian Pet Trade Union;
Norwegian Pet Trade Association ]
The industry is eager to have
our practices on display to
the public and the market.
We are proud of our custodial
approach to the marine
environment.
“
”
Brian Hose
[ Australian Tropical Marines;
Pro-vision Reef Life Member ]
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Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery
Capacity Actual
no. licenses (A1) 44 32 in operation
divers/license 3 av. 2
dives/day e.g. 2 av. 2
total dives/day 264 128
no. days/year e.g. 100 av. 75
total dives/year 26,400 9,600
Hookah hose length av. 150m
dive site av. 0.0707 km2
fishery area ~ 400,000 km2
divers/site e.g. 3 av. 2
site visits/year e.g. 2 av. 2
dive time 2 hours av. 2 hours
annual fishery coverage 311.06 km2 169. 67 km2
% of fishery area fished 0.078% 0.042%
dive hours/site/year 12 8
Around 70% of commercial licenses (A1
symbol) are active in the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery. Most of the license
holders do not deploy three divers per
license. Total dive effort in the Queensland
Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery is around 64
divers, which is around 48% of the fishery
input capacity.
Output from the fishery may be viewed
in terms of biomass. A study of fish
collection activity in the Coral Sea in 2006,
in conjunction with a fishery observer from
Australian Fisheries Management Authority,
measured biomass removed from coral reef
ecosystems during the course of normal
collection activity. The study found that two
divers on a three day trip collected 776 fish
comprising 74 species with a total biomass
of 10.9 kilograms. This equated to an average
of fewer than 130 fish weighing a total of 1.8
kilograms per diver per day.
There are 25 businesses that operate in the
Queensland Coral Fishery, 15 of which also
operate in the Queensland Marine Aquarium
Fish Fishery, including the two businesses
that are holders of Coral Sea Fishery licenses.
Most Queensland Coral Fishery businesses
hold multiple endorsements in order to
increase their allocated pool of quota and
therefore their volume of output.
The Queensland Coral Fishery businesses do
not deploy a diver for each endorsement;
and Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish
Fishery businesses do not deploy extra
divers for Queensland Coral Fishery activity.
Consequently, the total dive effort for the
Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery
and Queensland Coral Fishery in combination
is little more than that described for the
Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery
alone.
This Stewardship Action Plan
describes what we do in the
water. It will help people
in the community to better
understand our industry and
the low impact collection
strategies that we adopt.
“
”
Bev Squire [ Cairns Marine ]
The Stewardship Action Plan
demonstrates that collectors
are conscious of exerting
a minimal environmental
footprint and are proactive in
our approach to events linked
to climate change.
“
”
Renison Bell
[ Pacific Marine Aquarium Fish ]
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2.3 PROFeSSIOnAl eTHICS
The Professional Ethics set forth are
aspirational in character and represent broad
objectives towards which every Signatory
should strive. Perceived contravention of
these aspirations will not be assessed by the
Complaints Assessment Committee.
n Exercise a moral responsibility to
professional associates and the
public and to the animals under care.
n Display the highest integrity, the
best judgment and ethics, and
use professional skills for the best
interests of all.
n Promote the interests of wildlife
conservation, biodiversity, and
animal welfare to the public and to
colleagues.
n Aid the professional development
of those who enter the aquarium
supply profession by assisting them
to understand the functions, duties,
and responsibilities of the profession,
including legislative compliance.
n Conduct business operations in
a manner that does not adversely
affect, or is prejudicial to,
the concepts and ideals of
Pro-vision Reef.
n Contribute to continuous
improvement in the aquarium supply
industry through participation in
projects that enhance operational
efficiency and environmental
performance.
n Where practical seek to develop
partnerships and improve
relationships with other user groups
within their local communities.
2.4 AIMS AnD OBjeCTIveS
2.4.1 Aims
The aim of the Stewardship Action Plan is
to develop and document non regulatory
approaches for world’s best practices,
thereby engendering community and
market confidence in the marine aquarium
supply industry, particularly in terms of
environmental performance and responding
to the challenge of global climate change.
2.4.2 Objectives
1. Describe ‘best practice’ collection
standards in the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery, Queensland
Coral Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery
2. Detail contingency operational
plans for coral bleaching events and
formalise linkages with response
plans developed by fishery and
protected areas managers
3. Form a Complaints Assessment
Committee to oversee the validity of
complaints and severity of breaches
4. Form a Review Committee
to continuously improve the
Stewardship Action Plan
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The Stewardship Action
Plan is extremely positive.
Pro-vision Reef and the
fishing industry ought to
be commended on their
proactive approach to
encouraging best practice
and sustainable practice
in the fishery.
“
”
Josh Davis [ Manager of the
Coral Sea Fishery, AFMA ]
Hopefully this document
will help the community to
understand what happens
below the waves. We are
very selective and careful
in what we do. Also, there
is myriad management
and assessments that the
community may not
be aware.
“
”
Kim Grunske
[ Keppel Bay Corals ]
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3.1 COMPlAInTS ASSeSSMenT COMMIT Tee
This Stewardship Action Plan establishes
a Complaints Assessment Committee
whose sole purpose is to assess the
validity of complaints and determine
the graded severity of breaches. The
Complaints Assessment Committee will
comprise individuals that have a direct
stake in the sustainable management of
the fishery and environment; and will be
independently chaired. The Complaints
Assessment Committee will be comprised of
stakeholders who are non-industry members;
persons who can act impartially; and that
have sufficient knowledge to make fully
informed judgement. Composition may vary
dependant upon availability and approval by
the Pro-vision Reef executive.
The Complaints Assessment Committee will
have the capacity to request advice from
industry or other relevant stakeholders in
the decision making process. However, any
industry or other advisor will not undertake a
decision making role.
3.2 RevIew COMMIT Tee
This Stewardship Action Plan establishes a
Review Committee. Led by Pro-vision Reef,
the Review Committee will convene on an
annual basis or as new information comes to
light. The Stewardship Action Plan operates
alongside the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority’s Coral Bleaching Response
Plan and Queensland Primary Industries &
Fisheries’ Coral Stress Response Plan. The
Review Committee will undertake review of
the Stewardship Action Plan in proximity to
review of the Coral Bleaching Response Plan
and the Coral Stress Response Plan.
The Stewardship Action Plan is produced
by industry for industry and forms a critical
step in the aspirations for a co-management
approach to aquarium supply fisheries in
Queensland held by managers and industry.
The Review Committee will be chaired
by Pro-vision Reef and will comprise a
mix of industry participants and agency
representatives.
The Review Committee will consider input
from researchers from bona fide research
institutions, particularly regarding research
that tests the validity of collection strategies
articulated in the Stewardship Action Plan to
ensure that those strategies represent world’s
best practice.
In addition, Pro-vision Reef will participate in
a Review Task Force in the event of identified
high risk of coral bleaching. The Review
Task Force will convene in accordance with
triggers stipulated in the Coral Bleaching
Response Plan and Coral Stress Response Plan
(see Attachment I).
Pa r t 3
Administration
The Stewardship Action Plan will be administered by Pro-vision Reef Inc.
Divers painstakingly
collect one fish at a time.
This initiative is typical of
the forward thinking culture
within this group of operators.
The fishery is small and spread
widely along the Queensland
coast. We all love the sea and
the work we perform.
“
”
Ray Reddacliff
[ Aquamarine Industries ]
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For the purpose of this Stewardship Action
Plan, a complaint is defined as “an expression
of dissatisfaction with compliance with the
Stewardship Action Plan”. The Stewardship
Action Plan relates specifically to operational
standards, including enacting contingency
plans in the event of coral bleaching.
Anybody can register a complaint. Complaints
should specifically identify the section of
the Stewardship Action Plan for which
it is believed the Signatory is in breach.
Complaints that do not specify a breach of the
Stewardship Action Plan may be registered
with Pro-vision Reef for consideration when
the Stewardship Action Plan is reviewed.
4.1 InCIDenT RePORTIng
In the first instance, a complaint may be
registered directly with the Signatory via
business contact details listed on the Pro-vision
Reef website. Identification that the operator
is a Signatory to the Stewardship Action Plan
will be clearly visible on the operator’s vessel.
Look for the Pro-vision Reef logo.
If the Signatory and complainant cannot
resolve the issue, the complaint should be
lodged with Pro-vision Reef for referral to
the Complaints Assessment Committee.
Complaints should be registered in writing,
either by post, fax or email; or via a dedicated
complaints form downloadable from the Pro-
vision Reef website and should include:
n Date of incident
n Precise location
n Boat mark
n Description of the incident
n Section of the Stewardship Action
Plan that was breached
n Grade of breach that the complainant
believes applies to the breach
n Evidence, including photographs
and/or corroborating witness
accounts
All complaints referred to the Complaints
Assessment Committee will be addressed at
scheduled meetings and the complainant
notified in writing of the outcome.
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With its Stewardship Action
Plan, Pro-vision Reef shows to
read the signs of this period
of time. It contributes to the
need for more transparency
and it shows the care for the
reef of professional collectors
of marine ornamental fish,
corals and invertebrates in
Australia.
“
”
Dr Alex Ploeg
[ Secretary General,
Ornamental Fish International ]
In a globally competitive
market, we need the
Stewardship Action Plan to
help differentiate our product
from those sourced elsewhere
where the same high
standards do not apply.
“
”
Lyle Squire Snr
[ Director, Cairns Marine;
Pro-vision Reef Life Member ]
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The Australian public
expects high standards
of environmental
performance from
all users of the
Great Barrier Reef.
The Stewardship Action
Plan outlines how
the aquarium supply
sector delivers on
that expectation.
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4.2 ASSeSSMenT OF COMPlAInTS
The Complaints Assessment Committee
will assess the validity or otherwise of the
complaint based on evidence presented.
If in the opinion of the Complaints
Assessment Committee, a prima facie1 case
exists, the Complaints Assessment Committee
will then grade the severity of the breach.
The Signatory subject to complaint will be
granted opportunity to respond, either in
person, in writing or via teleconference.
If in the opinion of the Complaints
Assessment Committee, a prima facie case
does not exist, the Complaints Assessment
Committee will then dismiss the case.
Following assessment of the complaint, the
Complaints Assessment Committee will refer
their recommendation to Pro-vision Reef. The
sanction that applies to the determination of
the Complaints Assessment Committee will
be taken from the Non Compliance Sanctions
Schedule described in Section 4.3. Pro-vision
Reef has no subjective role in assessing
complaints or determining sanctions.
Sanctions for non compliance are articulated
in the Non Compliance Sanctions Schedule.
The grades of penalty are commensurate
with the grade of breach as determined
by the Complaints Assessment Committee
and will reflect the nature and seriousness
of the breach. The Complaints Assessment
Committee will be guided by a non
compliance scale, depicted below.
Severity of a breach is determined by a
three point grading system where Grade 1
is the least severe. Penalty points allocated
to grades reflect the determination that a
Grade 2 breach is twice as severe as a Grade
1 breach; and that a Grade 3 breach is three
times as severe as a Grade 1 breach.
4.3 nOn COMPlIAnCe SAnCTIOnS SCHeDule
To ensure consistency and fairness, sanctions
are allocated according to a pre-determined
points system. Each 50 penalty points
received by a Signatory to the Stewardship
Action Plan will result in an incremental
progression up the scale of serious breaches
and subsequent sanctions (see Table).
For example, a penalty of 180 points will
result in a Signatory receiving a Level 3
sanction (150 points), with the remaining
30 points staying on the Signatory’s record
for two years as 'carry-over points'. Carry over
points will be added to points resulting
from subsequent breaches within that two
year period.
If a Signatory to the Stewardship Action Plan
has no history of breaches of the Stewardship
Action Plan, the Signatory is entitled to a
reduction equivalent to 20 per cent of the
base penalty points applied to the breach.
A Signatory is entitled to full cancellation of
penalty points carried-over from a breach
after two years if no further breaches are
recorded. If further breaches are recorded,
cancellation of points will occur two years
after the last breach.
Signatories must ensure that company
employees and contractors are aware of the
content of the Stewardship Action Plan. This
is an ongoing task due to staff turnover. Pro-
vision Reef will issue periodic reminders to
Signatories to this effect.Severity of Breach (Grade)
Seve
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1 Evidence that is sufficient to raise a presumption of fact or to establish the fact in question unless rebutted.
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
This Stewardship Action
Plan demonstrates that the
Australian corals enjoyed by
aquarium hobbyists the world
over are collected according
to a well thought out strategy
designed to minimise the
impacts on our marine
environment.
“
”
Russell Kelley [ Coral Scientist
and Author of the Indo-Pacific
Coral Finder ]
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4.4 MeCHAnISM FOR APPeAl
In the event that conclusions reached by
the Complaints Assessment Committee are
not to the satisfaction of the complainant
or defendant, and/or that new information
comes to light after the assessment, there
is an avenue for appeal to a designated
Independent Decision Maker, which will be
recruited from outside of the industry for the
purpose by Pro-vision Reef at the cost to the
appellant.
The Independent Decision Maker will
assess the grounds for appeal against
the Complaints Assessment Committee’s
handling of the complaint. Grounds for
appeal should be submitted to Pro-vision
Reef in writing, either by post, fax or email
by no later than 5:00pm 14 days after
the assessment of the complaint by the
Complaints Assessment Committee.
The decision of the Independent Decision
Maker is final and no further correspondence
will be entered into.
4.5 DATA COlleCTIOn
Data will be collected that reflect the origins
and causes of complaints in relation to
adherence to this Stewardship Action Plan for
the identification of systemic and recurring
problems that the industry should address.
These data will assist the Review Committee
in the production of an annual report on the
operation of the Stewardship Action Plan
and will aid continuous improvement of the
Stewardship Action Plan. Data collected will
include details regarding:
n Complainant
n Signatories complained about
n Type and frequency of complaint
n How the complaint was resolved
n Time taken to deal with the
complaint
n Type of sanction(s) imposed
Level Sanction Points Consequence Carry Over
1 Warning 50 No external consequence 51-99
2 Exposure 100 Identified in Pro-vision Reef Inc member newsletter
101-149
3 150 Same as Level 2 plus… n Identified in ‘Searead2’
151-199
4 200 Same as Level 3 plus… n Identified on the Pro-vision Reef Inc website
201-249
5 Expulsion 250 Same as Level 4 plus… n Six months expulsion from Pro-vision Reef Inc n Remove Pro-vision Reef Inc logo from vessel
251-299
6 300 Same as Level 5 plus… n Twelve months expulsion from Pro-vision Reef Inc n Must re-apply for membership
301+ carried
forward if readmitted
2 Periodical magazine published by the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
I think the Stewardship
Action Plan takes our fishery
and associated industry in
the right direction.
“
”
Russell Snook
[ Snook’s Marine Fish ]
As the second generation of
a family that has harvested
coral since 1957, I have seen
this fishery develop into one
that operates with world's
best practice collection
methods. Strong collaboration
between industry, fishery
managers and coral reef
scientists has achieved a
management regime that
works exceedingly well.
“
”
David Paterson [ Marine Arts ]
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Divers in the Queensland Marine Aquarium
Fish Fishery, Queensland Coral Fishery and
Coral Sea Fishery typically collect at a range
of depths within any given dive. Physical
constraints are applied according to the
length of the Hookah hose employed; and
physiological constraints are applied whereby
time spent at depth is limited and the diver
must graduate a dive to shallower water.
Consequently, any dive is constrained to a
designated horizontal diameter and limited
time at various depths. Weather is the
greatest restraint with collectors’ ability to
embark on, and to sustain, a voyage at the
mercy of the elements at all times.
Collecting fish and corals commercially
requires diving skills and experience far in
excess of those held by recreational divers
and tourist divers. Control of buoyancy
and fin position and movement are highly
advanced in this gear intensive activity that
is practiced and refined in all manner of
conditions. Most diving activity is conducted
using surface air supply via a Hookah hose.
The hose floats and does not pose any risk
to substrate. Barrier nets are deployed in a
static fashion and do not come into contact
with coral, which damages the fine mesh.
Barrier nets are used to capture fish that
the collector herds into them. An industry
specific Dive Code that satisfies all Workplace
Health and Safety legislative requirements is
currently under development.
The objectives of Part 5 of this Stewardship
Action Plan are to:
n Ensure that abiding by the law
establishes the minimum operational
standard for Signatories.
n Ensure that Signatories adopt a
custodial approach to public relations
n Ensure that ‘best practice’ collection
standards apply in the Queensland
Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery,
Queensland Coral Fishery and Coral
Sea Fishery.
5.1 FISHeRIeS & PROTeCTeD AReAS MAnAgeMenT
Fisheries and protected areas management
is incorporated in legislation and/or
subordinate legislation, including regulations
and management plans. Compliance is
enforced by the Boating and Fisheries
Patrol at Queensland Primary Industries &
Fisheries; and by Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority and Australian Fisheries
Management Authority.
Failure to abide by the fishery management
arrangements for the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery, Queensland Coral
Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery; Queensland
and/or Commonwealth fisheries legislation
and license conditions; and Queensland
and/or Commonwealth marine protected
areas legislation and permit conditions,
incurs penalties including fines imposed by
government authorities.
Pa r t 5
Day to Day Operations
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Part 5 of the Stewardship Action Plan exposes Signatories to complaint and the complaints handling process, including the allocation
of sanctions, that is described in Part 4 of this Stewardship Action Plan. Signatories agree to abide by the strategies outlined herein.
Complainants must identify a numbered section within this Part when reporting an alleged breach.
Divers select only perfect
coral specimens that suit
the market.
The Stewardship Action Plan
complements the modern
fisheries and protected areas
management within which we
already operate. It is hoped
that all licensed operators
sign up and that a uniform
high standard of operation
can be set.
“
”
John Ford [ Keppel Bay Corals ]
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Serious offences are referred to the judicial
system and convictions are placed on the
public record. Signatories to this Stewardship
Action Plan that record a conviction for
breaches of fishery and marine protected
areas laws face sanctions imposed under
this Stewardship Action Plan for bringing the
industry into disrepute.
Signatories that record a conviction under
fishery and protected areas laws face an
automatic penalty of 240 points under
the Stewardship Action Plan. This will not
be referred to the Complaints Assessment
Committee as the judicial system will have
made the necessary assessment.
5.2 COnSIDeRATIOn OF OTHeR STAkeHOlDeRS
Signatories to the Stewardship Action Plan
are licensed operators, most of whom
conduct a permitted activity in the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Stewardship
Action Plan compels Signatories to observe
strategies that consider other licensed or
permitted stakeholders and the broader
community. These provisions are aimed at
ensuring and enhancing the continued use
and enjoyment of a shared resource by other
user groups.
Signatories will refer to their participation
in the Stewardship Action Plan on their
stationary, packaging, company branding,
advertising material and websites. Such
identification on company branding material
and vessels will include reference to the
Pro-vision Reef website, whereupon the
Stewardship Action Plan can be viewed and
downloaded.
Identification that a fishery operator is a
Signatory to the Stewardship Action Plan will
be clearly visible on the operator’s vessel.
The dimensions of the Pro-vision Reef logo3,
which is the indication that the operator
is a Stewardship Action Plan Signatory,
should conform with that stipulated for boat
marks in s.229 “Requirements for placing
boat mark on an authorised boat” of the
Fisheries Regulations 2008 (p146). These
requirements do not alter obligations relating
to identification codes for boats specified in
the Commonwealth Fisheries Management
Regulations 1992 for Coral Sea Fishery permit
holders.
Code Stipulation Penalty Points
Breach Grade 1 2 3
5.2.i Signatories will not undertake collection at sites4 that are, at that time, in use by bona fide tour operators5 as at the date of implementation of this Stewardship Action Plan.
70 140 210
5.2.ii Signatories will not collect clownfish or anemones at sites6 that are within a 50 metre radius from legal tourist moorings registered in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; or, in the Cairns Area Plan of Management area, within a 200 metre radius from a pontoon.
70 140 210
5.2.iii Signatories processing collected fish in a public place will display an explanatory sign based on a template produced by Pro-vision Reef.7
70 140 210
3 Logo use will be subject to a license
agreement, which will be a condition of
membership. This is to ensure that there
are legal consequences for unauthorized
use by non-members.
4 A site is defined as the area designated by
the radius of the operator’s hookah hose,
which is determined by the position of the
vessel.
5 Bona fide tour operators are defined
as those permitted to operate by
management agencies such as the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority &
Queensland Parks & Wildlife.
6 A site is defined as the area designated by
the radius of the operator’s hookah hose,
which is determined by the position of the
vessel.
7 Explanatory signage will include reference
to this Stewardship Action Plan, fishery
management, best practice etc.
Aquarium fisheries have
a bad reputation in some
parts of the world. The
Stewardship Action Plan
will help to separate the
Great Barrier Reef and Coral
Sea fisheries from those
that employ destructive
fishing practices.
“
”
Rene Jenson
[ Northern Barrier Marinelife ]
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5.3 COlleCTIng FISH In THe QueenSlAnD MARIne AQuARIuM FISH FISHeRy & CORAl SeA FISHeRy
The dynamics of market demand dictates
the nature of the species distribution of
collected fish. The market demands species
variety and there are up to 1,500 species of
fish that may be collected with no single
species outstanding as a targeted species.
Damsel fish species are the most commonly
encountered species and are consequently
the most commonly collected, particularly
Chromis spp and Chrysiptera spp.
Seven species of anemone fish are now farmed
successfully in Australia by several providers.
Currently, around 80% of anemonefish in the
aquarium trade from Australia are sourced
in this way. Licensed Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery
collectors supply anemonefish broodstock
to fish farmers. Some collectors also provide
broodstock of high value species to the
Australian Institute of Marine Science for the
development of captive breeding technology,
with a view to commercialisation. Reference to
anemonefish in this Stewardship Action Plan
pertains to Amphiprion spp.
Collectors of fish in the Queensland Marine
Aquarium Fish Fishery and Coral Sea Fishery
are limited in their collection capacity
because fish are hand collected and possess
greater mobility than any diver. Many coral
reef fishes, including anemonefish, are cryptic
and some are never seen by divers; and many
others are unsuitable for market demand. The
primary limitation on fish collection overall is
outlined in Section 2.2 Context.
Collection strategies in this Stewardship
Action Plan apply to collection of
fish for supply of domestic retail and
international wholesale custom, which is the
overwhelming majority of collection activity.
Public display supply activity is sporadic and
can involve larger animals collected under
special permit. The strategies listed below do
not apply when collection is for the purpose
of supplying larger animals for public display.
Collection strategies are based on the best
available information and will be reviewed
as new information becomes available.
Strategies apply to reefs that are not
subject to stress determined by the
in situ assessment tabled in Part 6 of this
Stewardship Action Plan.
Code Stipulation Penalty Points
Breach Grade 1 2 3
5.3.i Signatories will target primarily juvenile and sub-adult fish specimens of long lived species, e.g. Pomacanthus spp8 (except anemonefish – see 5.3.iii).
70 140 210
5.3.ii When fish species live in schools and larger groups e.g. Pseudanthias spp. and Chromis spp., Signatories will collect no more than half of the fish from the group.
70 140 210
5.3.iii Signatories will only collect mated pairs of anemonefish from large solitary anemones,9 such as Heteractis magnifica.
70 140 210
5.3.iv Signatories will only collect juvenile and sub-adult anemonefish10 from anemones that arrange in beds, such as Entacmaea quadricolor subject to 5.3.v.
70 140 210
5.3.v Signatories will not collect anemonefish from an anemone that the collector assesses as stressed.
70 140 210
8 Natural mortality through predation appears high in these age cohorts relative to adult specimens.
Consequently collection is more easily absorbed in these cohorts.
9 Mated pairs of anemonefish are collected and the majority of juveniles are often left in the anemone. This allows
the largest juveniles to protect the anemone and does not adversely affect recruitment to the population.
10 Except when the anemone is also collected. When the anemone is left in situ, some fish will be left within the
anemone.
We feel confident that the
Stewardship Action Plan
reassures the community
that we, as harvest divers
are moving forward to help
protect “the reef” for
everyone to enjoy!!
“
”
David Shkreli and Brad Jolly
[ Oz Reef Connections ]
Making my living from the
ocean I am always conscious
of what I am collecting and
that the collecting itself does
not deplete the resources
ability to restore and maintain
itself! My love of the ocean
and my ability to be in a
job I love, gives me a huge
incentive to make sure there
is always enough for my
tomorrow and my children’s
tomorrows.
“
”
John Daymond
[ John Daymond Marines ]
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Divers typically use surface
air supply while collecting.
5.4 COlleCTIng CORAl In THe QueenSlAnD CORAl FISHeRy
The market demands high quality coral
specimens. Australian operations have high
overhead costs and must present premium
quality specimens to the market. There are
relatively few perfect pieces of suitable size
for the market and very few of any particular
species that are suitable for collection.
Collectors additionally vary collection areas
to include deeper water and inter-reefal areas
where dive time is extremely limited.
Collection strategies are based on the best
available information, gathered from both
collectors’ knowledge and formal research,
and will be reviewed as new information
becomes available. The strategies outlined
in this section are designed for collection
from healthy reef systems (refer to Part 6 for
strategies for reefs exhibiting stress from
coral bleaching).
Strategies apply specifically to species
identified in Queensland Primary Industries
& Fisheries’ Species Vulnerability Assessment
and Ecological Risk Assessment that feature
in the aquarium trade. This response is part
of the integrative approach to managing the
use of resources in the fisheries between
industry and the fishery and protected areas
management agencies.
Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries’
“Policy for the Management of the Coral
Fishery” refers to all corals not belonging to
the families Pocilloporidae or Acroporidae
as ‘Speciality Coral’. These corals are mostly
collected live for display in aquaria and
account for 30% of the Total Allowable Catch
for the fishery. The majority of corals targeted
for ornamental products are the fast-growing
and abundant species that belong to the
families Pocilloporidae and Acroporidae.
These are referred to as “Other Coral”
and form part of the balance of the Total
Allowable Catch along with Live Rock, which
is the major component, and Coral Rubble.
Code Stipulation Penalty Points
Breach Grade 1 2 3
5.4.i Wherever possible, Signatories collecting Specialty Coral that arrange in beds will primarily11 target specimens that are smaller than 30cm. This includes those that occur in inter-reefal areas e.g. Goniopora spp., Duncanopsamia spp., Catalaphyllia spp. and Trachyphyllia spp.
70 140 210
5.4.ii Wherever possible, Signatories collecting Specialty Coral that arrange singularly or in a roughly uniform manner will primarily12 target specimens that are smaller than 30cm. This includes Euphyllia spp. and Goniopora spp. and Plerogyra spp.
70 140 210
5.4.iii Wherever possible, Signatories collecting Other Coral will primarily13 target specimens that are smaller than 45cm.
70 140 210
5.4.iv Where anemones arrange in beds, such as Entacmaea quadricolor, Signatories will not collect anemones from beds that the collector assesses as stressed or bleached.
70 140 210
5.4. v Where anemones arrange individually, such as Heteractis magnifica, Signatories will not collect large to extra large specimens14 within Special Management Areas.
70 140 210
11 “primarily” refers to more than 50%
of collected specimens.
12 “primarily” refers to more than 50%
of collected specimens.
13 “primarily” refers to more than 50%
of collected specimens.
14 These species are elastic and may expand
and contract to a very large extent. It is
not feasible to nominate a specific linear
measurement. “Large to extra large” is an
industry standard based on the size of the
anemone when it is not responding to a
stimulus, such as feeding or in defence.
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Manifestation of global climate change in
the region of the Great Barrier Reef and
Coral Sea is expected to include an increased
frequency and severity of coral bleaching;
increased frequency and intensity of tropical
storms, including cyclones; and increased
coastal flooding.
Coral bleaching is the main stress indicator
used for this Stewardship Action Plan as
storm damaged and flood affected reefs are
not favourable for viable collection activity.
Signatories assist with general monitoring
and management of the Great Barrier Reef by
completing Reef Health & Impact Summary
surveys to provide an annual baseline of reef
health at key collection sites. Completion of
Reef Health & Impact Summary by Signatories
is triggered by degrees of risk outlined in the
Coral Bleaching Response Plan and the Coral
Stress Response Plan.
Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys
collect information on key health parameters
such as algal and coral cover, physical
damage and coral disease. Surveys also
provide a means of capturing information on
the extent and severity of coral bleaching.
Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys are
the standard tool used by managers for
defining the level of stress on a given reef.
Once an area has been clearly impacted,
commonsense prevails and Signatories
routinely review their options and seek
potential alternative sites to collect from to
ensure they do not reduce the resilience of
an impacted area. However, bleaching does
not always affect an entire site. For example,
under some circumstances it may be very
patchy, it may affect only a few species
present or it may be limited to
shallow waters.
Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys
provide a mechanism for Signatories to
continue with reduced levels (low risk
species and low impact activities only) of
collecting at low or moderately stressed sites.
The surveys provide managers with site-
specific information (often from places not
visited by others) to better inform decision-
making as an event progresses. The level of
stress determined by doing the survey also
triggers the appropriate harvest response for
Signatories.
Signatories to this Stewardship Action Plan
will be guided by the principles outlined
in Section 6.1 in adjusting collection
practices according to the occurrence and
severity of the bleaching events. Detailed
and enforceable strategies are described in
Section 6.2.
The objectives for Part 6 of the Stewardship
Action Plan are to:
n Ensure that Signatories register
the location and assessment of
the severity of coral bleaching
encountered.
n Ensure that Signatories report
the location and assessment of
the severity of coral bleaching to
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority.
n Ensure that Signatories adopt
stipulated collection strategies
commensurate with the degree of
coral bleaching assessed at the site.
Pa r t 6
Responding to Climate Change
cl
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Part 6 of the Stewardship Action Plan exposes Signatories to complaint and the complaints handling process, including the allocation
of sanctions, that is described in Part 4 of this Stewardship Action Plan. Signatories agree to abide by the strategies outlined herein.
Complainants must identify a numbered section within this Part when reporting an alleged breach.
Scientists predict that global
climate change will result in greater
frequency of coral bleaching.
The Stewardship Action Plan
will help hobbyists to choose
the animals they buy at the
shop on the basis of the least
impact on the environment.
“
”
Cadel Squire [ Cairns Marine ]
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Climate change
presents many
challenges to our
Great Barrier Reef.
This initiative assists
those charged with
its protection to
more effectively
monitor changes to
reef condition.
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15 A site is defined as the area designated by the radius of the operator’s hookah hose, which is determined by
the position of the vessel.
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6.2 ReSPOnSe PlAn FOR BleACHeD envIROnMenTS
Class of stress upon bleached reef
environments will be determined by a visual
assessment by the Signatory in accordance
with the table in Section 6.1.
Coral bleaching is triggered by prolonged
increased sea surface temperatures. Prior
to each summer an assessment is made as
part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority’s Coral Bleaching Response Plan
Early Warning System (http://poama.bom.gov.
au/) and Queensland Primary Industries
& Fisheries’ Coral Stress Response Plan
(see Attachment I). If the risk is assessed as
high by this early warning system, the Coral
Bleaching Response Plan will be triggered.
At this point, Signatories will conduct Reef
Health & Impact Summary surveys (see
Attachment II) to provide a baseline of reef
health at their key collection sites that fall in
the predicted high risk area.
In recognition that coral bleaching may be
patchily distributed within a reef complex
or even within a site15, Signatories will adopt
the following collection strategies. Note
that collectors will generally start to look at
minimising their business risks and look for a
range of other locations when an area show
signs of being impacted.
Stress Depth Indicator
Light <10% of corals impacted
<2m Patchily bleached corals
2-5m No apparent stress
>5m No apparent stress
Moderate 10%-50% of corals impacted
<2m Light or yellowish bleached corals
2-5m Patchily bleached corals
>5m No apparent stress
Heavy >50% of corals impacted
<2m Totally bleached white corals/dead coral with algae
2-5m Light or yellowish bleached corals
>5m Patchily bleached corals
6.1 ASSeSSIng BleACHeD envIROnMenTS
Signatories to the Stewardship Action Plan
will assess the extent of stress that collection
environments are subject to following a
bleaching event by completing Reef Health
& Impact Summary surveys and forwarding
these to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority. The frequency of surveys will
be determined by agreement with the
Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries
Task Force.
As the structure and dynamics of coral reefs
vary according to a range of environmental
parameters, the guide table below is
deliberately broad and is designed to assist
Signatories to determine which designated
collection strategy to adopt. Note that the
bleaching indicators are consistent with
those detailed in Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority’s BleachWatch Program.
The BleachWatch program helps
reef managers to monitor bleaching
through community participation.
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6.2.1 light Stress Penalty Points
Breach Grade 1 2 3
6.2.1.i Reef sites assessed as lightly stressed from coral bleaching should be reported as quickly as possible to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys should be completed to document relative reef health at the site.
50 50 50
6.2.1.ii Signatories should not collect whole or part colonies of coral that exhibit signs of stress.
60 120 180
6.2.1.iii Signatories should not collect any specimens in depths less than two metres at these sites.
60 120 180
6.2.1.iv Signatories should not collect anemonefish from stressed anemones at any depth.
60 120 180
6.2.2 Moderate Stress Penalty Points
Breach Grade 1 2 3
6.2.2.i Reef sites assessed as moderately stressed from coral bleaching should be reported as quickly as possible to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Reef Health & Impact Summary surveys should be completed to document relative reef health at the site.
60 60 60
6.2.2.ii Signatories should not collect whole or part colonies of coral that exhibit signs of stress.
80 160 240
6.2.2.iii Signatories should not collect any specimens in depths less than five metres at these sites.
80 160 240
6.2.2.iv Signatories should not collect anemonefish from stressed anemones at any depth.
80 160 240
6.2.2.v Signatories should not collect herbivorous/grazing species that control algal growth in coral habitats (e.g. parrot fish, rabbit fish, surgeon fish, and urchins)16 at any depth.
80 160 240
6.2.3 Heavy Stress Penalty Points
Breach Grade 1 2 3
6.2.3.i Reef sites assessed as heavily stressed from coral bleaching should be reported as quickly as possible to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority17.
70 70 70
6.2.3.ii Signatories should not collect from sites that are heavily stressed from coral bleaching
100 200 300
Signatories may decide to continue to
collect in sites assessed as impacted by
coral bleaching, subject to the limitations
outlined below. By participating in Reef
Health & Impact Summary surveys at these
sites, Signatories provide the Coral Stress
Response Plan Taskforce with case-by-case
decision making information that will guide
management action, if any, for that site.
This is the only fishery
anywhere that has proactively
devised operating strategies
and monitoring and reporting
protocols for events linked to
climate change.
“
”
Tracy Bell
[ Pacific Marine Aquarium Fish ]
16 Strategy may be reviewed following
research into the roaming behaviour of
herbivores in the event of coral bleaching.
17 Signatories may choose to contribute to
monitoring at such sites, for information
purposes only.
Our fisheries add value to
conservation of marine
life through education and
awareness. Monitoring
and reporting through the
Stewardship Action Plan
indicates that that value
begins to be added at the very
start of the supply chain.
“
”
Ben Thompson
[ Marine Life Queensland ]
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3 0
The role of Pro-vision Reef will be to identify
opportunities for continuous improvement
in operational efficiency and environmental
performance in the fisheries. This will include:
7.1 COllABORATIOn
Pro-vision Reef will work collaboratively with
officers from Queensland Primary Industries
& Fisheries, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority, Queensland Parks & Wildlife and
Australian Fisheries Management Authority
to ensure that fishery management and
fishery operations are responsive to changes
in environmental and market conditions.
Pro-vision Reef will continue to facilitate
industry involvement in the development
of a co-management model for the
Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish Fishery
and Queensland Coral Fishery.
Pro-vision Reef will collaborate with bona fide
research institutions to validate stipulated
collection strategies to ensure that the
Stewardship Action Plan continuously
improves worlds best practice aquarium
specimen supply.
7.2 ADDReSS lOCAlISeD ISSueS
Pro-vision Reef will implement appropriate
voluntary action in response to localised
environmental concerns, such as those
addressed in Part 6 – Coral Bleaching.
Such voluntary action may include, at the
discretion of the Pro-vision Reef executive
in consultation with local operators and
fishery & protected areas managers,
Memoranda of Understanding that entail
spatial and temporal closure; industry led
monitoring programs with relevant data to be
independently stored at the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority to be made publicly
available following collaborative analysis and
reporting; and other conditions as deemed
suitable.
7.3 THIRD PARTy ACCReDITATIOn OF FISHeRy OPeRATIOnS
Pro-vision Reef will facilitate third party
accreditation for Signatories to the
Stewardship Action Plan to ensure that
there is a discernible and tangible point of
differentiation between Signatories and non-
Signatories; and that Signatories’ collection
standards are maintained over time.
Pa r t 7
The Role of Pro -vision Reef Inc
th
e r
ol
e o
F p
ro
-viS
ion
re
eF
inc
I love working in the sea and I
take pride in undertaking my
work at the highest standards
of environmental stewardship.
I hope the Stewardship Action
Plan encourages other
fisheries both in Australia
and elsewhere to define
best-practice and to
implement it.
“
”
Alex Tindall [ Tindall Marine ]
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3 1
7.4 IMPleMenT envIROnMenTAl MAnAgeMenT SySTeM
The Stewardship Action Plan will be
complemented by an Environmental
Management System that will identify
environmental risk through all aspects of
operation from frontline management and
key enterprise personnel to skippers, vessel
owners, deckhands and divers.
The Environmental Management System will
establish individual benchmarks that can be
improved upon and measured. It does not
favour operations of a certain scale more than
another, thereby enabling each participant an
opportunity to contribute to the positioning
of the fishery in the market and in the minds
of the community.
Participants in these fisheries are vastly
disparate in terms of capital investment,
staffing and the areas within the market
they supply. However, the Environmental
Management System is equally applicable.
The Environmental Management System
will document and record information in
an industry recognised reporting format to
facilitate internal review or third party audit.
7.5 DevelOP An InDuSTRy SPeCIFIC DIve CODe
In addition to the Environmental
Management System, the Stewardship
Action Plan will also be complemented by an
Aquarium Supply Diving Code of Practice that
is specific to the aquarium supply industry.
The Dive Code will feature best practice in
equipment choice and deployment and
in situ animal husbandry, including the
treatment of barotrauma. The Dive Code
will supplement the Workplace Health and
Safety requirements and will be tailored more
specifically towards the marine aquarium
supply industry.
7.6 IMPleMenT A COMMunICATIOn STRATegy
Pro-vision Reef will develop a communication
plan to inform the community and the market
both Australia wide and internationally of the
provenance model within which Signatories
to the Stewardship Action Plan operate. The
communication plan will promote consumer
choice in favour of product sourced through
Stewardship Action Plan Signatories and will
name Signatories such that those operators
receive a market advantage over those
that choose not to become Signatories. In
addition the communication plan will alert
the community adjacent the fishery area
of the standards practiced by Stewardship
Action Plan Signatories, a benefit that will not
be accessible to non-Signatories.
7.7 COMMunITy AnD COnSuMeR AwAReneSS
Copies of the Stewardship Action Plan will
be distributed to the community through
the regional Natural Resource Management
organisations that are adjacent to the fishery
area. Copies of the Stewardship Action
Plan will also be distributed to the major
consumer organisation for products arising
from this fishery. Signatories are urged to
refer the Pro-vision Reef website to retail
clients, drawing attention to the Stewardship
Action Plan.
Careful management of the
aquarium fishery will ensure
that future generations will
always be able to view these
wonderful creatures in their
natural habitat. Marine
species that are collected
responsibly will allow people
who are unable to dive to
continue enjoying them in
their home aquariums or in
public displays.
“
”
Barrie Monkman
[ Aquarium fish collector ]
It is incumbent on everyone
to respond to the challenge
of global climate change.
As an industry, we have an
obligation to contribute
to the resilience of the reefs
from which we make
our living.
“
”
Heath, Bruce and
John Bezuidenhaut
[ Salty Pets ]
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3 2
Atkinson, M., Kerrigan, B., Roelofs, A. and Smith, T. 2008. Non-Detriment Finding for
CITES-listed corals in the Queensland Coral Fishery. A case study presented
to the International Expert Workshop on CITES Non-Detriment Findings,
Cancun, Mexico, November 17th to 22nd, 2008.
Bartley, D. 2000. Responsible Ornamental Fisheries. FAO Aquaculture Newsletter, Issue 24.
Dr. Alex Ploeg, pers. comm., 2009. Secretary General, Ornamental Fish International
Fazantenkamp 5, NL-3607 CA Maarssen, The Netherlands.
Falk, J.H., Reinhard, E.M., Vernon, C.L., Bronnenkant, K., Deans, N.L. & Heimlich, J.E. 2007.
Why Zoos & Aquariums Matter: Assessing the Impact of a Visit. Association of
Zoos & Aquariums. Silver Spring, MD.
Hill, M. 2006. Contribution of the Pet Care Industry to the Australian Economy (6th edition). A
report by BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd for the Australian Companion Animal Council
Incorporated.
Roelofs, A & Silcock, R 2008. A sustainability assessment of marine fish species collected
in the Queensland marine aquarium trade, Queensland Primary Industries
and Fisheries, Brisbane.
Roelofs, A & Silcock, R 2008. A vulnerability assessment of coral taxa collected in the
Queensland Coral Fishery, Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries,
Brisbane.
Roelofs, A 2008. Ecological Risk Assessment of the Queensland Coral Fishery, Queensland
Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.
Roelofs, A 2008. Ecological Risk Assessment of the Queensland Marine Aquarium Fish
Fishery, Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.
Bibliography
BiB
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ap
hy
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Attachment 1. Integrated Coral Stress Monitoring and Response
at
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R E P L A C E
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Attachment 2. Reef Health & Impac t Summar y
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Navigation: Foreword | Preface | Contents | Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Bibliography | Attachment 1 | 2
www.pro-visionreef.org
Keeping and caring for ornamental fish is a global phenomenon. Freshwater specimens
account for the overwhelming majority of species involved in the trade. However, the availability
of inexpensive self-contained saltwater filtration systems has seen significant growth in the
popularity of keeping marine specimens in colourful mini-reef displays.
The global trade in marine specimens accounts for about 10% of the total ornamental fish
trade with the vast majority of specimens sourced from the archipelagos of Indonesia and
the Philippines. However, it is in the supply of marine species that Australia can announce its
credentials as a supplier of quality specimens collected according to the highest standards
of resource stewardship.
This Stewardship Action Plan complements the comprehensive and continuously improving
fisheries management and regulation that applies in Australia. It establishes a uniform standard
of operational efficiency and environmental performance in aquarium specimen supply.
Importantly, it links with Australian government efforts to reduce the impacts of global climate
change on our iconic Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. This custodial approach to marine
resource use establishes Australia’s marine aquarium industry as a world leader in this field.
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