Tiger prawn stock

Stock assessment

The 2023 stock assessment used current biological, survey and commercial catch data to estimate the:

• biomass of the biological stock
• fishing pressure on the biological stock.

The assessment used a delay-difference biomass model based on previous stock assessments for this fishery. 10 scenarios were run, covering a range of modelling assumptions.

Results for the project team-preferred scenario indicated that biomass in 2021 was between 70% and 89%, most likely at 79% for the east coast tiger prawn stock north of 22 degrees latitude.

Previous reports:

• 2021 stock assessment report

Biomass estimates and key management actions

Estimated retained catch from 1958 to 2021

Project team

The stock assessment project team had a wide range of skill sets, and included :

• managers, scientists, monitoring and data specialists from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
• 2 industry representatives.

The team operated under the terms of reference (PDF, 154KB) to ensure a transparent and evidence-based approach.

We thank the project team for contributing their time and knowledge, and engaging constructively over the course of a 17-month project.

We acknowledge the significant time commitment and deep operational and technical expertise of our industry representatives. The project has benefited greatly from their input. Future assessments should continue to engage with industry members to further enhance assessments and build collaboration between industry and government.

Ecological risk assessment

Assessed in the:

• 2018: Southern Queensland east coast otter trawl fishery and river and inshore beam trawl fishery (PDF, 4MB)
• 2012: East coast otter trawl fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (led by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)

Management

East coast otter trawl fishery:

• Harvest strategies
• Working group