DoctorKatie Cresswell

Project Total: $35,000; The integrated assessment of development and use impacts on Australia's marine estate examines the comprehensive effects of human activities on the marine environment (direct and indirect). By evaluating the consequences of development and resource utilization, it aids in informed decision-making, sustainable management, and the use and protection of Australia's marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Integrated Ecosystem Assessment has been called for in Australia by the National Marine Science Committee as part of planning Australia ocean use and maximising benefit. In Australia, IEA could support managers and policy makers to find solutions that support triple-bottom line outcomes across multiple use including fisheries, cultural, tourism, aquaculture and renewable energy. Funded by: CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation ($35,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $250,888; This project is to provide addition funding to resurvey longspined sea urchin populations along the Tasmanian east coast. The survey involves - 108 dive transects across 9 regions from Eddystone point to Tasman Island for abundance and biomass estimation - Size structure profiles across the 9 regions - 108 towed video transects for barren estimation Data will also be used for population modelling and scenario testing. Funding will support thy buyback of some ongoing staff time - including John Keane, and the two Dive Fisheries tech officers. There is funding for a 3rd tech offer at 100% specifically for this project. Funded by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $461,103; Background & Need:Southern Calamari (Sepioteuthis australis) is a key species for commercial and recreational fisheries in Tasmania, having the highest value of any of the scalefish species with a high proportion of the commercial catch matched by recreational effort. Stock assessments have indicated an ongoing decline over the past few years, with the north coast classifed as depleting. This highlights the need for high-resolution data to support targeted management strategies. Research Approach & Methods:The first stage of the project will involve a comprehensive review of past studies and available data on Southern Calamari breeding aggregations, spawning locations, and historical catch and effort trends. This will ensure that new analyses build on existing knowledge. Environmental models will be developed to explore relationships between key factors such as wind, sea surface temperature, habitat type, and winter rainfall and their influence on spawning success. Findings will be shared with fisheries agencies in other states to contribute to broader species management across Australia. To improve knowledge of spawning seasonality and success, the project will integrate fisheries-dependent data on adult densities with fisheries-independent surveys conducted before, during, and after spawning closures. Dive surveys will be conducted at historically studied sites in northern Tasmania to assess egg mop densities and compare current spawning patterns with past data. Towed-video surveys will also be undertaken at these locations to validate their effectiveness as a monitoring tool for estimating peak egg density. Additionally, a study site in the southeast will be included to provide further validation of the relationship between dive survey data and towed-video data. Using previously established relationships from Ewing et al. (2020), the project will estimate key spawning aggregation periods based on peak egg density observations. If, in the first year, a strong correlation is established between dive-measured egg densities and towed-video data, the remaining years of the project will shift to a more extensive use of towed-video surveys, allowing for expanded site coverage. A technician or student will be employed to analyze the video data, and this dataset will also be used to train AI models capable of automatically detecting and quantifying egg mop densities in seagrass habitats from towed-video imagery. In addition to field surveys, the project will work with NRE to improve the collection of fisheries-dependent data by shifting from aggregated trip reports to real-time catch rates recorded in kg/hour. This will involve implementing vessel tracking and electronic logging systems to capture additional trip details, such as the number of fishers on board and actual fishing hours targeting Southern Calamari. The potential use of electronic measuring boards, as trialed in a parallel IMAS project, will also be investigated to record length and weight data. To ensure consistency in data collection, commercial fishers may be engaged to conduct surveys during spawning closures. By combining field-based observations, environmental modeling, and emerging technologies, this project will provide a robust understanding of Southern Calamari spawning dynamics. The findings will support management strategies that enhance sustainability and long-term viabilit Funded by: Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Grant ($461,103); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $0; This internship offers practical training in stock assessment and statistical modelling for the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF), focusing on emerging, data-limited species affected by warming waters. The candidate will develop adaptive assessment methods while collaborating closely with Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), the fishing industry and other research partners (e.g. State government fisheries researchers). Funded by: CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $127,474; Seaweed, with its capability to harness nitrogen, phosphate, and trace minerals for growth and photosynthesis, holds significant promise for wastewater remediation and cleansing polluted systems through cultivation. Asparagopsis, highlighted in prior research for its biofilter efficacy in wastewater from farmed aquatic animals in Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA), stands out as a particularly compelling candidate. Despite the promise shown by IMTA in extensive prior investigations, its utilization in Australia, especially with Asparagopsis, remains underexplored. Leveraging an established bioremediation model, our project will parameterize for Asparagopsis and other seaweed species across Australia, addressing challenges specific to different regions and species. By fostering collaboration among scientists, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and environmental advocates, our work will contribute to the adoption of sustainable practices that harness seaweed's remediation potential across Australia. Funded by: Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Grant ($127,474); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $1,628,586; Project objectives Work with seafood industry leaders to establish two-way climate conversations that can strengthen and underpin Australian fishing and aquacultures resilience to a changing climate. This approach will facilitate co-design of pathways to increase agility and build capacity for climate change adaptation with a select number of fisheries and aquaculture operations. This process will also create a model that can be applicable to other RDCs. Create a climate conversations platform to facilitate knowledge exchange (including identifying gaps and shared issues), and thus capture, disseminate, and showcase: How fishing and aquaculture sectors are already adapting and responding to recent changes What has facilitated these changes made, and what the are barriers to further adaptation The story of fishing and aquacultures efforts towards achieving climate resilience - using a dynamic story map approach, and other multi-media, communicate progress to target audiences. Identify a) key factors influencing the agility of fisheries and aquaculture to adapt to climate change, and b) which factors (e.g. opportunities) are most important for adaptation capacity-building for different types of operations - building on work underway across multiple domestic and international projects and working groups. Co-develop pathways, with a select number of fisheries and aquaculture operations, to increase their agility and build sector capacity for climate change adaptation and resilience. Support the development of communities of practice for groups of fisheries and/or aquaculture operations that have similar opportunities and pathways to support increased agility and capacity building for climate change adaptation(determined in objective 3). Funded by: Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Grant ($1,628,586); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $98,000; The FRDC will produce the fifth edition of the Status of key Australian Fish Stocks (SAFS) in collaboration with all jurisdictions to bring together available biological, catch and effort information on the status of Australia's key wild catch fish stocks and provide a resource to inform the general public, policy makers and industry on the sustainability of stocks. The Tasmanian component is to be delivered as per the milestone schedule. Species chapters: All relevant chapters drafted in SharePoint as per the agreed SAFS species chapter template and associated guidelines to authors; adopt the new SAFS 2018 classification framework; work collaboratively within and between jurisdictions as required; check maps and graphs for inconsistencies; provided all chapters to fisheries managers in the jurisdiction (Tas) for comment; adequately addressed comments from the FRDC consistency/technical review and the FRDC external peer reviews; clear all chapters for publication; work to the agreed SAFS 2023 timeline. Number of existing Tas species: n = 13 as lead; n = 33 as support Number of new Tas species: n = 0 as lead; n = 1 as support. Note: one Existing, support species has been flagged as tentative Negligible catch (i.e. zero budget). Funded by: Fisheries Research & Development Corporation ($98,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $242,861; Larval dispersal patterns for Southern Rock Lobster, Jasus edwardsii, and Long-spined sea urchin, Centrostephanus rodgersii, remain poorly understood. Understanding spatial dispersal patterns is essential for spatial management of these species. Likewise, inter-annual variability in dispersal can lead to low lobster recruitment with large fishery consequences whilst increases in larval dispersal may be responsible for the establishment of Long-spined sea urchin in Tasmania. * Our objectives are: * Update/develop source/sink connectivity matrices to include contemporary oceanographic models and realistic biological parameterisation. * Combine connectivity matrix with knowledge of egg production in different areas to give an understanding of the magnitude of larval flow and identify key source areas for Southern Rock Lobster and Long-spined sea urchin larvae. * Determine impact of high recruitment events on Long-spined sea urchin populations in Tasmania and the likelihood of self-recruitment and incursion to the south west of Tasmania with various population growth and climate change scenarios. * Investigate various management options for Southern Rock Lobster and Long-spined sea urchin utilising outcomes from Objective 2 and Objective 3. Funded by: Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Grant-Annual Open Call Round ($314,641); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $25,000; We know that Centrostephanus rodgersii sea urchins have most likely arrived to the east coast of Tasmania from NSW and Victoria via larval transport in the East Australian Current. However, we do not have a solid understanding of how often large recruitment events are likely to occur and which particular reefs are the greatest probable supply/source of larvae to Tasmania. We aim to develop a larval dispersal model for Centro based on an existing dispersal model, combining coarse-scale current simulations of the CONNIE model with fine-scale resolution of the Southeast Tasmanian model, and estimates of the biology and vertical behaviour of Centro larvae (communication with and publications from Maria Byrne). Using this model, we can input various scenarios of climate change to predict changes in recruitment pulses and the likelihood of the Tasmanian population producing viable self-recruits. Funded by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania - Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund ($25,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $40,000; The commercial fishery for Centrostephanus rodgersii sea urchins in Tasmania has been subsidised through the Tasmanian Abalone Council for around 2.5 seasons at a cost of $0.75/kg in an effort to control increasing population numbers. Recent significant increases in total commercial catch have necessitated an evaluation of expenditure on the urchin harvest subsidy. This project will evaluate the existing spatial and economic effectiveness of the subsidy and investigate various possible future structures for the subsidy, including spatial and seasonal price structuring and the effect of possible removal or gradual reductions in the subsidy. Areas where knowledge is lacking and targeted data collection will be identified to provide guidance for future subsidy decisions. Our aims are the following: - Evaluate the existing subsidy structure and its effectiveness at achieving its original goals - Gather information from divers and processors (through survey) to identify key challenges in harvesting process, and what incentives or changes could lead to improved harvesting efficiency - Test possible alternative structures for subsidy, including reduction or cessation - Identify key areas of data collection (including method) needed to best assess the subsidy program over the next 1-3 years and to allow the formulation of an optimal urchin harvest strategy Funded by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania - Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund ($40,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $26,996; Access to a continuous measure of fine-scale effort and catch data from the Centro fishery will allow us to assess the cost-effectiveness of subsidising the fishery to protect and recover productive abalone reefs. Funding is requested to build 12 GPS and depth data logger units for the collection of fine-scale effort data on the commercial fishery for Centrostephanus rodgersii. These units will be added to an already existing order of 140 units to be used by commercial abalone divers. Because the units are multi-species capable and more than half the active Centro commercial divers also harvest abalone, we are requesting these additional 12 units to cover the remaining Centro divers and to enable complete coverage of the urchin fishery fleet. We also request funding for electronic callipers for use in obtaining size structure of the catch arriving at the processing factory. These callipers will assist with identifying whether changes in harvested sizes are associated with fishing pressure, or with a shift in the location of fishing. Funded by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania - Abalone Overcatch Fund ($26,996); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $78,150; INTERNAL SMRCA USE ONLY - ORS please do not make any edits. This is an internal SMRCA project and this record is for SMRCA tracking purposes only. Funded by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania ($78,150); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $78,150; INTERNAL SMRCA USE ONLY - ORS please do not make any edits. This is an internal SMRCA project and this record is for SMRCA tracking purposes only. Funded by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania ($78,150); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $35,665; INTERNAL SMRCA USE ONLY - ORS please do not make any edits. This is an internal SMRCA project and this record is for SMRCA tracking purposes only. --- Production of annual octopus fishery assessments for period 2014/15 to 2019/2020. Previously externally funded by DPIPWE, funded internally through SMRCA from 2020. Funded by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania ($35,665); University of Tasmania.