Draft NSW Spanner Crab Harvest Strategy

The Draft NSW Spanner Crab Harvest Strategy has been developed by the Spanner Crab Harvest Strategy Working Group, a sub-committee of CommFish NSW. It applies to the NSW component of the east coast Spanner Crab (Ranina ranina) stock and has the following Goal and Objectives. The draft Harvest Strategy was released for public consultation between 23 November 2022 and 9 January 2023.

Goal

To contribute, in cooperation with Queensland, to maintaining a robust and sustainable Spanner Crab stock to support a profitable commercial fishery and social, cultural and economic benefits to the community.

Strategic objectives

1. Maintain sustainable stock levels and avoid severely compromising recruitment
2. Manage risks and improve opportunities for profitable commercial fishing in the Spanner Crab fishery over the long term to support flow on effects to the community
3. Consider the interests of recreational fishers and Aboriginal people in management of the fishery

Operational objectives

1. Maintain Spanner Crab stock biomass around a target of 48% of unfished biomass
2. Implement a targeted rebuilding strategy if biomass decreases to or below 20% of unfished biomass

The NSW Spanner Crab Harvest Strategy, together with all other relevant information, will inform the Secretary of the Department of Regional NSW or the Total Allowable Fishing Committee (TAFC) in making Total Allowable Catch determinations for Spanner Crab in the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery. Objectives and decision rules also aim to maintain biomass at levels supporting the interests of non-commercial sectors as well as ecological sustainability.