The Australian Harvest Strategy Database
The Australian Harvest Strategy Database provides a single platform to explore all publicly available harvest strategies in Australia. It is useful for anyone seeking information on harvest strategies, but particularly fishery stakeholders, managers and scientists tasked with developing harvest strategies. The database can be accessed using the link below, following a free sign-up process:
The database allows the user to search for harvest strategies with specific characteristics. These include environments, jurisdictions, target species, fishing sectors and gear types. By combining numerous search criteria, the user can identify harvest strategies of particular interest. For example, a search could be made for harvest strategies developed for estuarine fisheries that include finfish and the recreational fishing sector (see image below).
The database can also be searched for specific harvest strategy components. This search is enabled by selecting the second tab on the left-hand side of the database window. Components include fishery objectives, monitoring (data collection) methods, assessment methods, performance indicators, management actions, and harvest control rules.
The database returns a list of all harvest strategies matching the criteria of a search. A summary of the harvest strategies in the list is provided, including tables and figures detailing the various components therein. Users can select a specific harvest strategy and open a page that provides further information and a link to download the document.
The database is updated periodically, and superseded versions of existing strategies are also included, where available.
The Australian Harvest Strategy Database was developed as part of a NSW DPIRD-led research project, partnering with the CSIRO and IMAS. Funding was provided by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government (FRDC, https://www.frdc.com.au/project/2019-021), the NSW Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust (RFSWT) and the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy (MEMS). Upwell Solutions LLC built and helped design the database.
