Torres Strait Prawn Fishery harvest strategy 2024

A review of the TSPF harvest strategy was recently completed with the revised harvest strategy now in effect following endorsement by the PZJA in June 2024. 

The key changes to the TSPF harvest strategy implemented the following main changes:

• Introduction of a 'continuous TAE limit' of 9,200 days given the stock level will be managed by the new biomass triggers, which would be reached well before the TAE limit would be. A TAE is still required in order to allow the allocation of the effort across the licence holders based on their fishing until holdings, as per section 4.3 of the plan. The TAE will only seek to be changed if harvest strategy triggers are breached, or other signals indicate fishing effort should be limited.
• Harvest strategy triggers changed from effort (days) and catch (kg) to biomass triggers (CPUE) which provide a better indication of stock health in an effort-controlled fishery.
• Introduction of a precautionary trigger in addition to the target reference point and limit reference points. This precautionary trigger indicates the stock is moving away from the target reference point, providing sufficient time for TSPMAC and PZJA to consider necessary management action before the stock reaches the limit reference point. 

The new triggers under the harvest strategy are:

• Target reference point: B₆₀ (equivalent to CPUE 142kg/day/boat)
• Trigger 1 (precautionary trigger): B₄₀ (equivalent to CPUE of 95kg/day/boat)
• Limit reference point: B₂₅ (equivalent to CPUE of 60kg/day/boat)