Sea Change Australia, funded by the federal government’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, is working to build climate resilient fisheries – currently focusing on Western Australian scallops.
The Western Australian scallop resource was valued at $20.2 million in 2023, and is particularly vulnerable to marine heatwave events. The project is bringing the fishing industry and science community together to develop climate-resilient options for strong and healthy fisheries in a series of workshops.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is also partnering with the Sea Change team at the University of Tasmania and CSIRO in Hobart, to share three Western Australian case studies including scallops.
DPIRD research scientists, Dr Gary Jackson and Arani Chandrapavan, are leading the Western Australian work with fisheries management teams and the fishing industry.
Jackson said the state component of the project commenced in July this year, with workshops in Fremantle and Albany looking at the South West Coast Nearshore and Estuarine case study that included species such as blue swimmer crab, black bream, yellowfin whiting and Australian herring and salmon.
The scallop case study will assess the management of and interconnectivity between the Abrolhos Island Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery and South Coast Scallop Managed Fishery and climate influences on future productivity.
“The workshops are exploring how industry and government are adapting to climate change impacts and the identified barriers and opportunities,” said Jackson.
“Developing flexible and adaptive fisheries management has been highlighted as one of the most important tools we have to future-proof our seafood industries and recreational fishing experiences.
“Through the workshops and industry case studies, we are working to improve access to climate information and ensure the policy and regulatory environment supports adaptation and protects WA fish stocks and food security.”
