Balancing Indigenous and non-Indigenous commercial objectives in a coral reef finfish fishery

Indigenous participation in commercial fisheries is poorly established in Australia, except in Torres Strait where indigenous and non-indigenous commercial fishers participate in the Torres Strait Finfish Fishery (TSFF). TSFF stakeholders helped identify specific objectives and alternative management strategies for the fishery at a time when new management strategies were under consideration. A metapopulation and fishing simulation model was used to evaluate alternative management strategies related to harvest and conservation of coral trout (Plectropomus spp.), the main target species. Stakeholders identified objectives relating to conservation of unfished populations, maintenance of harvestable stock, and economic performance. In terms of management options, spatial closures decreased the prospects of meeting nearly all stakeholder objectives. A seasonal closure and larger minimum capture size increased the probability of meeting conservation and harvest objectives, but decreased the probability of meeting most economic objectives for both sectors. Increasing fishing effort increased harvest but decreased the catch rates for both sectors, so had varied effects on the probability of achieving harvest objectives. The research provides a case study of productive engagement with indigenous and non-indigenous stakeholders to address fisheries management needs and provides a framework for impartial evaluation of performance of alternative management strategies against stakeholder objectives.