2016 SoE Marine Chapter - State and Trends - Demersal and benthopelagic fish species, outer shelf (25 m - 250 m)

Brief description

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups – demersal and benthopelagic fish species, outer shelf (25 m - 250 m)". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. ---------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF ECOLOGICAL SPECIES/COMMUNITY FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Most information on demersal and benthopelagic fish species is derived from fisheries catches. Fishing is predominately concentrated in the south-east (Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery; SESSF) and in the north-east (Queensland State fisheries). The demersal and benthopelagic fished species and populations over the shelf of Australian waters are influenced by changes in the physical environment (warming waters on the east coast, and episodic thermal events on the west coast), by terrestrial sources of pollution, and the effects of extractive industries such as fishing and mining. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT This assessment is based on fisheries assessments of commercial species. Data on state and trends and associated spatial and temporal coverage are detailed in the publications provided in the reference list. ---------------------------------------- 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Poor Assessment trend: Improving Confidence grade: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Assessment grade: Very good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus ---------------------------------------- CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT It is not clear how the assessment in 2011 was derived. The 2016 is based on the most recent commercial fisheries assessments.

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Statement: QUALITY OF DATA USED IN THE ASSESSMENT As good as fishery catch data can be.

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Purpose
To describe the state and trends in outer shelf demersal and benthopelagic fish species for use in the Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment report.