The challenge: Blackmarket activity is estimated to account for 10% of current mud crab harvesting. It impacts sustainable fisheries management and the productivity of commercial fishers.
Tagging was identified as a solution given its successful adoption in the NSW Lobster industry. Introduction of tagging to Mud crabs required collaboration with industry and Mega Fortris (a leading security tag manufacturer) to explore alternative tagging solutions.
The approach: DPI Fisheries worked closely with Mega Fortris and industry to test a series of prototype tag designs. The GATE team assisted with exploring options for making the tag commercially available to fisheries beyond the NSW Mud crab industry. The Research Programs Office lodged tag design registrations to formally protect the intellectual property.
The outcome: We negotiated a commercialisation licence with Mega Fortris to enable commercial availability of the tag to crab industries in other states and countries.
Improved fisheries stock assessments, resource management and industry viability through significant reduction in blackmarket activity. Royalties from tag sales in other states and countries will be used to support future DPI fisheries research and development of regulatory programs.
