Abalone Data Manager and Analyst - 20-1536

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries manages the delivery of scientific services to the NSW Abalone Fishery through the external contract of an Abalone Data Manager and Analyst (the Contractor). The primary role of the Contractor is to collate and analyse data provided by fishers operating in the NSW Abalone Fishery and produce a Fishery Assessment Report that forms the basis for the annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) setting process for the Abalone Fishery.

Total Allowable Catch is set annually by the independent statutory Total Allowable Fishing (TAF) Committee. An evidence?based TAC is critical to ensuring the sustainability of the fishery. The TAC setting process requires data to be used to assess the status and condition of abalone stocks, inform key research objectives, contribute to the public consultation, and support development of a harvest strategy for the NSW Abalone Fishery.

A data logger program is used to collect fine scale fishery?dependent information, with 22 Succorfish SC2 Global Positioning System data loggers and Depth and Temperature Sensor units currently in use. Ad hoc support is required to ensure program success. Catch data is reported to the DPI Fisheries and provided to the contractor as required. Fishery assessments in the NSW Abalone Fishery have relied upon a small number of fishery dependent indicators derived from logbook information and fine?scale GPS data logger information.

The TAF Committee have identified that indicators used to interpret trends in abalone stocks are all ‘trailing indicators’ that reflect past conditions. DPI Fisheries will require the Contractor to provide effective and cost?efficient data collection and monitoring options to obtain data to inform measures of stock performance for use as ‘leading indicators of likely future stock condition to inform assessments and TAC determinations. For example, a data collection and sampling design to quantify change in the sub?legal size component of the NSW abalone stock. DPI Fisheries intends to develop a harvest strategy for the NSW Abalone Fishery within the term of this contract. The harvest strategy will provide greater certainty in management decision making, including TAC determination, and will identify priority areas for reporting and analysing data to inform the Fishery Assessment Report. The Contractor is expected to contribute to the harvest strategy working group for the purpose of informing the development of harvest strategy components e.g. performance indicators and reference points. 

Must be able to provided evidence of qualifications and experience to meet tender requirements. 

3 years with up to 2 years extension.