Species Distribution and Catch Allocation in the Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF) 2002 - 2005

The objectives of this project were: To design and implement a survey program to augment the historical survey data used for species split with contemporary, well-targeted and spatially precise data. This survey to be trialled in 2002-3 and confirmed in 2003-4. To establish a protocol so that such surveys can be quickly designed and implemented on an ongoing monitoring basis. To develop further the species split methods first proposed in FRDC 98/109 so that they can be used confidently in any new stock assessments. To re-examine the historical survey data as part of the strategy for the above and to report, particularly on the value of size class information for this purpose. To investigate and report on the potential use of electronic logbooks for enhancing the precision of stock assessment of Tiger prawn species, particularly on a spatially local scale. To investigate and report on the use of size class data for gaining some information on recruitment patterns for the stock assessment.