SBT Habitat Forecasts

This project is a collaboration between CSIRO, the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association (ASBTIA) and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), co-funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC Project 2012/239).

Project Aim: To investigate habitat preferences of southern bluefin tuna (SBT) in the Great Australian Bight (GAB) based on historical archival tag, catch and aerial survey data, and to provide forecasts of habitat distribution.

Motivation: The project was initiated in response to observed changes in spatial distribution of SBT in the GAB through recent fishing seasons.

Planned Outcome: Forecasts of seasonal environmental conditions such as sea surface temperature (SST) should improve operational planning of SBT fishers targeting surface schools for value-adding of a quota restricted resource.

 

Please refer to the GAB SBT Forecasting webpage hosted by CSIRO to view forecasting maps: www.cmar.csiro.au

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in the GAB, 8 Dec 2014

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in the GAB, 8 Dec 2014