MSC-RBF Status

<60: Fail – High Risk

The southern garfish fishery scored < 60 in the MSC-RBF analysis, failing assessment with high risk of stock damage. The Productivity Susceptibility Analysis indicated this species is moderately productive with a short generation time, moderate fecundity, and broadcast spawning reproductive strategy. Southern garfish are highly susceptible to capture and damage by the fishery. As a schooling species that inhabits the surface of the water column, the risk of encountering dip net and beach seine gear is high, and there is a high risk of immature fish being captured with the school. The Consequence Analysis showed a high risk of damage across all subcomponents of assessment. A clear trend in declining CPUE is evident since a peak in 2012-13 and catch data show a reduction in average size of landed garfish, as well as a truncation of the age structure. This suggests the fishery poses a high risk of damage to stock structure and recruitment dynamics.

Productivity Attributes

Attribute	Score
Average age at maturity	1
Average maximum age	2
Fecundity	2
Average maximum size	1
Average size at maturity	1
Reproductive strategy	1
Trophic level	2

Susceptibility Attributes

Attribute	Score
Availability	2
Encounterability	3
Selectivity	3
Post-capture mortality	3

Consequence Analysis

Vulnerable Subcomponent(s)	Score
All	<60 – Fail