Searching for the prawns: research project in the Camden Haven estuary

The project, led by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), was initiated following a substantial decrease in the average annual catch of school prawns at Camden Haven, which has resulted in the estuary being listed as a research priority area.

The eastern king prawn (EKP) fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in NSW, yet little is known of their ecology or how habitat change has affected productivity.

It is thought declining catches could relate to poor water quality and the loss of habitat, a situation that is reported in other estuaries on the NSW north coast.

Local investigations will be undertaken collaboratively and will include discussions with current and former commercial fishers to get a picture of just how productive the area once was.

DPI Senior Research Scientist, Dr Matt Taylor, said the project, which will run until July 2016, will determine whether school prawns are still recruiting to certain areas of the estuary and if estuarine conditions are adversely affecting prawn growth and survival.

"Fishers have reported that prawns have almost completely disappeared from some parts of the estuary, and since 2007 they have been substantially smaller," Dr Taylor said.

"We know from previous reports that the periodic presence of environmental conditions such as low dissolved oxygen, low pH and the occurrence of heavy metals can have deadly effects on prawns."

Research outcomes will guide future restoration activities in the Camden Haven estuary and act as a case study for other coastal estuaries in NSW.

The project is supported by DPI, the Professional Fishermen's Association, Hastings River Fishermen's Cooperative, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and North Coast Local Land Services.

Further information is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/habitat/rehabilitating/ekp