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Ecological Risk Assessment For The Western Australian Offshore Crustacean Resource., Jason How, Kimberley A. Smith, Hannah Donnelly, Linda Wiberg, Rebecca Oliver

Fisheries research reports

In December 2022, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the Offshore Crustacean Resource (Resource).

The Western Australian commercial fisheries that access the Resource are the West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery, South Coast Crustacean Managed Fishery and West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery. Due to the predominantly offshore distribution of the Resource, there is only minor recreational and customary access of this Resource related to harvesting of southern rock lobster on the south coast.

The ERA considered the potential ecological impacts of harvesting the Resource. …

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Western Australian Silverlip Pearl Oyster (Pinctada Maxima) Resource, K. A. Smith, S. Brown, A. M. Hart, A. Bissell

Fisheries research reports

In August 2022, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fishery and aquaculture operations that access the Western Australian (WA) Silverlip Pearl Oyster (Pinctada maxima) resource (Resource).

The ERA considered the potential ecological impacts of the WA commercial Silverlip Pearl Oyster Fishery and related aquaculture activities including hatchery and seeding operations. The assessment evaluated the impact of each activity on all relevant retained and discarded species; threatened, endangered and protected species; habitats and the broader environment. Risks associated with aquaculture activities were also considered, including genetic impacts on …

Ecological Risk Assessment For The State-Wide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource, S. Blazeski, J. Norriss, K. A. Smith, M. Hourston

Fisheries research reports

In July 2021, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the State-wide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource. The ERA considered the potential ecological impacts of the West Coast Purse Seine Fishery, South Coast Purse Seine Fishery, Purse Seine Development Zones and the recreational fishers who catch small pelagic scalefish. The assessment evaluated the impact of each fishing sector/method on all relevant retained and bycatch species, endangered, threatened and protected species, habitats and the broader environment.

Recreational Fishing For Western Rock Lobster: Estimates Of Participation, Effort And Catch From 2018/19–2020/21. Fisheries Research Report 313, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan, Alissa Tate, Cameron J. Desfosses

Fisheries research reports

The Western Rock Lobster (WRL) (Panulirus cygnus) is one of the four Rock Lobster (RL) species found in Western Australia. It was the first fishery in the world to obtain Marine Stewardship Council Certification and the first in Western Australia to be managed under a resource allocation process. Catches from the commercial and recreational sectors are required to determine and monitor Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Recreational Catch (TARC) and proportion of Allowable Harvest Level (AHL) achieved. The TARC is set at 5% of the AHL and evaluated in the harvest strategy based on a 5-year average. Since 2018/19, …

Shore-Based Recreational Fishing In The Perth Metropolitan Area: 2014 – 2021. Fisheries Research Report 315, Alissa Tate, Claire B. Smallwood

Fisheries research reports

Recreational fishing is a popular activity in Western Australia, occurring throughout the state from private and charter boats, and from a variety of natural and man-made structures along the shore. Ongoing monitoring of the shore-based recreational fishery is essential to assist with monitoring, management evaluation and stock assessments for nearshore species. Especially for species such as Australian Herring and Southern Garfish who were the focus of recent management changes in 2015 (reduction of bag limit from 30 to 12) and 2017 (closure of Perth Metropolitan waters), respectively. An on-site roving creel survey to collect effort and catch data from shore …

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Temperate Demersal Elasmobranch Resource, Maddison Watt, Matias Braccini, Kim Smith, Mathew Hourston

Fisheries research reports

In March 2021, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the Temperate Demersal Elasmobranch Resource. The ERA considered the potential ecological impacts of the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries and recreational fishers who catch sharks and rays. The assessment evaluated the impact of each fishing sector/method on all relevant retained and bycatch species, endangered, threatened and protected species, habitats and the broader environment.

2021 Assessment Of The Status Of The West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource, David V. Fairclough, Sybrand Alexander Hesp, Ainslie Maree Denham, A. Fisher, Rachel Marks, K. L. Ryan, Elaine Lek, Rhys Allen, Brett M. Crisafulli

Fisheries research reports

A recovery program for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource was introduced between late 2007 and early 2010, based on the maintenance of retained catches of demersal species (overall suite and each indicator species) by both the commercial and recreational sectors below 50% of the catches reported in 2005/06 (original catch recovery benchmarks).

2021 Assessment Of The Status Of The West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource, David V. Fairclough, Sybrand Alex Hesp, Ainslie Denham, Emily A. Fisher, Rachel Marks, Karina L. Ryan, Elaine Lek, Rhys Allen, Brett M. Crisafulli

Fisheries research reports

A recovery program for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource was introduced between late 2007 and early 2010, based on the maintenance of retained catches of demersal species (overall suite and each indicator species) by both the commercial and recreational sectors below 50% of the catches reported in 2005/06 (original catch recovery benchmarks).

Catch reductions were aimed at reducing exploitation levels (F, long-term fishing mortality of the key indicator species’ stocks) to below the threshold reference point (F = M, the natural mortality rate), which would then allow stocks to recover to above the …

Otoliths Of South-Western Australian Fish: A Photographic Catalogue, Chris Dowling, Kim Smith, Elaine Lek, Joshua Brown

Fisheries research reports

Due to the species-specific nature of otoliths and given they are often the only part of the fish preserved when fish die, otolith catalogues can be used in numerous applications, such as diet studies in fish eating animals, including pinnipeds, fish and sea birds; archaeological purposes such as reconstructing indigenous people’s diets from otoliths found in middens or evolutionary history of fish species by comparing fossilized otoliths. Given the unique mixture of subtropical and temperate fish, including many endemic species that occur off the southwest corner of WA having a catalogue for this area is extremely important for people working …

Otoliths Of South-Western Australian Fish: A Photographic Catalogue, Chris Dowling, Kim Smith, Elain Lek, Joshua Brown

Fisheries research reports

Due to the species-specific nature of otoliths and given they are often the only part of the fish preserved when fish die, otolith catalogues can be used in numerous applications, such as diet studies in fish eating animals, including pinnipeds, fish and sea birds; archaeological purposes such as reconstructing indigenous people’s diets from otoliths found in middens or evolutionary history of fish species by comparing fossilized otoliths. Given the unique mixture of subtropical and temperate fish, including many endemic species that occur off the southwest corner of WA having a catalogue for this area is extremely important for people working …

The Management Of Errors In Reported Entitlement Taken In The West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

Fisheries administrative guidelines

These Administrative Guidelines address how errors in the submission of reported net weights in the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (the Fishery) are to be managed. There is an onus on the Master and the Registered Receiver to provide accurate information when submitting the weight (in kilograms) of rock lobster taken for each consignment, under the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery Management Plan 2012 (the Plan).

Imputation Of Missing Count Data Of Recreational Boat Retrievals From Remote Camera Surveys In The Perth Metropolitan Region, Western Australia, E. Afrifa-Yamoah, S.M Taylor, Cameron J. Desfosses, U. A. Mueller

Fisheries research reports

In Western Australia (WA), remote cameras have been used to monitor boating activity at boat ramps since 2006 to assist in ongoing recreational fishing surveys. These monitoring schemes are useful tools to validate boating activity (defined here as the number of retrievals) and to corroborate estimates of recreational fishing effort obtained from other surveys. This is because remote cameras (also referred to as digital cameras) can provide complete coverage (i.e. 24 hours, 365 days) of boating activities.

Resource Assessment Report Abrolhos Islands And Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery Resource, Mervi Kangas, A Chandrapavan, Anne Wilkins, E. A. Fisher, S. Evans

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This document provides a cumulative description and assessment of the Abrolhos Islands and Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery (AIMWTMF) and all of the fishing activities (i.e. fisheries / fishing sectors) affecting this resource in Western Australia (WA). This resource comprises of a single species of scallop, Ylistrum balloti which occurs in inshore waters to around 40 m depth at the Abrolhos Islands. This species is captured exclusively by demersal otter trawl gear in the West Coast Bioregion.

Mosaic Agriculture: A Guide To Irrigated Crop And Forage Production In Northern Wa, Geoff A. Moore Mr, Clinton K. Revell Dr, Christopher Schelfhout Dr, Christopher Ham Mr, Samuel Crouch Mr

Bulletins 4000 -

The Bulletin is a comprehensive guide for pastoralists, agronomists, agribusiness and the broader community on the growing of irrigated crops and pastures within a rangeland pastoral setting.

Dispersed irrigation developments on stations throughout the northern rangelands (sometimes referred to as mosaic agriculture) has created opportunities for the introduction of more productive forage species and pastoralists can now grow high quality forage for 12 months of the year. This can help to overcome the key constraint of traditional pastoral systems, the low quality of the feed over the dry season that typically results in stock losing condition.

Status Reports Of The Fisheries And Aquatic Resources Of Western Australia 2019/20. State Of The Fisheries, Daniel J. Gaughan, K. Santoro

Status reports of the fisheries and aquatic resources

The Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia (SRFAR) provide an annual update on the state of the fish stocks and other aquatic resources of Western Australia (WA). These reports outline the most recent assessments of the cumulative risk status for each of the aquatic resources (assets) within WA’s six Bioregions using an Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach.

International Workshop On Recreational Fishing Surveys, Rachel Marks, Cameron J. Desfosses, Alissa Tate

Fisheries research reports

Recreational fishing surveys have been conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, formerly Department of Fisheries) since 1975 (Tate et al., 2020). Within Western Australia, the first international workshop on recreational fishing surveys was held in January 2010 at the Western Australian Fisheries Marine Research Laboratories in Perth. The workshop aimed to audit existing survey methods and make recommendations for the design of integrated surveys to estimate recreational fishing harvest, catch and effort at statewide and bioregional scales (Wise & Fletcher 2013).

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Peel-Harvey Estuarine Fishery, E. A. Fisher, S. N. Evans, Cameron J. Desfosses, Danielle Johnston, R Duffy, K. A. Smith

Fisheries research reports

An ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the Peel-Harvey Estuarine Fisheries (Fisheries) was convened by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia (WA) on 9 September 2020. ERAs are conducted by the Department as part of its Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management framework and the outputs will inform the updated harvest strategies for these resources, as well as the upcoming Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) re-assessment of the Fisheries. The Fisheries within the scope of this current ERA include the commercial net and crab trap fishery (West Coast Estuarine Managed Fishery: Area 2), and the blue swimmer crab recreational (drop …

Principles For Grant And Management Of Aquaculture Leases In Coastal Waters Of Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

Fisheries administrative guidelines

Under s.246 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA), the Minister for Fisheries (Minister) may issue guidelines for the administration or enforcement of the Act.

This Administrative Guideline (Guideline) sets out the principles and processes for granting and managing aquaculture leases; its purpose is to provide guidance to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Department) and continued certainty and transparency for the aquaculture industry, stakeholders and the community.

Understanding Recruitment Variation (Including The Collapse) Of Ballot’S Saucer Scallop Stocks In Western Australia And Assessing The Feasibility Of Assisted Recovery Measures For Improved Management In A Changing Environment. Frdc Project No. 2015/026, Arani Chandrapavan, Mervi Kangas, Nick Caputi

Fisheries research reports

This study examined possible contributing environmental factors to the recruitment variability of the Ballot’s saucer scallop Ylistrum balloti across the main stocks in Western Australia. The project was undertaken to explain the variation observed between years and between regions as well elucidating the potential cause of a major decline in scallop stocks following an extreme marine heatwave, with these findings intended to improve future management advice.

Blue Swimmer Crab ( Portunus Armatus ) And Sand Crab ( Ovalipes Australiensis ) Resource In The South Coast Bioregion Of Western Australia, D Johnston, David Harris, Daniel Yeoh

Fisheries research reports

The blue swimmer crab (Portunus armatus) is found along the entire coastline of Western Australia (WA) in a range of estuarine, inshore and continental shelf areas (<50 >m). In the South Coast Bioregion (SCB), blue swimmer crabs are retained as by-product in commercial nets of the 25 licences operating in the South Coast Estuarine Managed Fishery (SCEMF) and targeted by purpose-designed crab traps allocated to fishers in Princess Royal and Oyster Harbours in Albany.

Blue Swimmer Crab ( Portunus Armatus ) And Mud Crab Scylla Serrata And Scylla Olivacea ) Resources In The North Coast And Gascoyne Coast Bioregions, Western Australia, D Johnston, Daniel Yeoh, David Harris, E Fisher

Fisheries research reports

Blue swimmer crab (Portunus armatus) are found along the entire Western Australia (WA) coast, in a range of estuarine, inshore and continental shelf areas (<50 >m). In the North Coast Bioregion (NCB), commercial fishing primarily occurs as part of the Pilbara Crab Managed Fishery (PCMF) which spans the inshore waters from Onslow through to Port Hedland, with most fishing activity taking place around Nickol Bay.

Blue Swimmer Crab ( Portunus Armatus ) Resource In The West Coast Bioregion, Western Australia Part 2: Warnbro Sound, Comet Bay, Mandurah To Bunbury, Leschenault Estuary, Geographe Bay An D Hardy Inlet, D Johnston, David Harris, Daniel Yeoh

Fisheries research reports

Blue swimmer crabs (Portunus armatus) are found along the entire coastline of Western Australia in a range of estuarine, inshore and continental shelf environments (<50 >m).

Crab fisheries in the West Coast Bioregion are centred in the estuaries and coastal embayments from the Swan-Canning Estuary south to Geographe Bay. Major commercial and recreational fisheries in this Bioregion include the Cockburn Sound Crab Managed Fishery, the Swan-Canning Estuary Crab Fishery (Area 1 of the West Coast Estuarine Managed Fishery), and the Peel-Harvey Crab Fishery (Area 2 of the West Coast Estuarine Managed Fishery). Refer to Johnston et al. …

Blue Swimmer Crab ( Portunus Armatus ) Resource In The West Coast Bioregion, Western Australia Part 1: Peel Harvey Estuary, Cockburn Sound And Swan Canning Estuary, D Johnston, Daniel Yeoh, David Harris, E Fisher

Fisheries research reports

Blue swimmer crabs (Portunus armatus) are found along the entire coastline of Western Australia in a range of estuarine, inshore and continental shelf areas (<50 >m). In the West Coast Bioregion (WCB), crab fisheries are centred in estuaries and coastal embayments from Geographe Bay to the Swan River. Commercial fisheries include the Cockburn Sound Crab Managed Fishery (CSCMF), the Warnbro Sound Crab Managed Fishery, the Swan-Canning Estuary (SCE) Crab Fishery (Area 1 of the West Coast Estuarine Managed Fishery (WCEMF)), Peel-Harvey Crab Fishery (Area 2 of the WCEMF), Hardy Inlet (Area 3 of the WCEMF) and the Mandurah …

Mitigation Measures To Reduce Entanglements Of Migrating Whales With Commercial Fishing Gear, Jason How, D Coughran, M Double, K Rushworth, B Hebiton, J Smith, J Harrison, M Taylor, D Paton, G Mcpherson, C Mcpherson, A Recalde Salas, C Salgado-Kent, Simon De Lestang

Fisheries research reports

The West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (WCRLMF) transitioned to a quota based fishery, and year-round fishing, which corresponded with a spike in whale entanglements in 2013. This presented industry with a challenging social issue, to reduce entanglements without impacting on the financial benefits that the shift to year-round quota fishing had afforded.

Ecological Risk Assessment Of The Shark Bay Invertebrate Fisheries, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, Department) in Western Australia (WA) uses an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach that considers all relevant ecological as well as social, economic and governance issues to deliver community outcomes (Fletcher et al. 2010; 2012). Ecological risk assessments (ERAs) are undertaken periodically to assess the impacts of fisheries on all the different components of the aquatic environments in which they operate.

Ecological Risk Assessment Of The Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, Department) in Western Australia (WA) uses an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach that considers all relevant ecological as well as social, economic and governance issues to deliver community outcomes (Fletcher et al. 2010; 2012). Ecological risk assessments (ERAs) are undertaken periodically to assess the impacts of fisheries on all the different components of the aquatic environments in which they operate.

Ecological Risk Assessment Of The Abrolhos Islands And Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, Department) in Western Australia (WA) uses an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach that considers all relevant ecological as well as social, economic and governance issues to deliver community outcomes (Fletcher et al. 2010; 2012). Ecological risk assessments (ERAs) are undertaken periodically to assess the impacts of fisheries on all the different components of the aquatic environments in which they operate.

Review Of Recreational Fishing Surveys In Western Australia, Alissa Tate, K. L. Ryan, Claire B. Smallwood, Cameron J. Desfosses, S.M Taylor, E.K. Lai, Stuart Blight

Fisheries research reports

Recreational fishing has been a popular activity in Western Australia for many years, with an estimated 25% of the population participating in this activity in 2017/18. Recreational fishing surveys have been implemented by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (formally Department of Fisheries) since 1976.

Status Reports Of The Fisheries And Aquatic Resources Of Western Australia 2018/19. State Of The Fisheries, Daniel J. Gaughan, K. Santoro

Status reports of the fisheries and aquatic resources

The Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia (SRFAR) provide an annual update on the state of the fish stocks and other aquatic resources of Western Australia (WA). These reports outline the most recent assessments of the cumulative risk status for each of the aquatic resources (assets) within WA’s six Bioregions using an Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach.

Statewide Survey Of Boat-Based Recreational Fishing In Western Australia 2017/18, K. L. Ryan, N.G. Hall, E.K. Lai, Claire B. Smallwood, Alissa Tate, S.M Taylor, Brent S. Wise

Fisheries research reports

The statewide survey of boat-based recreational fishing includes three components: (i) off-site Phone Surveys (encompassing an initial Screening Survey, a longitudinal Phone-Diary Survey, and Post-Enumeration Surveys); (ii) on-site Boat Ramp Surveys; and (iii) Remote Camera Surveys. The main data collection period was the 12-months from September 2017 to August 2018 inclusive, with the Post-Enumeration Surveys occurring from September to December 2018.