Life Sciences Commons^™

Fisheries Research Report No. 160 - Development Of Biodiversity And Habitat Monitoring Systems For Key Trawl Fisheries In Western Australia., Mervi Kangas, S. Morrison, P. Unsworth, Eva K M Lai, I. Wright, Adrian W. Thomson

Fisheries research reports

Final FRDC report - Project 2002/038

The need for this project was identified through the ESD Risk Assessment workshops held for the Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf trawl fisheries in May and October 2001. Bycatch issues in the Shark Bay and Exmouth fisheries were identified as a moderate risk through an Ecological Risk Assessment workshop. A better understanding of the faunal composition and habitat preferences of bycatch species in both trawled and untrawled areas has assisted in determining the level of risk to bycatch species. The project provided baseline data on biodiversity and variability of trawl bycatch on and off …

Skeleton Weed - Best Practice Management Guidelines For Cropping Programs, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea L.) is the only species within the genus Chondrilla that is found in Australia. It belongs to the tribe Cichoriae (chicory tribe) of the family Asteraceae (the daisies). Other closely related species in this tribe include lettuce, endive, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), hawkweed (Hieracium spp.), and sow thistle (Sonchus spp.).

Fisheries Research Report No. 168 - Sustainable Development Of Barramundi Cage Aquaculture At Lake Argyle., Brett Glencross, S. Percival, B. Jones, J Hughes

Fisheries research reports

Final FRDC report and KSRP report - Project 2003/026

A preliminary sensory evaluation study was conducted to confirm the presence of a taint issue. Prior to this the issue was reliant on purchaser feedback and was not verified independently. To examine the issue of flavour taint a series of barramundi samples were collected from Lake Argyle (purged and unpurged), wild (estuarine) and marine farmed barramundi were assessed. No significant differences in flavour attributes and/or acceptability attributes were detected between the wild and farmed barramundi, provided the barramundi was either marine-farmed or purged. However, it was determined that a clear “muddy” …

Fisheries Research Report 167 - Digital Video Techniques For Assessing Population Size Structure And Habitat Of Greenlip And Roe's Abalone., A.M. Hart, Frank Fabris

Fisheries research reports

Final FRDC report- Project 2002/079

A digital video image (DVI) stock monitoring programme was developed for the Haliotis laevigata and H. roei abalone fisheries in Western Australia. The program used industry divers to collect stock density and length-frequency data using digital video from 51 survey sites across the fishery, while image extraction, data processing and storage is carried out by research staff. Training videos, DVDs, and a comprehensive suite of experimental tests on both abalone species were utilised to achieve this outcome. Comparisons between DVI data collected by industry divers, and fishery independent survey (FIS) data showed mean legal sized …

Aquaculture Of Coral, Live Rocks And Associated Products. Draft Final 'Policy' Paper., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries management papers

Aquarium enthusiasts use corals, live rock and associated products (e.g. sand) to enhance the aesthetics or function of the marine aquaria they keep and enjoy. There is a large and growing market for these products.

The Department of Fisheries has prepared this draft ‘Final Policy Paper’ as the second phase in the development of a management framework for the aquaculture of coral and live rock. The document outlines the position and needs of the emerging industry and identifies the management arrangements and policies the Department of Fisheries is proposing to implement.

Fisheries Research Report No. 166 - Stock Enhancement Of Haliotis Laevigata In Western Australia - A Preliminary Assessment, Anthony M. Hart, Frank Fabris, Sabine Daume

Fisheries research reports

A preliminary assessment of stock enhancement of Haliotis laevigata (Greenlip abalone) in Western Australia was undertaken with the release of 6,000 abalone near Augusta in 2004. The objective of the project was to obtain quantitative data on the likelihood of enhancement, as an additional management tool to TACs and size-limits, being successful in natural habitats in Western Australia. Baseline surveys coupled with an assessment of growth and survival of released 1+ and 2 + animals were undertaken at 12 sites within Flinders Bay, Augusta. Overall survival was 19% for 1+ age abalone and 27% for 2+ animals after 9 months. …

Fisheries Research Report 165: Biological And Fisheries Data For Managing Deep Sea Crabs In Western Australia - Project 2001/055, Roy Melville-Smith, S M. Norton, Adrian W. Thomson

Fisheries research reports

The crystal crab fishery on the west coast of Western Australia has only been commercially fished since the late 1990s. When this project was initiated in 2001, only compulsory monthly catch and effort data were being collected. This project has successfully set up the methods and means to collect and analyse more appropriate commercial catch and effort data for the fishery. Fishers now record detailed daily catch and effort data for legal as well as undersize and berried crabs and the Department of Fisheries, WA, has a regular monitoring programme to record population size structure information.

This project has also …

Soil Survey Of The Bettink Dairy Farm, Riverway Road, Northcliffe, Peter J. Tille, Tilwin Westrup

Resource management technical reports

This soil survey of the Bettink dairy farm in Northcliffe, Western Australia aimed to: provide detailed soil descriptions to add to information associated with the environment in which the dairy industry in Western Australia is located; collect soil samples at predetermined standard depths from documented farm locations for nutrient analysis; map soils with similar characteristics based on description and analysis.

Tree Windbreaks In The Wheatbelt, Robert Sudmeyer, David Bicknell, Neil Coles

Bulletins 4000 -

Windbreaks comprising trees, or tree and shrub combinations, can offer many benefits on wheatbelt farms, particularly for protection of soil, stock, crops and pastures from damaging winds and erosion. Additional benefits include reduced evaporation from farm dams, reduced groundwater recharge, their use as nature conservation corridors and habitats, increased biodiversity including predators of crop and pasture pests, fire control, tree products and improved lifestyle and aesthetics.

In other areas and farming systems such as intensive horticulture, man-made windbreaks may be used, but their higher cost makes them unsuited for broadscale agriculture. Man-made windbreaks can be effective in reducing evaporative losses …

Managing The Recreational Catch Of Demersal Scalefish On The West Coast. Future Management Scenarios For Community Consideration, Jon Ford (Minister For Fisheries; The Kimberley, Pilbara And Gascoyne)

Fisheries management papers

This paper discusses the major issues around controlling the total recreational catch. It also considers some of the tools available to manage the catch to specific target levels. The sustainability of fish species must be a key driver. However, the impacts on the social amenity of recreational fishing must also be taken into account. Any particular tool, if used on its own and to its full extent, may be rather “blunt” in its application and its impacts unacceptable to large parts of the community. The most effective and acceptable management package will probably be a mix of tools, supported by …

Fisheries Research Report No. 163 - Spatial Scales Of Exploitation Among Populations Of Demersal Scalefish: Implications For Management. Part 1: Stock Status Of The Key Indicator Species For The Demersal Scalefish Fishery In The West Coast Bioregion., Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Fisheries research reports

Final FRDC report - Project 2003/052

The levels of exploitation on dhufish and pink snapper across the West Coast Bioregion and for baldchin groper at the Abrolhos Islands are above international benchmark standards. This indicates that these stocks are currently being overfished and are therefore likely to be being depleted to levels below those necessary to ensure their long-term sustainability. The current reliance of the dhufish catch on a single recruitment pulse together with the extremely truncated age distribution of pink snapper indicates that both these stocks are particularly vulnerable.

The West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery is a multi-species fishery …

Growing Olives In Western Australia, Richard Taylor, John Burt

Bulletins 4000 -

There are about 9 million hectares of olives in the world, with the largest areas in Spain, Italy, Greece and Tunisia. Olives are grown between the latitudes of 30° and 45° from the equator. In Australia, the main producing areas are between latitudes 31° and 38°S. Production in Western Australia ranges from Chapman Valley, Northampton (29.5°S), to Albany (34.5°S). Olive production has increased markedly in Australia in the past ten years with a large increase in managed investment scheme olive groves. The Moore River region of the Shire of Gingin accounts for over 70 per cent of olive trees and …

Sheep Updates 2007 - Contents, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Sheep Updates

No abstract provided.

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 1, Richard Gunner, Anthony Clarke, Kevin Bell, Hugh Dove, H. M. Burrow, Kevin Goss

Sheep Updates

This session covers six papers from different authors:

PLENARY

1. Life beyond the farmgate - the meat perspective, Richard Gunner – Principal:- Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats

2. Do you need to worry about climate change?, Anthony Clark, Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National University and Bureau of Rural Sciences.

3. Ruminant nutrition panel session - The impact of nutrition on animal health and welfare, Kevin Bell, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Studies, Murdoch University

4. Ruminant nutrition panel session - Pasture/animal interactions, Hugh Dove, Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO Plant Industry

5. Precision Cattle Breeding for …

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 3, Andrew Ritchie, Edward Riggall, James Hall, Gus Rose, Johan Greeff, John Young, M. Alchin, M. Young, T. Johnson, John Lucy, Martin Staines, Tim Wiley, Rob Grima, Sandra Prosser, Matt Ryan, Geoff Moore, Tony Albertsen, Phil Barrett-Lennard, George Woolston, John Titerington, Sarah Knight, Brianna Peake

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors:

PROFITABILITY

1. Benchmarking demonstrates both the potential and realised productivity gains in the sheep and wool industry, Andrew Ritchie, Edward Riggall and James Hall, ICON Agriculture, Darkan

2. Improving sheep genetics will increase farm profitability, Gus Rose, Johan Greeff Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, John Young Farming Systems Analysis Service, WA

3. Meat, Merinos and making money in WA Pastoral Zone, M. Alchin, M. Young and T. Johnson, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia,

GRAZING

4. Nitrogen - farmers' friend or foe? John Lucy and Martin Staines, Department …

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 5, Bindi Murray, John Karlsson, Johan Greeff, Carolina Viñoles Gil, B. L. Paganoni, K. M. M. Glover, J. T. B. Milton, G. B. Martin, Hugh Dove, Bill Mckiernan, John Wilkins, Paul Greenwood, Linda Cafe

Sheep Updates

This session covers six papers from different authors:

GENETIC IMPROVEMENT

1. Breech Strike Resistance: Selecting for resistance traits reduces breech strike, Bindi Murray, John Karlsson, Johan Greeff, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

2. Breeding Merino Sheep for Worm Resistance increases profit in a Mediterranean Environment, John Karlsson and Johan Greeff Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

FEEDING

3. Embryo lasses were not increased when Merino ewes that had lost weight were supplemented with lupins, C. Viñoles Gil, B.L. Paganoni, K.M.M. Glover, J.T.B. Milton & G.B. Martin, School of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, …

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 4, Dean Thomas, Dominique Blache, Dean Revell, Hayley Norman, Phil Vercoe, Zoey Durmic, Serina Digby, Di Mayberry, Megan Chadwick, Martin Sillence, David Masters, R. Silberstein, F. Byrne, P. G. H. Nichols, J. Young, L. Aitkins, M. G. Wilmot, A. J. Rintoul, T. Lambert, D. R. Mcclements, P. Raper, P. Ward, C. Walton, T. York, David Pethick, David Hopkins, Malcolm Mcphee, D. B. Savage, J. V. Nolan, I. R. Godwin, A. Aoetpah, T. Nguyen, N. Baillie, C. Lawler, Ken Geenty, John Smith, Darryl Smith, Tim Dyall, Grant Uphill, John Young, Michael Paton, John Dorrian

Sheep Updates

This session covers eight papers from different authors:

GRAZING

1. The impact of high dietary salt and its implications for the management of livestock grazing saline land, Dean Thomas, Dominique Blache, Dean Revell, Hayley Norman, Phil Vercoe, Zoey Durmic, Serina Digby, Di Mayberry, Megan Chadwick, Martin Sillence and David Masters, CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, WA.

2. Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands - outcomes from the WA1 research project, H.C. Norman^1,2, D.G. Masters^1,2, R. Silberstein^1,2, F. Byrne^2,3, P.G.H. Nichols …

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 2, Ian Mcfarland, Catherine Stockman, Anne Barnes, David Pethick, Jenny Davis, Brett Thompson, Ron Leng, Sally Pieruzzini, Elizabeth Jackson, Mohammed Quaddus, Nazrul Islam, John Stanton, Melanie Dowling

Sheep Updates

This session covers six papers from different authors:

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

FINISHING LAMB AND BEEF

1. Precision Feedlot Lamb, Ian McFarland, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

2. Feeding sheep under high heat load did not decrease intake of feedlot rations, Catherine Stockman, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia & Murdoch University, Anne Barnes, Murdoch University David Pethick, Murdoch University

3. Taking the stress out of fifishing lambs and cattle - EasyFeed solutions, Jenny Davis, Brett Thomson, Milne AgriGroup, Welshpool WA, Ron Leng, Emeritus Professor, University of New England, Armidale, NSW

WOOL

4. DAFWA …

Improvement And Evaluation Of Greenlip Abalone Hatchery And Nursery Production. Final Frdc Report - Project 2003/203, Sabine Daume

Fisheries research contract reports

A range of experiments aimed at optimizing broodstock performance and nursery culture of greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata) were undertaken in Western Australia. Factors investigated that can potentially influence broodstock performance were natal source (wild-caught or farm-grown) and broodstock diets (red algal diet or formulated diet varying in levels of an important fatty acid). Wild-caught broodstock, feeding mainly on a red seaweed diet, produced eggs with higher concentrations of an important fatty acid, arachidonic acid, whereas farm-grown broodstock, feeding on a commercial formulated diet, altered the concentration of fatty acids of the eggs. Feeding farm-grown broodstock natural diets like …

Australian Meat Production And Exports By State, Wim Burggraaf

All other publications

The volume and value of Australian meat production and exports is substantial. On average over the past six years to 2006/07 Australia produced 3,166 million tonnes of meat per annum. Of this meat production, 1,428 million tonnes per annum was exported at a value of $6,411 million. Overall, exports contribute 45 per cent of total production. This supply encompasses 2,073 million tonnes of beef, 394,000 tonnes of pig meats, 361,000 of lamb and 259,000 tonnes of mutton. Between them veal and goat meat provide only 48,600 tonnes and respectively contribute 32,000 tonnes and 16,600 tonnes. Australian cattle slaughter and beef …

Common Seasonal Pests : Your Handy Guide To Prevent The Spread Of Animal And Plant Pests, Diseases And Weeds., Department Of Agriculture And Food, Wa

Bulletins 4000 -

This bulletin provides information on quarantine, common pests and common household pests in Western Australia. Details include identification, damage caused, seasonal occurance of pest, action to take, control measures, and where to seek advice.

Pulse Industry Extension : Expanding Pulse Cropping By Targeted Extension Of Improved Varieties And Management Packages : A Final Report Prepared For The Grains Research And Development Corporation : Grdc Project Number Daw00100, Mark Seymour

Research Reports

The project aimed to overcome the barrier of harvesting field peas by promoting the role and value of semi-leafless varieties in combination with appropriate management in order to modify the attitude of growers and their advisers towards field pea [in Western Australia]." -- Project summary.

Organic Mangoes A Production Guide, Steven Mccoy

Bulletins 4000 -

Mangoes have been identified as a prospective crop for conversion to organic production, particularly at Kununurra in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

Mangoes can also perform well under organic systems in other regions of WA, however variations in pest and disease pressures may require additional attention to these problems.

Organic Apples A Production Guide, Steven Mccoy

Bulletins 4000 -

The belief among some conventional apple growers that it is not possible to reliably produce profitable yields of good quality apples under an organic system in Western Australia is being reconsidered. There are now very good examples of successful commercial organic apple orchards in many parts of the world, including WA. The organic production systems developed by these dedicated growers are showing that yields and quality are comparable to conventional systems.

Outcomes Of The Wetline Review. The Minister For Fisheries’ Decisions In Relation To The Future Management Of The West Coast And Gascoyne Commercial “Wetline” Fisheries, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries management papers

This document details my final decisions on the new management arrangements for the West Coast and Gascoyne commercial ‘wetline’ fisheries. The decisions that are set out in this document will form an important part of the holistic management package required to ensure the long-term sustainability of our demersal scalefish resources in the West Coast and Gascoyne bioregions. The new Management Plans will provide the framework within which commercial scalefish catches can be explicitly managed to sustainable levels and will promote greater commercial certainty and confidence for those operators who gain access to the fishery.

Downy Mildew In Vineyards, Diana Fisher, Andrew Taylor, Colin Gordon, Peter Magarey

Bulletins 4000 -

Downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, is a major fungal disease of grapevines that originates from North America. This disease was first detected in a commercial Western Australian vineyard in October 1998 and has since been found in most grape growing areas within the State. It is found in all other grape growing areas of Australia.

Plasmopara viticola is specific to grapevines (e.g. Vitis vinifera), although not all Vitis spp. are susceptible. The American rootstock species and hybrids are less susceptible or are resistant (refer to ‘Varietal susceptibility’). Other species of downy mildew, such as those found on …

Identification And Control Of Pest Slugs And Snails For Broadacre Crops In Western Australia, Svetlana Micic, Ken Henry, Paul Horne

Bulletins 4000 -

The numbers of slugs and snails have increased in broadacre cropping in Western Australia with the use of minimum tillage and stubble-retention practices. The organic content of paddocks increases under such systems, providing an increased food source especially to young slugs and snails. Soil moisture content is greater over summer leading to higher survival levels of slugs and snails.

Slug and snail pests in Australia have come from other countries, mainly the Mediterranean region. They damage plant seeds (mainly legumes), recently germinated seeds, seedlings and leaves and can be a contaminant of grain at harvest.

A Sustainable Future For Fishing On Christmas Island. A Draft Five-Year Strategy For Managing Commercial, Recreational And Charter Fishing., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries management papers

This draft strategy was developed by the Department of Fisheries, Western Australia, hereafter known as the “Department of Fisheries” which has responsibility for managing fish resources (within Territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles) on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services (DoTARS), through the applied Fish Resources Management Act (FRMA) (WA)(CI) (the “Applied Act”). The Applied Act provides a legislative framework that allows for management arrangements to be developed specifically for Christmas Island. The management of fisheries in Western Australia uses an adaptive approach which balances the need for the effective management of fish stocks with …

Shark Bay Prawn And Scallop Fisheries. Draft Review Report, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries management papers

In recent times, the Department of Fisheries has received representations from both sectors about the ongoing interaction of the fisheries and their respective management settings. As a result, a decision was made to comprehensively review the fisheries, taking into account matters of fishery sustainability and gear interactions, together with industry economics and market considerations. The review has also addressed research requirements to ensure an appropriate scientific basis for decision-making into the future.

Milling Oat And Feed Oat Quality - What Are The Differences?, Kellie Winfield, Maurice Hall, Blakely Paynter

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin explains the differences between oat products used for human and animal consumption and the importance of the quality parameter to the quality of the end product. It also indicates why different varieties are suited to different end markets.