Animal Sciences Commons^™

The Utility Of Bioenergetics Modelling In Quantifying Predation Rates Of Marine Apex Predators: Ecological And Fisheries Implications, A. Barnett, M. Braccini, C. L. Dudgeon, N. L. Payne, K. G. Abrantes, M. Sheaves, E. P. Snelling

Fisheries Research Articles

Predators play a crucial role in the structure and function of ecosystems. However, the magnitude of this role is often unclear, particularly for large marine predators, as predation rates are difficult to measure directly. If relevant biotic and abiotic parameters can be obtained, then bioenergetics modelling offers an alternative approach to estimating predation rates, and can provide new insights into ecological processes. We integrate demographic and ecological data for a marine apex predator, the broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus, with energetics data from the literature, to construct a bioenergetics model to quantify predation rates on key fisheries species in …

Supplementary Feeding Of Rangeland Cattle, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Native pastures generally have adequate nitrogen levels during the growing season. During this time phosphorus is the most limiting nutrient. As the grass matures and sets seed, the nitrogen content of the pasture decreases. This can lead to protein and energy deficiencies which result in decreased animal production. Feeding urea during the dry season can increase digestion, resulting in improved animal performance. However, urea can be toxic to cattle and so must be introduced slowly. Other important nutrients include calcium, magnesium, sulphur and sodium.

Framework For Integration Of Data From Remotely Operated Cameras Into Recreational Fishery Assessments In Western Australia, Aldo S. Steffe, S.M Taylor, Stuart Blight, Karina L. Ryan, Cameron J. Desfosses, Alissa Tate, Claire B. Smallwood, Eva K. Lai, Fabian I. Trinnie, Brent S. Wise

Fisheries Research Reports

Remotely operated cameras can be used for cost-efficient monitoring of recreational fishing activities. This report provides an overview of the current usage of cameras in recreational fishery assessments by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Since 2006, 32 remotely operated cameras have been installed at 26 locations throughout Western Australia and currently 28 cameras are in use.

Ecosystem Biomonitoring With Edna: Metabarcoding Across The Tree Of Life In A Tropical Marine Environment, Michael Stat, Megan J. Huggett, Rachele Bernasconi, Joseph D. Dibattista, Tina Berry, Stephen J. Newman, Euan S. Harvey, Michael Bunce

Fisheries Research Articles

Effective marine management requires comprehensive data on the status of marine biodiversity. However, efficient methods that can document biodiversity in our oceans are currently lacking. Environmental DNA (eDNA) sourced from seawater offers a new avenue for investigating the biota in marine ecosystems. Here, we investigated the potential of eDNA to inform on the breadth of biodiversity present in a tropical marine environment. Directly sequencing eDNA from seawater using a shotgun approach resulted in only 0.34% of 22.3 million reads assigning to eukaryotes, highlighting the inefficiency of this method for assessing eukaryotic diversity. In contrast, using ‘tree of life’ (ToL) metabarcoding …

Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Resource Harvest Strategy 2017 – 2021. Version 1.0, Western Australia. Dept. Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

Harvest strategies for aquatic resources managed by the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries Division (Fisheries) are formal documents that are prepared based on a formal policy (Department of Fisheries 2015a) to support the decision-making processes and ensure these processes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2010). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objects of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA), Section 3, and the Aquatic Resources Management Act 2016 (ARMA), Clause 9, which will replace the …

Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Resource Harvest Strategy : 2017 – 2021 : Version 1.0, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

No abstract provided.

Aquaculture Of Coral, Live Rock And Live Sand In Western Australia, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Principles and Guidelines Relating to the Assessment of Licences for the Aquaculture of Coral, Live Rock and Live Sand in Western Australia

Genomic Signatures Of Local Adaptation Reveal Source-Sink Dynamics In A High Gene Flow Fish Species, Katherine Cure, Luke Thomas, Jean-Paul A. Hobbs, David V. Fairclough, Winn Jason Kennington

Fisheries Research Articles

Understanding source-sink dynamics is important for conservation management, particularly when climatic events alter species’ distributions. Following a 2011 ‘marine heatwave’ in Western Australia, we observed high recruitment of the endemic fisheries target species Choerodon rubescens, towards the cooler (southern) end of its distribution. Here, we use a genome wide set of 14 559 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify the likely source population for this recruitment event. Most loci (76%) showed low genetic divergence across the species’ range, indicating high levels of gene flow and confirming previous findings using neutral microsatellite markers. However, a small proportion of loci showed strong …

Administrative Guideline No. 1: Assessment Of Applications For Authorisations For Aquaculture And Pearling 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) and under s.24 of the Pearling Act 1990 (PA) (collectively, the Acts), the Minister for Fisheries (Minister) may issue guidelines for the administration or enforcement of the Acts.

This Administrative Guideline (Guideline) aims to streamline the process for assessment of applications under s.92 and s.97 of the FRMA for aquaculture licences and leases and under s.23 of the PA for pearl oyster farm leases; and certain applications to vary a pearling lease or aquaculture licence.1 The Guideline is intended to provide guidance to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional …

Strong Population Structure Deduced From Genetics, Otolith Chemistry And Parasite Abundances Explains Vulnerability To Localized Fishery Collapse In A Large Sciaenid Fish, Protonibea Diacanthus, Laura Taillebois, Diane P. Barton, David Crook, Thor Saunders, Jonathan Taylor, Mark Hearnden, Richard J. Saunders, Stephen J. Newman, Michael J. Travers, David J. Welch, Alan Greig, Christine Dudgeon, Safia Maher, Jennifer Ovenden

Fisheries Research Articles

As pressure on coastal marine resources is increasing globally, the need to quantitatively assess vulnerable fish stocks is crucial in order to avoid the ecological consequences of stock depletions. Species of Sciaenidae (croakers, drums) are important components of tropical and temperate fisheries and are especially vulnerable to exploitation. The black-spotted croaker, Protonibea diacanthus, is the only large sciaenid in coastal waters of northern Australia where it is targeted by commercial, recreational and indigenous fishers due to its food value and predictable aggregating behaviour. Localized declines in the abundance of this species have been observed, highlighting the urgent requirement by managers …

Sheep Worms – Breeding Worm Resistant Sheep, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Lost productivity due to drench resistance in sheep worms has been recognised as a widespread problem in Western Australia (WA) since the 1980s. The first member of the macrocyclic lactone (ML) group, ivermectin, was released in Australia in 1988 and by 1993 the first case of resistance to this group was discovered. It is now thought that more than 85% of WA sheep farms are likely to have ML resistant sheep worms. In other parts of Australia, resistance to barber's pole worms is especially severe and involves all drench groups except the newly-released drench, monepantel (Zolvix).

Demographic Performance Of Brownlip Abalone : Exploration Of Wild And Cultured Harvest Potential, Lachlan W.S. Strain, Alexander Hesp, Frank Fabris, Anthony M. Hart

Fisheries Research Reports

This research provides the most comprehensive evaluation of Brownlip abalone (Haliotis conicopora) biology and fisheries assessment to date, thereby laying a solid foundation for future management of the Brownlip abalone fishery in Western Australia (WA). For wild populations, it has provided the most reliable estimates of natural and fishing mortality, size composition and the first to model growth throughout all stages of life.

Potential Influence Of A Marine Heatwave On Range Extensions Of Tropical Fishes In The Eastern Indian Ocean—Invaluable Contributions From Amateur Observers, Rodney C J Lenanton, Christopher E. Dowling, Kimberley A. Smith, David V. Fairclough, Gary Jackson

Fisheries Research Articles

Global changes to fish distributions are expected to continue in coming decades with predicted increases in ocean temperatures and the frequency of extreme climatic events. In the eastern Indian Ocean during the 2010/11 summer, sea surface temperatures 4–5 °C above average and an unseasonal, anomalously strong, Leeuwin Current (LC) triggered a “marine heatwave” along the west coast of Australia, with elevated water temperatures persisting for a further two years. Peak LC flows in summer/autumn transported pelagic early life history stages of summer-spawning coastal subtropical and tropical fishes southwards. This study examined whether the heatwave enabled the arrival, persistence and reproduction …

Collaboration And Trust In The Northern Beef Supply Chain In Western Australia: Draft Framework And Plan, Jan Paul Van Moort, Antonia Hodby, Nicki Mazur, Peter Barnard

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (the Department) commissioned ACIL Allen Consulting to conduct a study into collaboration in the northern beef supply chain. The study is part of the Northern Beef Futures (NBF), a four year $15 million project led by the Department and funded by Royalties for Regions.

The aim of the study was to scope a framework for measuring collaboration in the northern beef supply chains; and develop an implementation plan for ways to improve collaboration that will benefit the development of the northern beef industry.

Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (Ebfm) Risk Assessment Of The Western Australian Abalone Managed Industry, F J. Webster, B Wise, Anthony M. Hart

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Western Australian (WA) Abalone Managed Fishery (AMF) and the outcomes from the 2015 ecological risk assessment of this fishery. The AMF targets three species of abalone greenlip (Haliotis laevigata), brownlip (H. conicopora) and Roe’s abalone (H. roei). Greenlip and brownlip abalone are primarily targeted on the south coast of WA, while Roe’s abalone is primarily targeted on the West Coast. Commercial fishing for abalone in WA has been undertaken since 1964.

Abalone Aquaculture In Western Australia, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Principles and considerations relating to management of abalone aquaculture in Western Australia

A Critical Analysis Of The Direct Effects Of Dredging On Fish, Amelia S. Wenger, Euan S. Harvey, Shaun K. Wilson, Christopher A. Rawson, Stephen J. Newman, Douglas Clarke, Benjamin J. Saunders, Nicola Browne, Michael J. Travers, Jennifer L. Mcilwain, Paul L A Erftemeijer, Jean-Paul A. Hobbs, Dianne L. Mclean, Martial Depczynski, Richard D. Evans

Fisheries Research Articles

Dredging can have significant impacts on aquatic environments, but the direct effects on fish have not been critically evaluated. Here, a meta-analysis following a conservative approach is used to understand how dredging-related stressors, including suspended sediment, contaminated sediment, hydraulic entrainment and underwater noise, directly influence the effect size and the response elicited in fish across all aquatic ecosystems and all life-history stages. This is followed by an in-depth review summarizing the effects of each dredging-related stressor on fish. Across all dredging-related stressors, studies that reported fish mortality had significantly higher effect sizes than those that describe physiological responses, although indicators …

The Effect Of Lupinus Albus On Growth Performance, Body Composition And Satiety Hormones Of Male Pigs Immunized Against Gonadotrophin Releasing Factor, Karen Moore, Bruce Mullan, Jae Cheol Kim, Frank R. Dunshea

Animal production and livestock research articles

Two hundred and ninety four pigs were used with the aim to develop a dietary management strategy using Lupinus albus L. (albus lupins) to reduce the increase in feed intake and subsequent increase in carcass fatness in pigs immunized against gonadotrophin releasing factor (immunocastrates; IC males) and entire male pigs in the late finishing stage. From day (d) 0 to 28, IC males fed the control diet grew faster (p = 0.009) than entire males fed the control diet but there was no difference in growth rate between sexes for pigs fed albus lupins for 14 days pre-slaughter (Albus 14) …

Adopting A Citizen Science Approach To Develop Cost-Effective Methods That Will Deliver Annual Information For Managing Small-Scale Recreational Fisheries: The Southwest Recreational Crabbing Project, David Harris, Danielle Johnston, Josh Baker, Michelle Foster

Fisheries Research Reports

Fishing for the blue swimmer crab, Portunus armatus, represents an iconic Western Australian recreational fishing experience. State-wide integrated surveys of boat-based recreational fishing conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Western Australia (DoF) in 2011/12 and 2013/14 reported that three times more blue swimmer crabs were caught than any other recreational species (Ryan etal., 2013; Ryan et al., 2015).

Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Western Australia’S Commercially Important Sharks, Matias Braccini, R. Mcauley, Alastair Harry

Fisheries Research Reports

This project took advantage of an unprecedented deployment of acoustic receiver infrastructure around the Western Australian coast to monitor a large number of sharks implanted with acoustic tags. This research was undertaken to better understand the temporal and spatial dynamics of commercially-important sharks in Western Australia, which has enabled a re-evaluation of the risks of cryptic sources of catch and bycatch to dusky and sandbar shark stocks and development of population simulation models with which to test the implications of spatially-different histories of fishery management, as well as future spatial-management arrangements for whiskery and gummy sharks stocks.

Marine Stewardship Council Full Assessment Report Western Australian Abalone Managed Fishery, Anthony M. Hart, Lachlan W.S. Strain, Alexander Hesp, E. Fisher, F J. Webster, S. J. Brand-Gardner, S. Walters

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive description of the Abalone Managed Fishery (AMF) in Western Australia (WA) and contains information relevant to assist with the assessment of this fishery against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard (v2.0) for sustainable fishing. Fishers in the AMF harvest three species; Roe’s abalone (Haliotis roei), Greenlip abalone (H. laevigata) and Brownlip abalone (H. conicopora), through hand collection by diving in shallow waters off the south-western and southern coasts of WA.

Status Of Southern Garfish (Hyporhamphus Melanochir) In Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, K Smith, C Dowling, S Mountford, A Hesp, A Howard, J Brown

Fisheries Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Resource Assessment Report Western Rock Lobster Environmental Resources Of Western Australia, Lynda M. Bellchambers, Jason R. How, Scott Evans, Matthew B. Pember, Simon De Lestang, Nick Caputi

Fisheries Research Reports

This document presents information for the Western Rock Lobster Fishery for MSC re-certification process in 2017.

Fisheries Management Paper No.283 - Abalone Resource Of Western Australia Harvest Strategy 2106 - 2021, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Harvest strategies for aquatic resources managed by the Western Australian Department of Fisheries (the Department) are formal documents prepared to support the decision-making processes required to ensure the management of these resources are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objects of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA) and Section 9 of the Aquatic Resources Management Act, which will replace the FRMA once proclaimed.

The publication of these strategies is intended to make the decision-making considerations and processes for the management of specified aquatic resources publicly transparent and provide …

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report To Parliament 2016/17, Government Of Western Australia Department Of Fisheries

Department of Fisheries Annual Reports

This annual report provides an overview of the Department and its operations for the financial year ended 30 June 2017. It has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Financial Management Act 2006, the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 and the Public Sector Commission’s Annual reporting framework – 2016/17 reporting year.

Status Reports Of The Fisheries And Aquatic Resources Of Western Australia 2015/16. State Of The Fisheries, W.J Fletcher, M.D. Mumme, F J. Webster

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

As part of the transition to ultimately using a web based, hierarchical interface, this years’ edition of the Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia 2015/16 is adopting a more streamlined format. These changes include updates to the summary table which, in addition to displaying the stock and fishery performance levels, now includes current performance and risk levels for each of the other EBFM outcomes (e.g. bycatch, listed species, economics etc.).

Department For Agriculture And Food – Northern Beef Futures: Valuing Security Of Supply, Department Of Agriculture And Food Wa

Animal production and livestock published reports

The DAFWA-NBF project is committed to identifying growth and value creation opportunities for the WA Beef industry and have engaged PwC to estimate the value of increased security of supply.

A joint PwC/NBF team have developed a WA beef value chain model to better understand the industry’s potential and establish the potential value associated with changes in the security of supply.

Results indicate that, over a five to twelve year timeframe, the WA Beef industry might have the potential to grow cattle disposals, double revenue to $1.2B and increase profit by $0.5B.

A diversified market which includes Japan and China …

Resource Assessment Report Western Rock Lobster Resource Of Western Australia, Simon De Lestang, Nick Caputi, Jason R. How

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

The western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus (George) is taken by commercial and recreational fishers throughout its geographic range along the lower west coast of Western Australia. The main commercial fishery for P. cygnus is the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (WCRLMF), which is Australia’s largest single-species fishery, currently worth about $400 million annually. Western rock lobster provides the basis for the economies of a number of coastal towns and also supports a recreational fishery.

Western Australian Rock Lobster Fishery Marine Stewardship Council Principle 3, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Governance – Policy – Fishery Specific Management

The Effect Of Lupinus Albus And Calcium Chloride On Growth Performance, Body Composition, Plasma Biochemistry And Meat Quality Of Male Pigs Immunized Against Gonadotrophin Releasing Factor, Karen Moore, Bruce P. Mullan, Jae Cheol Kim, Frank R. Dunshea

Animal production and livestock research articles

Two hundred and ninety-four pigs were used to assess the effect of two ingredients (Lupinus albus (albus lupins) or a combination of calcium chloride and sodium tri-polyphosphate (mineral salts)) on growth performance, body composition and objective meat quality of pigs immunized against gonadotrophin releasing factor (immunocastrates) and entire male pigs in the late finishing phase. Pigs fed mineral salts ate less feed than those fed the control diet with no effect on growth rate (p > 0.05), backfat (p > 0.05) or fat deposition (p > 0.05). Pigs fed albus lupins had a reduced feed intake (p < 0.001 for all time periods), lower growth rate (p < 0.001 for all time periods), lower backfat (p < 0.005) and decreased fat deposition (p < 0.001 for all time periods) compared to those fed the control diet or mineral salts. From day (d) 0–28 pigs fed mineral salts had a better feed conversion ratio (p = 0.001) than those fed albus lupins who in turn had an improved feed conversion compared to the control diet. Immunocastrates had thicker backfat than entire males at the end of the experiment (p < 0.001), however, feeding albus lupins to immunocastrated males reduced backfat thickness to similar to entire males fed the control diet (p = 0.01). With the exception of the increased muscle pH at 45 min post-exsanguination in mineral salts and albus lupins compared with the control diet (p = 0.03) there was no effect of diet on objective pork quality. Pork from IC males had a higher ultimate pH (p < 0.001), was lighter (L*; p = 0.003), more yellow (p = 0.008) and had a higher drip loss (p < 0.001) compared to entire males. Albus lupins show potential in reducing the increase in feed intake and backfat associated with immunocastration. Mineral salts may be useful in situations where a reduction in feed intake and an improvement in feed conversion is desired and reducing fat deposition is not the objective.