Animal Sciences Commons^™

West Coast Rock Lobster Harvest Strategy And Control Rules : 2014 – 2019, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

No abstract provided.

A Likelihood Analysis Of The Introduction Of Marine Pests To Western Australian Ports Via Commercial Vessels, Samantha D. Bridgwood, Justin I. Mcdonald

Fisheries Research Reports

The following document is an analysis of the likelihood of an introduced marine pest (IMP) being translocated by commercial vessels into Western Australian (WA) state waters. This analysis is presented at the bioregional level (North Coast, Gascoyne Coast, West Coast and South Coast bioregions) and at the port level. The ports include: Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Dampier, Esperance, Fremantle, Geraldton, Port Hedland, Useless Loop and Wyndham. The analyses are based on vessel data supplied by the ports for the period of 2011. As such, all outputs and assumptions are based on data from that period and while the likelihood may change …

Status Of Demersal Finfish Stocks On The West Coast Of Australia, David V. Fairclough, Brett W. Molony, Brett M. Crisafulli, Ian S. Keay, Sybrand Alexander Hesp, Ross J. Marriott

Fisheries Research Reports

Assessments of the key indicator species for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR; West Australian dhufish Glaucosoma hebraicum, Snapper Pagrus auratus and Baldchin groper Choerodon rubescens) in 2007 and 2009 demonstrated that the stocks were experiencing overfishing. Thus, between late 2007 and early 2010, substantial changes were made to the management of the commercial and recreational fisheries that exploit the WCDSR. These were designed to reduce catches of the entire suite of demersal scalefish species (and of each indicator species) by both the commercial and recreational sectors in the West Coast Bioregion (WCB) by at least 50 % of …

Identifying Factors Affecting The Low Western Rock Lobster Puerulus Settlement In Recent Years Final Frdc Report – Project 2009/18, Nick Caputi, Ming Feng, Simon De Lestang, Ainslie M. Denham, James D. Penn, Dirk Slawinski, Alan Pearce, Evan Weller, Jason R. How

Fisheries Research Reports

Objectives 1. To use a larval advection model and the rock lobster population dynamics model to assess the effect of the spatial distribution of the breeding stock on the puerulus settlement 2. To assess environmental factors (water temperature, current, wind, productivity, eddies) and breeding stock affecting puerulus settlement 3. To examine climate change trends of key environmental parameters and their effect on the western rock lobster fishery

Potential Eradication And Control Methods For The Management Of The Ascidian Didemnum Perlucidum In Western Australia, Julieta Muñoz, Justin I. Mcdonald

Fisheries Research Reports

In Western Australia, the invasive colonial ascidian Didemnum perlucidum was first detected in the Swan River Estuary in 2010 and subsequently recorded at multiple locations across the State. Ongoing research by the Department of Fisheries (the Department) indicates that this species exhibits strong seasonal changes in abundance. Although, D. perlucidum is able to reproduce sexually (larvae) and asexually (budding) year round, larvae density and settlement, and overall colony size significantly decreases during the colder months (winter). From a management point of view this period would present the best opportunity for an attempt at eradication or control of this species.

The Marine Heat Wave Off Western Australia During The Summer Of 2010/11 – 2 Years On, Nick Caputi, Gary Jackson, Alan Pearce

Fisheries Research Reports

This second workshop on the ‘Marine heat wave - 2 years on’ was held on 11 March 2013 about two years after the original event in the summer of 2010/11. The first workshop focused on the oceanographic conditions associated with the event as well as the short-term effects such as fish kill and southerly range extension of a number of tropical fish species. The second workshop concentrated on the oceanographic conditions since the workshop and the longer-term (2 years) effect on fisheries and the marine environment.

Fisheries Research Report No. 244 - Independent Observations Of Catches And Subsurface Mitigation Efficiencies Of Modified Trawl Nets For Endangered, Threatened And Protected Megafauna Bycatch In The Pilbara Fish Trawl Fishery, Corey B. Wakefield, Stuart Blight, Adrian W. Thomson, Clinton Syers, Shane O'Donoghue

Fisheries Research Reports

Mitigation of endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species is a challenge in many commercial fisheries globally and independent observer programs are often implemented to determine accurate estimates of interaction rates. However, interactions with ETP species may be extremely rare requiring very high and therefore costly levels of observer coverage to provide adequate statistical rigor for such programs.

Biological Synopsis Of Australian Herring (Arripis Georgianus), Kimberley A. Smith, Joshua Brown

Fisheries Research Reports

Arripis georgianus (‘Australian herring’) is targeted by commercial and recreational fishers in Western Australia (WA) and South Australia (SA). Historically, A. georgianus has been the most commonly retained species of finfish taken by shore- and boat-based recreational fishers in the West Coast Bioregion (WCB) and South Coast Bioregion (SCB) (Smith et al. 2013a) (Fig. 1). The species is harvested by several commercial fisheries which use shore-based netting methods (beach seine, haul and gill nets). Historically, the vast majority of the commercial fishery catch has been taken by the herring ‘trap net’ fishery which operates on various beaches near Albany (SCB).

Fisheries Research Report No. 233 - Status Of The Blue Swimmer Crab Fishery In Shark Bay, Western Australia Fishery Assessment Document, David Harris, Danielle Johnston, Errol Sporer, Mervi Kangas, Felipe Nieves, Nick Caputi

Fisheries Research Reports

The Shark Bay Crab Fishery on the central coast of Western Australia has developed rapidly in the last 10 years to become Australia’s highest producing blue swimmer crab fishery, with peak landings in 2010 of 828t valued at over AU$6 million. The resource is harvested commercially by the Shark Bay crab trap and Shark Bay prawn trawl fisheries, with negligible amounts retained by the Shark Bay scallop fishery. There are currently five 300-trap licences and 28 trawl (18 prawn and 10 scallop) licences authorized to take blue swimmer crabs in Shark Bay.

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report To Parliament 2013/14, 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 2014. 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 – 2013/14 reporting year.

Status Reports Of The Fisheries And Aquatic Resources Of Western Australia 2013/14. State Of The Fisheries, W.J Fletcher, K. Santoro

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Western Australia (SRFAR) provide the public with an annual update on the state of the fish stocks and other aquatic resources of Western Australia (WA) managed by the Department of Fisheries (Department). 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.

West Coast Rock Lobster Harvest Strategy And Control Rules 2015 - 2019: A Discussion Paper, Western Australian Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

No abstract provided.

West Coast Rock Lobster Harvest Strategy And Control Rules : 2015 – 2019 : A Discussion Paper, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

No abstract provided.

Key Findings Of The 2013 West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource Stock Assessment, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Now, six years since the first stock assessment, and with the completion of a comprehensive boat-based survey of recreational fishing, ongoing annual monitoring of commercial and charter catches and a third stock assessment completed in 2013, the effectiveness of current management measures is able to be assessed.

This paper also provides an overview of the determination in regard to the sectoral allocations of the demersal scalefish resource in the WCB.

Growth Of Tropical Dasyatid Rays Estimated Using A Multi-Analytical Approach, Owen R. O'Shea, Matias Braccini, Rory Mcauley, Conrad W. Speed, Mark G. Meekan

Fisheries Research Articles

We studied the age and growth of four sympatric stingrays: reticulate whipray, Himanutra uarnak (n=19); blue mask, Neotrygon kuhlii (n=34); cowtail, Pastinachus atrus (n=32) and blue-spotted fantail, Taeniura lymma (n=40) rays at Ningaloo Reef, a fringing coral reef on the north-western coast of western Australia. Age estimates derived from band counts within sectioned vertebrae ranged between 1 and 27 years (H. uarnak, 1 - 25 yrs.; N. kuhlii, 1.5 - 13 yrs.; P. atrus, 1 - 27 yrs. and T. lymma, 1 -11 yrs.). Due to limitations of sample sizes, we combined several analytical methods …

Determination And Development Of Cost Effective Techniques To Monitor Recreational Catch And Effort In Western Australian Demersal Finfish Fisheries: Final Report For Frdc Project 2005/034 And Wamsi Subproject 4.4.3, B S. Wise, W J. Fletcher

Fisheries Research Reports

Objectives1.Complete a series of concurrent catch and effort surveys of the West Coast Demersal Recreational Fishery using a variety of survey techniques.2.Compare the precision and accuracy of estimates generated using these various techniques3.Usingcostbenefitanalysis,produceaseriesofoptionstomonitorannualcatchandeffortfora range of precision levels and indicator species4.Development of cost effective methods for monitoring the catch of the non-commercial sector.

Biology, History, And Assessment Of Western Australian Abalone Fisheries, Anthony M. Hart, Frank Fabris, Nick Caputi

Fisheries Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Aerial Surveys Of Shore-Based Recreational Fishing In Carnarvon And Shark Bay: June To August 2012, Claire B. Smallwood, Daniel J. Gaughan

Fisheries Research Reports

Aerial surveys are a useful tool for obtaining data on the spatial distribution of recreational fishing and estimating fishing effort. Following the successful application of this method in the Perth Metropolitan area, aerial surveys were conducted around Carnarvon and Shark Bay from June to August 2012. Recreational shore-based fishers were identified by fishing method (i.e., line fishing, ballooning, netting and spearfishing) and their location geo-referenced. Additional information on non-fishers, camps, boat trailers, vehicles and boats anchored or on the beach was also recorded. A combination of systematic random and stratified random sampling was employed, providing good estimates of fishing effort …

Status Of Nearshore Finfish Stocks In South-Western Western Australia: Part 1: Australian Herring, Kimberley A. Smith, Joshua Brown, Paul Lewis, Chris Dowling, A Howard, Rod J. Lenanton, Brett Molony

Fisheries Research Reports

The status of the popular nearshore finfish resource in the West Coast Bioregion (WCB) of Western Australia (WA) was largely unknown prior to this study. Previously, declining catches of several nearshore species had highlighted the risk to their sustainability and the need for greater certainty about their status. Recently, the risk further increased due to management changes in the WCB aimed at reducing the catch of demersal scalefish, which are likely to result in a shift in targeting towards nearshore species. This increase in fishing pressure on nearshore species will be on top of any increase due to the continuing …

Fisheries Research Report No. 249 - An Integrated System To Survey Boat-Based Recreational Fishing In Western Australia 2011/12, Karina L. Ryan, Brent S. Wise, Norman G. Hall, K H. Pollock, Elena H. Sulin, Daniel J. Gaughan

Fisheries Research Reports

The Department of Fisheries developed an integrated system involving several survey methods to provide a more robust approach for obtaining annual estimates of recreational catch by boat based fishers at both state-wide and bioregional levels. These surveys, which used the recently implemented Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence (RFBL) as the basis for sampling, were the most comprehensive ever conducted in Western Australia. They not only provided estimates of catch and effort but provided the information for the validation of these estimates by enabling comparisons across the various methods.

Status Of Nearshore Finfish Stocks In South-Western Western Australia: Part 2: Tailor, Kimberley A. Smith, Joshua Brown, Paul D. Lewis, C Dowling, A Howard, R Cj Lenanton, Brett W. Molony

Fisheries Research Reports

The status of the nearshore finfish resource in the West Coast Bioregion (WCB) of Western Australia (WA) was largely unknown prior to this study. Previously, declining catches of several species had highlighted the risk to their sustainability and the need for greater certainty about the status of this popular resource. Recently, the risk substantially increased due to recent changes to the management of demersal scalefish, which are likely to result in a shift in targeting towards nearshore species. This increase in fishing pressure will be on top of any increase due to the continuing human population growth in the WCB.

Status Of Nearshore Finfish Stocks In South-Western Western Australia Part 3: Whiting (Sillaginidae): Nrm Project 09003, Joshua Brown, Christopher Dowling, Alexander Hesp, Kimberley A. Smith, Brett W. Molony

Fisheries Research Reports

The whiting family (Sillaginidae) is common in nearshore waters of south-western Western Australia (WA) where it is highly valued by recreational and commercial fishers. The importance of these species to recreational fishers is reflected in this category of fishes being ranked as the most or 2nd most retained finfish species group by boat- and shore-based fishers in several recreational fishing surveys in WA. Whiting are commercially important in a number of fisheries, with total state catches averaging over 200 tonnes per annum since 1980. The composition of the whiting catch, however, is largely unknown, with a number of whiting species …

Review Of Report On The “Status Of Nearshore Finfish Stocks In South-Western Western Australia: Australian Herring And Tailor”, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

West Coast Rock Lobster Fishery Ecological Risk Assessment 20 February 2013, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

James’S Rule And Causes And Consequences Of A Latitudinal Cline In The Demography Of John’S Snapper (Lutjanus Johnii) In Coastal Waters Of Australia, Mike Cappo, Ross J. Marriott, Stephen J. Newman

Fisheries Research Articles

Demographic parameters were derived from sectioned otoliths of John’s Snapper (Lutjanus johnii) from 4 regions across 9° of latitude and 23° of longitude in northern Australia. Latitudinal variation in size and growth rates of this species greatly exceeded longitudinal variation. Populations of John’s Snapper farthest from the equator had the largest body sizes, in line with James’s rule, and the fastest growth rates, contrary to the temperature size rule for ectotherms. A maximum age of 28.6 years, nearly 3 times previous estimates, was recorded and the largest individual was 990 mm in fork length. Females grew to a larger mean …

West Coast Demersal Scalefish Allocation Report., Integrated Fisheries Allocation Advisory Committee.

Fisheries Management Papers

Integrated Fisheries Management (IFM) is an initiative aimed at addressing the issue of how fish resources in WesternAustralia can be best shared between competing users within the broad context of “Ecologically Sustainable Development”, or ESD, so that they can be managed on a sustainable basis.

The Minister for Fisheries established the Integrated Fisheries Management Allocation Advisory Committee (the Allocation Committee), under Section 42 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA), in 2004 to investigate IFM resource allocation issues and make recommendations to him on optimal resource use.

Policy On Restocking And Stock Enhancement In Western Australia, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

The practice of releasing hatchery-reared fish into existing populations to augment fishing (stock enhancement) or restore depleted spawning biomass (restocking) has occurred around the world for decades with varying degrees of success. The underpinning concept is to produce and release fish into wild populations to increase their abundance, catch rates and/or fishery yields

If restocking and stock enhancement activities are to be successful, they should have clear objectives and be well planned and targeted at situations where there is a reasonable expectation of having a beneficial effect.

In-Water Hull Cleaning And Filtration System: In-Water Cleaning Trials, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

In-Water Hull Cleaning System Cost & Cost Benefit Analysis, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Guidance Statement For Oil And Gas Industry Consultation With The Department Of Fisheries, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.