Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons^™

Fisheries Occasional Publication No.15 - A Unit Register For Commercial Fisheries: An Issues Paper, Western Rock Lobster Council, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

This paper is designed to encourage stakeholder involvement in a review of the existing Department of Fisheries' Register, and development of a concept for a new Unit 1 Register, under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA). It is not a fisheries management proposal but a proposal dealing with the facilitation of the fishing licence business. Comments are sought from all stakeholders, including commercial fishers, recreational fishers, banks, accountants, lawyers, third party investors and brokers.

The comments gathered through the responses to this 'issues paper' will form the basis for the Unit Register Working Group to develop the concept of …

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report To Parliament 2004/05, Government Of Western Australia Department Of Fisheries

Department of Fisheries Annual Reports

In accordance with Section 62 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 (FAAA) and Section 263 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA), I submit for your information the Annual Report to Parliament of the Department of Fisheries of Western Australia for the financial year ending 30 June 2005.

The 2004/05 financial year has seen some important shifts in the external environment that bear on the economic viability of our major commercial fisheries and fishing-based tourism. But there has also been major progress within the Department on a number of significant issues - both strategic and operational - …

State Of The Fisheries Report 2003/04, J. W. Penn, W. J. Fletcher, F. Head

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The State ofthe Fisheries Report is published annually to provide an additional level of detailed reporting of the management of fish stocks and their environment undertaken by the Department of Fisheries. A summary report from the document is included in the Department's Annual Report to Parliament, which includes the Department's non-financial (fishery) performance indicators.

By summarising management changes, compliance activities and research data including stock assessments and breeding stock levels, this document provides a valuable reference point for Western Australian fisheries of major importance to the commercial and recreational sectors, and the developing aquaculture sector.

This year's State of the …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 10 - Mother-Of-Pearl Shell (Pinctada Maxima): Stock Evaluation For Management And Future Harvesting In Western Australia, Anthony M. Hart, Kim J. Friedman

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

The West Australian Pearling industry is one of Australia's most valuable aquaculture industries, currently generating around $120 - $160 million annually. The majority of pearl shell used to culture pearls come from the pearling beds in the inshore waters near Broome. The fishery for pearl oysters preferentially targets smaller (120mm - 165mm DVM) shell (hereafter defined as 'culture' shell), that are more suitable for culturing of pearls, leaving larger MOP oysters (175mm+) on the pearling grounds. These larger pearl oysters, the majority of which are female (protandric hermaphrodites), form a major component of the broodstock for the

fishery. Although MOP …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 8 - The Nutritional Management Of Barramundi, Brett Glencross

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

Barramundi nutrition research has been undertaken since 1988. Since that time the requirements for most nutrients, energy demand, ingredient utilisation and the effects of nutrition on flesh quality aspects have all been examined to varying extents.

Optimal protein content of diets has been shown to vary with diet energy density and also the size of fish which are being fed. Most studies have suggested a protein requirement from 45% to 55%. For small fish a protein to energy ratio of 25 to 30 g/MJ is suggested. Limited work has been done on fish larger than 500 g. The 10 essential …

Fisheries Research Report No. 145 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1999/2000 To 2000/2001, C F. Chubb, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

Season 1999/2000 produced the highest catch in the history of the fishery of 14,500 tonnes following a high catch of about 13,000 tonnes in 1998/1999. The record season led to the highest ever catch in B & C zones of 4,500 and 8,300 tonnes respectively. The Abrolhos Islands fishery produced a catch of 1,800 tonnes, somewhat down on the previous seasons catch of 2,000 tonnes. The record catch was taken by a total of 594 vessels. Nominal fishing effort in 1999/2000 was 10,724 million pot lifts, slightly down on the previous season, which was 10,745 million pot lifts. The 2000/2001 …

Proposals For Community Discussion : A Quality Future For Recreational Fishing In The Pilbara/Kimberley : A Five-Year Draft Strategy For Managing The Recreational Component Of The Catch, Pilbara/Kimberley Recreational Fishing Working Group.

Fisheries Management Papers

With a growing population and advances in technology, fishing pressure will continue to grow and anglers will become more efficient at targeting fish - particularly offshore demersal species, such as tropical snappers and emperors. There is also a clear need for recreational fisheries management to complement the existing management arrangements for the charter industry, and provide the necessary framework for recreational fishing to be incorporated into an integrated management framework with other fishing sectors.

Fisheries Management Paper No.180 - Future Management Arrangements For Western Australia's Temperate Shark Fisheries., Jane Borg, R. Mcauley

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper provides a summary of the attributes of these temperate shark fisheries, and sets out the proposed objectives and the measures available to achieve them.

In summary, primary measures are aimed at the sustainability of dusky and whiskery sharks, with dusky sharks being of greater concern as their status is more critical. The final decision on management of these fisheries cannot compromise sustainability, not only because of the Department’s obligations under the Fish Resources Management Act, 1994, but also:

• national and international obligations associated with ecologically sustainable development;

• export accreditation under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 6 - Anglers Guide To Assessing Reproductive Stage In Fish, Kim Smith, Mike Mackie, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

What is a gonad?

"Gonad" is a general term for a reproductive organ, and is used to describe both ovaries and testes. In male and female fish, the gonad is an elongated organ lying along the upper wall of the gut cavity (i.e. running immediately under the vertebral column). The gonad gonad has 2 lobes. Both lobes are attached to the body near the anus and extend forward inside the gut cavity.

As fish gonads ripen, they become larger, heavier and change colour. Immature and undeveloped adult gonads are very small, strap-like in shape, pinkish in colour and translucent (i.e. …

The Hardy Inlet Estuarine Fishery Management Issues And Options, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper presents information available on fish resources in the Hardy Inlet/Blackwood River system, and discusses the key management matters and likely impacts of a number of possible management measures.

The Translocation Of Golden Perch, Murray Cod And Australian Bass, Into And Within Western Australia, For The Purposes Of Recreational Stocking, Domestic Stocking And Commercial And Non-Commercial Aquaculture. A Discussion Paper., Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

This discussion paper has been prepared to provide information to assist in assessment of the possible impact of the translocation of golden perch (Macquaria ambigua), Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) and Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) into and within Western Australia, for the purposes of recreational stocking, domestic stocking, commercial and non-commercial aquaculture. In assessing the translocation of any aquatic species, economic and social benefits must be balanced with biological and environmental risks.

Fisheries Research Report No. 146 - Catch Composition Of The Western Australian Temperate Demersal Gillnet And Demersal Longline Fisheries, 1994 To 1999, Rory Mcauley, Colin Simpfendorfer

Fisheries Research Reports

Catch composition data were collected from Western Australia’s temperate demersal gillnet and demersal longline fisheries, between Eucla and Geraldton, over a five-year period from July 1994 to June 1999. Results were compared to Department of Fisheries catch records compiled from fishers’ monthly catch returns. Discarded bycatch of several species was estimated by bootstrapping their observed catch rates. Dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus, gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus, whiskery shark, Furgaleus macki, and Port Jackson shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni, were identified as the main components of the fisheries’ catch, however, catches were found to vary regionally. School shark, Galeorhinus galeus, dogfish of the family …

Draft Plan Of Management For The Proposed Point Quobba Fish Habitat Protection Area., Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

Point Quobba is a popular site for locals and tourists for beach activities, fishing and snorkelling, and as a place for children to learn to swim and gain an awareness of the marine environment. The marine life and habitats of the area are of considerable scientific and recreational interest and are highly valued in the local community. However, they are at risk from their high level of use and from conflict between users due to their proximity to popular tourism, boat ramp, camping and settlement areas on-shore.

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 8 - Department Of Fisheries Stakeholder Survey 2002, Tara Baharthah, Neil R. Sumner

Fisheries Occasional Publications

A telephone survey of Department of Fisheries' stakeholders was conducted in November 2002 in order to evaluate their perception of the Department's management of commercial and recreational fishing, pearling and aquaculture, and fish and fish habitat protection. The survey also assessed satisfaction with the level of service provided to stakeholders and their involvement in the decision making process.

The sample comprised of 149 interviews - 40 representing the commercial fishing sector, 40 representing the recreational fishing sector, 40 representing fish and fish habitat protection, and 29 representing aquaculture and pearling.

In general, the stakeholders gave positive responses regarding the Department …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 2 - Towards An Assessment Of Natural And Human Use Impacts On The Marine Environment Of The Abrolhos Islands (Phase 1 : Data Consolidation And Scoping - Final Report For Frdc Project 2000/1 66), C. F. Chubb, K. Nardi

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

This project has drawn together existing research data relating to natural and human impacts on the Abrolhos Islands marine habitats. It has surveyed current uses of these habitats and placed anthropogenic impacts within the context of natural perturbations. Through public forum presentation and debate, this work has allowed real issues, not perceptions, to surface and be addressed properly. This was achieved by defining a strategic programme of research through a scientific workshop process involving all community stakeholders. A two volume Fisheries Research Report (WA) summarizes current knowledge and details the workshop proceedings and strategic research plan.

Terrestrial Natural Communities Of Nebraska (Version Iii - June 30, 2005), Gerry Steinauer, Steven B. Rolfsmeier

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

For more than a decade, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and state natural heritage programs, including the Nebraska Natural Heritage Program (NNHP), have used a “coarse filter/fine filter” approach to preserving biological diversity (The Nature Conservancy, 1994). This approach involves identification and protection of natural communities (coarse filter) as well as rare species (fine filter). Identifying and protecting representative examples of natural communities ensures conservation of most species, biotic interactions and ecological processes. Those species that “fall through” the community filters are generally the rare species. Identification and protection of viable occurrences of rare species serves as the fine filter for …

Fisheries Research Report No. 140 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1997/98 To 1998/99, C F. Chubb, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

This report is the latest in a series covering the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (formerly the West Coast Rock Lobster Limited Entry Fishery), Western Australia’s largest and most valuable fishery. These reports form an historical record of fishery data and information documented season by season for use by industry and research personnel now and in the future. The reports provide information on catch, fishing effort and biology; value of the product and licences; input costs (fuel, bait, etc.); changes in fishing practices, gear, technology and boats and management/legislative changes. By necessity, the information contained herein is summarised from …

Identifying Nursery Areas Used By Inner Bay And Oceanic Pink Snapper ( Pagrus Auratus) To The Effect Of Prawn Trawling On Inner Bay Snapper Stocks - Final Report For Frdc Project 2001/061, D. J. Gaughan, Michael J. Moran, Melinda M. Ranaldi, John R. Watling

Fisheries Research Contract Reports

Final Report for FRDC Project 2001/061

Pink snapper (Pagrus auratus) is the main commercial and recreational finfish (Kailola et al., 1993) in the Shark Bay region. Pink snapper are distributed along much of the temperate and tropical coasts of Western Australia from east of Esperance on the south coast to north of Shark Bay on the west (Paulin 1990). Previous research using genetics (Johnson et al. 1986), tagging (Moran et al. 2004), and otolith microchemistry (Edmonds et al., 1989, 1999) have shown that pink snapper from the innermost parts of Shark Bay do not mix with the ocean fish

Juvenile …

A Guide To Prairie And Wetland Restoration In Eastern Nebraska, Gerry Steinauer, Bill Whitney, Krista Adams, Mike Bullerman, Chris Helzer

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

This publication documents the restoration methods originally developed by Bill Whitney and later refined by himself and other ecologists from TNC, PRCT, NGPC and USFWS working in eastern Nebraska. Restoration of the following plant community types is covered in this document: tallgrass prairie, mixed-grass prairie, sand prairie, freshwater wet meadow and marsh, Rainwater Basin wet meadow and marsh, and saline wet meadow and marsh.

The methods we use are generally affordable and not complicated. To quickly summarize, we handpick and machine harvest seed, do little seed cleaning and broadcast plant with a fertilizer spreader. We do not mow annual weeds …

2003 Survey Of Priority Natural Communities In Jefferson County, Nebraska, Robert F. Steinauer

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: White Papers, Conference Presentations, and Manuscripts

This survey was undertaken to update information on native plant communities and wildlife habitats in Nebraska to facilitate the development of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s (NGPC) Comprehensive Wildlife Plan. The specific intent of the project was to identify and map all large blocks of privately owned native plant communities within the survey area. In 2003, the surveys focused on eastern Nebraska, specifically deciduous forest communities along the Missouri River, tallgrass prairies of southeastern Nebraska (Pawnee, Gage, Jefferson, and eastern Thayer counties), and loess mixed-grass prairies in central Nebraska. A brief survey of the Elkhorn River valley in Madison …

Report To The Minister For Agriculture, Forestry And Fisheries By The Integrated Fisheries Management Review Committee, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

The Integrated Fisheries Management Review Committee was established to develop a strategy to integrate the management and sustainable use of fish resources. The Committee’s report proposes an alternative management framework and a set of guiding principles for allocating fish stocks to ensure optimal benefits are realised for the WA community. The report does not, and was not intended to, address specific allocation issues in particular fisheries – this will be a function of the framework and processes put in place following this review.

Review Of Recreational Take Of Coral In Western Australia. A Discussion Paper., Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

This discussion paper has been prepared by the Department of Fisheries (Western Australia) to address the issue of recreational collection of coral in coastal waters of Western Australia. The paper describes: • popular coral locations in WA; • management issues associated with the recreational collection of corals; • management objectives and strategies as possible options to address the issue of recreational collection of corals; and • seeks public input on the proposed management objectives and strategies.

Fisheries Research Report No. 132 - A Review Of Food Availability, Sea Water Characteristics And Bivalve Growth Performance At Coastal Culture Sites In Temperate And Warm Temperate Regions Of The World, Sidney A. Saxby

Fisheries Research Reports

The suitability of a coastal area for bivalve farming, as well as the density at which bivalves can be farmed in that area, is limited by the available food supply and other environmental variables. In this review, a range of successful and marginal bivalve growing areas in temperate and warm temperate coastal areas around the world are characterised. These include areas of high food and nutrient levels, such as Saldanha Bay in South Africa, and the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, through to more oligotrophic areas, typified by parts of the South Australian coastline and the Mediterranean Sea. The latter areas …

Reseeding Of Grazing Gastropods And Bivalves Into The Marine Environment In Western Australia, Jane Borg

Fisheries Management Papers

The Department of Fisheries does not want to embark on what is ‘new territory’ in Western Australia without a policy framework to define what is to happen, why it is to happen, and what will happen if the project does or does not succeed. This paper therefore attempts to do three things. 1. It sets in place accepted definitions of reseeding and stock enhancement within the general context of fisheries management in Western Australia. 2. It discusses the policy issues associated with reseeding grazing gastropods and bivalves into the natural environment. 3. It proposes a framework or process to be …

Fisheries Research Report No. 138 - Historical Diving Profiles For Pearl Oyster Divers In Western Australia, H M A Lulofs, Neil R. Sumner

Fisheries Research Reports

The annual value of the pearl oyster fishery off the north coast of Western Australia is in the vicinity of 153 million dollars. Most pearl oyster fishing occurs in the Broome area. This area is managed on a quota system with a total allowable catch of 512,000 shells in 1996, during which 511,716 shells were taken. This required 12,775 hours of dive time at a catch rate of 40 shell per hour.

Drift diving practices in the Western Australian pearling industry over the last eighteen years are described and related to the number of medical incidents. The study provides a …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 2 - Scientific Workshop On The Margaret River Marron, Brett Molony

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Purpose of the Workshop

To gather together and review the scientific evidence around genetic and sustainability issues necessary for the management of Margaret River Marron (MRM)

The outcomes of the day will be to provide scientific advice, options and priorities to the relevant Programs within the Department of Fisheries to promote the sustainability of marron within MR.

* Introduction to, and comparison of, genetic techniques available to researchers. Presenter - Phil Vercoe

* What do we know about the genetic diversity of marron and other Cherax? Presenter - Chris Austin

* Morphology and Hybrids Presenter - Craig Lawrence

* The …

Fisheries Research Report No. 133 - Preliminary Assessment And Seasonal Fluctuations In The Fish Biota Inhabiting The Concentrator Ponds Of Dampier Salt, Port Hedland, With Options For The Potential Application Of Results, Brett Molony, Gareth Parry

Fisheries Research Reports

The concentrator ponds (CPs) of Dampier Salt, Port Hedland, cover an area in excess of 7 300 ha. Water is pumped from two adjacent, mangrove-lined estuaries at certain times of the year and small and larvae fishes are carried into the ponds, becoming trapped. A survey of the fish biota within the CPs was undertaken at four time periods between May 2000 and February 2001 to identify the species of fishes present and to estimate their abundances and distribution throughout the CPs. Further, the Artemia resources within the CPs were also assessed for identification of species and quality.

Forty two …

Fisheries Research Report No. 134, Vol 1 - Towards An Assessment Of The Natural And Human Use Impacts On The Marine Environment Of The Abrolhos Islands, F J. Webster, C J. Dibden, C F. Chubb

Fisheries Research Reports

The State Territorial Waters surrounding the Abrolhos Islands are gazetted as a Fish Habitat Protection Area and vested with the Minister for Fisheries under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994. Three Fisheries Management Papers have identified management priorities for the marine environment at the Abrolhos Islands:

• Management of the Houtman Abrolhos System
• Aquaculture Plan for the Houtman Abrolhos Islands
• Sustainable Tourism Plan for the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.

These plans and other national and international obligations to examine the effect of extractive and non-extractive anthropogenic activities on marine habitats (eg. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) led to …

Draft Bycatch Action Plan For The Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery (Full Report), Jo Bunting

Fisheries Management Papers

Two versions of the draft Bycatch Action Plan for the Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery have been released for public comment. The ‘Full Report’ (this document - Fisheries Management Paper No. 147) is a comprehensive version of the plan containing detailed rationale and justification for the objectives and actions proposed in the plan. The Full Report also provides detailed background information regarding issues such as the natural environment in Shark Bay, current management arrangements within the prawn fishery and existing information on bycatch. A shorter ‘Summary Report’ is also available for comment. The Summary Report (Fisheries Management Paper No. 148) …

Fisheries Management Report No. 6 - Proceedings Of Marron Farming Open Day 2002, Greg B. Maguire

Fisheries Published Reports

The marron industry is of considerable importance to the Department of Fisheries, being one of the older aquaculture industries in Western Australia, and one that accounts for around half the aquaculture licence holders in the State. While it has not grown as quickly as many hoped in the past, in 2000/01, some 52.2 tonnes of marron were produced, worth $1.18 million at the farm gate.

It is regionally significant, particularly in the south-west, and depending on appropriate site selection, has considerable potential in other areas. Farms are distributed from near Geraldton to around Bremer Bay, with additional interest around Esperance. …