Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons^™

Fisheries Research Report No. 182 - A Likelihood Analysis Of Non-Indigenous Marine Species Introduction To Fifteen Ports In Western Australia, Justin I. Mcdonald

Fisheries Research Reports

As an island continent, Australia is heavily dependent upon maritime transport with over 95% of its imports and exports transported by ship (Australian State of the Environment Committee, 2001). With about one third of Australia’s coastline, Western Australia ranks fourth of the six states and territory in the number of known non-indigenous marine species.

In this study fifteen ports in Western Australia were assessed on the potential for non-indigenous marine species to become introduced through ballast water and biofouling. The overall vesselmediated incursion risk to Western Australian ports was calculated by summing the relative incursion threat posed by visits to …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No.72 - Western Rock Lobster Ecological Effects Of Fishing Research Plan., Rhys Brown

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The commercial West Coast Rock Lobster Fishery (WCRLF) targets the western rock lobster (WRL), Panulirus cygnus, averaging approximately 10,000 tonnes of lobsters each year. Currently approximately 450 to 500 boats operate in the Fishery in waters ranging from 5 m to 200 m depth adjacent to the Western Australian coast and stretching from Cape Leeuwin in the south to Shark Bay in the north. The Fishery is managed by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) in Western Australia, using an input control system designed to constrain exploitation/fishing effort and deliver sustainable catches. The annual value of the catch is estimated at …

Finfish Aquaculture In Western Australia. Final Esd Risk Assessment Report For Sea-Cage And Land-Based Aquaculture., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The Western Australian Department of Fisheries is responsible for the management of aquaculture in WA and is committed to implementing ESD. These principles are contained within the objectives of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 and the Department is keen to demonstrate both to the Government and the broader community that these principles are being achieved. The Department developed a policy statement in 2002 - “Policy for the Implementation of Ecologically Sustainable Development for Fisheries and Aquaculture within Western Australia” (Fletcher 2002) – that described its direction on incorporating ESD within fisheries and aquaculture management.

Using the ESD Framework for …

Fisheries Research Report No. 181 - Developing Long-Term Indicators For The Sub-Tidal Embayment Communities Of Cockburn Sound, Danielle Johnston, C. Wakefield, A Sampey, J Fromont, D C. Harris

Fisheries Research Reports

Swan Catchment Council Project – 01-0506 T 2006 – 2008 program

The geomorphology of Cockburn Sound is unique to the lower west coast of Australia due to the relative paucity of sheltered nearshore marine embayments along this coastline. Numerous studies on many of the commercially and/or recreationally important species that inhabit Cockburn Sound have demonstrated that for many of them this marine embayment constitutes an integral part of their life history. Since the commencement of industrial and urban development in the mid 1950s, in the waters and along the shores of Cockburn Sound, the marine fauna utilising this area have …

Fisheries Research Report No. 178 - Aquaculture Feed Grains Program, Brett Glencross

Fisheries Research Reports

Incorporating:

GRDC Project UWA00062: Development of value-added plant protein products for the aquaculture feeds sector

and

FRDC Project 2004-236: Aquaculture Nutrition Subprogram - Evaluation of Value-added Grain Protein Products for Atlantic Salmon and Black Tiger Prawns

Objectives

1. Development of value-added lupin protein product(s) for use in the animal feeds sector.

2. Evaluation of the nutritional value of a range of value-added lupin protein products when fed to fish.

3. Commercial transfer of intellectual property for development of new-product(s).

4. To determine the nutritional value of selected grain products developed as part of the linked CLIMA-GRDC project, when included in …

Fisheries Research Report No. 171 - Evaluation Of Exclusion Grids To Reduce The Bycatch Of Dolphins, Turtles, Sharks And Rays In The Pilbara Trawl Fishery, Peter Stephenson, S. Wells, J. A. King

Fisheries Research Reports

DBIF funded Project.

Considerable research on the documention of the bycatch of cetaceans, seals, turtles, and sea lions during trawl fishing operations has been undertaken worldwide. These include the Argentinean squid and hake trawl fisheries (Crespo et al., 1997; Fertl & Leatherwood, 1997), the Dutch pelagic trawl fishery (Couperus, 1997), the NE Atlantic pelagic trawl fishery (Tregenza & Collet, 1998) and the New Zealand squid fishery (Fishing News International, 2005).

In the Pilbara Fish Trawl Fishery, operating off the coast of Western Australia protected species including dolphins, turtles, sawfish, sea snakes as well as numerous sharks and ray species have …

Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, Stephen J. Newman, K.A. Smith, Craig L. Skepper, Peter Stephenson

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) series

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) is the concept that seeks to integrate short and longterm economic, social and environmental effects in all decision-making. The Western Australian Government is committed to the concepts of ESD and these principles are implicitly contained in the objectives of the Fisheries Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA).

Fisheries Research Report No. 175 - An Assessment Of The Finfish Catch By Recreational Fishers, Tour Operators, Commercial Lobster Fishers And Commercial Wetline Fishers From The Houtman Abrolhos Islands During 2006, Neil R. Sumner

Fisheries Research Reports

The catch of finfish from the Houtman Abrolhos Islands was estimated for recreational boats, tour operators, commercial rock lobster fishers and occupants of their camps on the islands. Separate methods were used for each of the different sectors due to the variation in fishing activities. Recreational boats and commercial rock lobster fishers were surveyed to determine catches, whereas the catches by tour operator and commercial wet-line fishers were determined from their compulsory catch and effort returns submitted to the Department of Fisheries.

The reported commercial wetline catch for pink snapper, sweetlip emperor and Western Australian dhufish greatly exceeded the combined …

Fisheries Research Report No. 176 - Regrowth Of Pilchard (Sardinops Sagax) Stocks Off Southern Wa Following The Mass Mortality Event Of 1998/99, Daniel J. Gaughan, M Craine, Peter Stephenson, Timothy I. Leary, Paul Lewis

Fisheries Research Reports

Final FRDC Report – Project 2000/135

This project produced time series of estimates of spawning biomass for pilchards in four purse seine management zones in Western Australia, three on the south coast and one on the west coast. The pilchard stocks in Western Australia have recovered strongly since the 1998/99 mass mortality.

This project has shown that the fishery independent and fishery dependent methods applied to Western Australia’s pilchard fisheries cannot provide precise estimates of the size of the pilchard spawning biomass in each management region. Although the trends indicated by the age-structured simulation model are reliable and provide good …

A Strategy For Managing The Recreational Catch Of Demersal Scalefish In The West Coast Bioregion. Decisions By The Minister For Fisheries, Jon Ford (Minister For Fisheries; The Kimberley, Pilbara And Gascoyne)

Fisheries Management Papers

The following recreational fisheries management package is a result of an extensive public consultation process. The package has been carefully developed to deliver the required reduction in catches. It is important to understand that each management measure contributes to the reduction in catches necessary to give these stocks a chance to rebuild and that no measure on its own will deliver the required reduction in catch.

To ensure the ongoing recovery of stocks, an adaptive approach to management has been adopted. This approach will involve an ongoing review of the effectiveness of these management arrangements, and take into account the …

Fisheries Research Report No. 177 - A 12-Month Survey Of Recreational Boat-Based Fishing Between Augusta And Kalbarri On The West Coast Of Western Australia During 2005-06, N. R. Sumner, P C. Williamson, Stuart J. Blight, Daniel J. Gaughan

Fisheries Research Reports

A 12-month survey of boat-based recreational fishing in the West Coast Bioregion (Augusta to Kalbarri) of Western Australia was conducted at boat ramps between 1st July 2005 and 30th June 2006. During the survey a total of 15,999 boat crews were interviewed, of which 13,185 (82%) had been undertaking some form of fishing activity and, of these, 10,382 (or 79%) of fishing boat crews had been ocean line fishing. The total annual recreational boat based fishing effort for the West Coast Bioregion was estimated to be 1,557,000 fisher hours (95%CI: 1,495,000 – 1,620,000), which is a 15.5% increase in nominal …

Fisheries Research Report No. 170 - Biomass And Commercial Catch Estimates For Abalone Stocks In Areas Proposed As Sanctuary Zones For The Capes Marine Park, A. Hesp, Neil R. Loneragan, Norman G. Hall, H T. Kobryn, A.M. Hart, Frank Fabris, Jeremy Prince

Fisheries Research Reports

This study was undertaken to estimate the biomasses, biologically sustainable catches and current average annual commercial catches of three fished species of abalone, Haliotis roei (Roei), Haliotis laevigata (Greenlip) and Haliotis conicopora (Brownlip) in the proposed sanctuaries of the Capes Marine Park, south-western Australia. The current annual, catch estimates represent the catches that would be foregone by commercial fishers if the sanctuaries are implemented and will be used to evaluate the potential compensation to fishers (not part of this study). The biomass and catch estimates for each species in the proposed sanctuaries were estimated from a combination of scientific survey …

A Strategy For Managing The Recreational Catch Of Demersal Scalefish In The West Coast Bioregion., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The recreational management proposals that follow have been developed to deliver the required reduction in catches, while still allowing an enjoyable fishing experience for the majority of West Australians. If only a single management tool was used (e.g. a boat limit or closed season) the impact on recreational fishing would be huge. Therefore, the proposed management package has been carefully developed so that each management measure adds to the reduction required, while minimising the social and economic impacts as much as possible.

Fisheries Research Report No. 173 - Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Reducing Dolphin Catches With Pingers And Exclusion Grids In The Pilbara Trawl Fishery, Peter Stephenson, S. Wells

Fisheries Research Reports

Final FRDC Report – Project 2004/068

“Savewave” acoustic pingers were trialed on one vessel to determine if they would deter dolphins entering the trawl net. During daylight hours, the pingers were deployed on alternate shots in the configuration recommended by the manufacturer. On the other alternate shots, no pingers were deployed. A video camera in an underwater housing was attached to the headrope facing downstream for 18 trawl shots. On the 14 shots where usable video footage was obtained (11 with pingers deployed and 7 with pingers not deployed) the number of dolphins viewed in the camera frame was counted …

Fisheries Research Report No.172 - Identifying Obstacles To Profitably Growing Out Western Rock Lobsters, Roy Melville-Smith, Danielle Johnston, B. Johnston, N. J. Thomson

Fisheries Research Reports

A Report Prepared for the Aquaculture Development Council.

The cost of growing out western rock lobsters from pueruli to marketable-sized lobsters has been modeled from available information. The model uses different scenarios of survival rates, marketing weights, market prices, feed costs, puerulus prices, labour costs, puerulus compensation costs, discount rates and capital costs. The sensitivity of estimated profitability to various input costs and rock lobster prices was assessed by estimating the impact of changes on the estimates of net present value (NPV) internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit:cost ratio. Importantly, the aim of the study was to identify key …

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report To Parliament 2007/08, Government Of Western Australia Department Of Fisheries

Department of Fisheries Annual Reports

In accordance with Section 61 of the Financial Management Act 2006 (FMA) and Section 263 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA), | submit for your information the Annual Report to Parliament of the Department of Fisheries of Western Australia for the financial year ending 30 June 2008.

If there is a key word to describe the bulk of the Department of Fisheries' achievements during 2007/08, 'collaborative' fits very well.

Collaboration is, of course, essential in the work of a government agency that deals with a variety of clients, and must be accountable to the Parliament and public of …

State Of The Fisheries Report 2007/08, Warrick J. Fletcher, K. Santoro

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The State of the Fisheries Report is published annually to provide a detailed level of reporting on the management of fish stocks and their environment undertaken by the Department of Fisheries. A summary report from this document is included in the Department’s Annual Report to Parliament, which includes the Department’s nonfinancial (fishery) performance indicators. The Annual Report is no longer printed but is available through the Department’s website (www.fish.wa.gov.au).

Climate Change, Vulnerability And Adaptation For South-West Western Australia: Phase One Of Action 5.5, Western Australian Greenhouse Strategy, Luke Morgan, Jo Anne Molin, Ross George, Richard Mckellar, Janet Conte

Bulletins 4000 -

This report outlines preliminary findings about the impacts of climate changes that occurred during 1975 to 2005 on the South West’s people, its economy and natural ecosystems. The report focuses on vulnerability and adaptation, identifying useful pointers for future work, particularly in relation to how well the community, stakeholders and decision-makers understand climate change as an issue and a threat.

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 …

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” …

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 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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

State Of The Fisheries Report 2006/2007, W J. Fletcher, Karen Santoro

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The State of the Fisheries Report is published annually to provide a detailed level of reporting on the management of fish stocks and their environment undertaken by the Department of Fisheries. A summary report from this document is included in the Department's Annual Report to Parliament, which includes the Department's nonfinancial (fishery) performance indicators. The Annual Report is no longer printed but is available through the Department's website. The State ofthe Fisheries Report summarises the outcomes of many departmental activities including management changes, compliance work and research to assess stock levels, monitor breeding stocks and undertake environmental assessments. This document …

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.

Fisheries Research Report No.161 - Distribution And Abundance Of Juvenile Pink Snapper, Pagrus Auratus, In The Gulfs Of Shark Bay, Western Australia, From Trap Surveys, Gary Jackson, C. Burton, Michael J. Moran, Ben Radford

Fisheries Research Reports

Trap surveys using Antillean-Z fish traps were carried out across a range of depths and habitat types in the gulfs of Shark Bay between 1998 and 2000. Objectives of the study were (i) to evaluate the efficiency of the fish traps in catching 0+ and 1+ pink snapper (Pagrus auratus), (ii) to investigate the distribution and abundance of juvenile pink snapper in both gulfs using trap surveys, (iii) to investigate the influence of environmental factors including habitat-type on the distribution of juvenile pink snapper and, (iv) to develop trap indices of 0+ relative abundance and assess their use for monitoring …