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Fisheries Report No 35 - Fish And Exploited Crustaceans Of The Swan-Canning Estuary, R C.J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Reports

Fishes of the Swan-Canning estuarine system are typical of those found in other lower west coast estuarine systems of Western Australia. Species representing three families of elasmobranchs, several of which are commercially important, twenty families of teleosts, and two families of crustaceans (Table 1) commonly occur in this estuarine system. The many other species which occur less commonly in the Swan- Canning estuary are mostly members of the additional families listed in Table l.

The information contained in this document was made available for use by the authors of the following two publications : -

Forbes and Fitzkardinge (1977) Swan …

Fisheries Report No 36 - Utilization Of The Bunbury And Geographe Bay Marine Resource By Professional And Amateur Fishermen, Michael H. Walker

Fisheries Research Reports

Utilization of the Bunbury and Geographe Bay marine resource by professional and amateur fishermen was investigated by personal interview, distribution and analysis of research log sheets, and examination of commercial statistics for the area, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Total professional production for the years 1966/67 - 1974/75 for Geographe Bay varied between 225517 and 1218049 Kg (mean 497175) with a mean annual value to fishermen of $427708. Production for the Bunbury marine area varied between 157666 and 333810 Kg (mean 226526) with a mean value to fishermen of $311008. For the 1975/76 season the total production was …

The Amateur Marron Fishery In Western Australia, N. M. Morrissy

Fisheries Research Bulletins

The amateur fishery in south-western Australia for marron, Cherax tenuimanus, the third largest Australian and world freshwater crayfish, is described, including the history of management regulations and the legal methods of capture of marron (scoop nets, drop nets and snares) in rivers and dams. Catch and effort data were obtained from research log books over the period 1971 to 1976. From the inception of the Inland Fisherman's License, largely intended for marron, in 1970, the number of licenses rose steeply from 6,500 to 20,000 by 1975. The calculated total annual catch by the 1974-75 and 1975-76 seasons was about 470,000 …

Early History Of The Shark Bay Prawn Fishery, Western Australia, R. J. Slack-Smith

Fisheries Research Bulletins

The factors leading to the development of the prawn fishery in Shark Bay have been discussed, and a history and account of the fishery to 1969 has been presented. A description has been given of the management measures introduced to control the growth of the fishery, together with some of the underlying rationale behind these measures.

State Of The Fisheries Report 1976, Department Of Fisheries And Wildlife, Western Australia

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The total value of the fisheries of Western Australia is the highest of any of the States, and the Western Australian rock lobster fishery is the most valuable single fishery in Australia.

Fisheries Report No 28 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1974-1975, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster Panultrus eygnus is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and which are designed to limit the total effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery both to ensure that the effort is remaining within the accepted limits and that the regulations are adequately performing their function of maintaining reasonably stable …

Fisheries Report No 20 - Trawl Caught Fish And Crustaceans From Cockburn Sound, J. W. Penn

Fisheries Research Reports

Cockburn Sound is one of the few sheltered embayments near the Perth metropolitan area and as such has been subjected to increasing usage by both the general public and industry. Historically the Sound has been a major commercial fishing area from which much of the fresh fish for the metropolitan area has been caught. More recently, as well as providing a significant commercial catch, a major sport fishery has developed in the area.

The first commercial trawling operations in Cockburn Sound were undertaken in the early part of this century when horses were used to tow small nets on the …

Fisheries Report No 31 - Pecten Scallop Survey On Southern Geographe Bay, September 1976, D. I. Heald

Fisheries Research Reports

Reports of Pecten scallops in Geographe Bay in late 1975 were followed up by a preliminary stock survey in February 1976 using 1.22 m dredges and by a more extensive survey in September 1976 using 1.22 m and 2.25 m scallop dredges and a 0.5 m* Baird grab. Two very limited concentrations of scallops were located adjacent to rough ground. The best dredge catch rates were equivalent to 44 kg per hour per standard haul and the maximum grab catch was equivalent to a density of six scallops per square metre. The extremely rough terrain resulted in considerable damage to …

Fisheries Report No 27 - A Survey Of Recreational Usage Of South Coastal Estuaries Of Western Australia, N. Caputi, R C.J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Reports

Over recent years, factors such as the State's population increase, a generally higher standard of living which enables people to have more leisure time, and better roads, particularly from the Eastern States of Australia, have all contributed towards an increase in the general recreational usage of the Western Australian south coast estuaries.

To aid proper planning of facilities to cater for an increasing number of visitors in these south coast estuaries, management agencies must be able to quantify the recreational usage in this group of estuaries.

This survey, therefore, attempts to identify and quantify the different recreational pursuits of visitors …

Fisheries Report No 24 - The Status Of The Salt-Water Crocodile In Some River Systems Of The North-West Kimberley, Western Australia, H. Messel, A. A. Burbidge, A. G. Wells, W. J. Green

Fisheries Research Reports

Counts were made of Salt-water Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the estuarine portions of four river systems in the northwest Kimberley, Western Australia - the Lawley, Mitchell, Roe-Hunter and Prince Regent. During the ten day survey 463 crocodiles were spotted, including 109 hatchlings. The maximum number of non-hatchling crocodiles present tin the four systems is estimated at 697. Very few large crocodiles were seen.

Populations were particularly small in the Lawley and Mitchell Rivers and the potential for recovery in this area is also small. Prospects for recovery in the Roe-Hunter and Prince Regent were a little better but further surveys …

Fisheries Report No 29 - The Predation Of Pot - Caught Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus Longpipes Cygnus) By Octopus, L M. Joll

Fisheries Research Reports

The losses to the western rock lobster fishery through the predation of pot-caught rock lobsters by octopus were estimated from samples taken on commercial boats in the four seasons 1972/73 - 1975/76. In most seasons approximately 200 000 legal-sized rock lobsters were lost. In the 1975/76 season the estimated financial loss from octopus predation was $392 000. The estimated losses probably represent minimum values. Studies of the biology and behaviour of octopus were carried out to examine the methods of detection, location and entry into rock lobster pots by octopus. The use of octopus traps in rock lobster pots significantly …

Some Basics Of Marron Production, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

marron are native to the South-West of Western Australia, and are keenly sought by inland fisher-men. However, supplies do not equal the apparent demand.

One solution is to cultivate marron in farm dams, or more intensively as a commercial enterprise.

This article suggests a few guidelines for marron production.

Aspects Of The Ecology Of Fish And Commercial Crustaceans Of The Blackwood River Estuary, Western Australia, R.C. J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Bulletins

Beach seine nets, set or mesh nets, otter trawls and plankton nets were used to sample fish and commercial crustaceans every two months over the period March 1974 to March 1975, and again in July 1975 at a number of stations throughout the Blackwood River estuary, Western Australia.

State Of The Fisheries Report 1975, Department Of Fisheries And Wildlife, Western Australia

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The total value of the fisheries of Western Australia is the highest of any of the States, and the Western Australian rock lobster fishery is the most valuable single fishery in Australia.

Fisheries Report No 26 - Report On Lake Chandala With Recommendations Of Its Importance As A Fauna Reserve, Alan Tingay, Susan R. Tingay

Fisheries Research Reports

The hydrology, vegetation, fauna and land use of Lake Chandala (31°30 'S, 115°57'E) is described on the basis of field and literature surveys. The significance of the Lake as a Straw-necked Ibis (Thresktornts spinicollis) nesting rookery is emphasised and recommendations are made for its acquisition and future management.

Fisheries Report No 22 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1971 - 1972, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster* is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and which are designed to limit the total effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery both to ensure that the effort is remaining within the accepted limits and that the regulations are adequately performing their function of maintaining reasonably stable catches. Inherent …

Fisheries Report No 25 - The Western Australian Amateur Fishery For Australian Herring (Arripis Georgianus) - Results Of The 1973 Creel Census, R C.J. Lenanton, N. G. Hall

Fisheries Research Reports

Historically, the Western Australian production of Australian herring (Arrtpts georgtanus) has fluctuated from year to year in response to changing market demand. Prior to 1968, the annual catch taken by professional fishermen was relatively stable, ranging from 200 000 kg (approx. 500 000 pounds) to 450 000 kg (approx. 1 000 000 pounds). From 1968, commercial production has risen to a peak of 1 187 440 kg (2 617 857 pounds) recorded in 1972/73 (Table I). An increase in demand for herring as bait for the rock lobster fishery is considered to be the major factor involved in this observed …

State Of The Fisheries Report 1974, Department Of Fisheries And Wildlife, Western Australia

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The total value of the fisheries of Western Australia is the highest of any of the States, and the Western Australian rock lobster fishery is the most valuable single fishery in Australia.

Fisheries Report No 19 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1973 - 1974, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster* is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and which are designed to limit the total effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery both to ensure that the effort is remaining within the accepted limits and that the regulations are adequately performing their function of maintaining reasonably stable catches. Inherent …

Fisheries Report No 18 - Tuna Survey In Waters Off The Western Australian Coast During The Period August 1973 To August 1974, J. P. Robins

Fisheries Research Reports

In September 1972, Markwell Ross Fisheries Pty Ltd (a subsidiary fishing division of Q.U.F. Industries Ltd) approached the Western Australian Department of Fisheries and Fauna (now Department of Fisheries and Wildlife) for assistance in the development and carrying out of a purse seining programme using the 25m rock lob­ster vessel F.B. Western Star.

Negotiation and agreement was reached, with the objective to under­take and carry out an investigation into the feasibility of developing a purse seine fishery for tuna in Western Australian waters. The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Development Section) supplied, on loan, capital fishing equipment (purse seine net, …

Fisheries Report No 16 - Notes On The Wildlife Of A Proposed Nature Reserve Around Lake Grace And Lake Chinokup, Western Australia, N. L. Mckenzie, W. K. Youngson

Fisheries Research Reports

During 1972 and 1973 plants and vertebrate animals were collected and recorded from a proposed 22 000 ha nature reserve centred on a chain of salt lakes in south-western Western Australia (33° 10' S - 33° 35' 8 and 118° 19' B - 118° 29' E).

The dominant plant species were collected, the structural formations desert bed and a vegetation map produced. Seven species of native terrestrial mammal and three species of bat were recorded.

Three of the terrestrial species are endemic to southwestern Western Australia, and two of these - Pseudomys occidentalis and Sminthopsis granulipes - are regarded as …

Fisheries Report No 17 - Some Aspects Of Tuna And Its Potential In The Oceanic Waters Off Western Australia, J. P. Robins

Fisheries Research Reports

In this report an endeavour has been made to describe very briefly the growth of the tuna fishery in Australia, world production, utilisation, price and future demand, tuna species descriptions, species occurrence around the Australian coast and the results of two aerial surveys for tuna off. the west and north-west coasts of Western Australia.

Fisheries Report No 14 - Wilson Inlet - A Seasonally Closed Western Australian South Coast Estuary, R C.J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Reports

Considerable conflict has existed for many years between professional fishing, recreational usage and development in the west and south coast estuaries of Western Australia. One of the areas where intense conflict exists is Wilson Inlet.

The Government's task of advising the various interests concerned in these conflicts has been difficult, due to the lack of knowledge of estuarine fauna and environment in relation to usage and development.

The objective of this report is to present a preliminary description of the Wilson Inlet environment, to record the history of netting closures in the Inlet, and to discuss the history of the …

The Ecology Of Marron Cherax Tenuimanus (Smith) Introduced Into Some Farm Dams Near Boscabel In The Great Southern Area Of The Wheatbelt Region Of Western Australia, Noel M. Morrissy Dr

Fisheries Research Bulletins

A large scale survey was conducted in 1968 and 1969 over the inland area of the southwest of Western Australia to establish the degree of success of introductions of marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith), in small, private, turbid farm dams. The results of this investigation stimulated further research, described in this paper, on marron in this type of water

Fisheries Report No 15 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1972 - 1973, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster* is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and which are designed to limit the total effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery both to ensure that the effort is remaining within the accepted limits and that the regulations are adequately performing their function of maintaining reasonably stable catches. Inherent …

Fish And Crustacea Of The Western Australian South Coast Rivers And Estuaries, R.C. J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Bulletins

A one year survey was undertaken to provide a preliminary check list of the fish fauna of the Western Australian south coast rivers and estuarine systems. Crustaceans collected during the survey were also included in the check list.

Fisheries Report No 13 - Results Of A Biological Survey Of The Shire Of Kent, Western Australia, N. L. Mckenzie

Fisheries Research Reports

The Department of Fisheries and Fauna is responsible for the conservation of the native fauna in Western Australia. The main approach to this problem has been the creation of reserves for "The Conservation of Flora and Fauna". These reserves, known as "Wildlife Sanctuaries", are controlled by the Western Australian Wild Life Authority - a Statutory Authority serviced by the Department.

The object of the acquisition programme is to develop a reserve system which will include, as far as possible, a full and permanent cross-section of the State's native floral and faunal assemblages and, at the same time, provide for the …

Fisheries Report No 12 - Results Of A Biological Survey Of A Proposed Wildlife Sanctuary At Dragon Rocks Near Hyden, Western Australia, N. L. Mckenzie, A. A. Burbidge, N. G. Marchant

Fisheries Research Reports

In 1972, three visits were made to an area of vacant crown lam 30 kilometres south-south~east of Hyden, Western Australia.

A preliminary survey was made in April 1972 and following this recommendations were made on the equipment and staff required for a detailed survey of the vegetation and animals.

From the 30th July to the 4th August 1972, a team from the Fauna Research Branch of the Department of Fisheries and Fauna began a detailed fauna survey.

Between the 20th August and the 25th August 1972, the fauna survey was continued am a botanist from the Western Australian Herbarium undertook …

State Of The Fisheries Report 1970/1971, Department Of Fisheries And Fauna, Western Australia

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The total value of the fisheries of Western Australia is the highest of any of the States, and the Western Australian rock lobster fishery is the most valuable single fishery in Australia.

Fisheries Report No. 10 - An Investigation Into The Status Of Introduced Trout (Salmo Spp.) In Western Australia, Dr N. M. Morrissy

Fisheries Research Reports

Both brown (Salmo trutta L.) and rainbow (S. gairdnerii trout Richardson) have been introduced into inland waters of the south-west of Western Australia to provide an amateur sport fishery on a gamefish. The large indigenous marron (Cherax tenuimanus Smith) is present in most of these waters. The only large native fish present is the cobbler (Tand- anus bostocki Whitley) which, while highly edible like the marron, has no game-fish qualities.

Hatchery production of trout for stocking waters has been centred at Pemberton in the lower south-west since 1931 when Mr. Cyril Glew, acting in a private capacity, succeeded in hatching …