Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons^™

Fisheries Research Report No. 147 - Quantification Of Changes In Recreational Catch And Effort On Blue Swimmer Crabs In Cockburn Sound And Geographe Bay, Neil R. Sumner, B E. Malseed

Fisheries Research Reports

Information on the size of the recreational catch was required to address resource allocation issues between recreational and commercial crabbers in Cockburn Sound and Geographe Bay. Management measures designed to allocate more of the catch to the recreational sector were put in place prior to this study at both locations. Estimates of the recreational catch were required to evaluate the effectiveness of these new management measures by comparing the catch shares with a survey conducted in 1996/97.

A 12-month creel survey of recreational boat-based and shore-based crabbing in Cockburn Sound was conducted between September 2001 and August 2002 and in …

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 …

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 6 - Assessment Of The Nutritional Variability Of Lupins As An Aquaculture Feed Ingredient, Brett Glencross, John Curnow, Wayne Hawkins

Fisheries Research Reports

The nutritional value of the kernel meals of three species of lupin (Lupinus albus, L. angustifolius and L. luteus) was compared against each other and a reference ingredient of solvent extracted soybean meal, when fed to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Each lupin kernel meal was included in test diets at 300 g/kg and also at a greater level, representing 50% of the total protein content in the diet. The digestibility of protein of all lupin kernel meals was better than for the soybean meal. The highest protein digestibility was that from L. luteus kernel meal at 30% inclusion (100%), which …

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 …

Fisheries Research Report No. 144 - Frdc Project 1998/302 - Rock Lobster Enhancement And Aquaculture Subprogram: Towards Establishing Techniques For Large Scale Harvesting Of Pueruli And Obtaining A Better Understanding Of Mortality Rates, Bruce F. Phillips, Roy Melville-Smith, Mark Rossbach, Yuk W. Cheng, Nick Caputi, Adrian Thomson

Fisheries Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Fisheries Research Report No. 142 - Identifying The Development Stages Of Preserved Eggs Of Snapper, Pagrus Auratus, From Shark Bay, Western Australia, J. Norriss, Gary Jackson

Fisheries Research Reports

The characteristics used to identify 19 developmental stages of preserved eggs of snapper, Pagrus auratus, collected from Shark Bay, Western Australia, during annual plankton surveys, are described and illustrated. A key is provided to enable the age of each egg stage to be estimated based on sea surface temperature and salinity observed during sampling. This report is intended as a reference for inexperienced staff, to ensure that between-year comparisons of snapper spawning biomass, estimated using the daily egg production method, are based on consistent egg staging and ageing methods.

Fisheries Research Report No. 143 - Methods Used In The Collection, Preparation And Interpretation Of Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus Commerson) Otoliths For A Study Of Age And Growth In Western Australia, Paul Lewis, M. C. Mackie

Fisheries Research Reports

The narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) is wide ranging throughout the Indo-West Pacific region where it has been the subject of various age and growth studies. Methods used in these studies have varied considerably and in some cases may have led to misleading conclusions. The purpose of this report, therefore, is to document in detail the methods used in determining the age and growth during a FRDC funded stock assessment of the species in the waters off Western Australia. These methods are considered to optimise the collection, processing, accuracy of microincrement counts, and interpretation of the annuli in both whole …

Identifying The Developmental Stages Of Preserved Eggs Of Snapper, Pagrus Auratus, From Shark Bay, Western Australia, Jeffrey V. Norriss, Gary Jackson

Fisheries Research Reports

The characteristics used to identify 19 developmental stages of preserved eggs of snapper, Pagrus auratus, collected from Shark Bay, Western Australia, during annual plankton surveys, are described and illustrated. A key is provided to enable the age of each egg stage to be estimated based on sea surface temperature and salinity observed during sampling. This report is intended as a reference for inexperienced staff, to ensure that between-year comparisons of snapper spawning biomass, estimated using the daily egg production method, are based on consistent egg staging and ageing methods.

Fisheries Research Report No. 141 - A Guide To Good Otolith Cutting, Jerry Jenke

Fisheries Research Reports

This is a guide for embedding and sectioning fish otoliths. It is based on many years of otolith sectioning experience and is written as a recipe book for novice and expert alike. Included is a method for the enhancement of the clarity of small otoliths for improved sectioning, development of custom made tools, as well as a list of do’s and don’ts and hints to make the job easier. Use of this guide will assist in the most reliable interpretation of an otolith's internal structure, thereby improving ageing studies in general.

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 …

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 …

Biological Synopsis Of The Black Bream, Acanthopagrus Butcheri (Munro) (Teleostei: Sparidae) In Western Australia With Reference To Information From Other Southern States, Jeffrey V. Norriss, J E. Tregonning, Rod C J Lenanton, Gavin A. Sarre

Fisheries Research Reports

This synopsis presents a review of the literature and research to April 2001on the biology of black bream, Acanthopagrus butcheri (Sparidae), particularly in relation to Western Australian populations. A. butcheri is a commercially and recreationally important species, and is endemic to the coastal lakes, estuaries, river systems and sheltered coastal waters of southern Australia, including Tasmania. Separate stocks reside within each river/estuarine system in southwestern Australia, and there is considerable variation in feeding, growth rates and age at maturity among stocks. For rivers/estuaries that are seasonally flushed in winter, downstream movement with the flush is followed by the annual upstream …

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 …

Fisheries Research Report No. 139 - A 12-Month Survey Of Recreational Fishing In The Gascoyne Bioregion Of Western Australia During 1998-99, Neil R. Sumner, P C. Williamson, B E. Malseed

Fisheries Research Reports

A 12-month creel survey of recreational boat-based and shore-based fishing in the Gascoyne bioregion of Western Australia was conducted between April 1998 and March 1999. During the survey 1,738 boat crews were interviewed at public boat ramps when they returned from their fishing trip. During patrols conducted along the coastline 695 groups of boat-based fishers and 1,060 groups of shore-based fishers were interviewed at fishing locations and camp sites.

The total annual recreational fishing effort for the Gascoyne bioregion was 243,000 fisher days (95%CI: 222,000 – 264,000). This comprised 113,000 fisher days by boats launched from public ramps, 53,000 fisher …

Fisheries Research Report No. 134, Volume 2 - Towards An Assessment Of The Natural And Human Use Impacts On The Marine Environment Of The Abrolhos Islands, C F. Chubb, F J. Webster, C J. Dibden

Fisheries Research Reports

These proceedings form the second of two public documents resulting from the project “Towards an assessment of the natural and human use impacts on the marine environment” funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (project no. 2000/166). Volume 1, a summary of existing information and assessment of current levels of human use, was presented at a Public Forum in Geraldton on July 11, 2001.

A two-day workshop was held immediately after the forum and was attended by invited representatives from professional fishing and recreational groups together with research and management experts. The issues identified in Volume 1, and those …

Fisheries Research Report No. 135 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1995/96 To 1996/97, 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 …

Fisheries Research Report No.131 - Pilchard (Sardinops Sagax) Nursery Areas And Recruitment Process Assessment Between Different Regions In Southern Western Australia, Daniel J. Gaughan, Graeme Baudains, Ronald W. Mitchell, Timothy I. Leary

Fisheries Research Reports

Pilchards have been the primary target of purse seine fisheries along the south and lower west coasts of WA for nearly 15 years. Western Australia’s pilchard population consists of separate west coast and south coast breeding stocks. The adult pilchards in the south coast stock can, in turn, be further divided into three separate assemblages. These adult assemblages correspond to the purse seine fisheries at Albany, Bremer Bay and Esperance. However, while the separateness of the adult assemblages is well established, the status of the juveniles within the context of these adult groups is not understood. For example, the habitats …

Fisheries Research Report No. 137 - Annual Report On The Monitoring Of The Recreational Marron Fishery In 2000, With An Analysis Of Long-Term Data And Changes Within This Fishery, Brett Molony, Chris Bird

Fisheries Research Reports

This report presents the data from the 2000 season and compares the results with previous records. Although the 2000 marron season was relatively successful compared to the 1999 season it was still modest in terms of the historical records. Further, the recreational marron fishery continues to be declining in terms of catch rate, CPUE and other indicators derived from four data sources. The discussion highlights the variable nature of marron populations and the possible causes of the very different population structures of marron within the fishery. Further, possible reasons for the long-term decline of the marron fishery are discussed. It …

Fisheries Research Report No. 136 - Assessment Of Gonad Staging Systems And Other Methods Used In The Study Of The Reproductive Biology Of Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel, Scomberomorus Commerson, In Western Australia, Michael C. Mackie, Paul Lewis

Fisheries Research Reports

Recent research by the Department of Fisheries in Western Australia into the reproductive biology of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel has required the use of various field and laboratory techniques. This report documents the procedures and adaptations of some of these techniques. Assessment and development of illustrated, relevant macroscopic and microscopic staging systems were of particular focus because both have been essential components of the research. The simplified and more reliable macroscopic staging system we developed allowed full use of all gonad samples and a more complete (albeit less distinct) overview of the seasonal pattern of gonad reproductive development. This macroscopic staging …

Fisheries Research Report No. 130 - Environmental Requirements And Tolerances Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) And Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta) With Special Reference To Western Australia: A Review, Brett W. Molony

Fisheries Research Reports

Both Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) and Salmo trutta (brown trout) have a long history of translocation and culture and a wide knowledge base exists. O.mykiss is being considered as a candidate for inland aquaculture in the salinity affected areas of southern Western Australia and this review aims, in part, at providing relevant information to those considering a trout-framing venture in Western Australia. Both species of trout can survive a wide range of environmental conditions, including temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and ammonia, with O.mykiss having a higher temperature tolerance than S.trutta. However, within the ranges of environmental conditions, each species …

Fisheries Research Report No. 127 - A 12-Month Survey Of Recreational Fishing In The Peel-Harvey Estuary Of Western Australia During 1998-99, B E. Malseed, Neil R. Sumner

Fisheries Research Reports

A survey of recreational boat-based and shore-based fishing in the Peel-Harvey Estuary was conducted between August 1998 and July 1999. During the survey 1,996 interviews were conducted at boat ramps. Of these, 1,136 boats had been crabbing and 136 angling in the estuary (43 were both crabbing and angling). In addition to the interviews at boat ramps, 909 shore-based fishing parties were interviewed.

The survey estimated the total annual boat-based recreational fishing effort as 126,000 fisher days, with 88% of this effort targeting blue swimmer crabs. The total annual shore-based recreational fishing effort was estimated to be 191,000 fisher days, …

Fisheries Research Report No. 129 - Morphology And Incidence Of Yabby (Cherax Albidus) Burrows In Western Australia, Craig S. Lawrence

Fisheries Research Reports

Yabby (Cherax albidus) burrows were recorded from dams, channels and ponds in Western Australia. Twenty five sites were sampled during Spring, 1998 and the burrow morphology and density was described from six of these locations where burrows were present. To improve the sample size and address seasonal trends 49 commercially harvested yabby dams were sampled over the summer of 1999/2000 and the number and density of yabby burrows were recorded. Burrow incidence and morphology was also recorded from 25 research ponds at the Avondale Research Station between 1995-1997. Soil and water chemistry values are presented and their relationships with burrow …

Fisheries Research Report No. 126 - A 12-Month Survey Of Recreational Fishing In The Swan-Canning Estuary Basin Of Western Australia During 1998-99, B E. Malseed, Neil R. Sumner

Fisheries Research Reports

A survey of recreational boat-based and shore-based fishing in the Swan-Canning Estuary Basin was conducted between August 1998 and July 1999. During the survey 1,302 interviews were conducted at boat ramps. The majority of these (62%) were not involved in fishing or crabbing activities, with a further 18 per cent fishing in the adjacent ocean. Of the remainder, 139 boats had been crabbing and 154 angling (29 were both crabbing and angling) within the Swan-Canning Estuary Basin. In addition to the interviews at boat ramps, 378 shore-based fishing parties were interviewed.

The survey estimated the total annual boat-based recreational fishing …

Fisheries Research Report No.128 - Aquaculture And Related Biological Attributes Of Abalone Species In Australia - A Review., Kylie A. Freeman

Fisheries Research Reports

China and Taiwan are the major producers of cultured abalone; with annual production estimated at 3,500 and 3,000 tonnes respectively. The world production of cultured abalone sold in 1999 was 7,775 tonnes. Australian farm production was still relatively low (89 tonne in 1999) but numerous abalone farms have been proposed and many have been constructed. On a national scale, Tasmania and South Australia are the major states involved in temperate abalone culture; however, new projects have commenced in Victoria and considerable interest exists in New South Wales. Pilot scale trials with tropical abalone aquaculture using the Donkey-ear abalone (Haliotis asinina) …

Fisheries Research Report No. 125 - A History Of Foreign Fishing Activities And Fishery-Independent Surveys Of The Demersal Finfish Resources In The Kimberley Region Of Western Australia, G Nowara, Stephen J. Newman

Fisheries Research Reports

The aim of this project was to collate all historical information regarding fishing activities relevant to the Northern Demersal Scalefish Fishery. Three primary sources of information were identified; foreign Taiwanese pair-trawl fishing activities; traditional Indonesian fishing activities; and fishery-independent (CSIRO) survey data.

The Taiwanese pair-trawl fishing catch and effort from 1980 to 1990 was concentrated into two main regions, the Broome area (120°-122°E) and the Holothuria Banks area (124°-126°E) in the north. The majority of trawls were undertaken in the mid-continental shelf region (60-100 m). The total catch of these vessels reached a peak of 4,394 tonnes in 1985. Effort …

Fisheries Research Report No. 123 - Review Of Productivity Levels Of Western Australian Coastal And Estuarine Waters For Mariculture Planning Purposes, Alan Pearce, Stuart Helleren, Mark Marinelli, Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Research Reports

The measurement of chlorophyll-a (a simple estimate of phytoplankton biomass) is often used as an indicator of water quality. Chlorophyll measurements are relatively sparse for most of the Western Australian continental shelf, although there are areas such as the Perth metropolitan coastal zone, Wilson Inlet and the Albany harbours where some intensive studies have been undertaken.

This review of both published and unpublished chlorophyll concentrations in Western Australian waters has shown a high degree of variability in space (both horizontally and vertically) and time, and statistics on the seasonal distribution of chlorophyll have been derived for those regions with sufficient …

Fisheries Research Report No. 124 - The Evaluation Of A Recreational Fishing Stock Enhancement Trial Of Black Bream (Acanthopagrus Butcheri) In The Swan River, Western Australia, C J. Dibden, G. Jenkins, Gavin A. Sarre, R C J Lenanton, Suzanne G. Ayvazian

Fisheries Research Reports

During 1995, a study was undertaken to monitor and evaluate the recovery of Swan River black bream stock which had been supplemented with fish produced from a captive-breeding program. Fish were individually tagged and subsequently released into the Swan River. The objectives of the study were (a) to determine both the survival and the growth rate to a size at which hatchery-reared fish could enter the recreational fishery and (b) whether they could then be caught by the recreational fishers. Of the 767 fish released into the upper Swan River on 28 March 1995, 97 fish (12.6%) were recaptured to …

Fisheries Research Report No. 122 - Western Rock Lobster Mail Surveys Of Licensed Recreational Fishers 1986/87 To 1998/99, Roy Melville-Smith, Sonia M. Anderton

Fisheries Research Reports

Information on the catch, effort and fishing characteristics of recreational rock lobster fishers has been collected in Western Australia (WA) since 1986, by an annual mail survey of a randomly selected sample of rock lobster licence holders. Over the period 1986-1999, the number of licensed recreational rock lobster fishers in WA has approximately doubled, from 15,249 (1987/88) to 32,768 (1998/99), and the estimated catch has nearly tripled, from 219 tonnes (1987/88) to 626 tonnes (1998/99). These estimates have not attempted to take into account illegal catches.

Of those who do fish, approximately 65% of recreational rock lobster licence holders exclusively …

Fisheries Research Report No. 119 - Final Report, Frdc Project 95/037: The Biology And Stock Assessment Of The Tropical Sardine, Sardinella Lemuru, Off The Mid-West Coast Of Western Australia, Daniel J. Gaughan, Ronald W. Mitchell

Fisheries Research Reports

Exploratory fishing for the tropical sardine, Sardinella lemuru, offshore of Geraldton on the midwest coast of Western Australia in the early 1990s, led to the establishment of a developmental purse seine fishery in this region. This fishery showed potential for substantial expansion, but as there was no information on S. lemuru in WA there was a need to undertake research during the developmental period. The biology and fishery for S. lemuru in WA were therefore investigated over a three year period between July 1995 and June 1998 with the aim of providing stock assessment advice.

The biology of S. lemuru …