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Evaluation Of Passive Acoustic Telemetry Approaches For Monitoring And Mitigating Shark Hazards Off The Coast Of Western Australia, R. Mcauley, Barry Bruce, Ian S. Keay, S Mountford, Tania Pinnell

Fisheries Research Reports

No abstract provided.

White Shark Research Report Q And A - Based On Fisheries Research Report 273: Evaluation Of Passive Acoustic Telemetry Approaches For Monitoring And Mitigating Shark Hazards Off The Coast Of Western Australia, Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Fisheries Research Reports

This document is a Question and Answer summary based on Fisheries Research Report 273: Evaluation of passive acoustic telemetry approaches for monitoring and mitigating shark hazards off the coast of Western Australia.

Shark attacks are rare but traumatic events that involve complex and dynamic interactions between sharks’ ecology and human demographics and behaviours. To better understand the biological and ecological factors contributing to the series of incidents of white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) attacks off Western Australia, sharks were fitted with acoustic transmitters (‘tags’) that emit unique identification codes every 50 to 150 seconds. Tagged sharks were monitored by up to …

Innovative Development Of The Octopus (Cf) Tetricus Fishery In Western Australia, Anthony M. Hart, Stephen C. Leporati, Ross Marriott, D. V. Murphy

Fisheries Research Reports

In 2010 the broad-scale introduction of a new gear type, the trigger trap, saw a 260% (33 t in 2009 to 119 t in 2010) increase in octopus landings in the Western Australian Developmental Octopus Fishery (DOF). Deployed in waters previously unfished by the DOF, initial catches demonstrated that trigger traps were more efficient and captured a different component of the population, compared to open-ended shelter pots traditionally used in the fishery. This shift caused a surge of interest in commercial octopus fishing.

Bioeconomic Evaluation Of Commercial-Scale Stock Enhancement In Abalone, Anthony M. Hart, Lachlan W.S. Strain

Fisheries Research Reports

The evaluation of commercial-scale stock enhancement was undertaken to determine its viability in the Western Australian Greenlip Abalone fishery. The key outcome of the project is that commercial-scale abalone stock enhancement is environmentally and economically achievable. The bioeconomic analysis revealed significant economic potential of a stock enhancement program for Australian Haliotis laevigata fisheries.

Fisheries Research Report No. 268 - State-Wide Survey Of Boat-Based Recreational Fishing In Western Australia 2013/14, K.L. Ryan, N.G. Hall, E.K. Lai, C.B. Smallwood, S.M. Taylor, B.S. Wise

Fisheries Research Reports

Based on the outcomes of an international workshop on recreational fishing survey methods in 2010, the Department of Fisheries developed an integrated survey involving several methods to provide a robust and cost-effective approach for obtaining annual estimates of recreational catch by boat-based fishers at both state-wide and bioregional levels.

Effectiveness Of Mitigation Measures To Reduce Interactions Between Commercial Fishing Gear And Whales, Jason R. How, D Coughran, J Smith, M Double, J Harrison, J Mcmath, B Hebiton, Ainslie Maree Denham

Fisheries Research Reports

Effectiveness of mitigation measures to reduce interactions between commercial fishing gear and whales.

Objectives:

1. Start to collect additional information required to determine the spatial and temporal extent of migrating whales and how this overlaps with commercial fishing gear.

2. Examine the effectiveness of potential gear modifications to the float rigs of fishing pots/traps to reduce their likelihood of entangling whales.

Seasonal Wind Patterns Around The Western Australian Coastline And Their Application In Fisheries Analysis, Alan Pearce, Anthony M. Hart, D. V. Murphy, Hannah Rice

Fisheries Research Reports

Monthly wind statistics have been derived for 23 weather stations along the Western Australian coast from Wyndham in the north-east of the state, down the west coast and around to Eucla in the south-east. The overall seasonal wind cycle at each site has been derived based on the 30-year period 1982 to 2011 (although a few stations had shorter records), and these show the major changes between the wind regimes along the Northwest Shelf, the west coast and the south coast.

Fisheries Research Report No. 263: Development Of Octopus Aquaculture - Rearing, Handling And Systems Design For Octopus Tetricus Commercial Aquaculture Frdc Project No 2009/206, Sagiv Kolkovski, R Cammilleri, Justin King, Nicole Watts, M Natale, Adva Mori

Fisheries Research Reports

The following document ‘Development of octopus aquaculture, rearing, handling and systems designs for Octopus tetricus commercial aquaculture’ contains protocols developed during the FRDC project 2009/206. These protocols encompass the most up-to-date rearing, handling and systems designs for Octopus tetricus commercial aquaculture. These protocols are the result of extensive research and development work carried out over the past four years by the Department of Fisheries, Western Australia and summarised in the final project report.

Further Investigation Into Critical Habitat For Juvenile Dhufish (Glaucosoma Hebraicum), Artificial Habitats And The Potential To Monitor Annual Juvenile Recruitment, Paul D. Lewis

Fisheries Research Reports

The West Australian dhufish is a demersal fish species that is highly sought after by commercial and recreational fishers in the West Coast Bioregion of WA. An assessment of the stock status in 2009 by the Department of Fisheries indicated the stock was overexploited with a need for a 50% reduction in the overall catch. As the species is long lived and slow growing, reaching a maximum age of 40 years of age, the recovery is likely to be slow.

Likelihood Of Marine Pest Introduction To The Indian Ocean Territories, Justin I. Mcdonald, Samantha D. Bridgwood, Mathew Hourston

Fisheries Research Reports

The introduction of new species to environments in which they did not evolve has been widely recognised as one of the top five threats to marine ecosystem function and to biodiversity (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005).

Fisheries Research Report No. 260 - Management Implications Of Climate Change Effect On Fisheries In Western Australia Part 1: Environmental Change And Risk Assessment Frdc: Project No. 2010/535, Nicolavito Caputi, Ming Feng, Alan Pearce, J Benthuysen, Ainslie M. Denham, Y Hetzel, Gary Jackson, Brett W. Molony, Lindsay M. Joll, Arani N. Chandrapavan

Fisheries Research Reports

Objectives: 1. Assess future climate change effects on Western Australia’s marine environment using a suite of IPCC model projections, downscaled to the key shelf regions and the spatial and temporal scales relevant for key fisheries 2. Examine the modeled shelf climate change scenarios on fisheries and implications of historic and future climate change effects 3. Review management arrangements to examine their robustness to possible effects of climate change

Fisheries Research Report 261: Management Implications Of Climate Change Effect On Fisheries In Western Australia Part 2: Case Studies Frdc Project No. 2010/535, Nicolavito Caputi, Feng Ming, Alan Pearce, J Benthuysen, Ainslie M. Denham, Y Hetzel, R Matear, Gary Jackson, Brett W. Molony, M Lindsay, Arani N. Chandrapavan

Fisheries Research Reports

The Western Rock Lobster Panulirus cygnus (George) is taken by commercial and recreational fishers throughout its geographic range along the lower west coast of Western Australia. It is fished by three managed fisheries; West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (WCRLMF), Augusta–Windy Harbour Managed Fishery and the South Coast Crustacean Fisheries. The WCRLMF is the largest fishery encompassing most of the Western Rock Lobster’s (WRL) geographic range (Figure 1.1.1), including the most productive regions and is Australia’s largest single-species fishery worth $200–400 million annually.

Assessing The Ecological Impact Of The Western Rock Lobster Fishery In Fished And Unfished Areas Final Frdc Report – Project 2008/013, Lynda B. Bellchambers, Matthew B. Pember

Fisheries Research Reports

This project, in consultation with an industry working group, has been instrumental in establishing a closed area in the western rock lobster fishery to assess the potential ecosystem effects of removing lobster biomass from deep water (40-100 m). The major outcome of this research is an improved understanding of the ecosystem that supports the western rock lobster. These types of information for improve the Department of Fisheries’ ability to manage the fishery in an ecosystem based manner and provide scientifically defensible data to more precisely assess the level of risk of the fishery to deep water communities. In early 2013, …

Fisheries Research Report No. 258 - Assessment Of Blue Swimmer Crab Recruitment And Breeding Stock Levels In The Peel-Harvey Estuary And Status Of The Mandurah To Bunbury Developing Crab Fishery, D Johnston, A Chandrapavan, B Wise, N Caputi

Fisheries Research Reports

Two projects were funded to investigate iconic blue swimmer crab stocks in the Peel-Harvey Estuary and Mandurah to Bunbury Developing Crab Fishery. One was a four year project (2007 – 2011) to undertake the following: i) determine recruitment and spawning stock levels of the crab population in the Peel-Harvey Estuary and whether the status of stocks has changed considerably in the past decade, ii) establish a commercial monitoring program to assess the length frequency and sex ratio of crabs captured by commercial fishers, and iii) develop a commercial monitoring program in the Mandurah to Bunbury Developing Crab Fishery and South …

Decision-Support Tools For Economic Optimization Of Western Rock Lobster Fishery, Nick Caputi, Simon De Lestang, Chris Reid, Sybrand A. Hesp, Jason How, Peter Stephenson

Fisheries Research Reports

Objectives: 1. To estimate the annual catch and effort to achieve optimum economic yield 2. To evaluate intra-annual market-based management strategies. 3. To evaluate the economic effect of current and proposed management changes.

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

No abstract provided.

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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

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

Fisheries Research Reports

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