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Final Report Of The Pearling Industry Review Committee To The Hon. Julian Grill, Western Australian Minister For Fisheries And Hon. John Kerin, M.P. Federal Minister For Primary Industries And Energy., F. J. Malone, D. A. Hancock, B. Jeffries

Fisheries Management Papers

In October 1987 an Interim Report was issued to enable the present licence holders, the Licensed Pearl Producers' Association and other who had expressed an interest to the Committee, to consider the interim recommendations and , if necessary, make written comment to the Committee.

The Committee considered the comments it received. It now presents its Final Report to the Western Australian Minister for Fisheries, the Hon. Julian Grill and the Federal Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, the Hon. John Kerin.

The Committee is recommending that the industry be quota controlled with entry by transfer only. The present licence holders …

Fisheries Report No 80 - Potential For The Development Of A Tuna Industry In North West Australian Waters, J. P. Robins

Fisheries Research Reports

Information available on the abundance of tuna off north west Australia, gathered on surveys by both ship and aircraft, the presented in order to identify opportunities for the sourcing of raw material for the Western Australian tuna canning industry. Identification of the constraints and potential for industry development of these resources is made focusing on the area considered most favourable, types of vessels used, fishing methods and strategies required for the development of such resources in the event that there is some identified prospect of viable commercial development.

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The Ashburton River Catchment, Western Australia, A A. Mitchell, A L. Payne, W F. Holman

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Ashburton River catchment, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1976 and 1978, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed …

The South West Trawl Fishery Draft Management Plan., P. J. Millington

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper outlines a proposal for management of trawl fisheries operating in waters less than 200m deep between the Moore River north of Perth and Cape Leeuwin. Off Fremantle, potential and actual user conflicts between trawling and the requirements of recreational fishing and other forms of commercial fishing point to the need to gradually phase out trawling in this area. A limited entry fishery, with no licence transferability, is therefore proposed.

Sport Fishing For Marron In Western Australia - Management For The Future : A Discussion Paper On Management Options For The Marron Fishery., Fisheries Department Of Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

The number of marron that may be caught each year without seriously jeopardising the long term future of fishery is limited. The situation deteriorated still further after another winter of low rainfall in 1987 and as the 1987-88 summer drew closer it became doubtful whether the State's marron stocks could withstand another season of hard fishing pressure. Thus, it was considered necessary to ban all fishing for marron during the 1987-88 season. This discussion paper has been prepared to help start the ball rolling in the right direction, and ensure any measures taken to safeguard the fishery are backed up …

Fisheries Management Paper No. 22 - Economics And Marketing Of Western Australian Pilchards., Scp Fisheries Consultants Pty Ltd

Fisheries Management Papers

Most of the Western Australian pilchard catch comes from King George Sound and from the southern coast off Albany where the number of vessels allowed to catch has been controlled. Prospects for increasing production in this area are limited. However, there are indications that considerable quantities of pilchards could be caught in waters to the east and west of Albany, in the inshore declared purse seine development zone.

Before allowing fisherman to catch more pilchards in these waters, the Western Australian Government decided that an investigation should be undertaken of the Australian pilchard resources, the domestic and export market situation …

A Development Plan For The South Coast Inshore Trawl Fishery, Fisheries Department Of Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

In March 1986 discussions were commenced between officers of the Fisheries Department and the Australian Fisheries Service concerning management measures for trawl fishery in the Great Australian Bight. These measures were considered necessary as a Western Australian Company (Toskel Fishing Co.) had commenced fishing the area. Given the excess fishing capacity in other Australian trawl fisheries it was considered advisable to institute management at an early stage and control development of this deep water fishery. Concurrent with these developments, mainly directed towards the control of larger trawlers in deeper waters, several small Western Australian trawlers operating out of Esperance and …

Report Of The Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee To The Hon. Minister For Fisheries., Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee

Fisheries Management Papers

The Committee recognises that the exploitation rate on the rock lobster stocks is very high and that this factor is a major importance in formulating the advice on management measures. However, the Committee also recognises the high level of capital investment in the industry and that any recommendation which leads to a significant change in the management rules is likely to have a far reaching effect on many of the participants. Accordingly, the Committee endeavours to reduce to a minimum the year to year changes in the management rules. When changes are required the Committee places considerable weight on matters …

Further Options For Management Of The Shark Bay Snapper Fishery : Discussion Paper., P. Millington

Fisheries Management Papers

A limited entry fishing regime for snapper was introduced in Shark Bay in order to constrain growth in fishing effort. Additional measures were introduced to reduce the number of vessels in the fishery, control areas fished and limit permitted fishing gear, with the ultimate objective of reducing catches from traditional fishing areas to long term sustainable levels.

Western Rock Lobster Industry Compensation Study. Report To The Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee By Arthur Young Services., Arthur Young Services

Fisheries Management Papers

Terms of reference are outlined in letter dated 11 August 1986. The Fisheries Department seeks to reduce western rock lobster fishing capacity to ensure the long-term viability of the fishery and has asked us to evaluate the financial implications of a number of specific resource management proposals.

Report Of The Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee Meeting Of 27 January 1987 - Report By The Chairman Mr. B.K. Bowen., B. K. Bowen

Fisheries Management Papers

The Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee met in Perth on Tuesday 17 January 1987. Committee discussed the following: Policy on 5% pot loss on replacement of vessels less than six years old. Study of industry funded compensation mechanism for fishing capacity reductions. 20 Fathom rule. Future maintenance of the zone E boundary. The recreational Rock Lobster Fishery. Rock Lobster pot distribution. Options for a 10 per cent reduction in fishing effort. 1987 coastal tour. Augusta-Windy Harbour Rock Lobster Working Group. Report on the 1986/87 season.

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia, A L. Payne, G F. Spencer, P J. Curry

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Carnarvon Basin, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1980 and 1982, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers …

Management Measures For The Cockburn Sound Mussel Fishery., H. G. Brayford

Fisheries Management Papers

The Cockburn Sound professional fishery has seen a rapid increase in fishing effort in recent years. In response to this Cockburn Sound has been declared to be a restricted area for commercial fishing pending the introduction of long term management measures. Interim endorsements have therefore been issued for commercial fishing within Cockburn Sound.

Management Measures For The Shark Bay Snapper Fishery 1987 Season., P. Millington

Fisheries Management Papers

The 1986 Shark Bay snapper fishing season mirrored in almost all respects the situation which will apply when the limited entry regime is put into effect. It was thus an opportunity to assess how effective the measures recommended in the Report of the Shark Bay Snapper Fishery Working Group were in reducing effort in the fishery.

The King George Sound Purse Seine Fishery Working Group Report By The Chairman Mr. R. S. Brown To The Minister For Fisheries., R. S. Brown

Fisheries Management Papers

The King George Sound Purse Seine Fishery Working Group was formed to investigate the purse seine (mainly mulie) fishery in King George Sound and advise the Minister for Fisheries on options for future management. The fishery in King George Sound is unlike most fisheries because the fish stock (pilchards) which is exploited is part of a very extensive stock located right around the south and north west coast of Western Australia. Only relatively small portion of the total stock of pilchard enter King George Sound and comes under the very high exploitation there. The Working Group has proposed to the …

The Esperance Rock Lobster Working Group Interim Report By The Chairman Mr. A. Pallot To The Western Australia Fishing Industry., A. Pallot

Fisheries Management Papers

In July 1985 the Minister for Fisheries released a discussion paper titled "Arrangements for entry to all fisheries off and along the Western Australian coast" for consideration by all members of the fishing industry. The Australian Fishing Industry Council (W.A. Branch), now the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (Inc), responded to the discussion paper in March 1986. The following were included in the Council's recommendations: 1. The rock lobster fishery near Esperance be a limited entry fishery. 2. The bench mark date for determining access by April 30, 1985. 3. that the Minister for fisheries establish a representative Government/Industry Working …

The Windy Harbour-Augusta Rock Lobster Working Group. Interim Report By The Chairman Mr. A. Pallot To The Western Australian Fishing Industry., A. Pallot

Fisheries Management Papers

Summary of Recommendations: Boat Access: That the Windy Harbour-Augusta Rock Lobster Fishery be declared a limited entry fishery. That the limited entry fishery related to the taking of Western Rock Lobster (Panulirue cygnus) and Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus novaehollandiae) That the southern boundary of Zone E of the W.C.R.L.F. terminate at a point where it intersects with a line drawn in a southerly direction from the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse. That the eastern boundary remain at Point D'Entrecasteaux (approximately 1160east longitude). That the western and southern boundaries by limits of the Australian Fishing Zone. That the season be for the period …

The Report Of The Fish Farming Legislative Review Committee., P. Rogers

Fisheries Management Papers

In 1975, amendments to the Fisheries Act provided for the licensing and control of commercial fish farming activities and , for specific declared species, further controls on their processing and marketing. To date, marron has been the only species to be declared a "farm fish". During the last decade, much of the State's aquaculture impetus has focused on marron although more recently greater attention has been directed towards trout, yabbies and freshwater aquarium fish species. On November 19, 1984, the Marron Growers Association of Western Australia (Inc) wrote to the Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife, seeding a general review of …

The Report Of The Southern Western Australian Shark Working Group., P. Millington

Fisheries Management Papers

The southern Western Australian Shark Working Group was formed to investigate the southern shark fishery and advise the Minister for Fisheries on options for future management. Membership comprised six fishermen from regional professional fishermen's associations and two Fisheries Department officers. The Working Group considered that each shark fisherman obtaining an entitlement should then be restricted in the length of fishing gear he can use and the number of months he can fish. The individual's time and gear entitlement would be approximately that length of gear being used and time spent fishing in a period shortly before the bench mark date. …

Reproductive Wastage In Sheep, R W. Kelly

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

The average lambing performance of Western Australia's ewe flock fluctuates between 60 and 70 per cent. Although this level of performance and variation between years is important for the sheep industry, individual farmers are more concerned about performance of their own flocks.

Figure shows the range in lambing performances that exist between farms in this State in 1983-84. The seriously poor performance of many flocks is apparentm - 28 percent of farms had less than 60 per cent lambing. By contrast, 24 farms had performances better than 100 per cent. The reasons for the large differences between farms ( and …

A Survey Of Drench Resistance In Sheep Worms, J R. Edwards, R. Wroth, G. C. De Chaneet, R. B. Besier, J. Karlsson, P. W. Morcombe, D. Roberts, G. Dalton-Morgan

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

Sheep worms which are resistant to chemical drenches have been detected with increasing freuency is Western Australia's south-western farming areas between 977 and 1980. These worms have anthelmintic resistance and such genetis resistance puts essential internal parasite control practices at risk.

This prompted veterinarians in the Esperance, Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton and Northam areas to survey farms to determine the prevalence of resistance to drenches and to define those sheep management practices which encourage its development.

This article describes the survey which was conducted to assess the extent of drench resistance, what causes its build-up and how it can be controlled …

Research Objectives In Vertebrate Pest Control, A J. Oliver

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

The European rabbit, introduced into Australia in 856 by an early settler for hunting, caused massive losses to agricultural production in Western Australia in 1940s and 1950s.

In those years most of the country's recources and efforts allocated to vertebrate pest problems were aimed at controlling this animal.

Research and control measures by Commonwealth and State agencies, including the introduction of myxomatosis, were largely responsible for reducing the rabbit problem to the comparatively minor one it is now.

Today, the Agricultural Protection Board is involved in the control of a much wider range of mammals and birds which cause losses …

Rabbit Kitten Survival In The South-West, D R. King

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

In the South-West of Western Australis reliable winter rains allow the rabbit breeding season to extend through winter and spring, and thus a large number of kittens are produced each year.

Studies on the biology of rabbits at Cape Naturaliste (270 kilometres south-west of Perth) and Chidlow (40 kilometres east of Perth in the Datling Range) have shown that at these sites each doe produces about 30 and 27 kittens respectively a year. If all these youg rabbits survived, there would be a 15-fold increase in numbers. Within a short time the State would be covered "wall to wall" by …

Rabbits North Of Carnarvon, D R. King

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

In Westeern Australia rabbits are mainly a pest along the south-western coastal parts of the State, but there are populations north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Rabbits after crossing the Nullarbour plain from South Australia and colonising the South-West of the State, were reported to have reached the west coast near Geraldton by 1912 and then spread northwards.

There is little information on the biologhy of rabbits in the northan parts of their range, but pastoralists in some areas are concerned about erosion and damage to vegetation on their stations when rabbits reach high numbers.

The Agricultural Protection Board undertook …

The Secretive Silvereyes, I J. Rooke

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

Durinf the past five years the agricultural Protection Board, in co-operation with scientists from CSIRO's Division of Wildlife Research and the University of Western Australia, had studied the biology and control of the silvereye in the South-West of Western Asustralia. The project was partially funded by a voluntary levy on vignerons in the Margaret River and Mt Barker areas.

The first part of the study investigated the bird's bioloogy - its food requirements, reproductive rate, how it interacted with other birds and its seasonal movements, It was hoped that this knowledge would help develop effective techniques for either controlling the …

Preventing Vineyard Damage By Silvereyes, I J. Rooke

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

In the previous article, Dr I Rooke outlined the studies which helped to devise practical ways of controlling attacks by silvereyes on vineyards in the South-West of Western Australia. The preventative methods vignerons can use are discussed here.

A Closer Look At Parrots As Pests, John L. Long

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

Small parrots have been attacking fruit and grain crops in the south of Western Australia at least since agriculture expanded into their native habitats in the early 1900s. The parrots are capable of quickly adapting to new situations so it is not surprising that they have eaten crops.

It is not known whether parrot numbers have increased since European settlement began, but this appears likely. The present landscape of islands of uncleared country interspersed with areas of agriculture appears to favour the survival of the red-capped parrot, western rosella and the Port Lincoln parrot. These species were investigated during a …

Keeping Starlings Out Of W.A, John L. Long

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

In Europe and North America huge flocks of starlings cause millions of dollars worth of damage to grain and fruit crops each year and large sums of money are spent trying to control them.

Starlings were introduced into australia in the late 1890s when more than 200 birds were released near Melbourne. They are now well established over much of eastern Australia, ranging from central Queensland, south to Tasmania and along the Great Australian Bight to the South Australian-Western Australian border, occasionally crossing it and sometimes moving as far west as the Esperance region on the south coast.

Some people …

Skeleton Weed : How Serious A Threat In Western Australia?, F D. Panetta, J. Dodd

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

Skeleton weed is probably the most serious weed ever to threaten the Australian wheat industry. It interferes with wheat cropping at two stages: through competition with the growing crop, particularly for nitrogen and water during the crop's development: and later through the production of a tall, wiry flowering stem which tangles in harvesting machinery and can make harvesting difficult, if not impossible.

The weed is a major problem in eastern Australia although a combination of cultural, chemical and biological control programmes is helping to reduce its impact.

In Western Australia, skeleton weed is being contained mainly by eradication efforts. Weed …

Algal Growth And The Phosphorus Cycle, Arthur J. Mccomb, K. S. Hamel, A. L. Huber, D. K. Kidby, R. J. Lukatelich

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

Larger algae and microscopic phytoplankton foul the waters of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, upsetting the fishery and polluting the beaches.

These aquatic plants grow in response to phosphorus runoff from drainage, trapping phosphorus in the estuary and using it in their growth. When they die this phosphorus remains in the system to be recycled for further plant growth.

Algal pollution in the estuary can be lessened by reducing the amount of phosphorus entering the system, increasing phosphorus losses to the ocean, or in some way blocking the trapping and recycling processes.