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Fisheries Research Report No 88 - A Synopsis Of The Biology And The Exploitation Of The Australiasian Pilchard, Sardinops Neopilchardus (Steindachner) Part 1: Biology, W. J. Fletcher

Fisheries Research Reports

There have been a large number of studies which relate to the biology and exploitation of the Australian pilchard, Sardinops neopilchardus. Much of the data, however, are located in journals which are hard to obtain, or in unpublished reports, and theses. With the increase in catch of pil­chards, particularly in Western Australia, a collation of all the available knowledge pertaining to pilchards in Australia and New Zealand was desired to help with the planning of future research into the Western Australian stocks of this species. This report contains all the information located on the biology of Sardinops neopilchardus, a companion …

Fisheries Research Report No. 84 - The Marine Open Shelf Environment: Review Of Human Influences, D. A. Hancock

Fisheries Research Reports

For the purpose of this review, the marine environment has been classified into three physical zones - the littoral zone, the open-shelf environment and the coral reef. Since the boundaries are arbitrary, there will inevitably be some overlap, but for this review the subject matter will be related to the area between low water of ordinary spring tides and the edge of the continental shelf; i.e., to a depth varying to 200 metres.

Human influences may have a dual role in affecting the marine environment, firstly in a causative manner and secondly in providing a remedy, in which case the …

Fisheries Research Report No. 83 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1985/86, R. S. Brown, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The 1985/86 annual catch of the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus, totalled 7,191,968kg (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) ), a drop of 1,774,497kg (19.8 per cent) on the 1984/85 season. The value of the 1985/86 catch was approximately $94M based on ABS figures. This drop in catch was almost entirely the result of lower puerulus (first post larval stage, approximately 9 to 11 months old) settlement three to four years before (i.e. 1982/83 and 1981/82). The fall in catch was accompanied by a drop in fishing effort (total number of pot lifts) of 12.1 per cent on the previous season …

Fecundity Of Blue Crab, Callinectes Sapidus, In Chesapeake Bay: Biological, Statistical And Management Considerations, Michael H. Prager, John R. Mcconaugha, Cynthia M. Jones, Patrick J. Geer

OES Faculty Publications

Ovigerous blue crabs were collected from the mouth of Chesapeake Bay during the 1986 and 1987 spawning seasons. Mean carapace width was 14.7 cm; mean fecundity was 3.2×106 eggs. Fecundity was significantly related to carapace width, and did not vary significantly with developmental stage of the eggs. Mean fecundities were 2.6×106 eggs in 1986, and 4.0×106 eggs in 1987. An additive model with year and size effects described the observed fecundities reasonably well, was compact, and was easier to interpret than a multiplicative model. To fit a more general model without year effects, the authors took the mean of 1986 …

Estimates Of Spawning Stock Size Of Blue Crab, Callinectes Sapidus, In Chesapeake Bay, 1986-1987, Cynthia M. Jones, John R. Mcconaugha, Patrick J. Geer, Michael H. Prager

OES Faculty Publications

The 1986 spawning stock exhibited a single abundance peak, increasing from 1.0×105 individuals in early July to 9.3×106 in late July, maintaining high levels throughout the summer, and declining in the fall to 7.4×105 individuals. The 1987 spawning stock showed 2 peaks of abundance. The population reached the lesser peak, 1.0×106 individuals, in late July; the greater peak, 1.5×106, in late August. By late September, the population had declined to 6.5×105 individuals. The peak abundance of the 1987 female spawning stock was only 16% as great as the peak abundance in 1986; the 1987 spawning stock size in 1986. Variability …

Fisheries Research Report No 85 - A Description Of The British United Trawlers/Southern Ocean Trawlers Operation In The Great Australian Bight During The Period 19.11.77 To 28.5.79, M. H. Walker, S. J. Blight, D. P. Clarke

Fisheries Research Reports

This report documents the operations of three British United Trawlers/Southern Ocean Trawlers freezer stern trawlers in the Great Australian Bight for the period 19.11.77 to 28.5.79. During this period the trawlers conducted 20 fishing trips utilising demersal and pelagic trawling. A description and brief resume of these fishing operations is provided. The trawlers' vessel and gear specifications and fishing and processing operations are also described. The report provides background to Fisheries Research Report 86, which documents the demersal catches made during the trawler operations.

Fisheries Research Report No 86 - The Demersal Trawl Resources Of The Great Australian Bight As Indicated By The Fishing Operations Of The Stern Trawlers Othello, Orsino And Cassio In The Period 19.11.77 To 28.5.79, M. H. Walker, D. P. Clarke

Fisheries Research Reports

A joint fishing venture between a Western Australian company, Southern Ocean Fish Processors, and a United Kingdom company, British United Trawlers, operated three large Othello class stern trawlers in the Great Australian Bight in the period 19.11.77 to 28.5.79. This report documents the catch and effort data collected from the vessels’ demersal trawling activities. Descriptions of gear and fishing operations are provided in Fisheries Research Report 85, 1989. The three trawlers made a total of 20 trips to Great Australian Bight waters. A daily trawling log was kept for each trip, recording position and time of trawls, net type, and …

Fisheries Report No 82 - Effects Of Fish Trapping On The Shark Bay Snapper Fishery, M. J. Moran, J. Jenke

Fisheries Research Reports

Traps have been a controversial method of catching pink snapper Chrysophrys auratus (Sparidae) around Shark Bay, Western Australia, since 1959. The history of the issue and the relevant regulations are reviewed; and results of in­vestigations into specific concerns about trap fishing are reported. Concerns of ghost-fishing by lost traps have been largely allayed by underwater TV film of snapper escaping from a standard snapper trap.

A major concern was that traps might physically damage the benthic fauna, e.g. corals. A TV survey showed that while fragile hard corals are abundant in shallower water nearby, the deeper snapper grounds themselves are …

Distribution And Marketing Of Western Australia Rock Lobster., P. J. Monaghan

Fisheries Management Papers

This report describes the marketing and distribution of Western Australian rock lobster products in the major consuming countries namely, USA, Japan and Taiwan. It is based on a study which was commissioned by the Fisheries Department of Western Australia who sought, for the benefit of industry generally, an understanding of the world lobster markets.

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report 1988/89, Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Department of Fisheries Annual Reports

In accordance with Section 62 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, I submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of the Fisheries Department for the financial year ending 30 June 1989.

The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985.

Section 57 of the Fisheries Act 1905 requires me to report to you as to the state of the fisheries of the State and for such report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament

The Temporal And Spatial Distribution Of Blue Crab Larvae On The Mid-Atlantic Bight Adjacent To The Chesapeake Bay, 1982-1983, Lyle Michael Varnell

OES Theses and Dissertations

Recruitment processes are important information for the management of commercially and recreationally exploited marine species. Recruitment processes of the Chesapeake Bay's most important commercial and recreational species, the blue crab, are unknown, due in part to the lack of knowledge of the processes directly preceeding recruitment.

The present study was undertaken to investigate and explain the movement and developmental patterns of blue crab larvae while offshore. Interannual and intraseasonal variations of these patterns were also examined.

Sampling occurred from May to November during 1982 and 1983. Larvae were collected at three depths (neuston layer (upper 10 cm), one meter and …

Southern Demersal Gillnet And Longline Fishery., Management Advisory Committee

Fisheries Management Papers

In its report to the Ministier for Fisheries in November 1986, the Southern Western Australian Shark Working Group recommended the establishment of an Industry/Government Mangement Advisory Committee to provide managememt advice on the fishery to the Minister for Fisheries. The Advisory Committee held its first meeting in Albany on 23 February 1989. After being briefed on the state of shark stocks, the Committee's deliberations fell into three broad categories. In the first category there was sufficient time and information available to make a recommendation to the Minister for Fisheries. In the second category, discussion commenced, but was held over to …

Management Of The Perth Metropolitan Purse-Seine Fishery., N. Moore

Fisheries Management Papers

This report outlines the management plan for the limited entry purse-seine fishery for small pelagic fish in coastal waters between Lancelin and Cape Bouvard and seaward to the 200 mile limit of the Australian Fishing Zone. The plan includes Cockburn Sound.

A Review Of The Shark Bay Pearling Industry., D. A. Hancock

Fisheries Management Papers

While there are currently only two pearl culture leases in Shark Bay, two new applications for leases have already been received by the W.A. Fisheries Department. Increased interest is being generated about pearl culture in Shark Bay, which will need to be considered against the background of management plans designed to restrict further entry into other areas, notably the pearly industry of W.A from Exmouth Gulf northwards, and the pearling industry of the Northern Territory. Recent successes with pearl culture in both those areas, and the greatly increased revenues and high lease transfer values realised, must inevitably focus interest on …

Fisheries Management Paper No.23 - Management Of The South-West Inshore Trawl Fishery., N. Moore

Fisheries Management Papers

This report outlines the management plan for the south west inshore trawl fishery which already operates in coastal waters less than 200 metres deep between Guilderton and Cape Leeuwin.

This management plan takes into account these important concerns and has specifically set aside a strip of coastal area from Cape Bouvard to Cape Leeuwin for recreational usage and for protection of the benthic community, and closed the management zone north of Burns Beach to trawling.

A Report On Marron Fishing In Western Australia., Doug Wenn

Fisheries Management Papers

The marroning experience is one enjoyed by many Western Australians. A rapid increase in fishing effort evidenced by the increase in number of recreational fishing licences issued, combined with low rainfall in the last few years resulted in a dramatic reduction of marron catch rates during 1986/87. In view of the state of marron stocks, the Minister for Fisheries considered it appropriate to close the 1987/88 marron season.

Survey And Reconnaissance Of Sea Turtles In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Larry Ogren

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

This is a report on the results of an aerial survey of nesting beaches conducted during the period from May 16, 1977 to August 11, 1977. The area covered included the barrier beaches and offshore islands from the Florida-Alabama state line to the Rio Grande, Texas. Additional historical information is provided in order to compare current nesting activity with previous years as well as anecdotal observations on the occurrence of sea turtles in this region.

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

Fisheries Management Papers

The total catch of about 12.1 million kilograms for the 1987/88 season, based on processor returns, was an increase of 44% on the 1986/87 season. This very high catch, the third highest on record, resulted from an above average perulus settlement in 1983/84 and a "flow-on" of fast growing animals stemming from the expected high recruitment in 1988/990 caught as "reds" in 1987/88.

The Committee has identified five major elements related to the state of the rock lobster fishery upon which management advice is considered.

a) The undersize fraction of the population.

b) The "whites" which provide a significant proportion …

Fisheries Report No. 81 - A Research Vessel Survey Of Pearl Oyster And Prawn Resources North-West Of Broome Western Australia, J. W. Penn, R. Dybdahl

Fisheries Research Reports

Data from a research vessel survey in September and October 1987 and commercial catch records have been used to assess the pearl oyster and prawn stocks along the Broome coastline between 17°S and 18°S latitudes. Observations made by pearl divers indicated that the survey zone contained commercially significant quantities of unfished pearl oysters particularly in the depth range 10 to 27 m, but also extending out to 44 m depth. The pearl oysters in the survey zone were found to be predominantly mature animals and appeared to be part of the now lightly fished deep water spawning population extending from …

A Review Of The Pacific Members Of The Gobiid Fish Genus Bollmannia Jordan, Robin L. Bedenbaugh

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The Pacific members of the genus Bollmannia Jordan 1890 comprise seven species of gobies distributed from Baja California to Peru and west to the Galapagos Archipelago.

Previous authors recognized nine nominal species, all known only from their brief original accounts. Those accounts do not allow for proper discrimination of the species. All nominal species were re­ examined using meristic, morphometric, and pigment-pattern characteristics. Three of the nine nominal species are herein considered synonymous with previously described forms. The six valid nominal species are redescribed, a new species is described, and a key and illustrations are provided for the seven valid …

Economics And Marketing Of Western Australia Pilchards., Scp Fisheries Consultants Pty Ltd

Fisheries Management Papers

The 1986/87 Australian catch was about 8,300 tonnes. At present levels of fishing,it has been suggested that this could be substantially increased. The fishery is not in danger of over-exploitation. Rather, the problem could be that there is more fish available than existing markets could absorb. However, there are prospects for increasing the present volume of fish sold domestically and for developing new products and markets in Australia and overseas.

Age And Growth Of The Tautog, Tautoga Onitis (Pisces: Labridae), From Lower Chesapeake Bay And Coastal Waters Of Virginia, E. Brian Hostetter

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The tautog, Tautoga onitis (Pisces: Labridae), is rapidly gaining popularity in Virginia by anglers, spearfishermen and specialized commercial interests. In Virginia, tautog are seasonally abundant on hard bottom substrates in nearshore (ca. 2-10 m) habitats and inhabit offshore wrecks and reef areas (ca. 10-30 m) year round. Habitat restriction and slow growth of the species coupled with recent technological advances in marine electronics which simplify locating tautog populations by user groups may contribute to overexploitation of tautog within the region.

Tautog were collected over a two year period from the lower Chesapeake Bay and nearshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean …

Draft Management Plan For The Perth Metropolitan Purse Seine Fishery, P. Millington

Fisheries Management Papers

As part of a development strategy for inshore purse seine fishing along the Western Australian coast this plan proposes management measures for the purse seine fishing boats operating along the coast near the greater Perth Metropolitan area. Using as a basis the restricted entry Cockburn sound purse seine fishery, the plan proposes the introduction of a limited entry regime for inshore purse seine fishing between Lancelin to just south of Mandurah. This regime will permit management of the available pelagic fish stocks in the area and also protect the economic position of the existing participants by providing an environment for …

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.

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 …

The Shark Bay Scallop Fishery: Discussion Paper, L. M. Joll

Fisheries Management Papers

Studies of the biology of the saucer scallop Amusium balloti in Shark Bay show that it is a highly fecund, broadcast spawner, with a long breeding season (from April to December). It is also a fast growing species, with the bulk of the recruits from a breeding season reasing fishable size by April/May of the next year, at which time they also enter their first breeding season. In recent years, however, the earlier part of the breeding season appears to have been the most important for production of recruits.

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.

Fisheries Report No 76 - The Australian Herring Fishery In Western Australia, 1973 - 1985, Michael H. Walker, Diane P. Clarke

Fisheries Research Reports

The Australian herring (Arripis georgianus) ts a pelagic, largely marine, species which is relatively abundant in the south western waters of Western Australia. It is a close relative of the Australian salmon with a similar life history and habits which includes migrating for the purpose of spawning. The Australian herring is keenly sought both as a food fish and for bait. This report documents the fishery for this species as it has developed during the period 1973 to 1985.