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Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 2 - Scientific Workshop On The Margaret River Marron, Brett Molony

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Purpose of the Workshop

To gather together and review the scientific evidence around genetic and sustainability issues necessary for the management of Margaret River Marron (MRM)

The outcomes of the day will be to provide scientific advice, options and priorities to the relevant Programs within the Department of Fisheries to promote the sustainability of marron within MR.

* Introduction to, and comparison of, genetic techniques available to researchers. Presenter - Phil Vercoe

* What do we know about the genetic diversity of marron and other Cherax? Presenter - Chris Austin

* Morphology and Hybrids Presenter - Craig Lawrence

* The …

The Introduction And Aquaculture Of Non-Endemic Species In Western Australia: The ‘Rotund’ Yabby Cherax Rotundus And The All-Male Hybrid Yabby. A Discussion Paper., Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

This discussion paper has been prepared to provide information to assist in the assessment of the possible impact of the translocation of Cherax rotundus and allmale hybrid yabbies within Western Australia, for the purposes of commercial aquaculture on private properties. In assessing the translocation of any aquatic species, the economic and social benefits must be balanced with biological and environmental risks.

Processes For The Allocation, Reallocation And Governance Of Resource Access In Connection With A Framework For The Future Management Of Fisheries In Western Australia, Government Of Western Australia Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper outlines the issues associated with developing a framework to deal explicitly with the allocation, reallocation and the governance of access to the fisheries resources of Western Australia.

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 …

The Translocation Of Barramundi (Lates Calcarifer) For Aquaculture And Recreational Fishery Enhancement In Western Australia., Tina Thorne

Fisheries Management Papers

This Management Paper is intended to assist the Executive Director when considering the issuing of authorisations for commercial aquaculture under Section 92 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994; written approvals or written authorities for the translocation of barramundi under Regulation 176 of the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995; and in the development of programs for recreational fishery enhancement of barramundi. It is also designed to provide guidance to the aquaculture industry and recreational fishing groups when considering the farming or stocking of barramundi in this State.

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. 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. 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) …

The Links Between Functionally Distinct Adult Assemblages Of Sardinops Sagax : Larval Advection Across Management Boundaries, Daniel J. Gaughan, K V. White, Warrick (Rick) J. Fletcher

Fisheries Research Articles

Otolith increment data were used to age larval Sardinops sagax collected from shelf waters between Kangaroo Island in South Australia (SA) and Albany in Western Australia (WA). Distributions of both ages and hatch-dates were compared between six regions across this broad area to examine the hypothesis that larvae arising from spawning sardines in WA may be advected by the Leeuwin Current to the central coast of SA prior to metamorphosis. Current and wind data were analysed to estimate potential rates of passive transport. It appears likely that larvae arising from commercially exploited S. sagax populations in WA can be passively …

Draft Plan Of Management For The Cottesloe Reef Proposed Fish Habitat Protection Area., Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The aim of this management plan is to promote and encourage the protection and rehabilitation of the aquatic habitat at Cottesloe Reef and to involve the community in its management.

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 Occasional Publication No. 31 - Feeding Lupins To Fish: A Review Of The Nutritional And Biological Value Of Lupins In Aquaculture Feeds, Brett Glencross

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Lupins are the harvested seed of species from the Lupinus genus, a group within the leguminous bean and pea family Fabaceae. Legumes are particularly valuable agricultural crops because of their capacity to provide a grain crop and also fix and return nitrogen to soils and improve the soil value for further cropping. The oilseeds, soybeans and peanuts are also leguminous plants, though traditionally they have been cropped for their oil value, whereas lupins, are cropped for both their protein and nitrogen fixing value (Gladstones, 1998; Perry et al., 1998).

The three key commercial species of lupins are L. angustifolius (Narrow-leafed …

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report To Parliament 2000 - 2001, Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Department of Fisheries Annual Reports

In accordance with Section 62 of the Financial Administration and audit Act 1985 and Section 263 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994, I submit for your information the Annual report to Parliament of Fisheries WA for the financial year ending 30 June 2001.

The annual report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Administration and audit Act 1985 and Section 263 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994.

2000/2001 was a year for Fisheries WA marked by the challenges of managing change. The year saw a change of government and, as with all new governments, …

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. 121 - Synopsis Of The Biology And Exploitation Of The Blue Swimmer Crab, Portunus Pelagicus Linnaeus, In Western Australia, Mervi I. Kangas

Fisheries Research Reports

This report summarises the existing studies which have provided information on the biology, population characteristics and exploitation of the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus, in Western Australia. Gaps in the existing knowledge are also highlighted to assist in targeting new research initiatives. Portunus pelagicus matures at about one year and in temperate regions females mate only once a year. This is because mature crabs moult only once a year. It appears from studies to date that Western Australian crabs are one genetic population. This is being further investigated. Migration of the blue swimmer crab occurs between estuaries and the ocean …

Fish Health For Fish Farmers - 2nd Edition, Tina Thorne

Fisheries Published Reports

2nd edition.

Disease is a departure from the normal state of health of a fish or any other animal. Diseases have no doubt occurred among fishes since these animals have occupied a place on the earth. Scientific efforts to understand the causes of disease in fishes, and to attempt to control them however, have only been made during the last sixty years.

Fishes, crustaceans and molluscs, as with other animals are subject to a wide spectrum of diseases, that can be classified as infectious or non-infectious. The vast majority of disease problems in the intensive farming of aquatic animals can …

Bulletin No 4315 - Western Australia's Agricultural, Food & Fisheries Industries 1999 - 2000, Besko Trhuij, Francis D'Emden

Bulletins 4000 -

Fifth Edition (revised and updated) December 2000.

Western Australia’s agriculture and fisheries industries have an international reputation for providing premium quality food and fibre produce to customers around the world.

The State of Western Australia is setting the international quality standard in the production of a vast array of food, fibre and fisheries products.

Agriculture Western Australia has developed the Safe Quality Food System (SQF2000), which not only meets stringent world food standards, but is being adopted in many countries as a unique trademark of quality.

Free of many pests, diseases and pollution found elsewhere, the State offers produce sourced …

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report Highlights 1999 - 2000, Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Department of Fisheries Annual Reports

1999/2000 has marked a 'sea change' in fisheries management throughout Australia towards the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). This is a dynamic concept with an evolving framework that requires a balancing of social, economic and environmental considerations.

The principles of ESD - of using, conserving and enhancing the community's resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of fisheries, now and in the future, can be increased - are vital in a state, national and international context for Fisheries WA and its clients. Having fisheries that are governed under ESD principles is …

Review Of The Western Australian Pilchard Fishery 12 -16 April 1999, K. L. Cochane

Fisheries Management Papers

A workshop was held on Monday 12 April 1999 at which presentations were made by representatives of Fisheries WA, speakers from other state fisheries agencies and the Western Australian (WA) pilchard industry. This workshop identified some of the key concerns in the assessment and management of the fishery. This report presents the conclusions reached by the reviewer at the end of the process, which were also presented to members of the WA pilchard fishing industry in Albany on Friday 16 April.

Fisheries Research Report No. 114 - The Western Australian Scallop Industry, D C. Harris, L M. Joll, R A. Watson

Fisheries Research Reports

Five separate commercial fisheries target the saucer scallop, Amusium balloti (Bernadi 1861) in Western Australian waters. While the average annual catch from these fisheries is around 600 tonnes of scallop meat, past catches have been highly variable with annual landings ranging from 150 to 4,400 tonnes of meat worth between $2 and $59 million. Consequently, scallops represent one of the larger single-species fisheries operating in Western Australia (WA).

A. balloti has a distribution spanning most of the WA coast, from Broome in the north around to Esperance in the south. Despite this extensive distribution, saucer scallops tend to be restricted …

Draft Shark Bay Pink Snapper Management Plan 1999, Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

This draft management plan was prepared by the Fisheries Department on 12 July 1999 for the Minister for Fisheries for the purpose of facilitating consultation in resepct of the proposal by the Minister to determine a new Management Plan for the Shark Bay Pink Snapper Fishery.

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report 1998/99, 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 1999.

The Annual Report of Fisheries WA has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial and Administration and Audit Act 1985 and Secon 263 of the Fish Resouces Management Act 1994.

A Strategy For The Future Management Of The Joint Authority Northern Shark Fishery. A Discussion Paper., Tim Bray, Jo Kennedy

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper discusses the current status of the Joint Authority Northern Shark Fishery (JANSF), and the major issues affecting it. The main aim of the document is to present a seires of recommendations to enable effective future management of this resource. The paper provides a brief introduction to the JANSF, followed by an examination of the resource base of the fishery (primary species, stock distribution and stock assessment).

Western Rock Lobster Management - Options And Issues, Kevin Donohue

Fisheries Management Papers

Following the Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee meeting of the 3 March 1998 the Minister has advised that his position is that there will be no management changes for the 1998/99 season. The purpose of this paper is primarily to provide information explaining management options and issues for consideration of the long term management of the fishery. The paper is divided into three main sections which detail options that have been identified as having the potential to increase the catch value over the next three years. In the first section, an option for enhancing the catch value by transferring lobsters …

Fisheries Research Report No. 110 - A Research Vessel Survey Of Bottom Types In The Area Of The Abrolhos Islands And Mid-West Trawl Fishery., C. J. Dibden, L. M. Joll

Fisheries Research Reports

To address the concern expressed by Commercial rock lobster fishers operating in the Abrolhos Islands area, that expanding saucer scallop trawl activity was damaging the sea floor biota in areas which they considered good rock lobster habitat and poor scallop habitat, an underwater video survey was conducted by the Fisheries Department Research Division, with the following objectives:

1. Examine, classify and map the benthic habitat of areas currently and historically trawled for scallops in the Abrolhos Islands area and adjacent waters;

2. Examine, classify and map the benthic habitat of areas adjacent to these trawled areas, where potential for conflict …