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Ecological Risk Assessment For The State-Wide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource, S. Blazeski, J. Norriss, K. A. Smith, M. Hourston

Fisheries research reports

In July 2021, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the State-wide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource. The ERA considered the potential ecological impacts of the West Coast Purse Seine Fishery, South Coast Purse Seine Fishery, Purse Seine Development Zones and the recreational fishers who catch small pelagic scalefish. The assessment evaluated the impact of each fishing sector/method on all relevant retained and bycatch species, endangered, threatened and protected species, habitats and the broader environment.

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Temperate Demersal Elasmobranch Resource, Maddison Watt, Matias Braccini, Kim Smith, Mathew Hourston

Fisheries research reports

In March 2021, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the Temperate Demersal Elasmobranch Resource. The ERA considered the potential ecological impacts of the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries and recreational fishers who catch sharks and rays. The assessment evaluated the impact of each fishing sector/method on all relevant retained and bycatch species, endangered, threatened and protected species, habitats and the broader environment.

2021 Assessment Of The Status Of The West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource, David V. Fairclough, Sybrand Alex Hesp, Ainslie Denham, Emily A. Fisher, Rachel Marks, Karina L. Ryan, Elaine Lek, Rhys Allen, Brett M. Crisafulli

Fisheries research reports

A recovery program for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource was introduced between late 2007 and early 2010, based on the maintenance of retained catches of demersal species (overall suite and each indicator species) by both the commercial and recreational sectors below 50% of the catches reported in 2005/06 (original catch recovery benchmarks).

Catch reductions were aimed at reducing exploitation levels (F, long-term fishing mortality of the key indicator species’ stocks) to below the threshold reference point (F = M, the natural mortality rate), which would then allow stocks to recover to above the …

Otoliths Of South-Western Australian Fish: A Photographic Catalogue, Chris Dowling, Kim Smith, Elain Lek, Joshua Brown

Fisheries research reports

Due to the species-specific nature of otoliths and given they are often the only part of the fish preserved when fish die, otolith catalogues can be used in numerous applications, such as diet studies in fish eating animals, including pinnipeds, fish and sea birds; archaeological purposes such as reconstructing indigenous people’s diets from otoliths found in middens or evolutionary history of fish species by comparing fossilized otoliths. Given the unique mixture of subtropical and temperate fish, including many endemic species that occur off the southwest corner of WA having a catalogue for this area is extremely important for people working …

Otoliths Of South-Western Australian Fish: A Photographic Catalogue, Chris Dowling, Kim Smith, Elaine Lek, Joshua Brown

Fisheries research reports

Due to the species-specific nature of otoliths and given they are often the only part of the fish preserved when fish die, otolith catalogues can be used in numerous applications, such as diet studies in fish eating animals, including pinnipeds, fish and sea birds; archaeological purposes such as reconstructing indigenous people’s diets from otoliths found in middens or evolutionary history of fish species by comparing fossilized otoliths. Given the unique mixture of subtropical and temperate fish, including many endemic species that occur off the southwest corner of WA having a catalogue for this area is extremely important for people working …

Resource Assessment Report Abrolhos Islands And Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery Resource, Mervi Kangas, A Chandrapavan, Anne Wilkins, E. A. Fisher, S. Evans

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This document provides a cumulative description and assessment of the Abrolhos Islands and Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery (AIMWTMF) and all of the fishing activities (i.e. fisheries / fishing sectors) affecting this resource in Western Australia (WA). This resource comprises of a single species of scallop, Ylistrum balloti which occurs in inshore waters to around 40 m depth at the Abrolhos Islands. This species is captured exclusively by demersal otter trawl gear in the West Coast Bioregion.

Ecological Risk Assessment Of The Shark Bay Invertebrate Fisheries, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, Department) in Western Australia (WA) uses an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach that considers all relevant ecological as well as social, economic and governance issues to deliver community outcomes (Fletcher et al. 2010; 2012). Ecological risk assessments (ERAs) are undertaken periodically to assess the impacts of fisheries on all the different components of the aquatic environments in which they operate.

Ecological Risk Assessment Of The Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, Department) in Western Australia (WA) uses an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach that considers all relevant ecological as well as social, economic and governance issues to deliver community outcomes (Fletcher et al. 2010; 2012). Ecological risk assessments (ERAs) are undertaken periodically to assess the impacts of fisheries on all the different components of the aquatic environments in which they operate.

Ecological Risk Assessment Of The Abrolhos Islands And Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, Department) in Western Australia (WA) uses an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach that considers all relevant ecological as well as social, economic and governance issues to deliver community outcomes (Fletcher et al. 2010; 2012). Ecological risk assessments (ERAs) are undertaken periodically to assess the impacts of fisheries on all the different components of the aquatic environments in which they operate.

Resource Assessment Report: Temperate Demersal Elasmobranch Resource Of Western Australia, Matias Braccini, Nick Blay, S. A. Hesp, Brett Molony

Fisheries research reports

This document provides a cumulative description and assessment of the Temperate Demersal Elasmobranch Resource (TDER) and all of the fishing activities (i.e. fisheries / fishing sectors) affecting this resource in WA. Future Resource Assessment Reports will assess the State-wide sharks and rays resource.

The report is focused on the temperate indicator species (whiskery, gummy, dusky and sandbar sharks) used to assess the suites of demersal sharks and rays that comprise this resource. These species are primarily captured by demersal gillnets used in the Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries (TDGDLF) that operate in the West Coast and South Coast …

Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (Ebfm) Risk Assessment Of The Western Australian Sea Cucumber Fishery, F J. Webster, Anthony M. Hart

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the commercial Western Australian Sea Cucumber Fishery (SCF) and the outcomes from the 2016 ecological risk assessment for this fishery. Two key species, sandfish (Holothuria scabra) and redfish (Actinopyga echinites), are targeted by the commercial SCF through hand collection by diving and wading primarily in shallow waters of northern WA.

Australian Herring And West Australian Salmon Scientific Workshop Report, October 2017, Brent S. Wise, Brett W. Molony

Fisheries research reports

A scientific workshop was held on 25th – 29th September 2017 to review available data for Australian herring (Arripis georgianus) and determine current stock status using the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Risk-based Weight of Evidence Approach. Recommendations for future monitoring and assessments required to reduce uncertainties and establish sustainable catch levels were also made. Similar discussions were undertaken to establish monitoring and assessment approaches for establishing sustainable catch levels for West Australian salmon (Arripis truttaceus). The workshop was attended by DPIRD and non-DPIRD scientists, fishery managers from DPIRD and South Australia, commercial …

Resource Assessment Report Western Australian Sea Cucumber Resource, Anthony M. Hart, D. V. Murphy, N Caputi, Alexander Hesp, E. A. Fisher

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This document provides a cumulative description and assessment of the Sea Cucumber Resource and all of the fishing activities (i.e. fisheries / fishing sectors) affecting this resource in Western Australia (WA). The overall resource comprises two main species (sandfish Holothuria scabra and redfish Actinopyga echinites), and few minor species that inhabit the tropical shallow continental shelf waters of the North Coast Bioregion.

Resource Assessment Report Western Australian Octopus Resource, Anthony M. Hart, Daniel Murphy, Alastair Harry, E. A. Fisher

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This document provides a cumulative description and assessment of the Octopus Resource and all of the fishing activities (i.e. fisheries / fishing sectors) affecting this resource in Western Australia (WA). The overall resource essentially comprises a single species of octopus, Octopus aff. tetricus, which occurs in inshore waters to 70 m depth from Shark Bay to Esperance.

Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (Ebfm) Risk Assessment Of The Western Australian Abalone Managed Industry, F J. Webster, B Wise, Anthony M. Hart

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Western Australian (WA) Abalone Managed Fishery (AMF) and the outcomes from the 2015 ecological risk assessment of this fishery. The AMF targets three species of abalone greenlip (Haliotis laevigata), brownlip (H. conicopora) and Roe’s abalone (H. roei). Greenlip and brownlip abalone are primarily targeted on the south coast of WA, while Roe’s abalone is primarily targeted on the West Coast. Commercial fishing for abalone in WA has been undertaken since 1964.

Marine Stewardship Council Full Assessment Report Western Australian Abalone Managed Fishery, Anthony M. Hart, Lachlan W.S. Strain, Alexander Hesp, E. Fisher, F J. Webster, S. J. Brand-Gardner, S. Walters

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive description of the Abalone Managed Fishery (AMF) in Western Australia (WA) and contains information relevant to assist with the assessment of this fishery against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard (v2.0) for sustainable fishing. Fishers in the AMF harvest three species; Roe’s abalone (Haliotis roei), Greenlip abalone (H. laevigata) and Brownlip abalone (H. conicopora), through hand collection by diving in shallow waters off the south-western and southern coasts of WA.

Resource Assessment Report Western Rock Lobster Resource Of Western Australia, Simon De Lestang, Nick Caputi, Jason How

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

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. The main commercial fishery for P. cygnus is the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (WCRLMF), which is Australia’s largest single-species fishery, currently worth about $400 million annually. Western rock lobster provides the basis for the economies of a number of coastal towns and also supports a recreational fishery.

Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (Ebfm) Risk Assessment Of The Western Australian Silver-Lipped Pearl Oyster (Pinctada Maxima) Industry, K. L. Travaille, R. Jones, B Wise

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Western Australian silver-lipped pearling (Pinctada maxima) industry and the outcomes from the 2015 ecological risk assessment of this industry. The P. maxima pearling industry has been operating in Western Australia since the 1880s, initially harvesting pearl oysters for mother-of-pearl production.

West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery, Jason R. How, F J. Webster, K. L. Travaille, Kim Nardi, A. V. Harry

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive description of the West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery (WCDSCMF) and contains information relevant to assist the assessment of this fishery against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard (v1.3) for sustainable fishing.

West Coast Estuarine Managed Fishery (Area 2: Peel-Harvey Estuary) & Peel-Harvey Estuary Blue Swimmer Crab Recreational Fishery, Danielle Johnston, K. A. Smith, J. I. Brown, K. L. Travaille, Fiona Crowe, R. K. Oliver, E. A. Fisher

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive description of the West Coast Estuarine Managed Fishery (WCEMF) Area 2 (Peel-Harvey Estuary) and the Peel-Harvey Estuary Blue Swimmer Crab Recreational Fishery in Western Australia and contains information relevant to assist with the assessment of these fisheries against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard (v1.3) for sustainable fishing.

Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery, M. I. Kangas, E. C. Sporer, S. A. Hesp, K. L. Travaille, N. Moore, P. Cavalli, E. A. Fisher

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive description of the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery (EGPMF) in Western Australia and contains information relevant to assist the assessment of this fishery against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard (v1.3) for sustainable fishing. The EGPMF uses demersal otter trawl gear to target predominantly brown tiger prawns (Penaeus esculentus) and western king prawns (Penaeus latisulcatus).

Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery, M. I. Kangas, E. C. Sporer, S. A. Hesp, K. L. Travaille, S. J. Brand-Gardner, P. Cavalli, A. V. Harry

WA Marine Stewardship Council report series

This report provides a comprehensive description of the Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery (SBPMF) and contains information relevant to assist the assessment of this fishery against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard (v1.3) for sustainable fishing. The SBPMF is located in Shark Bay, Western Australia and uses demersal otter trawl gear to predominantly target brown tiger prawns (Penaeus esculentus) and western king prawns (Penaeus latisulcatus).

West Coast Demersal Scalefish Allocation Report., Integrated Fisheries Allocation Advisory Committee.

Fisheries management papers

Integrated Fisheries Management (IFM) is an initiative aimed at addressing the issue of how fish resources in WesternAustralia can be best shared between competing users within the broad context of “Ecologically Sustainable Development”, or ESD, so that they can be managed on a sustainable basis.

The Minister for Fisheries established the Integrated Fisheries Management Allocation Advisory Committee (the Allocation Committee), under Section 42 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA), in 2004 to investigate IFM resource allocation issues and make recommendations to him on optimal resource use.

Policy On Restocking And Stock Enhancement In Western Australia, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries management papers

The practice of releasing hatchery-reared fish into existing populations to augment fishing (stock enhancement) or restore depleted spawning biomass (restocking) has occurred around the world for decades with varying degrees of success. The underpinning concept is to produce and release fish into wild populations to increase their abundance, catch rates and/or fishery yields

If restocking and stock enhancement activities are to be successful, they should have clear objectives and be well planned and targeted at situations where there is a reasonable expectation of having a beneficial effect.

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands Management Plan., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries management papers

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands Management Plan aims to describe how this vision and associated strategic objectives can be achieved over the next five years, through addressing the risks posed to the cultural and environmental heritage values of the Abrolhos.

A Review Of The Management Arrangements And Licensing Framework For The Aquatic Tour Industry In Western Australia. Discussion Paper On Management And Licensing Options For The Aquatic Tour Industry., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries management papers

The Department of Fisheries (Department) is proposing a new simplified management approach which focuses on fishing as the core criteria in the new licensing framework. Given the low level of impact of aquatic eco-tours and shore-based fishing, consideration is being given to removing the need for these activities to be formally licensed. The Department is of the view that these activities can be adequately managed by regulations that have broader application across the community.

The current management, licensing and fee structures are complex and provide limited business flexibility. A simplified management approach will also improve the Department’s capacity to monitor …

West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Managed Fishery Draft Management Plan 2012, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries management papers

The West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean (Interim) Management Plan 2007 took effect on 1 January 2008 and expires on 31 December 2012. The Interim Plan provides the management framework for the West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean (Interim) Managed Fishery (WCDSCIMF).

Draft Management Plan For The West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries management papers

West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery licensees target the western rock lobster, Panulirus Cygnus using baited pots (traps) on the west coast of Western Australia (WA). The fishery, which has long been one of the most valuable single species fisheries in Australia, extends from North West Cape to Cape Leeuwin in the south, with the main fishing occurring between Shark Bay and Perth.

In response to a series of poor puerulus settlements commencing in 2009, a suite of management changes have been introduced to significantly reduce catch levels to appropriately deal with the expected low levels of recruitment entering the …

Policy On Habitat Enhancement Structures In Western Australia, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries management papers

Habitat enhancement structures range widely in design. They generally aim to enhance fish habitat by providing a structure for fish and other aquatic life to colonise and potentially lead to an increase in their biological production.

The primary function of an artificial reef is to provide additional structure and habitat to support an increased production of fish ad other aquatic organisms.

Licensing And Allocation Under A New Management Plan For The West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery. A Discussion Paper., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries management papers

This paper was prepared to set out the proposed direction for licensing, entitlement allocation and related matters under a new management plan for the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (the new Management Plan), which is expected to begin operation on 15 January 2013. It is one of two papers being released by the Department of Fisheries (the Department) for comment as part of consultation on the development of this legislation, and is designed to encourage public involvement in the changes to the management arrangements for the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (the fishery).

In addition, a related paper …