Natural Resources and Conservation Commons^™

Fisheries Report No 29 - The Predation Of Pot - Caught Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus Longpipes Cygnus) By Octopus, L M. Joll

Fisheries Research Reports

The losses to the western rock lobster fishery through the predation of pot-caught rock lobsters by octopus were estimated from samples taken on commercial boats in the four seasons 1972/73 - 1975/76. In most seasons approximately 200 000 legal-sized rock lobsters were lost. In the 1975/76 season the estimated financial loss from octopus predation was $392 000. The estimated losses probably represent minimum values. Studies of the biology and behaviour of octopus were carried out to examine the methods of detection, location and entry into rock lobster pots by octopus. The use of octopus traps in rock lobster pots significantly …

Fisheries Report No 26 - Report On Lake Chandala With Recommendations Of Its Importance As A Fauna Reserve, Alan Tingay, Susan R. Tingay

Fisheries Research Reports

The hydrology, vegetation, fauna and land use of Lake Chandala (31°30 'S, 115°57'E) is described on the basis of field and literature surveys. The significance of the Lake as a Straw-necked Ibis (Thresktornts spinicollis) nesting rookery is emphasised and recommendations are made for its acquisition and future management.

Fisheries Report No 23 - The Management Of Nature Reserves In Western Australia, Andrew A. Burbidge, Trevor Evans

Fisheries Research Reports

The number and area of Nature Reserves in Western Australia has grown rapidly in recent times. At 80 June 1975 there were 491 reserves with an area of 5 103 037 hectares. By 31 December 1975, with the inclusion of reserves for the Conservation of Flora in the definition of a Nature Reserve, there were 900 reserves totalling 5 317 965 ha. With the implementation of the Environmental Protection Authority's recommendations based on the Conservation Through Reserves Committee's Report on Systems 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 the Nature Reserve System will jump to 985 reserves with an area …

Fisheries Report No 22 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1971 - 1972, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster* is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and which are designed to limit the total effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery both to ensure that the effort is remaining within the accepted limits and that the regulations are adequately performing their function of maintaining reasonably stable catches. Inherent …

Report No 21 - A Resource Survey Of Woody Island, Archipelago Of The Recherche, J. Goodsell, A. Tingay, S. R. Tingay

Fisheries Research Reports

A resource survey of Woody Island was undertaken by the three authors from 26 October, 1975 to 8 November, 1975.

The island has some unusual faunal and floral features not yet recorded for the Archipelago. These are discussed.

Some problems in relation to the island's management are identified.

Fisheries Report No 25 - The Western Australian Amateur Fishery For Australian Herring (Arripis Georgianus) - Results Of The 1973 Creel Census, R C.J. Lenanton, N. G. Hall

Fisheries Research Reports

Historically, the Western Australian production of Australian herring (Arrtpts georgtanus) has fluctuated from year to year in response to changing market demand. Prior to 1968, the annual catch taken by professional fishermen was relatively stable, ranging from 200 000 kg (approx. 500 000 pounds) to 450 000 kg (approx. 1 000 000 pounds). From 1968, commercial production has risen to a peak of 1 187 440 kg (2 617 857 pounds) recorded in 1972/73 (Table I). An increase in demand for herring as bait for the rock lobster fishery is considered to be the major factor involved in this observed …

Fisheries Report No 19 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1973 - 1974, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster* is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and which are designed to limit the total effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery both to ensure that the effort is remaining within the accepted limits and that the regulations are adequately performing their function of maintaining reasonably stable catches. Inherent …

Fisheries Report No 14 - Wilson Inlet - A Seasonally Closed Western Australian South Coast Estuary, R C.J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Reports

Considerable conflict has existed for many years between professional fishing, recreational usage and development in the west and south coast estuaries of Western Australia. One of the areas where intense conflict exists is Wilson Inlet.

The Government's task of advising the various interests concerned in these conflicts has been difficult, due to the lack of knowledge of estuarine fauna and environment in relation to usage and development.

The objective of this report is to present a preliminary description of the Wilson Inlet environment, to record the history of netting closures in the Inlet, and to discuss the history of the …

Fisheries Report No 15 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1972 - 1973, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster* is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and which are designed to limit the total effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery both to ensure that the effort is remaining within the accepted limits and that the regulations are adequately performing their function of maintaining reasonably stable catches. Inherent …

Conservation Of The National Estate, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

In 1973 the Australian Government established a Committee of Inquiry under Mr. Justice R. M. Hope to inquire into the National Estate. Under its terms of reference the Committee was to assess the nature and condition of the National Estate and the measures which were being and should be taken for its preservation and enhancement.

Officers of the Department of Agriculture recognise that there are basic natural resources such as land, water, gene material and ecosystems which are essential elements of the National Estate held in trust by successive generations.

In a submission to the Inquiry, matters of particular concern …

Fisheries Report No 13 - Results Of A Biological Survey Of The Shire Of Kent, Western Australia, N. L. Mckenzie

Fisheries Research Reports

The Department of Fisheries and Fauna is responsible for the conservation of the native fauna in Western Australia. The main approach to this problem has been the creation of reserves for "The Conservation of Flora and Fauna". These reserves, known as "Wildlife Sanctuaries", are controlled by the Western Australian Wild Life Authority - a Statutory Authority serviced by the Department.

The object of the acquisition programme is to develop a reserve system which will include, as far as possible, a full and permanent cross-section of the State's native floral and faunal assemblages and, at the same time, provide for the …

Bulletin No 3867 - Water For Agriculture. Clearing Cloudy Or Coloured Water, N. E. Platell

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

THE suspended material in most water supplies is generally clay, although sometimes organic matter and materials precipitated from solution, such as hydrated iron oxides, may be present. Coloured waters are those waters that are still coloured, due to dissolved coloured matter, after suspended material has been removed. Some coloured waters such as those found in swampy areas may be entirely free of suspended material.

The amount of clay or colour present is mainly of concern where the water is used for household purposes. Only rarely is the clay or colour present in such quantities that the water is undrinkable for …

Fisheries Report No 11 - The Fauna, Flora And Planned Usage Of The Dampier Archipelago, A. A. Burbidge, R. I. T. Prince

Fisheries Research Reports

The Dampier Archipelago is a group of islands off the north west coast of Australia (20 20! - 20 45'S, 116 Cast . 117°E), first discovered by William Dampier in 1699 and subsequently named after him by the Baudin expedition of 1801. This name has since been applied by some authors to include all islands from Roebourne to North West Cape, including both Barrow Island and the Monte Bello Islands, but it is more correctly applied to those islands within a 30 mile radius of the town of Dampier.

Ir. recent times, three parties have visited the Archipelago and examined …

Bulletin No 3861 - Kimberley Research Station - Progress Report 1972, J. R. Mcalpine, R. H. Gunn, P. Jakobsen, R. Wetselaar, J. J. Basinski, N. J. Thomson, A. G. L. Wilson, D. H. Mackenzie, A. J. Millington, D. F. Beech, P. C. Owen, B. G. Williams, C. G. Blunt, A. Mcr Holm

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The systematic investigations of the potential of the Ord area for irrigated farming began during the Second World War when the possibilities of damming the river were first examined, initial soil survey was carried out, and agricultural experiments started. The Kimberley Research Station was established on its present site in 1945. A year later the State and Commonwealth Governments agreed to finance and operate the Station jointly, with CSIRO and the Western Australian Department of Agriculture being responsible for research.

The construction of the main dam designed to store 5,675 million m" ( 4.6 million acre feet) was completed in …

Fisheries Report No 9 - The Fauna And Flora Of Monte Bello Islands, A. A. Burbidge Dr

Fisheries Research Reports

Two visits were made to the Monte Bello Islands in 1970 and 1971.

The aim of the visits was to examine the islands for the presence of native mammals and other fauna, and to explore the possibility of re-establishing fauna now extinct,

The first survey was carried out in conjunction with a more detailed examination of the Dampier Archipelago. The fisheries patrols vessel "Dampier" was used to reach the islands and as a base. Personnel were R. Johnstone (W.A. Museum), E.J. Little and J.D. Harman (crew of the "Dampier"), R.F. Dear and A.A, Burbidge, all from the Department of Fisheries …

Some Wildflowers Of Western Australia, C. F. H. Jenkins, A. S. George

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

MUCH recent discussion on conservation has centred around the importance of wild flower reserves and the need for protecting one of thci State's most important tourist attractions. Although less important to visitors than the flowers, many of our wild animals hold equal interest for nature lovers and scientists, and they also need protection.

ALTHOUGH the brilliance and diversity of West Australian wildflowers are widely appreci­ated, the localities where they can best be observed in their natural state are not so well known.

In this article a brief outline is given of the more important districts in the south western part …

Soil Conservation Handbook, D J. Carder, G W. Spencer, Soil Consevation Service

Books & book chapters

Soil Conservation means, basically sound land management. With good management the Ste's resources of productive land can be bot only maintained but actually improved. It is a question of deciding the best use for each soil type and situation. Profitable Production must be kept up in changing economic conditions without destroying land assets in the process.

Water Conservation : The Storage Life Of Farm Dams, D J. Carder

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

HOW MANY stock can a dam of a certain size and depth be expected to carry and how long will the supply last?

What size of dam is needed in case the winter rains fail? How many stock can a dam support and still provide a drought supply?

Fisheries Report No Iv (6) - Report On The Current Status Of Crocodiles In Western Australia, H. Robert Bustard Dr

Fisheries Research Reports

The aim of the survey was fivefold,

(1) to determine the present abundance and composition of saltwater crocodile populations in Western Australia,

(2) to comment on the status of the freshwater crocodile in Western Australia following 7 years of total protection,

(3) to locate study area(s) for detailed work on crocodile biology,

(4) to investigate the feelings of people on the spot (especially shooters or ex-shooters) towards crocodile conservation, and

(5) to investigate law enforcement problems relating to crocodiles

West Midlands Development : Soil Map Used To Group Similar Soils Into Land Use Classes, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Selection of areas for initial treatment is basic to economic development of blocks in the West Midlands.

Obviously, it is best to develop large areas of the most productive "land use classes" first in order to obtain the highest and earliest returns on capital.

Fishery Report Iv (4) - Report On The Barramundi Fishery In Western Australia, N M. Morrissy

Fisheries Research Reports

Barramundi are widely distributed in rivers and estuaries in the semi-tropical and tropical regions of the Indo- Pacific from South China to the Persian Gulf and along the coast of northern Australia. The limiting factors to the distribution appear to be temperature and salinity.

Flora And Fauna Conservation : A Plea To Landholders, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

MUCH of the recent discussion on conservation has centred around the importance of wild flower reserves and the necessity for protecting one of the State's most important tourist attractions.

Although less important to visitors than the flowers, many of our wild animals hold equal interest for nature lovers and scientists, and they also need protection.

Honey Plants In Western Australia, F. G. Smith

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Successful honey production depends, among other things on a good knowledge of the plants which produce nectar.

Every apiarist needs to know which plants are of importance to honey-bees, where those plants occur, and when they flower. He also needs to know which plants produce nectar which will result in the production of good quality honey, and which produce unpalatable or unmarketable honey. To maintain the strength of his bee colonies he also needs to know which plants produce nutritious pollen.

The object of this bulletin is to provide the basic information on these subjects in the main beekeeping areas …

Wildflowers Of The Stirling Range, Alexander S. George

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

TWO hundred miles south-east of Perth, the Stirling Range rises abruptly from the surrounding plain. About forty miles long, it is a line of semi-isolated hills, rather than a continuous block.

There are many intriguing plants of diverse colour and form. Well over 400 species are known from the Range. A number of these are found no-where else, and some are restricted to one mountain.

West Midlands Development : Erosion Prevention And Control, G W. Spencer

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

THE prevention of soil erosion is essentially a matter of using each soil according to its potential, and treating it according to its needs.

Good land use and sound management practices are the best preventive measures.

West Midlands Development : Water Supplies In The West Midlands, I A F Laing

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

IF it is practical and economic to develop both surface and underground supplies, the aim on each farm should be to provide half the farm water requirement from dams, and the other half from bores.

The Ord River Catchment Regeneration Project. 1. The Nature, Extent And Causes Of Erosion In The Ord River Catchment Area, K Fitzgerald

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

OF the 17,800 square miles of Ord River catchment area, an estimated 1,450 square miles of country is subject to varying degrees of erosion.

This lies astride the Ord River and its major tributaries, the Elvire, Negri, Stirling, Panton, Turner, Nicholson and RB rivers.

The bulk of the eroded country lies in W.A. but part projects into the Northern Territory.

Fisheries Report No 3 - Western Australian Freshwater Fisheries, Donald D. Francois

Fisheries Research Reports

Most of the Australian States have a comprehensive system of inland waterways, Western Australia, however, is in a less fortunate position. True, the maps of the State show many rivers, but in much of the southern, more populous part, with no summer rain and no winter snow, the majority are virtually a chain of waterholes during the long summer months. At the same time, in a relatively small section in the south-west corner, there is a series of permanent streams flowing through what was originally dense forest. But apart from the three indigenous freshwater crustaceans, the marron (Cherax tenuimanus), the …

Fisheries Report No I (1) - The Shark Bay Fishery On Snapper Chrysophrys Unicolor (Quoy And Gaimard), B. K. Bowen

Fisheries Research Reports

As regards both catch and value, the Shark Bay snapper fishery is the second most important scale fishery in Western Australia. Until 195%, the fishing was done solely by means of hard-lines operated from beats drifting over the snapper patches. In 1959 traps were first used with great success and in 196) this method of fishing was again the principal technique.

Prior to the 1960 season there were several suggestions that the use of traps would have a deleterious effect on the fishery. On October 19, 1959, the Western Australian League of the Professional Fishermen's Association wrote to the Fisheries …

Treating Severe Saltland, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE illustration shows a large area of severely salt affected land near Narembeen.

Before treatment, sheep had access to the area and in summer broke the topsoil into a fine powder which lifted to form dust storms with every good breeze.