Natural Resources and Conservation Commons^™

Fisheries Report No 78 - A Re-Examination Of The Methods Used For Handling Undersize Western Rock Lobsters, R. S. Brown, C J. Dibden

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus (George) is the most important single species fishery in Australia, and one of the major rock lobster fisheries of the world, with catches over the last ten years (1973 to 1983) averaging approximately 9.8 million kg annually.

The continuing success of the fishery can be attributed mainly to effective management, which involves a complex system of regulations, the majority of which were introduced in 1963 and which are constantly being revised to accommodate changes in the fishery. One important piece of legislation, effective from 17 December 1965, was the introduction of …

Fisheries Report No 73 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1981 - 1982, R. S. Brown, E. H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. Western Australia produced 10,548 tonnes in 1981/82, out of a total Australian catch of rock lobster of 15,764 tonnes. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and Hancock (1981) and which are designed to limit the total fishing 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 …

Fisheries Report No 69 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1979 - 1980, R. S. Brown, E. H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. Western Australia produced 10 724 tons in 1979/80, out of a total Australian catch of rock lobster of 14 739 tons. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and Hancock (1981) and which are designed to limit the total fishing effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery both …

Fisheries Report No 72 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1980 - 1981, R. S. Brown, E. H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. Western Australia produced 9 957 tonnes in 1980/81, out of a total Australian catch of rock lobster of 15 565 tonnes. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and Hancock (1981) and which are designed to limit the total fishing effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the fishery …

Fisheries Report No 70 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1982 - 1983, R. S. Brown, E. H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. Western Australia produced a record 12 416 tons in 1982/83, out of a total Australian rock lobster catch of 18 192 tons. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and Hancock (1981) and which are designed to limit the total fishing effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of the …

Fisheries Report No 68 - The Commercial Fishery For Barramundi (Lates Calcarifer) In Western Australia, Dr N. Morrissy

Fisheries Research Reports

Commercial catch and effort data from the Western Australian fishery for barramundi, Lates calcarifer, over eight years to 1982-83 were analysed. Major stocks and areas of this fishery are Cambridge Gulf (Ord River, port of Wyndham), Kimberley coast, King Sound and Broome coast (Fitzroy River, ports of Derby and Broome), and Pilbara coast (ports of Port Hedland, Roebourne and Onslow) where the Ashburton River is the southern limit to the distribution of barramundi on the west coast. As elsewhere, barramundi stocks are associated with river systems. The Low annual catch of about 30 tonnes appears to be due to the …

Fisheries Report No 71 - An Investigation Of The Mortality Of The Pearl Oyster, Pinctada Maxima, In Western Australia, Rand Dybdahl, David A. Pass

Fisheries Research Reports

A three year investigation into the cause of abnormally high mortality rates of the pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima, on the cultured pearl industry's lease sites in the North West of Western Australia was completed on 30 June 71983. The objective of this study was to determine environmental, physiological and pathological factors predisposing farm oysters to excessive Levels of mortality and, if possible, make recommendations to alleviate this problem.

As mass mortalities may have complex causes, complementary field and laboratory studies were instigated. The culture industry's method of collection, transportation and farm husbandry were examined. Environmental parameters were monitored. Various empirical …

Fisheries Report No 66 - The Fishery For Perth Herring, Nematalosa Vlaminghi (Munro), C F. Chubb, N. G. Hall, R C.J. Lenanton, I. C. Potter

Fisheries Research Reports

Perth herring fishery over the last 30 years have been examined. While there are pockets of catches between Broome and Bunbury, those from the Swan Estuary and nearby inshore marine waters make by far the most important contribution to the fishery. In the Swan Estuary, the catches started rising in the 1950s in response to a demand by the rock lobster industry for bait and reached peak values in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Data are provided which demonstrate that catch per boat is a good index of catch per unit effort (CPUE) in the period since 1967 when …

Fisheries Report No. 65 - The Amateur Fishery For Marron (Cherax Tenuimanus) In Western Australia - Summary Of Logbook Data 1971-83, N. Morrissy, C. Fellows, N. Caputi

Fisheries Research Reports

The large, native crayfish called marron, Cherax tenuimanus, supports an extensive recreational fishery in the southwest of Western Australia. This report examines annual catch and effort statistics gathered from a Logbook programme, initiated in the 1971/72 season and supplemented by an end of season telephone survey from 1977. Logbook data gave estimates of relative abundance, but were too biased for projection to total catch and effort for the fishery, while telephone surveys gave unbiased estimates of total annual fishing effort (trips)l.

Relative abundance showed a significant decline in the major rivers and the most popular dam (Wellington) over the monitoring …

Fisheries Report No 60 - Amateur Net Fishing Survey Of Two Western Australian South Coast Estuaries In January 1981, D. I. Heald

Fisheries Research Reports

Following the return of the administration of fishing activities in Wellstead estuary and Beaufort Inlet to the Western Australian Government in October 1980, a survey of the amateur net fishing in these two estuaries was undertaken in January 1987, The purpose of the survey was to document usage, species catches and size composition of fish caught in respect of mesh size used and the success rate of amateur net fishermen as compared to their expectation. At the time of the survey, Wellstead estuary had been closed to the sea for 13 months and Beaufort Inlet for 27 months and the …

Fisheries Report No 63 - Assessment Of Artificial Feeds For Battery Culture Of A Freshwater Crayfish, Marron (Cherax Tenuimanus) (Decapoda: Parastacidae), Dr N. Morrissy

Fisheries Research Reports

Performance of juvenile crayfish, 0.1-5 g, on a variety of commercial crustacean feeds was tested under conditions of individual housing ("battery culture"), where sources of additional feed were minimized (detritus), or eliminated (cannibalism) Survival was close, or equal, to 100% over 50 day test periods, a reflection of optimal battery conditions rather than feeding, since survival over 100 days for an unfed (control} group was also 100%. No ecdysiad mortality, or trauma, occurred with crayfish, up to 10g, in compartments of area 75 cm. Growth performance in tests was rated by separate ratios for ecdysial increment and frequency, relative to …

Fisheries Report No 64 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1977 - 1978, R. S. Brown, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus 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 fishing 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 …

Fisheries Report No 67 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1978 - 1979, R. S. Brown, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and an important export earner for the State. Western Australia produced a record 11 388 tons in 1978/79, out of a total Australian catch of rock lobster of 15 400 tons. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which have been reviewed by Bowen (1971) and Hancock (1981) and which are designed to limit the total fishing effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size. It is thus important to constantly monitor the state of …

Fisheries Report No 62 - The Commercial Fisheries Of Temperate Western Australian Estuaries: Early Settlement To 1975, R C.J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Reports

This report provides a quantitative description of the commercial estuarine fisheries of temperate Western Australia. An account is given of the Long series of historical events which influenced the development of the fisheries and led to their current status. All available catch and effort data covering the years 1898 - 1975 are presented. The use of this long series of historical catch and effort data as an aid to the management of the estuarine fisheries resources is discussed. It is emphasised that interpretations of these data cannot be undertaken effectively without a knowledge of factors such as Life history strategies, …

Fisheries Report No 59 - Potential Fisheries Capability Of The Ord In The Short, Medium And Long Terms, Dr N. Morrissy

Fisheries Research Reports

This report examines the history, future and problems of various methods for development and exploitation of the fisheries resources of the Ord.

The primary resource is the array of native fish and crustacean species, with the possible introduction of other desirable or noxious species being a subject for consideration.

Water resources, supporting these species, are the remaining natural Ord River downstream from the Diversion Dam at Kununurra, the stillwaters of Lake Kununurra and Lake Argyle, and, for aquaculture, the controlled distribution of water supply over the flat land of the irrigation system (Fig. 1). Another recognized resource is the climatic …

Report No 49 - Geographically Restricted Plants Of Southern Western Australia, Barbara L. Rye

Fisheries Research Reports

This publication lists 527 angiosperm species native to southern western Australia whose known geographical ranges are less than 100 kilometres long. A further 128 angiosperms are listed with geographical ranges between 100 and 160 kilometres. No fern or gymnosperm species in the region are known to be geographically restricted.

Apart from the presently unnamed species, a large majority of the rare plants of southern Western Australia are believed to be listed, including 86 of the species that have been gazetted as rare flora.

Less than 40% of the listed species are known to occur on conservation reserves and less than …

Fishery Report No 55 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1961 - 1971, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster, Panulinus cygnus is one of the most important single fisheries in Australia and one of the major rock lobster fisheries of the world with catches in recent years averaging some 8000 tonnes annually. The history of the commercial fishery extends back to 1944/45 factory when a canning was opened at the Abrolhos Islands (Figure 1) with a view to supplying the Australian armed forces. After the World war, an export market for fresh frozen rock lobster tails was quickly established in the U.S.A. and the industry, sharing in the advantages of postwar reconstruction, …

Fisheries Report No 51 - 'Taiyo Maru 71" Demersal Trawling Cruise In Western Australian Coastal Waters South Of 21 S, July-September, 1979, D. I. Heald, M. H. Walker

Fisheries Research Reports

A Japanese demersal trawler, 'Taiyo Maru 771' was given special permission to conduct exploratory trawling in the period 73.7.79-16.9.79 off the Western Australian coast between 21°S Latitude and 35°30'S Latitude, an area which partly overlapped the fishing grounds for the western rock Lobster. The vessel was required to complete a catch, fishing effort and species composition log book issued by the Commonweath Department of Primary Industry. Two Western Australian Department of Fisheries and Wildlife observers on board monitored fishing operations for the entire duration of the cause and undertook research.

Details of each trawl conducted are given and discussed. Catch …

Fisheries Report No 57 - Exploratory Fishing For Spanish Mackerel In Waters Off Western Australia During The Period June 16 To October 16, 1981, K. Donohue, P. Edsall, J. Robins, R. Tregonning

Fisheries Research Reports

The results of catching Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) by gillnet and troll lines during a survey extending from June 16 to October 16 1981 are presented.

The catch rate of mackerel obtained by trolling with six lines was found to be 14.35 times greater than that by gillnet, measuring 0.75 miles in length.

From the results presented, a professional fisherman should be able to assess the economic viability of fishing commercially for Spanish mackerel.

Analysis of biometrial and biological data on fish caught allowed determination of (a) length/weight relationship of (i) Spanish mackerel (ii) wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri); (b) sex ratios …

Report No 54 - A Guide To The Gazetted Rare Flora Of Western Australia: Supplement 1, Susan J. Patrick, Stephen D. Hopper

Fisheries Research Reports

On March 12, 1982 36 plants were added to and 4 plants were deleted from the schedule of flora proclaimed by the Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife to be rare, likely to become extinct or otherwise in need of special protection under Section 23F of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950-1979. Descriptions and drawings of each of the 36 additions to the schedule are provided.

All 36 rare taxa are confined to the South West Botanical Province, most being concentrated in the Albany, Pingelly,

Moora and Wongan Hills wildlife districts. There is an urgent need for further studies on the conservation …

Fisheries Report No 52 - The Present State Of The Western Australian Fishery For Australian Salmon, Michael H. Walker

Fisheries Research Reports

In 1975, following a number of years of research by the CSIRO Division of Fisheries and Oceanography, it was decided to conduct. a renewed programme cooperatively between CSIRO and W.A. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. The results of the joint programmes will be presented elsewhere. Meanwhile this paper. describes the Western Australian salmon fishery in 1981 and over the life of the current CSIRO/W.A. salmon research programme i.e. 1975-1981. It considers both the professional and amateur fishery, the disposal of the catch and attempts to discuss any changes in technique, effort, etc. which may have occurred in the period 1975-1981. …

Report No 41 - A Survey Method For Identifying Roadside Flora Suitable For Conservation In Western Australia, John K. Scott

Fisheries Research Reports

A survey method for identifying flora suitable for conservation alongside roads in south-western Australia was derived from an examination of characteristics of road verges. Two roads, from Midland to Toodyay and from Armadale to Bunbury, were examined. Width of verge, weed cover, soil disturbance, vegetation structure, presence of public utilities, evidence of fire and the type of adjoining land were measured at one mile (1.6 km) intervals on both sides of the road. Also recorded were aesthetic qualities such as stands of beautiful trees and sites of special interest, e.g. the presence of rare plants.

Three variables, percentage weed cover, …

Fisheries Report No 48 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1976 - 1977, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The fishery for the western rock lobster Panuldinus cygnus 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 …

Fisheries Report No 43 - A Pit Trap Survey Of Small Mammals, Lizards And Frogs On The Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Stephen D. Hopper

Fisheries Research Reports

Ten pitlines were placed in open low woodlands near Moates Lake and in upland and coastal heathlands near Mount Gardner on Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve during February 1980 and February 1981. The trapping program established that Common Dunnarts (Smitnthopsts murina) and Honey Possums (Tarstpes spencerae) were widespread in the reserve, and added three lizards and one frog to the list of vertebrates known to occur on the reserve.

Twenty mammals (15 native and 5 feral), four snakes, fifteen lizards, one tortoise and six frogs are now known on Iwo Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. They constitute a representative sample of …

Report No 42 - A Guide To The Gazetted Rare Flora Of Western Australia, Barbara L. Rye, Stephen D. Hopper

Fisheries Research Reports

Descriptions and illustrations are provided for the first 100 taxa which have been gazetted as rare, likely to become extinct or in need of special protection under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950-1979. Most of these rare taxa are restricted to the South-West Botanical Province and more than one-third occur in the Albany Wildlife District.

An outline is given of the means adopted to determine which taxa are gazetted as rare, the legal provisions for their protection and the biological data being sought for their management.

Fisheries Report No 46 - The Amateur Fishery For The Western Rock Lobster, Pamela N. Norton

Fisheries Research Reports

A study of the amateur fishery for the western rock Lobster, Paulinus cygnus George, was commenced by the W.A. Marine Research Laboratories in August, 1976, and was concluded in December, 1978. The main aims of this study were to collect and analyse data to give some estimate of the distribution and magnitude of this amateur fishery.

Prior to this survey, the only catch and fishing effort data available was that obtained from the commercial fishery. Data from the amateur fishery were required in order to make a full assessment of the Level of exploitation of the stocks. In addition, 144 …

Fisheries Report No 45 - The Short Term Effects Of Brush Harvesting On The Kwongan Vegetation At Eneabba, Western Australia, E. A. Griffin, A. J. M. Hopkins

Fisheries Research Reports

Areas of the kwongan vegetation south of Eneabba are currently being harvested to provide brush for rehabilitation after mining. Because of the botanical importance of the Eneabba kwongan, a study of the effects of the harvesting was initiated. Three areas with different harvest histories were sampled using quadrats paired across cut/uncut boundaries. Floristic and structural differences between quadrats and between areas were assessed. The store of seed in uncut vegetation was measured.

There was a loss of species as a result of harvesting, at least in the short-term. Many species regenerated by resprouting from buds in damaged stems or in …

Report No 40 - Commercially Exploited Vacsular Plants Native In Western Australia: Census, Atlas And Preliminary Assessment Of Conservation Status, Barbara L. Rye, S. D. Hopper, L. E. Watson

Fisheries Research Reports

A census and atlas is provided of 1 119 native Western Australian plant species which were commercially exploited during 1977-79 in the cut plant, nursery or seed trades. The exploited species are concentrated in the vicinities of Perth and Albany, the two matin centres for the wildflower industry. Preliminary assessments of the conservation status of the exploited species are provided. Approximately r200 species are regarded as being rare, geographically or poorly collected, and further studies are recommended for these species to determine whether they are in danger of overexploitation.

Fisheries Report No 39 - The Wildlife Of The Proposed Toolonga Nature Reserve, Shark Bay Shire, Western Australia, A. A. Burbidge, P. J. Fuller, K. Cashin

Fisheries Research Reports

Following a Cabinet endorsed recommendation by the Environmental Protection Authority in 1975, an area of vacant Crown Zand (the Toolonga Area) was examined during April and September, 1978.

The geology, soils and vegetation of the area are described and annotated lists of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles are presented. A small part of the area lies in the South West Botanical Province (Irwin District) but most is in the Eremaean Botanical Province (Carnarvon District). The vertebrate fauna is a mixture of south-western, Shark Bay and arid zone species, but the last predominate.

The Toolonga Area provides an opportunity to protect …

Fisheries Report No. 37 - An Inventory Of The Marine Resources Of The Bunbury Marine Area And Geographe Bay, Michael H. Walker

Fisheries Research Reports

The marine resources of the Geographe Bay/Bunbury marine area were investigated using a variety of fishing gear i.e. set lines, set nets, trawls, ring nets, beach seines, hand lines, trolling lines, traps and light attraction at night. All the ftsh species caught were documented as to breeding state and food habits.

Commercial species encountered as adults during fishing operations were: bronze whaler, whiskery and gummy sharks, Westralian jewfish, Australian herring, skippy, flathead, oriental bonito, blue and sandy sprat, pilchard, mulloway, whiting, yellowtail scad, flounder, and leatherjacket and as juveniles were: skippy, yellowtail scad, tailor, southern sea garfish, pilchard, blue and …