Natural Resources and Conservation Commons^™

Managing Eucalypt Wheatbelt Woodlands - Revegetation On Farms Information Kit, David Bicknell

Natural resources published reports

Revegetation on farms

The Revegetation on Farms Project and the material in this Information Kit is targeted at the agricultural zone of Western Australia with less than 600 mm rainfall. Some of the information is valid outside this range.

All information is provided in good faith, to help make informed revegetation decisions leading to sustainable land use.

Aquaculture Plan For The Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The objective of this aquaculture plan is to : Provide a sound basis for developing a new aquaculture industry in the Abrolhos Islands, while at the same time conserving the unique environment of the islands for present and future generations, and minimising conflict between aquaculture and existing and future users of the islands.

Protecting And Sharing Western Australia's Coastal Fish Resources. The Path To Integrated Management., Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The fisheries management framework of the 21st Century must not only be able to manage the level of exploitation by commercial and recreational fisheries, but also provide an agreed basis and process for changes in the way fish and aquatic resources are used and shared by this community. There is a clear need to counter inevitable pressure on stocks from the impact of a growing population, increasing coastal development and the demands of various key user groups. Unless we are proactive in dealing with the growing exploitation of fisheries along our State’s vast 12,000km coastline, it will be difficult to …

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 4446 - Ord Land And Water Management Plan 2000, Agriculture Western Australia, Community Of Kununurra

Bulletins 4000 -

The wise use of the land and water of the Ord has become an imperative driven by increasing awareness of the impacts of current uses on ground water and the on the quality of the Ord River itself.

We have been lucky as a community that these resources are still in reasonable order and that we have the time to address the resource management challenges associated with our use of them. There is a wide range of land and water management issues to be addressed and all those involved have responsibilities to address some of those issues.

Bulletin 4369 - Ord River Irrigation Area - Kununurra Western Australia, Agriculture Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in the Kimberley Province of Western Australia is the product of a bold and imaginative plan to develop part of the nation's tropical north for intensive agriculture by harnessing the waters of the Ord River. The principal features of the scheme are:

* A major storage reservoir formed by a dam constructed where the Ord River enters the Carr-Boyd Ranges, 160 kilometres south-east of Wyndham.

* A diversion dam, 50 kilometres further downstream, to raise the river level and divert water to be released from the major storage reservoir onto the irrigable lands.

* …

Bulletin 4359 - Soils Of The Swan Coastal Plain, Mike Bolland

Bulletins 4000 -

Almost all the soils of the Swan coastal plain are formed by material deposited by sea, rivers and wind. The Yilgarn Block, east and south of the Scarp bordering the Swan Coastal Plain (Fig. 1), rose about 40 to 50 million years ago. This caused erosion of the block by rivers and streams, and the eroded material was either deposited onto the Swan Coastal Plain or washed into the sea. The eroded material formed new soils on the Plain.

Broadly there are two major types of soils on the Coastal Plain. The first is a series of dune system near …

Social And Economic Data For Regional And Natural Resource Management In Western Australia's South West Catchment : Results Of The 2006 Landholder Survey, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia, South West Catchments Council (W.A.), Michael Hanslip, Australia. Bureau Of Rural Sciences.

All other publications

This report presents a summary of the key findings from a mailed survey to 2,000 landholders in the South West Region of Western Australia in 2006. The survey gathered information on the key social and economic factors affecting landholder decision-making about the adoption of practices expected to improve the management of natural resources in the region. The response rate for the survey was 69.4%.

The South West Catchment Council, Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food and the Bureau of Rural Sciences were key project partners. Funding was from a mix of national, state and regional programmes, including the Natural …

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.

Geographe Bay Catchment Natural Resource Atlas, Sarah Weaving

All other publications

The Geographe Bay Catchment Atlas is one of a series of Natural Resource Atlases covering the agricultural region of Western Australia. The purpose of the Atlas is to provide data for people in local communities who manage or have an interest in natural resources. It is now realised that the various components of the land interact with each other and therefore need to be managed together. This Atlas is intended to present natural resource and land information in an accessible way to people of the area. It may act as a focus for catchment planning and provide a starting point …

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 …

Report On Degradation In The Southern River / Wungong Catchment. Perth, Western Australia, Brian Lloyd

Natural resources published reports

A five day field survey of degradation in the Southern River/Wungong Catchment revealed several areas of concern. Key concerns are:

- Erosion and Sedimentation

Various forms of water erosion were present that cumulatively, would probably have a significant effect on the water quality of the Canning (and Swan) River. Much of the water erosion results from the installation and maintenance of infrastructure and developments, e.g. roads, subdivisions, stormwater drains etc. Reviewing standard practices, raising of awareness of consequences of erosion and training in urban erosion and sediment control techniques is recommended. Wind erosion is also an issue on the sands …

Fisheries Management Report No. 2 - Use Of Market Mechanisms For The Allocation Of Commercial Fishing Access Entitlements In Western Australia, Economics Consulting Services Pty Ltd

Fisheries Published Reports

This publication has been prepared as a discussion paper on the potential use of market-based mechanisms for allocating commercial fishing entitlements in Western Australia. The aim has been to explore alternative mechanisms for allocating entitlements and the circumstances under which various methods might be more effective.

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Sandstone-Yalgoo-Paynes Find Area, Western Australia, A L. Payne, A M E Van Vreeswyk, K A. Leighton, H J. Pringle, P Hennig

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the Sandstone-Yalgoo-Paynes Find area, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1992 and 1993, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the area’s natural resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about …

Fisheries Research Report No.109 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1991/92 To 1992/93, C. F. Chubb, E. H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The 1991/92 and 1992/93 seasons produced 12,200 and 12,300 tonnes of rock lobsters, taken by 12.8 and 11.8 million pot lifts respectively.

This report covering these two seasons is the latest in a series of reports covering The Western Rock Lobster Fishery, which is Western Australia's largest and most valuable fishery.

These reports are a historical record of various data for use by industry and research personnel now and in the future and covers such issues as: management/legislative changes, value of the product and licences, input costs (fuel, bait etc), changes in fishing practices, gear, technology and boats, together with …

Yuna Farm Improvement Group - Conservation Farm Planning Manual, Mike Clarke, Cecilia Mcconnell, Nancye Gannaway

Natural resources published reports

A landcare group formed on Tuesday, 30 June 1998 due to growing concern about land degradation. The main interests and objectives of the group where discuss and were outlined as follows:

1. Wind Erosion

2. Soil Acidity

3. Soil Degradation

4. Remnant Vegetation Decline

5. Tree Placement and Survival

6. Oil Mallees

7. Water Erosion

8. Non Wetting Soils

9. Salinity

10. Waterlogging

The first step toward addressing these issues was to organise two workshops with Mike Clarke, Cecilia McConnell and Nancye Gannaway from Agriculture Western Australia. The first workshop was held on the 4/8/98 and the second on the …

Northern Agriculture Integrated Management Strategy - Sub-Region Strategies And Action Plans, Agriculture Western Australia

Natural resources published reports

Greenough Sub-region

Moore River Sub-region

West Midlands Sub-region

Yarra Yarra Sub-region

The strategies and action plans contained in this document have been developed by members of the community, local industry and government agencies, representing the four sub-regions of the Northern Agricultural Region. Sub-regional strategy development has occurred due to community and agency recognition of the importance of protecting, enhancing and developing the region's valuable natural resource base.

Work began on this process with a two-day regional workshop in October 1996 and following this, numerous sub-regional meetings were held over a period of one year.

The summary of this planning work …

Western Australian Fisheries - Key Achievements 1997-1998, Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Published Reports

The WA fishing community can look back at the past year with considerable satisfaction.

Close partnership arrangements between Government, industry, the community and Fisheries Western Australia have both consolidated and advanced the State's position at the forefront of sustainable management of marine environments and fish resources.

Together, commercial fishing and recreational fishing make 􀁚 annual $1.5 billion contribution to the Western Australian economy. Through a carefully balanced portfolio of policies and initiatives the Coalition is making sure that both sectors continue to prosper, while at the same time ensuring that future generations inherit a marine environment which we are all …

Bulletin 4333 - Furrow Sowing On Water Repellent Soils, Paul Blackwell, Grant Morrow

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin discusses the benefits that furrow sowing brings to crop growth and production on water repellent sand, based on research and farm observations in Western Australian. By understanding the benefits and risks of several key processes, producers can better evaluate the potential role of furrow sowing in combating water repellency. This is true whether one is using direct drilling, no-till (narrow points or discs) or zero till (single, double or triple disc openers) methods.

Western Australian Fisheries - The Way Forward (1997), Western Australian Fisheries

Fisheries Published Reports

Western Australia's fisheries have a bright future.

The State has a pristine marine environment which is enjoyed by both commercial and recreational fishing interests, and the wider community.

There are over 600,000 Western Australians for whom recreational fishing is a favourite pastime and each year they contribute an estimated $500 million to the State's economy. As the popularity of recreational fishing continues to rise so does the sector's importance in overall management of our fisheries.

The commercial industry contributes about $1 billion annually, derived from a wide variety of fish stocks, the major ones being rock lobster, prawns, scallops, abalone …

Fisheries Research Report No 108 - Aspects Of The Biology And Stock Assessment Of The Whitebait, Hyperlophus Vittatus,In South Western Australia, D. J. Gaughan, W. J. Fletcher, R J. Tregonning, J. Goh

Fisheries Research Reports

The biology, distribution and stock size of whitebait along the lower west coast of Western Australia were studied between 1991 and 1994. Age, growth and reproductive biology of whitebait were investigated using samples collected from the commercial fishery. The distribution of adult whitebait and their main spawning times were determined using data on eggs that were caught in plankton samples. Aspects of the population dynamics of whitebait were investigated by examining the relationships of historical catch data with fishing effort and some environmental parameters.

Whitebait are a small species with most growth occurring in the first year (K = I. …

Fisheries Research Report No 107 - Chemical Composition Of Yabbies (Cherax Albidus Clark 1936) From Western Australian Farm Dams, Kevin A. Francesconi, Noel M. Morrissy

Fisheries Research Reports

Proximate analyses, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, mineral composition and heavy metal and pesticide residues have been determined for tail muscle from Cherax albidus Clark 1936 (the yabby), sampled from Western Australian farm dams. The proximate analysis values for water, protein, ash, carbohydrate and energy content and the amino acid and fatty acid profiles of yabby tail muscle were similar to those reported for other decapods. Fat levels were low and, hence, cholesterol was very low in tail meat. Organochlorine pesticides were undetectable and heavy metal residues were well below maximum permitted concentrations for human consumption.

Bulletin 4329 - Environmental Hazards Of Farming In Western Australia, Greg Hamilton, Ian Foster, Philip M. Goulding

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin is one of a series on crop establishment practices which minimise soil disturbance and improve stubble retention. In partnership with primary producers, Agriculture Western Australia 1s focussed on improved and profitable farming which conserves or improves the quality of the State's soil resources.

Agricultural land in Western Australia is naturally fragile and susceptible to degradation. Salinity and wind erosion are the most visible and significant forms of degradation, but all forms are present over large areas of agricultural land (House of Representatives Enquiry into Land Degradation in Western Australia, 1988).

The fragility of Western Australia's soils has been …

Fisheries Research Report No 105 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1986/87 To 1990/91, C. F. Chubb, E. H. Barker, R. S. Brown

Fisheries Research Reports

This report on the western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus, George 1962) fishery covers the five seasons 1986/87 to 1990/91 and is the latest in a series of reports on the State's largest and most valuable fishery. While more detailed data bases exist, these reports form a historical record of basic data for use by both industry and research workers, now and in the future. Catch and fishing effort in the seasons (1986/87 to 1990/91) varied between 8500 and 12300 tonnes and 11.3 and 12.8 million pot lifts respectively. This report provides detail on the distribution of catches and fishing effort; …

Fisheries Research Report No 104 - Assessment Of The Effects Of A Trial Period Of Unattended Recreational Netting In Selected Estuaries Of Temperate Western Australia, Between 1 January 1994 And 30 June 1995, R. C. Lenanton, R. Allison, Sg Ayvazian

Fisheries Research Reports

Gill nets have been used in coastal marine and estuarine waters of Western Australia to take fish for sale and/or domestic consumption since the State was first settled. However, over recent years, as the usage of these coastal waters has continued to increase, and the competition for fish resources becomes more intense, fishing methods, such as unattended gill nets that are indiscriminate with respect to target species, and generally ,wasteful of resources have become less tolerated by the general community.

As part of a push for tighter controls on the use of recreational gill nets, a requirement for fishers to …

Rex ' 96 : An Expert Guide To Revegetation, David Bicknell

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

Agriculture Western Australia has provided coordination and technical input to a powerful source of information on plants for Australian conditions. David Bicknell outlines some of its features and uses.

Farmers, local government, advisers and even gardeners often have trouble finding the right plant for the right place for a given purpose. Rather than spend a lot of time, money and effort looking through scattered sources of information, many people stick with a limited number of species year after year. This neglects plants that may be much better suited to the purpose, and also fails to develop Australia's huge range of …

Salinity Action Plan, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

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

In November, the Premier of Western Australia, Richard Court, released his governments strategy to tackle one of the State's most serious environmental problems - salinity. This article provides a summary of the action plan, full details are available in a two volum set 'Salinity - a situation statement for Western Australia' and 'Western australian salinity action plan'.

Copies of the reports are available from Publication Section, Agriculture Western Australia, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth 6151. Phone (09) 368 3729

Weeds : A Curse For Native Plants In Farm Woodlands, Max Abensperg-Traun

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

Weeds have a mJOR IMPct on native Australian plants, particularly in the tropical north and the agricultural regions of southern Australia.

Maz Abensperg-Traun, and his clooeagues from the CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, explainthe effects of weed invasion on the diversity of native herbaceous plants in faarm woodlands in the centeral wheatbelt of south-west Western Australia.

Abandon The Paddock : A Valid Method Of Rehabilitation?, Max Abensperg-Traun

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

The scale of the revegetayion needed to combat land and habitat degradation can only be achieved over a long period of time. An alternative to revegitation is to abandon parts oof the farm for passive regeneration. Max Abensperg-Traun, and his colleagues from CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, report on some outomes from such a strategy.

Toolibin Catchment Revegetation Manual, Avril Baxter

Natural resources published reports

In1983, heavy winter rains resulted in severe inundation and flooding of the lower parts of the Toolibin catchment. The damage to crops and pastures was immense and costly. Local farmers realised that they needed to work together to minimise the impact of heavy rainfall events on their farm productivity.

At the same time the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) was concerned about the quality of both ground and surface water in the catchment area for Toolibin Lake, the last remaining wooded freshwater lake in the southern wheatbelt. This mutual interest led to the formation of the …