Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons^™

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. …

Land Degradation In The Fitzroy Valley Of Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia. Rangeland Management Branch

Resource management technical reports

The report reassesses the condition of formerly valuable grazing lands of the Fitzroy River valley frontage lands. It is hoped that the submission will promote discussion on the problems of degenerated pastoral land and increase the resolve of all concerned to take the necessary action for their restoration. The frontage lands flank the major rivers of the area, the Fitzroy, the Margaret and the Meda and their tributaries. The frontage is capable of supporting the best pastures in the Kimberley, but unwise and uncontrolled stocking has profoundly degraded and eroded the most productive parts. There are about 5,800 square kilometres …

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 47 - 1980 Review Of Rainfall And Wetlands In The South-West Of Western Australia, J. A.K. Lane, D. R. Munro

Fisheries Research Reports

An account is given of the biological principles involved in decisions concerning duck-shooting seasons in the south-west of Western Australia.

The conditions for waterfowl which prevailed during 1980 are described through the use of rainfall statistics and data obtained from the Department's wetland monitoring programme.

1980 was the fifth consecutive year of below-average rainfall in all five Meteorological Districts of the south-west. 1976 to 1980 was thus' the south-west's driest five-year period since 1913 at least.

Low rainfall during 1980 resulted in a further decline in the condition of wetlands throughout most of the inland south-west, Few gauged wetlands increased …

Fisheries Report No 44 - The Birds Of Pelsart Island Western Australia, Phillip J. Fuller, Andrew A. Burbidge, A. G. Wells

Fisheries Research Reports

Between 1977 and 1981, 58 species of birds were recorded at Pelsart Island. Fifteen sea birds and one land bird were recorded breeding

Pelsart Island is one of the most important sea bird breeding islands in Australia and the World. Birds of special significance which breed there include the Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris, the Common Noddy Anous stolidus, the Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata, the Osprey Pandion haliaetus and the White~breasted Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster. The Lesser Noddy colony disappeared between 1899 and 1907 during a period of intense guano mining. It re-established sometime between 1913 and 1936 and since 1954 it …

Bulletin 3929 - Irrigation In Western Australia, K S. Cole

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Irrigation is essential in many parts of the world to produce essential food and profitable cash crops. Generally, those areas of land with less than 360 mm of rain spread over a distinct wet season of several months cannot grow crops for food or cash on rainfall alone. Then irrigation becomes necessary unless some peculiarity such as an oasis exists.

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 …

Agricultural Geology, R. Fenwick

Natural resources published reports

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Precambrian rocks occupy 1.5 million kn2 or roughly 60% of the total land area of the state, to form one of the most extensive and varied precambrian regions of the world. The oldest rocks are the comparatively little altered sediments and volcanics of the Pilbara Diock whose age must exceed that of the 3 000 million year old granites which intrude then

Western Australia is divisable into two broad geological types. The great plateau or Western or Archean Shield and coastal and inland basins.

The Western Shield is the largest area of Archean (Archeozoic era) rocks in Australia, …

Crop Monitoring Handbook 1979, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Grain and other field crops published reports

Prepared by the Plant Research Division of the Department of Agriculture for farmers who wish to keep detailed records of crop growth with the aim of achieving higher yields in the future.

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 …

Fisheries Report No 33 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1975 - 1976, G. R. Morgan, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

iTshe fishery for the western rock lobster Panultrus ecygnus 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. …

Fisheries Report No 34 - The Status Of The Salt-Water Crocodile In The Glenelg, Prince Regent And Ord River Systems, Kimberley, Western Australia, A. A. Burbidge, H. Messel

Fisheries Research Reports

Counts were made of Salt-water Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the estuarine portions of the Glenelg, Prince Regent and Ord River systems of the Kimberley Division, Western Australia. During the survey 581 crocodiles were seen, including 143 hatchlings. The number of non-hatchling crocodiles in present the Glenelg system is estimated to be 200 to 259, in the Prince Regent 190 to 246 and in the Ord 235 to 306 (95% confidence limits).

The number of non-hatchling crocodiles present in the six Kimberley river systems now counted is estimated to be between 957 and 1243 (95% confidence limits) and we believe that …

Fisheries Report No 38 - The Shark Bay Prawn Fishery (1970 - 1976), J. W. Penn, R. W. Stalker

Fisheries Research Reports

The existence of prawn stocks in Shark Bay, Western Australia, has been known since 1904 when the sailing ketch "Rip" on charter to the Western Australian Government, trawled large quantities of prawns from the area between Bernier Island and the mainland, Gale (1905). Although the Fisheries research vessel "Lancelin" trawled potentially commercial quantities of prawns from Shark Bay in the early 1950's, it was not until 1962 that a regular fishery was begun.

Today the prawn stocks of Shark Bay support Western Australia's largest and most consistent prawn fishery, having an annual production currently exceeding 2 000 tonnes. The catch …

Grain Crop Variety Trials Western Australia 1978-1979, H. M. Fisher, G. B. Crosbie

Grain and other field crops research reports

The regional crop variety testing programme conducted by the Western Australian Department of Agriculture covers the final two stages of a four stage process of evaluating locally produced crossbreds and introduced material comprising:-

Plant Breeder Trials

Stage 1: Initial small plot yield tests on early generation material - 1 to 3 sites. Stage 2: Small plot yield tests on selected material (F5 derived) - 3 to 4 sites.

Regional Testing Programme

Stage 3: Large scale preliminary trials - 9 to 10 sites. Stage 4: Large scale final yield trials - 40 to 50 sites.

The basis of the regional programme …

Fisheries Report No 35 - Fish And Exploited Crustaceans Of The Swan-Canning Estuary, R C.J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Reports

Fishes of the Swan-Canning estuarine system are typical of those found in other lower west coast estuarine systems of Western Australia. Species representing three families of elasmobranchs, several of which are commercially important, twenty families of teleosts, and two families of crustaceans (Table 1) commonly occur in this estuarine system. The many other species which occur less commonly in the Swan- Canning estuary are mostly members of the additional families listed in Table l.

The information contained in this document was made available for use by the authors of the following two publications : -

Forbes and Fitzkardinge (1977) Swan …

Fisheries Report No 32 - The Wildlife Of The Proposed Wandana Nature Reserve, Near Yuna, Western Australia, A. A. Burbidge, P. J. Fuller, A. Mccusker

Fisheries Research Reports

Following a Cabinet endorsed recommendation by the Environmental Protection Authority in 1976 an area of vacant Crown land (the Wandana Area) north-east of Yuna, Western Australia, was examined during March and September, 1977.

The geology, soils and vegetation of the area are described and annotated lists of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians are presented. The area lies near or on the boundary of the South- Western and Eremaean Botanical Provinces and vegetation formations typical of both occur. The vertebrate fauna is a mixture of South-Western and Eyrean species and is especially rich in reptiles, 41 species being recorded. Comparisons between …

Fisheries Report No 36 - Utilization Of The Bunbury And Geographe Bay Marine Resource By Professional And Amateur Fishermen, Michael H. Walker

Fisheries Research Reports

Utilization of the Bunbury and Geographe Bay marine resource by professional and amateur fishermen was investigated by personal interview, distribution and analysis of research log sheets, and examination of commercial statistics for the area, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Total professional production for the years 1966/67 - 1974/75 for Geographe Bay varied between 225517 and 1218049 Kg (mean 497175) with a mean annual value to fishermen of $427708. Production for the Bunbury marine area varied between 157666 and 333810 Kg (mean 226526) with a mean value to fishermen of $311008. For the 1975/76 season the total production was …

Fisheries Report No 30 - The Wildlife Of The Proposed Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, Western Australia, W. K. Youngson, N. L. Mckenzie

Fisheries Research Reports

Plants and vertebrate animals were recorded from a proposed 300 000 ha nature reserve centred on Karroun Hill in the goldfields of Western Australia (30°03'S; 118°02'E).

Plant communities are described in terms of their structurally important species and related to local physiography.

Fifteen native mammal species, sixty-four bird species, twenty-four reptile species and one amphibian were recorded. Annotated lists are presented. The wildlife reflects the transitional nature of the Coolgardie Botanical District. Both Eremean and South Western Province species were recorded.

Bulletin No 4007 - Grasses In South Western Australia, J G. Paterson

Bulletins 4000 -

IThe grasses comprise one of the world's largest families of flowering plants, with over 500 groups or genera containing well over 5000 individual types or species distributed throughout the world. About 125 groups have been recorded in Western Australia but it is probable that the list is far from complete. About one third of these have ° been introduced from overseas.

The purpose of this bulletin is to describe those grasses which are more commonly found in the south-west of Western Australia. Also, as many people are interested in knowing the name and nature of a grass when they find …