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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 …

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.

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 …

Fisheries Research Report No 101 - The Big Bank Region Of The Limited Entry Fishery For The Western Rock Lobster, Panulirus Cygnus, C F. Chubb, E H. Barker, C J. Dibden

Fisheries Research Reports

The Big Bank region lies to the north of the Abrolhos Islands zone of the limited entry western rock lobster fishery (Zone A) close to the edge of the continental shelf. Since 1986/87 the catches from this previously lightly exploited region have become important to a number of rock lobster fishermen operating in the northern (A and B) zones.

Fishing at Big Bank occurred predominantly in January and February of each season, however, recently introduced regulations have closed the region to fishing until February 10 each year. A maximum of 83 boats have operated in the region catching up to …

Fisheries Research Report No.100 - The Impact Of Trawling For Saucer Scallops And Western King Prawns On The Benthic Communities In Coastal Waters Off South-Western Australia, L. J.B. Laurenson, P. Unsworth, J. W. Penn, R. C.J. Lenanton

Fisheries Research Reports

A two year study was undertaken to collect data for the assessment of the impact of the saucer scallop and western king prawn trawl fisheries on the benthic communities in coastal waters off south western Australia, between 31°20'5 and 34°23'5 latitude.

Monitoring of reported commercial landings, on-board sampling of commercial catches, research vessel trawl surveys, experimental and exploratory trawling, and underwater television observations, have enabled the development of an extensive data-base on the fishery and benthic communities of the region.

These data indicate that the existing fishery operates on a number of relatively small, discrete grounds where saucer scallops or …

Fisheries Research Report No 91 - A Synopsis Of The Biology And The Exploitation Of The Australasian Pilchard, Sardinops Neopilchardus (Steindachner) Part Ii: History Of Stock Assessment And Exploitation, W. J. Fletcher

Fisheries Research Reports

This report summarises the studies which have provided information on the population characteristics and exploitation of the pilchard, Sardinops neopilchardus in Australia and New Zealand. This review was undertaken to determine whether existing data could be used to assess the status of Western Australian or other stocks or, alternatively, what additional information was required.

The mean size of pilchards caught varies among locations but, in general, fish are between 140 and 160 mm LCF, corresponding to ages 2 - 5 years. The length-weight relationship also varies between locations

Attempts to initiate pilchard fisheries have been hampered by the lack of …

Fisheries Research Report No. 89 - Relationships Among Partial And Whole Lengths And Weights For Western Australian Pink Snapper Chrysophrys Auratus (Sparidae), M. J. Moran, C. Burton

Fisheries Research Reports

Pink snapper, Chrysophrysauratus (Sparidae) is one of the major commercial and recreational fish in Western Australian inshore waters. This report presents a number of equations and conversion factors for management and scientific study of the species. Equations to calculate total lengths from partial lengths will facilitate enforcement of minimum legal lengths when snapper are landed in a "head-off" condition. For fisheries science purposes, there are equations to convert among total length, standard length and length to caudal fork; and to convert lengths and weights of processed fish to whole lengths and weights. Length-weight relationships are presented and compared with those …

Fisheries Research Report No 88 - A Synopsis Of The Biology And The Exploitation Of The Australiasian Pilchard, Sardinops Neopilchardus (Steindachner) Part 1: Biology, W. J. Fletcher

Fisheries Research Reports

There have been a large number of studies which relate to the biology and exploitation of the Australian pilchard, Sardinops neopilchardus. Much of the data, however, are located in journals which are hard to obtain, or in unpublished reports, and theses. With the increase in catch of pil­chards, particularly in Western Australia, a collation of all the available knowledge pertaining to pilchards in Australia and New Zealand was desired to help with the planning of future research into the Western Australian stocks of this species. This report contains all the information located on the biology of Sardinops neopilchardus, a companion …

Fisheries Research Report No 99 - An Investigation Of Weight Loss Of Marron (Cherax Tenuimanus) In Air During Live Transport To Market, Noel Morrissy, Peter Walker, Cliff Fellows, Warren Moore

Fisheries Research Reports

It is generally acknowledged that more competitive marketing of Australian fisheries and aquaculture harvests requires closer attention to post-harvest technology. Historically, these products have been marketed in a variety of forms (e.g., for freshwater crayfish:- boiled fresh, boiled frozen, whole or tails, and live). Some of these forms present a product of actual, or perceived, poorer quality to the retailer and consumer and, thereby, obtain low prices.

Freshwater crayfish can survive out of water for extended periods and, so, can be economically transported alive to the (overseas) restaurant chef. This live product commands the very highest price for the grower. …

Fisheries Research Report No. 87 - The Recreational Marron Fishery In Western Australia, Summarised Research Statistics, 1971-1987, N. M. Morrissy, C. J. Fellows

Fisheries Research Reports

The freshwater crayfish Cherax tenuimanus, called marron, provides an important recreational fishery in the south-west of Western Australia. The annual fishing catch and fishing effort have been monitored by a log book research programme and an end-of season telephone survey since the 1971/72 season.

Following the 1986/87 fishing season, the fishery remained closed for two seasons (1987/88 and 1988/89) to permit stocks to recover from the effects of high total fishing effort and unfavourable water conditions over the preceding seasons

This paper provides a detailed account of the catch and effort statistics to the close of the 1986/87 fishing season, …

Fisheries Research Report No. 92 - Spread Of The Introduced Yabbie Cherax Albidus Clark, 1936 In Western Australia, N. M. Morrissy, G. Cassells

Fisheries Research Reports

This report presents information on the probable original introduction of the eastern Australian yabbie to farm dams in the Wheat-belt Region of the southwest of Western Australia (in 1932 at Narembeen); the probable type of yabbie (the "White Yabby", Cherax albidus Clark 1936 ) and source (Miram Swamp in the Victorian Wimmera); and, in 1985, the first voicing of concern over the spread of yabbies to natural habitats, particularly in the higher rainfall region of the southwest, together with current national and international concerns and advice on introduced aquatic species.

Commercial harvesting ("extensive" aquaculture) of existing yabbie stocks in wheat-belt …

Fisheries Research Report No. 83 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1985/86, R. S. Brown, E H. Barker

Fisheries Research Reports

The 1985/86 annual catch of the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus, totalled 7,191,968kg (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) ), a drop of 1,774,497kg (19.8 per cent) on the 1984/85 season. The value of the 1985/86 catch was approximately $94M based on ABS figures. This drop in catch was almost entirely the result of lower puerulus (first post larval stage, approximately 9 to 11 months old) settlement three to four years before (i.e. 1982/83 and 1981/82). The fall in catch was accompanied by a drop in fishing effort (total number of pot lifts) of 12.1 per cent on the previous season …

Fisheries Research Report No 85 - A Description Of The British United Trawlers/Southern Ocean Trawlers Operation In The Great Australian Bight During The Period 19.11.77 To 28.5.79, M. H. Walker, S. J. Blight, D. P. Clarke

Fisheries Research Reports

This report documents the operations of three British United Trawlers/Southern Ocean Trawlers freezer stern trawlers in the Great Australian Bight for the period 19.11.77 to 28.5.79. During this period the trawlers conducted 20 fishing trips utilising demersal and pelagic trawling. A description and brief resume of these fishing operations is provided. The trawlers' vessel and gear specifications and fishing and processing operations are also described. The report provides background to Fisheries Research Report 86, which documents the demersal catches made during the trawler operations.

Fisheries Research Report No 86 - The Demersal Trawl Resources Of The Great Australian Bight As Indicated By The Fishing Operations Of The Stern Trawlers Othello, Orsino And Cassio In The Period 19.11.77 To 28.5.79, M. H. Walker, D. P. Clarke

Fisheries Research Reports

A joint fishing venture between a Western Australian company, Southern Ocean Fish Processors, and a United Kingdom company, British United Trawlers, operated three large Othello class stern trawlers in the Great Australian Bight in the period 19.11.77 to 28.5.79. This report documents the catch and effort data collected from the vessels’ demersal trawling activities. Descriptions of gear and fishing operations are provided in Fisheries Research Report 85, 1989. The three trawlers made a total of 20 trips to Great Australian Bight waters. A daily trawling log was kept for each trip, recording position and time of trawls, net type, and …

Fisheries Report No 82 - Effects Of Fish Trapping On The Shark Bay Snapper Fishery, M. J. Moran, J. Jenke

Fisheries Research Reports

Traps have been a controversial method of catching pink snapper Chrysophrys auratus (Sparidae) around Shark Bay, Western Australia, since 1959. The history of the issue and the relevant regulations are reviewed; and results of in­vestigations into specific concerns about trap fishing are reported. Concerns of ghost-fishing by lost traps have been largely allayed by underwater TV film of snapper escaping from a standard snapper trap.

A major concern was that traps might physically damage the benthic fauna, e.g. corals. A TV survey showed that while fragile hard corals are abundant in shallower water nearby, the deeper snapper grounds themselves are …

Fisheries Report No 76 - The Australian Herring Fishery In Western Australia, 1973 - 1985, Michael H. Walker, Diane P. Clarke

Fisheries Research Reports

The Australian herring (Arripis georgianus) ts a pelagic, largely marine, species which is relatively abundant in the south western waters of Western Australia. It is a close relative of the Australian salmon with a similar life history and habits which includes migrating for the purpose of spawning. The Australian herring is keenly sought both as a food fish and for bait. This report documents the fishery for this species as it has developed during the period 1973 to 1985.

Fisheries Report No 75 - The Commercial Shark Fishery In Temperate Waters Of Western Australia, D. I. Heald

Fisheries Research Reports

The Western Australian-based mixed gear fishery for edible shark generally operates from Geraldton to Esperance in waters shallower than 10 fm to a maximum depth of 100 fm. In 1983/84, the total catch was 1262 tonnes live weight. The total shark catch was taken by 158 gillnet boats, 45 longline boats and 152 handline boats. However, nearly two thirds (62%) of these boats caught 1 tonne or less in 1983/84 and were assumed to rely more heavily on other target fisheries than shark.

Of the 20 or so species of shark caught in W.A., 3 species together comprise two thirds …

Fisheries Report No 77 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1983 - 1984, 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 10,576 tonnes in 1983/84, out of a total Australian rock lobster catch, with the exception of Queensland, of 15,777 tonnes. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which are designed to limit the total fishing effort to acceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size (Bowen 1971, Hancock 1981). Thus, it is important to monitor the state of the fishery constantly both to ensure that the …

Fisheries Report No 79 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1984 - 1985, 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 8,966 tonnes in 1984/85, out of a total Australian rock lobster catch (excluding New South Wales and Queensland) of 13,651 tonnes. The fishery is governed by a complex set of regulations which are designed to limit the total fishing effort to exceptable levels and to enforce a legal minimum size (Bowen 1971, Hancock 1981). Thus, it is important to monitor the state of the fishery constantly both to ensure that …

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 …