State of the Fisheries Report 2000-2001 to the Hon

State of the Fisheries Report 2000-2001 To the Hon. Kim Chance MLC Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Sir

In accordance with Section 263 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994, I submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the report State of the Fisheries which forms part of the Annual Report of Fisheries WA for the financial year ending 30 June 2001.

Peter P Rogers EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Edited by Dr J. W. Penn

Produced by the Fisheries Research Division based at the WA Marine Research Laboratories

Published by the Department of Fisheries 3rd Floor, SGIO Atrium 168 St. Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Webiste: http://www.wa.gov.au/westfish Email: [email protected] ISSN 1446 - 5906 (print) ISSN 1446 - 5914 (online) ISSN 1446 - 5922 (CD)

Cover photographs: (top) The Department of Fisheries’ new 23m research vessel Naturaliste, constructed and launched in 2001. Photo courtesy Tenix Defence Pty Ltd (shipbuilders). (bottom) Reef habitat at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands. Photo: Clay Bryce State of the Fisheries Report 2000-2001 Glossary of Acronyms ii FISHERIES Glossar J IUCN ITE IQF IMP GVP GPS GAB FRDC FHP FEMR FBL ESD ERLMF ERA EP ENA DEPM CPUE CALM CAES BRD A A AIMWTMF AFMA ADF ANSF TSIC QIS A A WESTERN y ofAcr catch andeff Joint A ecologically sustainab en En e catch peruniteff Managed Fisher g global positioningsystem Great A de daily eggproductionmethod b Islander Commission Inspection Ser Tr A Natur Management, Depar Fisher Conser Inter De Fisher fish habitatprotectionarea management re fishing boatlicence Conser Abor A Aquaculture De individual tr inter fisher Esper A individually quic Abrolhos IslandsandMid xtended n ycatch reductionde ross v uthor ustr ustr a v vironmental r vironmental ProtectionA v wl ManagedFisher elopment elopment Cor A im managementplan national Unionf iginal and alian Fisher alian Quar al Resources ies en USTRALIA ance Roc ies Researchand y ity uthor alue ofproduction v v ustr on ation ofNatureand ation andLand urser ansf alian Bight vironmental yms ity Nor or vice t statistics T k Lobster v isk assessment antine and er vie k froz orres Str y area y elopment Fund or – ST ies Management por ab w ther t le eff or the tment of ation vice A en le y TE OF n Shar ait or W t uthor est THE FISHERIES REPOR k ity RLIA RF PIA OA NPF NDSMF MSC MOP MA LML J WCRLMF WCDGDLIMF W W W W VMS VFLO VF TSC TA SWFRA SRR SCEF RP ASDGDLF ADGDLMA ASQAP ANCSF AMTC C AS A A G C C C C C T 2000/2001 C W W W V Committee Prog Committee Committee P mother-of-pear Joint A Managed Fisher Managed Fisher Demersal LonglineInter reef protectedarea W Scheme South W relationship spa South CoastEstuar Roc Recreational FishingAdvisor Office oftheA Nor Mar Managed Fisher Managed Fisher Gillnet andDemersalLongline V V T T Advisor Demersal LonglineManagement management advisor Nor and AquacultureCentre legal minim W W otal allo otal sustainab oluntar essel Monitor oluntar ear A ShellfishQualityAssur A Nor A Mar A est CoastRoc est CoastDemersalGillnetand wning stoc ther ther ine Ste k LobsterIndustr Demersal Gillnetand ling Industr r am uthor y Committee n Pr n DemersalScalefish th CoastShar itime y Fisher y Fisher est w ab w um length a ity Souther F ardship Council le catch wn Fisher T reshw k-recr uditor Gener r ing System l le catch aining Centre y Advisor k Lobster ies Adjustment ies LiaisonOfficer y y y y ater ine Fisher uitment y Advisor y committee k Fisher y n Demersal Research im y ance al y y y y Contents

Executive Director’s Overview ...... iv Gascoyne Coast Bioregion...... 135 Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Survey ...... 137 Editor’s Overview...... v Inner Shark Bay Recreational Fishery...... 138 Oceanic Sector Recreational Fishery...... 142 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ...... 1 Ningaloo Recreational Fishery ...... 142 General Overview...... 2 Contents North Coast Bioregion...... 143 West Coast Bioregion...... 4 South Coast Bioregion ...... 144 West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery...... 5 Minor Scallop Fisheries...... 14 Northern Inland Bioregion ...... 145 West Coast Blue Swimmer Crab Fishery...... 18 Southern Inland Bioregion...... 146 West Coast Estuarine Fisheries...... 22 Recreational Marron Fishery...... 146 Lower West Coast Beach and Embayment Fisheries ..... 26 Recreational Freshwater Angling ...... 150 West Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery...... 31 West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery...... 34 PEARLING AND AQUACULTURE...... 153 Gascoyne Coast Bioregion...... 39 General Overview...... 154 Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery ...... 40 Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery ...... 44 West Coast Bioregion...... 156 Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fishery ...... 48 Mussel Farming...... 158 Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Gascoyne Coast Bioregion...... 158 Managed Fishery ...... 50 Shark Bay Snapper Managed Fishery...... 53 North Coast Bioregion...... 160 Pearl Oyster Fishery ...... 162 North Coast Bioregion...... 56 Onslow Prawn Managed Fishery ...... 57 South Coast Bioregion ...... 167 Nickol Bay Prawn Managed Fishery ...... 60 Northern Inland Bioregion ...... 168 Broome Prawn Managed Fishery...... 63 Barramundi Farming...... 169 Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery ...... 65 Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery...... 67 Southern Inland Bioregion...... 170 Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery ...... 70 Marron Farming...... 171 Pilbara Demersal Finfish Fisheries ...... 75 Ya bby Farming ...... 172 Spanish Mackerel Fishery ...... 82 Trout Farming ...... 172 North Coast Shark Fisheries...... 87 Ornamental Fish Farming...... 173 South Coast Bioregion ...... 89 South Coast Rock Lobster Fisheries...... 90 FISH AND FISH HABITAT PROTECTION...... 175 Abalone Managed Fishery...... 93 General Overview...... 176 South Coast Estuarine Fishery...... 100 West Coast Bioregion...... 177 Western Australian Salmon Fisheries ...... 104 Australian Herring Fishery ...... 107 Gascoyne Coast Bioregion...... 180 South Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery...... 109 North Coast Bioregion...... 182 Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries...... 113 South Coast Bioregion ...... 184 Northern Inland Bioregion ...... 119 Lake Argyle Freshwater Catfish Fishery ...... 119 Northern Inland Bioregion ...... 185 Statewide Fisheries...... 121 Southern Inland Bioregion...... 185 Marine Aquarium Managed Fishery...... 121 Specimen Shell Managed Fishery...... 121 References ...... 186

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES...... 123 APPENDICES...... 189 General Overview...... 124 Appendix 1 Stock Exploitation Status and Catch Ranges for West Coast Bioregion...... 126 Major Commercial Fisheries...... 190 Recreational Rock Lobster Fishery...... 128 Recreational Abalone Fishery ...... 130 Appendix 2 Fisheries Research Division Staff Publications ...... 192 Appendix 3 Table of Catches from Fishers’ Statutory Monthly Production Returns of 1999/2000 ...... 197

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 iii Executive Director’s Overview iv aquaculture development. more holisticapproachtofisheriesmanagementand continuing growthinpopulationwillinevitablyrequirea commercial fisheriesandrecreationalactivities,the Department’ While theoverallstatusofourfishstocksreflects quotas beingsetforthe2000season. timely managementactionwhichresultedinloworzero severely depletedstockshashoweverbeenassistedby attack whichoccurredin1998/99. now showinggoodsignsofrecoveryfromtheexoticvirus continued tobethesouthernpilchardstockswhichare sustainable levels. although fullyexploitedareproducingcatchesat the State’ These reportsfor2000/2001indicatethatthemajorityof Depar Ex Australian jurisdiction. performance offisheriesactivitiesunder provides, whereavailable,assessmentsoftheESD nationally developedESDreportingframeworkand extensively restructured. management, thisyear sustainable development(ESD)principlesinfisheries initiative tobeginimplementationofecologically In keepingwiththeDepartment’ P eter Rogers FISHERIES tment ofFisher ecutive Director’ s fishstocksareinahealthycondition,and s historicalsuccessinmanagingthemajor WESTERN The exceptionstothisin2000/2001 ies Ex ’ s ecutiv State oftheFisheries The documentnowreflectsthe This willrequirethatthe A USTRALIA e Director s significant2000/2001 The recoveryofthese , rele – ST W supplement totheAnn detailed le non-financial perf impor assessments andbreedingstoc estern c v v The A hang aluab ant totheState’ TE OF has been tance tothecommer State oftheFisheries and FishHabitatPr es, le ref THE FISHERIES REPOR vel ofinf s Over compliance activitiesandresear erence pointf ormance measures. s aquacultureindustriesandtheDepar ormation tosuppor fisheries resources. management programswhichconservetheState’ high degreeofsupportfortheDepartmentFisheries recreational fishersarealsotobecommendedfortheir utilised tomaintainourfisheries.Bothcommercialand important datarecordedinthisvolumewerecollectedand Divisions oftheDepartmentinensuringthat dedication andprofessionalismdemonstratedbyall I wouldliketotakethisopportunityacknowledgethe fisheries resourcesinthefuture. for essential toensurethatallfishersunderstandthereasons and fieldmanagementactivitiesreportedhereare management initiatives.Similarly scientific basisunderpinningourfutureintegrated and monitoringprojectstoensurethatthereisastrong Department continuetoundertakeitsextensiveresearch EXECUTIVE DIRECT Peter P ual Repor , andcomplywith,thecontrolsnecessarytosustainour otection Pr cial andrecreationalsector . Rogers or vie document isdesignedasanessential W T 2000/2001 estern A t toP k le w vels, ogram isalsopr arliament andpr By summarisingmana t theDepar ustralian fisheriesofmajor OR this documentpr c h datainc , thepolicydevelopment tment ofFisheries’ o s. o luding stoc vided. vides amore Inf tment’ o ormation vides a g ement s s Fish k Editor’s Overview w

State of the Fisheries reports in detail on the activities and impacts of vie the commercial and recreational fishing sectors which utilise the wild fish stocks in Western Australia. In addition, the status of the developing

aquaculture industries is recorded to enable the public of Western s Re Australia to follow the development of this emerging sector. The work of the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program, which provides environmental coordination for the Department’s fisheries management

activities and habitat reserves, is also reported to complete the Editor’ coverage of the Department’s responsibilities.

Director - Fisheries Research, Dr Jim Penn

For all of the fisheries resources management programs In relation to the important new ‘ecosystem effects’ covered by this report to be successful, a high degree of section, the approach adopted has been to provide a high, cooperation is necessary between the users of the State’s medium, low or negligible ‘risk’ rating on the impact of fish resources and the Department’s Divisions of Fisheries fishing based on the Research Division’s expert Research and Fisheries Management Services. The level knowledge of the fishery, as a first step. This is in of cooperation and collaboration between fishers and keeping with a formal ESD risk assessment process now Department of Fisheries staff is excellent, and continues under way for our major export fisheries, which will to be a major factor in keeping the harvest from our fish ultimately be used to meet the requirements of the Federal stocks at sustainable levels. Of particular value is the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation contribution of all commercial vessels in providing Act 1999. monthly records of catches and fishing effort, and the completion of daily research logbooks and other voluntary Further refinements to the catch reporting in 2000/2001 records by about 500 skippers. These data are of great include provision for the first time of data on the value in monitoring both the commercial fisheries and a commercial catches, primarily of finfish, taken under variety of recreationally important fish stocks. The ‘wetline’ fishing arrangements rather than under Department’s Recreational Fisheries Program is also individual managed fisheries. Such catches are those strongly supported by the Volunteer Fisheries Liaison taken by any Western Australian licensed fishing vessel, Officers, who provide recreational fishing education, and using methods such as handlining or droplining which are together with recreational fishers contribute significant not subject to specific management regulation. These data to the recreational fisheries monitoring projects. data, together with catches by vessels operating in Similarly, aquaculturists work actively with the specifically licensed fisheries, now provide a fully Department’s staff and support research and development comprehensive reporting of all commercial catches in programs to enhance their emerging industries. Data from Western Australia. all of these sources, together with fishery-independent In addition, the estimated recreational catch share in each research and monitoring projects, provide the scientific managed commercial fishery has been included wherever basis for fisheries management in Western Australia. relevant and comparable creel survey data are available. For this 2000/2001 edition of State of the Fisheries, the This additional information is in keeping with the needs now bioregionally based document has again been of ESD reporting and is starting to provide the data which significantly restructured to accommodate the national will be needed to support the Integrated Fisheries ecologically sustainable development (ESD) reporting and Management initiative now in progress. assessment processes foreshadowed last year. This The major purpose of this report, however, is to provide restructuring now provides more comprehensive ESD- detailed information on the status of individual fisheries based status reports incorporating information under the across the State which underpins key performance following headings: indicators (PIs) for the Department presented in the • Fishery description Annual Report to Parliament. These PIs relate particularly • Retained species to the sustainability of the State’s fish stocks and include • Non-retained species measures of breeding stock levels and catch projections • Ecosystem effects for all major commercial stocks. The more detailed individual fishery status reports also incorporate • Social effects information on historical trends in catches and fishing • Economic effects activities. This information allows the reader to better • Fishery governance assess the performance of the fisheries or industries • External factors. covered, and provides a summary of information available

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 v Editor’s Overview vi Divisions fortheirextensivecontributions.Specialthanks• Management ServicesandFisheriesResearch• opportunity tothankmycolleaguesintheFisheries• contribute througheachyear task towhichmanyDepartmentofFisheriesstaf information containedwithinthisreportisasignificant• Preparation andvalidationoftheextensivearrayof• of thefisheriesandfishingindustries and nowprovidesanongoingrecordoftheperformance• Parliament, hasbeenproducedannuallysince1994/95,• to theDepartmentofFisheries’ State oftheFisheries, independent third-partyauditoftheDepartment’ to theOf http://www available ontheDepartmentofFisherieswebsiteat• for generalreferencepurposes. FISHERIES fice ofthe .wa.gov WESTERN .au/westfish/res/index.html.• Auditor General,whichprovidesan• published eachyearasacompanion• the bioregionareasref Map of BIOREGION FIGURE1 A Gascoyne USTRALIA . Iwouldliketotakethis• 27 Coast o Coast S S W Annual Reportto• The documentisalso• Black Point est W ester – ST Exmouth 11 Carnarvon W 4 Kalbarri estern o n A 11 50' E E 50' Geraldton 5 A o Denham TE OF

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Albany r r wing thegener Port Hedland Esperance Southern Inland Northern Inland DIRECT Dr J.W production ofthevolume. Mrs SandyClarke,whohasundertakenthelayoutand and copy-editing,tomypublicationsof who hascarriedoutthedif are alsoduetomyeditorialassistant,MsFranHead, retained throughoutthebodyofreport. Note: June 2001,priortothechange,name‘Fisheries Government policy Fisheries South Coast In July2001,thenameofor Broome . Penn W OR -FISHERIESRESEARCH al boundar A T 2000/2001 to theDepartmentofFisheries,inlinewith . As thisdocumentreportsontheyearto30 Kununurra ies of Eucla 27 o S S ficult taskofcompilation ganisation changedfrom ficer W A , ’ has been CommerCommercialcial FisheriesFisheries

General Overview...... 2 West Coast Bioregion...... 4 Gascoyne Coast Bioregion ...... 39 North Coast Bioregion...... 56 South Coast Bioregion ...... 89 Northern Inland Bioregion ...... 119 Statewide Fisheries...... 121 General Overview 2 attached tofishingboatandcommerciallicences. Regulations 1995, controls derivedfromthe fishing activityaremanagedthroughacombinationof important habitats. regimes, toprotectjuvenileorbreedingfish other measures,underbothef landed. which directlylimitthequantityoffishthatcanbe time (ef gear restrictions,seasonalclosuresandlimitsonfishing controls, suchaslimitationsonthenumberoflicences, sustainable. management controlsensurethateachfisheryis Resour through formalmanagementplansdeclaredunderthe Management ofthemajorfishingactivitiesisachieved Albany head of Commercial ProgramOf Australia. value, low-volumeproductsfortheirviability The majorcommercialfisheriesrelyonrelativelyhigh- management ofcommercialfisheriesthroughout The CommercialFisheriesProgramisresponsibleforthe General Over Commer at 100%ofcashcostspluscapitalaccrualsin2000/2001. number ofyears,withthelevelcostrecoveryoperating management. Costrecoveryhasbeenphasedinovera these fisheriespayfeestocoverthetotalcostof management environment,whichrequiresthatlicenseesin and SharkBayScallop)operateinafullycost-recovered Lobster The fivemajorcommercialfisheries(W Fisheries Minister forFisheries,whileinthesmallerfisheries, advisory committees(MACs)providekeyadvicetothe forums. Inthemajormanagedfisheries,management strong support,andthisisachievedthroughavarietyof factor inachievingmanagementapproacheswhichhave management practices.Consultationwithindustryisakey issues andindustrysupportforsustainablefishery the rationalimplementationofadviceonmanagement Key factorsinthesuccessfulmanagementoffisheriesare Managed Fisheries. and LonglineNorthernDemersalScalefish Gulf Prawn, Lobster MACs currentlyprovideadviceonthe on proposedfisheriesmanagementarrangements. takes placethroughtheproductionofdiscussionpapers Of ficers meetdirectlywithindustry FISHERIES ces Management , Fremantle,Geraldton,CarnarvonandBroome. fice inPerthaswellRegionalPolicyOf , , SharkBayPrawn,Scallop,Exmouth fort quotas),oroutputcontrols(catchquotas) There areoftenalsopermanentclosedareasor Abalone, ExmouthGulfPrawn,SharkBayPrawn W This workisundertakenbyateamof A These managementcontrolsmaybeinput Abalone, PurseSeine,DemersalGillnet Commercial ProgramandRegionalPolicy WESTERN orders underthe vie Act 1994, cial Fisheries ficers locatedinFisheries Fish Resour A USTRALIA w fort andcatchquota while otherformsof Act andconditions . Consultationalso ces Management W – ST est CoastRock est CoastRock A TE OF . T ight W ficers in W estern THE FISHERIES REPOR A Fish on thetotalnumberofregisteredfishingboatsin Since 1984,thecombinedimpactofthispermanent‘cap’ industry couldonlydosobypurchasinganexistingFBL. onwards, thosewishingtoenterthecommercialfishing netting, squidjigging,liftnettinganddiving.From1984 netting, whilelesscommonlyusedmethodsincludedrop include handlining,droplining,trollingandhand-hauled or ‘wetline’ otherwise prohibited. engage inanumberofformsfishingthatarenot they haveaccesstoamanagedfishery commercial fishinglicence,irrespectiveofwhetherornot fishing boatlicence(FBL)inconjunctionwitha W for thefirsttime,acomprehensivereportoncatchof The documentation during2001/02. number ofsmallerexportfisherieswillfinalisetheir fisheries (whichareallimportantexportfisheries)anda during 2000/2001,andthefivemajorcost-recovery W by theCommonwealthMinisterforEnvironment. status forreviewbyEnvironment fisheries developingdocumentationontheirecological December 2003. (Regulation ofExportsandImports) (6%) fromthesouthcoast. 306 tonnes(14%)fromtheGascoyneand136 bioregion, 499tonnes(24%)fromthenorthcoast, comprising 1 of mostlyfinfishwasattributedtowetlinefishing, During 1999/2000,atotalreportedcatchof2068tonnes Integrated FisheriesManagementstrategy important stepinthedevelopmentandoperationof component ofthecatchState’ for eachbioregion.Definingandreportingonthis first yearwhenthewetlinecatchisspecificallyreported fishery havebeenreportedinpreviousyears,thisisthe Although thecatchesofsomesectorswetline fishing boatswithoutaccesstomanagedfishstocks. changes, hasresultedinareductionthenumberof Australia, togetherwithanumberofothermanagement approval underSchedule4ofthe sustainability certificationinordertocontinuetheirexport requirement for formalisation bytheCommonwealthGovernmentof A of theirGVP Development andBetterInterestFundatarateof0.65% production (GVP). management costsof1.85%theirgrossvalue The remainingfisheriespaidacontributiontowardstheir estern ork ondevelopingthisdocumentationcommenced key developmentduring2000/2001hasbeenthe State oftheFisheriesReport Australia’ T 2000/2001 fishing (Croweetal.1999).Usualmethods . 176 tonnes(56%)fromthewestcoast Australian fisheriestohaveecological This requirementwillnecessitateexport s ‘wetline’ All fisheriesalsocontributetothe This isknownas‘restrictedaccess’ fisheries. W for 2001alsocontains, Australia andapproval ildlife Pr s fisheriesisan Act 1982 , areentitledto The holdersofa . otection beyond W estern Key Achievements During 2000/2001, the Commercial Fisheries Program • Progressing of voluntary resource-sharing

updated management plans for a number of managed discussions for the Demersal Gillnet and vements fisheries across the State. In addition, significant Demersal Longline (shark) Managed Fisheries and

milestones were achieved in relation to ecologically the Geographe Bay crab fishery. hie sustainable development (ESD), resource sharing, implementation of new compliance technology and • Amendment of the Cockburn Sound Crab Fishery Ac development of new fisheries, as follows: Management Plan to give effect to the outcomes of the voluntary resource-sharing agreement, • Completion of case study reports on the including a 50% reduction in crab pot entitlements Key West Coast Rock Lobster and Marine Aquarium for B-class licensees nominating as A-class Managed Fisheries using the ESD framework licensees, the removal of gillnets as permitted gear developed for the Standing Committee on and an increase in the minimum legal size for Fisheries and Aquaculture. commercially caught crabs.

• Completion of an environmental risk assessment • Formal introduction of the Vessel Monitoring workshop and substantial preparation of an System (VMS) into the Abrolhos Islands and Mid ecological risk assessment report as part of the West Trawl, Kimberley Prawn and Nickol Bay ongoing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Prawn Fisheries, and Ministerial approval for accreditation of the West Coast Rock Lobster implementation of the VMS in the Exmouth Gulf Managed Fishery. and Onslow Prawn Fisheries in 2002.

• Commencement of ecological sustainability • Formation of a committee to advise the Executive reports to Environment Australia for west coast Director on expressions of interest received under rock lobster, Shark Bay prawns, Shark Bay the policy on ‘Developing New Fisheries in scallops, Shark Bay snapper, Exmouth Gulf Western Australia’, as a result of which a range of prawns and abalone, for accreditation under applications (mostly related to octopus and crabs) Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection (Regulation were dealt with and exemptions issued. of Exports and Imports) Act 1982. • Development of two further options for • Completion of management plans and reports to management of the mackerel fishery and Environment Australia for the extension of S.10(a) completion of statewide consultation on the ‘Controlled Specimens Declarations’ under the options. Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Imports and Exports) Act 1982 to maintain exports for deepsea crabs, sygnathids, beche-de-mer and a number of specimen shell species.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 3 Bioregion – West Coast 4 assessment reporthasbeensubstantiallyprepared.< assessment workshop,fromwhichanecologicalrisk< This stepinvolvedholdinganenvironmentalrisk< sustainability ofitsfishingandmanagementoperations.< custody certification,whichrecognisestheecological< from beingawardedMarineStewardshipCouncilchainof< Fishery undertookthenextstepinprocessesarising< During 2000/2001the which aresharedwiththerecreationalsector pilchards, andcoastalestuarinefinfish,manyof< fisheries forscallops,sharks,blueswimmercrabs,< western rocklobsterfishery Commercial fishinginthisbioregionisdominatedbythe< Regional Mana W Commer shore gillnettingusinghand-hauled nets.< There isalsoatakeoffishbybeach seiningandnear the wetlinefishery leave onlythetakeofmackerel south ofSharkBaywithin< proposals formanagementofthemackerelresourcewill< Mackerel arealsotakenbybothgroups,butthecurrent< (e.g. westcoastrocklobster)inadditiontoanFBL.< and boatswhichholdmanagedfisherylicences< (i.e. noformofaccessotherthanthefishingboatlicence)< emperors fromboatsoperatingpurelyaswetliners< species includingdhufish,snapper The demersallinefisherytakesarangeoffish< • • • in anumberofareas:< The ‘wetline’ Fishery The Managed FisheryprovidedareporttotheMinister Fisheries sharing guidelinescontinuedthroughtheyear crab fisheryandthe‘shark’ 2000/2001. into themanagementplanforthatfisheryduring< Sound CrabManagedFisherywereformallyimplemented< for The successfuloutcomesproducedfromthe‘Guidelines< of potentitlementsandtosimplifytheBigBankboundaries.< amend themanagementplantoimplementunitisation< that season. 2001/02, asthefisherymovesintoalowcatchyearfor< for aone-seasonremovalofthemaximumsizerulein< retirement. management plantoprovideforlicencecreationand< Lobster ManagedFishery management arrangementsforthe There werealsosomesignificantchangestothe< 2000/2001 season.< Islands area,formallycameunderthe FISHERIES est CoastBioregion V Beach seiningandnear Mackerel (primarilybytrolling);< Demersal linefishing;< Abrolhos IslandsandMid oluntary ResourceSharing’ , whichmainlyfishesforscallopsinthe Adjustment CommitteefortheSouth Other changesincludedMinisterialapproval< Mediated meetingsfortheGeographeBay< Ministerial approvalwasalsoreceivedto< fishery inthewestcoastbioregionoperates< WESTERN .< W g cial Fisheries est CoastRockLobsterManaged< ement Over , includinganamendmentofthe< A -shore gillnetting.< , butalsoinvolvessignificant< fishery undertheresource-< USTRALIA W process fortheCockburn< est , baldchingroperand< W T est CoastRock< rawl Managed< VMS inthe< – ST vie A .< TE OF . W A< Abrolhos< w est .< THE FISHERIES REPOR T -< rawl< vessels arefittedwith VMS wasintroducedattheopeningofseasonandall allegedly fishingoutsidethefisheryinclosedwaters. scallop season,althoughoneoperatorwasdetected significant complianceissuesduringthe2001 fishery whichwaswellattended. pre-season briefingforoperatorsinthe Further north,theMid commercial fisherieswasgenerallygood. Overall, however W within closedwatersinZoneD(CometBay)oftheSouth Unverified reportscontinuetobereceivedoftrawling to assistinvestigations. take amoreactiveroleinprovidingaccurateinformation joint patrolswithpolice. Fishery despiteincreasedlevelsofsurveillance,including continue tobereceivedfromthePeel/HarveyEstuarine Managed Fisheryduringpeakperiods,andsimilarreports commercial fishinggearintheCockburnSound(Crab) There havebeenconcernsoverinterferencewith smaller fisherieswhicharecoveredtoalesserextent. separately onp.6-7. activities andoutcomesforthisfisheryarereported W for commercialfisherycompliancemonitoringisthe W Comm Regional Complianceand (33 tonnes)andtrevally(32tonnes). Catchesofdhufish, (63 tonnes),samsonfish(61 baldchingroper spangled emperor(68tonnes),sweetlip emperor Australian herring(98tonnes),sea mullet(69tonnes), pink snapper(158tonnes),whitebait (151tonnes), species include lower westcoastandthe bioregion, whichincludesthewatersofpopulous catch in1999/2000wasreportedfromthewestcoast database, indicatesthatoverhalf(56%)ofthewetline undertaken utilisingthecatchandef general wetlinecatchineachbioregion. has beenamajorfocusduring2000/2001onassessingthe the researchsummaryforeachindividualfishery In additiontotheresearchprojectsandactivitiesnotedin Regional Resear on p.178-9. reported intheFishandHabitatProtectionsection delivery tothe established during2000/2001toenhanceregionalservices A significant issuesarising. purse seine,sharkandwetlinefisheries,withno Compliance monitoringwasalsocarriedoutwithinthe environmentally sensitive in ef this technologyransmoothlyandisseenasamajortool to netrolling,butnofurtheractionwaspossible. reported inthepurseseinefisherywhichmayhaverelated est est CoastRockLobsterManagedFishery ithin thewestcoastbioregion,majorsinglefocus dedicated two-manfieldoperationsteamwas ficiently managingcompliancewithinthe T rawl ManagedFishery unity EducationOver T 2000/2001 Abrolhos Islandsreserve. W , thelevelofcomplianceinthesesmaller est Australian dhufish(173tonnes), In addition,thereareanumberof VMS units. W est regionalof Abrolhos Islands. Industry hasbeenadvisedto c Abrolhos Islandsreserve. h Over , andtherewasoneincident There wereno The introductionof fort statistics(CAES) vie fice conducteda Abrolhos trawl This assessment, Their workis w . The topten vie Compliance Abrolhos w , there pink snapper, emperor, and baldchin are the main product continue to be relevant by ensuring that the stock does not of the demersal scalefish operations reported on fall below the established biological reference point. pp. 34-8, noting that catches of emperor are mostly from the Abrolhos. Whitebait, Australian herring and sea mullet Following on from record catches of between 13,000 and comprise most of the catch of the beach bait fishers who 14,000 tonnes in the 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons, the operate between Tim’s Thicket and Augusta (see pp. 29- catch in the 2000/2001 season dropped to just over est Coast 31). 11,000 tonnes. Fluctuations of this magnitude are not abnormal, and simply reflect the size of puerulus W settlement four years earlier, which is largely dependent West Coast Rock Lobster upon environmental factors such as the Leeuwin Current. Managed Fishery The fishery has a well developed catch prediction MANAGEMENT SUMMARY system, based on the puerulus settlement index (see following fishery status report). The ability to Approximately 600 specialised rock lobster boats use predict future catches is highly valuable to fisheries about 57,000 pots to fish for rock lobster between Shark managers because arrangements and options can be Bioregion – Bay and Augusta. The fishing season runs between assessed against the established objectives in the context 15 November and 30 June each year and most of the of predicted catch trends. catch, which on a long-term basis averages around 10,500 tonnes per season, is exported to Asia. In anticipation of the below-average catch expected for the 2001/02 season, options were examined to increase The fishery is divided into two major zones, Zone B (north the value of the catch without compromising of Green Head) and Zone C (south of Green Head), with sustainability. To achieve this goal the maximum size another zone (effectively a subset of Zone B) for those limit for females will be removed for the 2001/02 season fishing the Abrolhos Islands between March and June. before being reintroduced in the following season. It is estimated that the ‘one-off’ removal of the maximum size Breeding stock required to provide the necessary rule will allow for an additional 290 tonnes of lobster to recruitment is estimated to be between 20% and 25% of be taken in the 2001/02 season. This measure has been the virgin or unfished breeding biomass. In more recent assessed to be a very low risk from a stock sustainability times this biological reference point has been equated to perspective with the net decrease in egg production a more tangible reference point – the size of the breeding expected to be approximately 1%, while increasing the biomass in 1980. value of the catch without any additional costs. All the biological indicators for this fishery show that the Other management changes now approved by the Minister breeding stock levels are indeed in good condition, a and set to come into effect with the commencement of the result that is attributed to the management action taken in 2001/02 season are: the early to mid-1990s. This action was prompted by advice from the Fisheries WA Research Division that the • individual numbering of pot entitlements within breeding stock of rock lobster had been fished down to Fisheries WA’s licensing register; about 15% of the unfished or virgin size. • the ability of those with access to 63 or more pot To address this problem a management package designed entitlements and a fishing boat licence to apply for a to leave an additional 1,000 tonnes of lobsters in the water new managed fishery licence; at the end of the season was implemented at the beginning of the 1993/94 season. The implementation of this • the ability of fishermen to retain an inactive managed package was preceded by two years of debate and fishery licence by retaining an inactive fishing boat consultation, with some preliminary measures being taken licence and one or more inactive pot entitlements; and in the 1992/93 season. The core components of this management package included: • provision for temporary pot transfers. • an 18% reduction in the number of lobster pots In 1999/2000 the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed allowed to be used across the fishery; Fishery became the world’s first fishery to receive Marine Stewardship Council certification, and since then the • a total ban on taking females in breeding condition management process has moved on to address the MSC’s (setose and tarspot); annual audit requirements. The first requirement was to conduct an environmental risk assessment (ERA). • an increase in the legal minimum size of lobsters from Fisheries WA has completed the assessment in 76 mm to 77 mm from 15 November to 31 January; conjunction with key stakeholder groups and will have and produced the resultant document for public review • separate maximum sizes for female lobsters in the towards the end of 2001. north and south of the fishery (105 mm and 115 mm The ERA identified 33 issues which could impact on respectively) to reflect the geographical differences in ecological sustainability, with four classified as moderate both growth and maturation rates of the lobsters. risks and the remaining classified as low risks. The report The above elements of this management package are still will also outline recommendations and actions to address current to the end of the 2000/2001 season because they these moderate risks.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 5 Bioregion – West Coast 6 The rocklobsterfisherywillbethefirst Environment environmental legislationbeingadministeredby satisfy thenewCommonwealthGovernment complements andiscomplementedbyworkbeingdoneto The processofaddressingtheMSCrequirementsboth Commer at randomthroughoutthefishery areaandassistin The patrols,basedinFremantle and Geraldton,willtravel of commenced lateintheseasonto complementincreased catches ofrocklobsteratprocessing establishments) A and lowerCZonelandseaoperations. 77 mm/76mmgaugechange,Easterroadsidecheckpoints operations inthe outlets, roadsidecheckpointsnearLancelin,at-sea checks ontheChristmastradeinwholesaleandretail planning process. issues whichcanthenbeincorporatedintothecompliance changes andobtaininformationonlocalcompliance association meetingstoeducatefishersregardingrule operations. in-field contactwithfishersandcoordinateacross-region A the restauranttrade. One riskidentifiedasaconcernwastheillegalsaleinto established aparticipativemodelforfurtherdevelopment. smaller thanexpected,itproducedclearresultsandhas the fishery was toidentifyandtar including FisheriesOf was attendedbyindustrymembersandagencystaf assessment workshop,heldpriortotheseasonopening, 2000/2001. Interface withtheindustryhascontinuedtoimprovein EDUCA COMPLIANCE ANDCOMMUNITY Agency–industry meetings Joint industry–RLIACmeetings Annual RLIACcoastaltour Rock LobsterIndustry Consultation Process W W Governing Legislation/Fishing the Conservation Act of theEnvir Imports) Act environmental standards. of theoperationsfisheryanditssustainability presented inthecontextofESDtowardsend2001. options forthe2002/03and2003/04seasonsare This willbeevidentwhenconsiderationofmanagement becoming verymuchapartofrocklobstermanagement. evaluation ofthefisheryundernewESDframeworkis new ecologicalsustainabilitytests. documentation toEnvironment Australian commercialfisherytosubmitthenecessary ficer timeinthefieldatseaand point oflanding. est CoastRockLobsterManagedFisheryLicence est CoastRockLobsterManagementPlan1993 mobile factorypatrol(primarily to inspectlanded Compliance Coordinatorwasappointedtoenhance FISHERIES W ildlife Pr TION SUMMAR . onment Pr The Coordinatorattendsrocklobster Whilst industryattendancenumberswere The firsteverrocklobstercompliancerisk 1982 Australia. otection (RegulationofExportsand WESTERN Abrolhos Islands,monitoringthe 1999 Joint regionaloperationsincluded have resultedinverycloseexamination otection andBiodiversity ficers. get areasofnon-compliancewithin Advisory Committee(RLIAC) and amendmentstoSchedule4of cial Fisheries Specifically A USTRALIA Y The aimoftheworkshop Australia tomeetthese Authority In addition,the , theimplementation – ST W estern A TE OF f THE FISHERIES REPOR Bunbury area. part oftheseasonsawupto50boatsfishingoutthe In theSouthernRegion,increasedactivityinlatter in watersclosedtothetakingofwesternrocklobster Gascoyne Region,onelicenseewasprosecutedforfishing to thewater pot counts,andtomonitorforthereturnofprotectedfish possession oftotallyprotectedfish,tocarryoutformal to othervessels,checkfishermendepartingvesselsfor ascertain whethervesselswerepullingthepotsbelonging opening on14March. south-eastern portionofthe less than20fathomsafter1March,andthesouthernand covered fishingatBigBank, checkpoints andaerialsurveillance. were alsohigh. cutting themof pulling, orrecreationalfisherspullingcommercialpotsor unauthorised pullingofpots. the majorityofcomplaintsreceivedhavebeenabout In theMid illegal pullingoffishinggear season. the watersofRottnestIslandwereanissueagainthis over issued, someforsetoserocklobsterbutthemajorityfor Minor infringementnoticesandwarningscontinuetobe consignment compliancehasbeengenerallygood. In theMetropolitanRegion(principallyZoneC),factory to betherequiredlevel. maintaining a3.8%catchinspectionrate,whichisjudged utilising newlandandseacompliance datacollection Stewardship Councilcertification process. been notedasastrongfactorin support oftheMarine strength oftheindustrycommitment tocompliancehas terms ofapproachandindustryparticipation. continued toshowleadershipon thenationalscenein The westernrocklobstercompliancemodelshave for fishersalongthecoast. ensure consistencyinmessagesandapplicationofthelaw information sessionfordeckhandsandskippers,to Metropolitan Regions. the SupervisingFisheriesOf Planning hascommencedtoimplementacoastaltourby tar continue tobeproblematicandremainakeythemefor stock. professionally withasoundattitudetosustainabilityof Overall themajorityoffishersappeartobeoperating under similar of warnings anda25%increaseininfringementsissuedfor T in the2000/2001season(W 52 infringementnoticesissuedand23breachreportsfiled operation. The infringementnoticesystemwasinitsfifthyearof of under continued totar Throughout theseason,patrolvesseloperations able 1). fences, gearinterferenceandover geted intervention. -size animals. -size andclosed-waterof -size/over Equity disputesrelatingtoillegalpotpulling There wasasignificantincreaseinreportsofthe fences. T W There were287infringementwarningsgiven, T 2000/2001 rends indicatea100%increaseininfringement . est Region(principallyZones f inhigh-densityrecreationalfishingareas, -size/setose rocklobster get areasofcomplaint,thesebeingmainly District operationsincludedroadside Prosecution of Closed-water of Operations werealsoconductedto The aimistoconductapre-season est CoastRockLobster A ficers, Mid . A Complaints relatedtoearly Zone priortothatarea fences. Zone vesselsfishingin fences wereprimarily fences detectedwithin -potting. Aerial checks , zoneboundary W est and A Presentations In the and B), The . WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER TABLE 1 Summary of commercial rock lobster breaches, warnings and infringements for the years 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.

1999/2000 2000/2001

Offence Type Breaches Warnings Infringements Breaches Warnings Infringements est Coast

Closed season 0 0 0 1 0 0 W Illegal gear 1 3 2 0 4 3 Obstruction 0 0 0 0 0 0 Processing 7 2 2 0 1 0 Records/Returns 0 0 0 0 2 7 Spawners 2 48 3 2 73 8

Under-size 11 96 33 8 186 26 Bioregion – Excess gear 4 0 0 1 0 0 Licence offence 1 0 0 1 7 7 Over-size 0 2 1 0 0 0 Closed waters 10 0 0 8 0 0 Other 2 4 0 4 14 1 Total 38 155 41 23 287 52

processes were made on the RLIAC coastal tour. south latitude drawn due west to the intersection of Throughout the season, the RLIAC Compliance 21° 44' south latitude and the boundary of the Australian Subcommittee continued its planning in partnership with Fishing Zone; thence southwards along the boundary to industry. New initiatives such as the Compliance its intersection with 34° 24' south latitude; thence due Coordinator, mobile factory patrol, joint industry risk east along 34° 24' south latitude to the intersection of assessment and pre-season briefing continue to create new 115° 08' east longitude; thence due north along 115° 08' approaches to compliance in response to changing demands. east longitude to the high water mark; thence along the high water mark to the commencing point and divided RESEARCH SUMMARY into zones’. The fishery is managed in three zones: south Research activities continued to focus on forecasting of latitude 30° S (C Zone), north of latitude 30° S future catch levels, monitoring of breeding stock levels, (B Zone) and, within this northern area, a third offshore modelling and stock assessment. During the year, results zone (A Zone) around the Abrolhos Islands. from length-structured/age-structured simulation models assessing management options for maximising the value Main fishing method of the fishery were presented to industry. Researchers also Rock lobster pots. attended the Sixth International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management to present data for RETAINED SPECIES peer review on the impacts of individual elements of the Commercial production (season 1999/2000): management package introduced in 1993/94; western rock 14,523 tonnes lobster migration; the prediction of recreational catches; and an assessment of environmental factors affecting Landings commercial catch predictions. These data were also Trends in the annual catches from the West Coast Rock presented to industry. Lobster Managed Fishery (WCRLMF) are shown in West Coast Rock Lobster Figure 1. The Australian Bureau of The following status report summarises the research Statistics catch recorded from 1944/45 to 1970/71 was findings for this fishery. replaced by processors’ production figures in 1971/72. The 1999/2000 catch in the WCRLMF was forecast from puerulus settlement to be 13,500–14,500 tonnes. West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Processors’ figures show the catch from the WCRLMF for Fishery Status Report the 1999/2000 season was 14,523 tonnes, 33.9% greater than the long-term average catch of 10,850 tonnes and Prepared by C. Chubb 11.7% greater than the previous season’s 13,009 tonnes. In 1999/2000, the catches in A Zone, B Zone and C Zone FISHERY DESCRIPTION were 1,749 tonnes, 4,548 tonnes and 8,226 tonnes Boundaries and access respectively, with A Zone 11.2% lower and B and The boundaries of this fishery are ‘the waters situated on C Zones 9.2% and 19.7% higher than the previous the west coast of the State bounded by a line commencing season. This was the fishery’s second record catch in at the intersection of the high water mark and 21° 44' successive seasons.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 7 Bioregion – West Coast 8 the pasteightseasons. 220,0000–300,000 octopuscaughtinallzoneseachof 1999/2000. voluntary researchlogbookdatabetween1992/93and of about0.02–0.03octopusperpotliftwererecordedin shallow water(0–20fathomsor0–37m),andcatchrates Octopus maybecaughtinrocklobsterpots,generally 15,270 tonnes,12.0%higherthanthepreviousseason’ (commercial andrecreational)wasapproximately The totalcatchofwesternrocklobsterfromthisfishery lar 1998/99 of630tonnes. which wasa19.3%increaseonthecatchestimatefor estimated thattheycaughtapproximately750tonnes, In 1999/2000,asurveyofrecreationalrocklobsterfishers Commer Report (pp.128-9). and theRecreational See informationin‘Landings’ Recreational component: from themanagementpackageintroducedin1993/94. settlements), andlowerlevelsoffishingef lobsters inthelasttwoyears(fromprevioushighpuerulus improved survivaloflobsters,higherrecruitment in thepastsevenseasonshaveremainedhighdueto designed torebuildbreedingstocklevels. the introductionin1993/94ofmanagementarrangements Lobster Figure2)wasoneofthecontributoryreasonsfor (abundance) fromthe1950stoearly1990s(Rock settlement; however pattern duetoenvironmentalef Lobster Figure2). (1.36 and1.21kg/potliftrespectively)(W increased substantially(12.4%)overtheratein1998/99 grounds in1999/2000,catchperunitoffishingef Due totherecordabundanceofrocklobsterson Catch r 1 was 1 The totalef in 1998/99. This was5.8%higherthanthe0.52millionpotliftsused used bytherecreationalfisherytolanditscatches. Ef pot lifts. than thepreviousseason’ pot liftsrespectively WCRLMF was1.15million,3.9millionand5.67 The nominalef lifts for1998/99(W million potlifts,0.3%lowerthanthe10.75 The nominalfishingef Fishing eff catch of13,630tonnes. of lobstersavailablethisseasoninCZone. metropolitan area,reflectingthemuchhigherabundance 1.27 millionpotliftsmadein1998/99. fort equivalentto0.55millioncommercialpotliftswas ger catchesinthesouthernsector FISHERIES 1.24 millionpotlifts,0.3%lowerthanthe ate or fort usedinthe This translatesasanestimated t WESTERN fort forthe T est CoastRockLobsterFigure1). , theoveralldeclineincatchrate , 5.7%less,2.4%moreand0.9%less rends incatchratesshowa‘cyclical’ W fort for1999/2000was10.72 estern RockLobsterFisheryStatus The increaseagainwasdueto cial Fisheries s 1.22,3.81and5.72million A, BandCZonesofthe A WCRLMF during1999/2000 USTRALIA and ‘Fishingef fects onpuerulus , adjacenttothePerth – ST est CoastRock fort resulting The catchrates A TE OF fort’ fort above, THE FISHERIES REPOR s 5% rate ofexploitationthestock. being operatedinthefisheryto56,910,anddecreased be usedforfishing. 1993/94, only82%ofeachvessel’ Under themanagementarrangementsintroducedin the pasttwoseasons. notwithstanding, successiverecordcatchesweretakenin regulations hadnotbeenimplementedin1993/94. estimated catchthatmighthavebeenachievedifthenew suggests thatthecatchin1999/2000was90.5%of flow ofproductthroughtofollowingseasons. years, withgreaterrecruitmenttothebreedingstockanda size beforecontributingtothecatchesineachofthose overall survivalmeantthatsomelobstersgrewtoalar impact inthenorthernregionsthansouth. smaller lobstersinthenorth),thishashadagreater variation inthesizedistributionoflobsters(generally since 1992/93. been shiftedthroughtothe‘reds’ have meantthataproportionofthe‘whites’ 77 mmcarapacelength(15Novemberto31January) The 18%potreductionandminimumsizeincreaseto achieved theirobjectiveofrebuildingthebreedingstock. management arrangements,introducedin1993/94,have The stockremainsfullyexploited. Stoc The coastaland data, arepresentedin stock indices,whicharebasedon commercialmonitoring The northandsouthcoastalfishery-dependent spawning Breeding stoc Exploitation status: with whichtomanagefishingef fishery Since latentef when threevesselsleftthefishery This industryrestructuringcontinuedduring1999/2000 their economicef as vesselspurchaseadditionalpotentitlementstoimprove secondary ef has beenmaintainedsince1993/94,andhadthe ef for thenextfewyearsmaygenerateincreasesinfishing 10.7 millionpotlifts,thelowercatchseasonspredicted Although ef recorded inthethreeseasonsfrom1997/98to1999/2000. 5.72 millionand5.67potliftsrespectivelywere stabilisation ofef catches of1998/99and1999/2000haveseena between 1993/94and1998/99. C Zone,wherea9%increaseinnominalef 1994/95. 3% greaterthanthe10.38millionpotliftsof1993/94and remained relativelystable,sothat1999/2000levelswere 1998/99, butnominalef Some ef assessments andfuturemanagementadvice. This ismonitoredandwillbefactoredintostock sophisticated fish-findingandnavigationaltechnology continues toincreasethroughtheimproveduseof fort abovecurrentlevels. k assessmentcompleted: , potreductionshaveprovedtobeanef fort ‘creep’ Practically allofthismovementoccurredin T 2000/2001 fort seemstohavelevelledoutatalittleover fect of‘encouraging’ fort haslar k le However Abrolhos Islandsindicesfromthe fishery- fort inCZone,where5.64million, ficiency vels: was evidentbetween1993/94and This reducedthenumberofpots W fort levelssince1998/99have est CoastRockLobsterFigure3. , becauseofthegeographic gely beenremovedfromthe . Ef fective fishingef However fort inthe This reducedef fishery ineachseason , leavingafleetof593. a reductioninfleetsize s potentitlementcould The current , thehuge Full WCRLMF fort wasnoted catch has y e fective tool Modelling fort Adequate fort level xploited Greater This . . ger Y es independent survey of the breeding stock are presented in sea-lion pups in rock lobster pots as the pups attempt to West Coast Rock Lobster Figures 4 and rob the traps of either bait or rock lobsters. Such incidents 5 respectively. appear to be very rare and are only reported to occur where pots are set adjacent to the few islands on which Both indices show that there has been substantial and very this species breeds. An ecological risk assessment has significant growth of the breeding stock in response to the identified this issue as a moderate risk until further data est Coast management package introduced for the 1993/94 season, are collected to quantify the risk to the sea-lion which specifically aimed at improving egg production. population. However, the mortality rate from lobster W Current indications from both sets of indices used to potting is expected to be very small and perhaps monitor the breeding stock are that egg production has insignificant when compared to the reported highly now reached or is above the target levels set in 1993/94. variable mortality suffered by pups up to five months old Currently, egg production is assessed at 34% above the in Western Australia. This rate varied between 7% and 1980/81 target level. 24%, depending upon whether pupping occurred in summer or winter (Shaughnessy 1999). Significant non- Indices of egg production derived from fishery-based data fishery factors responsible for the high mortality rate of Bioregion – may become distorted as a result of the effects of young sea-lions are attacks on pups by territorial bulls and technology and increases in fishing efficiency; variations adverse environmental conditions (Shaughnessy 1999). in the distribution of fishing effort in response to annual variations in puerulus settlement and subsequent Turtles are rarely affected by lobster fishing. Anecdotal recruitment to the fishery; fishers’ responses to the information suggests a very occasional entanglement of regulations (e.g. the setose regulation); and/or market- turtles in pot ropes (about one per year). Again the issue driven factors. Therefore, fishery-independent breeding of the entanglement of, specifically, leatherback turtles stock surveys to assess the strength of egg production will was identified as a moderate risk by the ERA and data are continue, and will act as a calibration for indices derived being collected through as many sources as possible to from fishery data establish the level of mortality caused by rock lobster fishing. It is understood that leatherback populations are Projected catch next season (2000/2001): in decline worldwide. Recent research by Spotila et al. 11,200–12,400 tonnes (1996, 2000) suggests Indian Ocean and western Pacific Total catch predictions for the WCRLMF are made by populations cannot withstand even moderate levels of summing the regional catch predictions from puerulus adult mortality and that the current level of indigenous settlement at the Abrolhos Islands (A Zone), Seven Mile harvest and incidental mortality in commercial fisheries Beach (Dongara) (B Zone) and Alkimos (C Zone) (West will lead to the extinction of these populations if they Coast Rock Lobster Figure 6). Catch estimates for continue. The interaction with fisheries (outside Western C Zone also are forecast from combined puerulus Australia) relates to bycatch from shrimp/prawn trawls settlement figures from a number of C Zone puerulus without turtle exclusion devices, longlines, gillnets and collection sites. These additional forecasts, for the most shark nets. The indigenous harvest of leatherbacks in part, are not dissimilar to the predictions based on Indonesia and other south-east Asian countries and the Alkimos settlement alone. Seasons 2000/2001 and poaching of eggs from nests in this region are also highly 2001/02 are expected to produce commercial catches of significant causes of mortality for this endangered species. around 11,200–12,400 tonnes and 9,500–10,500 tonnes By comparison, the occasional entanglement of a marine respectively, the lower catches resulting from declining turtle in a pot rope, even assuming that all entanglements puerulus settlement following the large numbers of result in death, is unlikely to be a significant cause of pueruli settling in 1995/96 and 1996/97 (West Coast Rock mortality for any turtle species. Lobster Figure 6). Forecast recreational catches indicate that total rock lobster landings (commercial and ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS recreational) will be in the range of 11,800–13,000 tonnes Food chain effects: Low in 2000/2001. The legislated design of rock lobster pots, and the strict control of replacement pots, prevents ‘ghost fishing’ NON-RETAINED SPECIES problems arising. In terms of ecosystem effects, the Bycatch species impact: Low fishery is unlikely to cause significant ‘food web’ Fishery-independent monitoring indicates that the impact changes, as the sub-legal-sized lobsters and protected of rock lobster fishing on the bycatch of fish and breeding stock components form a significant proportion invertebrates, other than octopus (see retained species), of the biomass (> 50%) and remain relatively constant is minimal. from year to year. The western rock lobster is an opportunistic omnivore feeding on a wide range of food Protected species interaction: Low items from coralline algae to molluscan and crustacean fauna, the populations of which have high productivity The WCRLMF interacts with the Australian sea-lion, and short life cycles. Overall, the effect of the fishery on Neophoca cinerea (status based on IUCN (1994) criteria: the wider ecosystem is assumed to be minimal. lower risk, near threatened), in two ways. The first is due Notwithstanding this, and noting the magnitude of the to the discard at sea of the plastic bands around boxes of fishery, a formal ecological risk assessment has been bait and the subsequent snaring of the bands around the conducted as part of the Marine Stewardship Council sea-lion’s neck or body. This is not common, and accreditation and will formally document this assessment. education has significantly reduced the at-sea discard rate of the bands. The second interaction is the drowning of

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 9 Bioregion – West Coast 10 Kalbarri. W the establishmentandsurvivalofmanytownsalong and Geraldton(3). (5), Lancelin(1),JurienCervantesDongara(1) the factorieswerelocatedinPerthmetropolitanarea practically everylocationwherefishingoccurred,whilst establishments’ 1,100 employeesinthefishingseason. engaged between200employeesintheclosedseasonand vessel. Duringtheyear skipper andanaverageofabout1.75deckhandsper fishing forrocklobsterin1999/2000. A seven andahalfmonthsfrom15Novemberto30June. Employment isseasonal,thefishingseasoncovering generating some$500millionofexportincome. W The westernrocklobsterfisheryisanimportantsectorof SOCIAL EFFECTS coralline andmacro-algaesuchaskelp( occurs aroundlimestonereefhabitatcoveredwith Generally the surfaceareaoffragilehabitatat that pottingmightimpactonbetween0.1%and0.2%of Development Corporation(FRDC). under waywithfundingfromtheFisheriesResearchand on themarineenvironmentsof A Habitat eff Commer within the26-yearrange. around thecurrentlevels,catches areexpectedtofall As fishingef lobster larvaeandpost-larvae, levelsoffishingef environmental conditionsexperienced bywesternrock variable levelsofrecruitment,drivenbythe mean). been 10,802±628tonnes(95%confidencelimitsofthe tonnes inthecurrentreportingyear catches rangedfrom8,166tonnesin1985/86to14,523 exceeded 10millionpotlifts.Duringthis26-yearperiod, Between 1974/75and1999/2000,fishingef FISHER zones ofthefishery in 1999/2000wasanestimatedaverageof$27/kgall The pricefishermenreceivedforthewesternrocklobster Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS rock lobsterpotting. This typeofhabitatishighlyresistanttodamagefrom devaluation ofthe substantial increaseinpricewasduelar ranging between$19.25/kgand$20.25/kg. movement inpricefollowingthreeseasonsofprices $20.25/kg paidin1998/99,andthefirstsignificant WCRLMF in1999/2000wasapproximately$390million. currencies. Acceptab estern estern (1999/2000): total of593vesselsand1,625peoplewereengagedin study ofhumanimpacts(includingrocklobsterfishing) FISHERIES The variationincatchesresultsprimarilyfrom Y GO Australia’ Australia’ , throughoutthefishery le catc ects: The valueoftherecordlandedcatchin fort hasbeenreducedandnow stabilised VERNANCE WESTERN receival depotsortrucksserviced ual v h rang s westcoastfromMandurahto s economy Australian dollaragainstother . Rock lobsterfishingisresponsiblefor alue (tofisher This wasa33.3%increaseonthe , 12processingestablishments cial Fisheries e: A USTRALIA , thecurrentreportingseason , rocklobsterfishing Abrolhos Islandsis . 8,166–14,523 tonnes The averagecatchhas This studyestimated s) f This equatestoone The processing Abrolhos. – ST Ecklonia or y ge parttothe fort levels This A ear $390 million TE OF spp). THE FISHERIES REPOR fort. Lo w maintained atorabovethetar the breedingstockandallowingeggproductiontobe its objectivesofreducingtheexploitationrate,increasing The managementpackageintroducedin1993/94achieved EXTERNAL F ecologically sustainablefishery Commonwealth legislativerequirementstoensurean world’ raised bytheMarineStewardshipCounciltomaintain and therocklobsterindustryhavebeenaddressingissues Fishery StatusReport).BothFisheries fishing activity(seeRecreational a highproportionoflicenseesactuallyundertakingsome being issued(increaseof13%comparedto1998/99),and of anotherrecordcatch,agreaternumberlicences increased againin1999/2000,dueprimarilytoforecasts new managementpackage. temporary potreductioncameintoef about 3%higherthanitwasin1993/94whenan18% abated forthepresent,nominalfishingef increases infishingef puerulus settlement.Itisnoteworthythatwhilstthe exists betweenLeeuwinCurrentstrengthandlevelsof ef Oscillation/La NiñaeventsinthePacificOceanandtheir to changesinthebalanceofElNiñoSouthern reductions arearesultoflowerpuerulussettlementsdue average levelsoverthenextfewyears. landings, andareexpectedtodeclineaverageorabove- in 1999/2000,withthesecondsuccessiveseasonofrecord fect ontheLeeuwinCurrent. s firstMSCaccreditation,andthosearisingfrom T 2000/2001 A CT ORS fort seensincethemid-1990shave The recreationalcatch get levels. . A W positive relationship estern RockLobster fect aspartofthe W The forecast estern fort remains Catches peaked Australia Western Rock Lobster Annual Catch and Effort 16

14 Catch Effort est Coast 12 W

4 Bioregion – 2 Catch and fishing effort

0 (millions of kg and millions pot lifts) 64/65 49/50 79/80 69/70 44/45 94/95 99/00 59/60 74/75 54/55 84/85 89/90 Season

WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER FIGURE 1 Annual catch and nominal fishing effort from fishers’ compulsory monthly returns for the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery from 1944/45 to 1999/2000.

Western Rock Lobster Annual Catch Rate 2.50

2.00 (kg/pot lift)

1.50

1.00

0.50

Catch per unit effort 0.00 44/45 49/50 54/55 59/60 64/65 69/70 74/75 79/80 84/85 89/90 94/95 99/00 Season

WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER FIGURE 2 Annual catch rate (kg/pot lift) for the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery from 1944/45 to 1999/2000.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 11 Commercial Fisheries

Western Rock Lobster Spawning Stock Indices Coastal Zones 0.35

0.30 North est Coast South

W 0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10 Spawning index

Bioregion – 0.05

0.00 98/99 78/79 90/91 82/83 74/75 94/95 86/87 70/71 Season

WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER FIGURE 3 Time series of monitoring spawning stock index (an index of numbers of eggs/pot lift integrated over the whole season) for the north (Jurien and Dongara) and south (Fremantle and Lancelin) coastal regions.

Survey Egg Production Index Abrolhos Islands Zone 2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5 Millions of eggs/pot lift 0.0 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Year

WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER FIGURE 4 Egg production indices as measured by the independent breeding stock survey at the Abrolhos Islands.

12 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Survey Egg Production Index Coastal Zones

1.0 est Coast W 0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2 Bioregion – Millions of eggs/pot lift 0.0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Year

WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER FIGURE 5 Egg production indices as measured by the independent breeding stock survey at the coastal sampling sites.

Western Rock Lobster Puerulus Settlement 250 Abrolhos Dongara 200 Alkimos

150

(number/collector) 100

50 Puerulus 0 71/72 74/75 77/78 92/93 95/96 98/99 80/81 83/84 86/87 89/90 Season

WEST COAST ROCK LOBSTER FIGURE 6 Annual indices of puerulus settlement for the Abrolhos (A Zone), Seven Mile Beach (Dongara) (B Zone) and Alkimos (C Zone).

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 13 Bioregion – West Coast 14 and areaclosures. restrictions onboatnumbersandgearaswellseasonal All scallopfisheriesoperateunderinputcontrols,with South and Mid Australian scallopcatch–primarilythe Several minortrawlfisheriescontributetothe MANA Commer landwar 27°51' southlatitudeand29°03' southlatitudeonthe Indian OceanadjacenttoW The boundariesofthisfisheryare Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Abr findings forthesesmallerscallopfisheries. The followingstatusreportssummarisetheresearch advisory bodies. opening andclosingdatesisprovidedtoindustry Advice onthestatusofstocksandappropriateseason Abrolhos sector industry-based pre-seasonsurveyinthecaseof is undertakenutilisingfishers’ Research monitoringofthescallopstocksineachfishery RESEARCH SUMMAR Condition 73and/or79onaFishingBoatLicence T South Coast South South W Abrolhos IslandsandMid Abrolhos IslandsandMid Abr Governing Legislation/Fishing arrangements forthe waters ofthefishery used tomonitorthemovementofvesselswithin The from yearto consequence, thecatchinthesefisheriesvariesgreatly which typicallyhavehighlyvariablerecruitment. Each fisherytakessaucerscallops the trawlfisheryof South Mana communication andemer also beusedforelectroniccatchreporting, Minor ScallopFisheries rawling Prohibition(WholeofState)Notice1992(Order) Fishery Licence Plan 1993 epar FISHERIES olhos Islands V olhos IslandsandMid essel MonitoringSystem,asatellitetrackingsystem W W W ed byM.KangasandE.Spor g GEMENT SUMMAR d sideofthe200misobath’ Y DESCRIPTION est est est est W ed Fisher est T T T T rawl ManagedFisheryand,in2000/2001, rawl ManagementPlan1989 rawl ManagedFisheryLicence ra T WESTERN wl . rawl ManagedFishery(AIMWTMF),the . f thesouthcoasteastofEsperance. , wasintroducedintomanagement AIMTMF in y StatusRepor cial Fisheries gency positionreporting. W W A estern USTRALIA Y est est monthly returndata,andan T T Authority Y rawl Managed rawl Management April 2001. ‘all thewatersof (Amusium balloti) Australia between . W er – ST Abrolhos Islands est A t TE OF T W VMS can ra estern wl As a THE FISHERIES REPOR , 4 the 2000season. 2000 season. A Fishing eff Port Gregoryarea.; Scallop Figure1). 429 tonneswholeweightofscallops(AbrolhosIslands; The totallandingsforthe2000seasonwere; Landings Commer RET Otter trawl. Main fishingmethod closed on31October2000. 1 Marchforprawnsand4 AIMWTMF The PortGregorytrawlfisheryoperatesaspartofthe limited entryfishery There are17boatslicensedtofishforscallopsinthis expected in2001comparedto2000. reasonable levelsofrecruitment and highercatchesare of catches. weight andmayexceedthehistorically acceptablerange catch rangefor2001islikelyto be 465–700tonneswhole Using theNovember2000surveydata,projected Pr conditions eachyear recruitment isdependentonlyonenvironmental occurs. of thematurescallopsareabletospawnbeforefishing The annualfishingseasonismanagedsothatthemajority Breeding stoc Exploitation status: more yearsofdata. survey abundance–catchrelationshipwillrequireseveral surveys (1997–1999). subsequent catchhasbeenundertakenforthreeyearsof relationship betweencatchratesduringsurveysand to continue. pre-season surveyhasoccurredsince1997andisplanned environmental conditions,e.g.theLeeuwinCurrent. sporadic recruitmentwhichisstronglyinfluencedby This fisheryishighlyvariable,beingdependenton Stoc Recreational component: 378 kg/hr(wholeweight). Catch r April andclosedon31May2000. total of1,281trawlhourswererecordedforthe ojected catc AINED SPECIES k assessmentcomplete: ate Breeding stocksarethereforeadequate,and cial pr T 2000/2001 or During thesurvey . A t The permittedfishingareaopenedon preliminary investigationofthe k le h ne oduction (season2000): The permittedfishingareaopenedon No prawnswerecaughtinthe; vels: . . xt season(2001): However Derivation ofamorereliable 465–700 tonneswholeweight April forscallops,andwas , severalareasindicated 429 tonneswholeweight , 14boatsfishedduring Full Not assessed y e Adequate xploited A Nil NON-RETAINED SPECIES ECONOMIC EFFECTS Bycatch species impact: Low Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year 2000: The trawl fleet operates over a very small portion of the $2.3 million licensed fishing area, focusing on scallop aggregations on The estimated value of the catch has been based on the relatively bare sand habitat associated with this species. average wholesale price per kilogram obtained in the

Owing to the focused nature of this fishery and the large Shark Bay fishery, that is $5.25/kg whole weight or est Coast

mesh size (100 mm), little bycatch is taken during the $26.25/kg meat weight. Meat weight is approximately W typically short fishing season. 20% of the whole weight.

Protected species interaction: Low FISHERY GOVERNANCE Turtles occur in the Abrolhos Islands but are rarely taken Acceptable catch range: during the short trawling season. Interaction with turtles is 50–600 tonnes whole weight minimal and few other protected species occur in this area. Apart from the exceptional catches of the mid-1990s,;

which were due to unusual environmental conditions Bioregion – ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS increasing the success of recruitment, the catch range for this fishery is expected to be in the range of Food chain effects: Low 50–600 tonnes whole weight at the current level of Due to the high natural variability of this scallop stock permitted effort. it is unlikely that any predators are fully dependent on this species. EXTERNAL FACTORS This fishery is highly variable, being dependent on Habitat effects: Low sporadic recruitment that is apparently strongly influenced The trawl areas associated with scallops are sandy by environmental conditions such as the Leeuwin Current. habitats and these are not impacted significantly by trawl As more years of pre-season survey and catch/effort data gear. An underwater survey was undertaken by Fisheries become available, the relationship between environmental WA in 1994 to delineate trawlable habitats in the factors and recruitment will be further evaluated. Abrolhos Islands and trawling is largely contained within these areas.

SOCIAL EFFECTS This scallop fishery utilises large numbers of crew due to on-board processing during the short annual season. The estimated employment for the year 2000 was 180 skippers and crew.

Abrolhos Islands Annual Scallop Catch and Effort 3,000 20,000 Whole weight 18,000 2,500 Number of trawl hours 16,000 14,000 2,000 12,000 1,500 10,000 (trawl hours) 8,000 1,000 (tonnes whole weight) 6,000 Effort 4,000 500 2,000

Landings 0 0 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year

ABROLHOS ISLANDS SCALLOP FIGURE 1 Annual scallop landings for the Abrolhos Islands and Mid West Trawl Managed Fishery, 1985–2000.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 15 Bioregion – West Coast 16 Status Repor permitted accesstofishwithineachzoneasfollows: with alimitednumberofoperators(indicatedinbrackets) The areaisfurtherdividedintofourmanagementzones, the landwar it intersectsthehighwatermarkatCapeLeeuwin,andon 31°43'27" southlatitudeand1 Indian OceanadjacenttoW The boundariesofthisfisheryare Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr South W Commer T Bycatc NON-RET Breeding stoc Exploitation status: Stoc Recreational component: Not available. Catch r Not assessed. Fishing eff and redmullet. mixed skatesandrays,1tonneeachofflounder swimmer crabs,2tonneseachofsole,squid,and 12 tonnesofwesternsandwhiting,6blue of whichthemostabundantspeciesrecordedwere scallops. western kingprawnsand23tonneswholeweightof The totallandingsfortheseasonwere32tonnesof Landings Commer RET Otter trawl. Main fishingmethod in thefisheryduring2000. between 1Julyand30September fish allyearround. some inmorethanonezone. A Zone D Zone C Zone B Zone rawling forscallopsisfocusedon afewsmallof total of14boatsarelicensedtooperateinthisfishery epar FISHERIES AINED SPECIES k assessmentcomplete: A ed byM.KangasandE.Spor h speciesimpact: ate Y DESCRIPTION cial pr Comet Bayof from 31°43'27"Sto32°16'(3boats) north-east ofCapeNaturaliste(4boats) from 32°16'Sto1 The fisheryalsolandsamixtureofby-product, AINED SPECIES or d sideofthe200misobath’ est t WESTERN k le oduction (season2000): T ra t vels: Seasonal accesstoZoneCoccurs wl Scallops 23tonneswholeweight f Mandurah(3boats) cial Fisheries Mana A estern USTRALIA 15°08' E(12boats) Zone 15°08' eastlongitudewher g . ‘all thewatersof Australia between ed Seven boatsoperated A, BandDboatsmay er Pra . Fisher – ST wns 32tonnes Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed A TE OF y fshore THE FISHERIES REPOR Lo Nil , w e Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS skippers andcrew The estimatedemploymentfortheyear2000was28 SOCIAL EFFECTS minimal impactonthebenthicsandhabitatsinvolved. Laurenson etal.(1993a)considerthatthefisheryhas Habitat eff boundary thatistrawledannually percentage (<5%)ofthefishingareawithinlegislated the lowoverallexploitationrateandverysmall The foodchainef Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS not occursignificantlyinthisfishingarea. Protected speciessusceptibletocapturebytrawlingdo Pr the South The leveloffishingactivityandquantitycatchwithin EXTERNAL F FISHER approximately 20%ofthewholeweight. weight or$26.25/kgmeatweight. obtained intheSharkBayfishery based ontheaveragewholesalepriceperkilogram Scallops: $17.30/kg. one time. the typeofproductandmarketforcesoperatingatany Prawns: fishery hasminimalimpactonbycatchspecies. environmental ef Bay areas, whiletheprawncatchismainlytakenfromComet Acceptab level ofthemid-1990s. significantly higherthaninrecentyears,returningtothe paid tofishers. recruitment tothesegroundsandalsotheproductprice variability haslar otected speciesinteraction: . An extensivestudy(Laurensonetal.1993a)ofthe hain eff Y GO W Wholesale pricesforprawnsvarydependingon le catc Generally The estimatedvalueofthecatchhasbeen T 2000/2001 ects: est VERNANCE A T ual v ects: The 2000kingprawncatchwas CT fects ofthisfisheryhasshownthatthe rawl ManagedFisheryisvariable. gely beendrivenbythelevelofscallop fects areconsideredtobelowowing h rang . ORS , pricesforkingprawnsaveraged alue (tofisher e: . , thatis$5.25/kgwhole Meat weightis s) f Scallops $120,000 Pra or y wns $555,000 Not a ear 2000: Negligib v ailab This Lo Lo le le w w South Coast Trawl Fishery ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Status Report Food chain effects: Low The extremely variable recruitment and resultant Prepared by M. Kangas and E. Sporer fluctuating biomass of the scallops which occur in this area preclude the fishery having any significant impact

FISHERY DESCRIPTION on the general food chain in the region. est Coast

Boundaries and access W Access to the south coast trawl zone is limited, with only Habitat effects: Low four boats currently endorsed to take scallops in the Trawling has minimal impact on the benthic sand fishery. These endorsements are governed by two fishing habitats in this scallop fishery. boat licence conditions. Condition 73 authorises the use of demersal trawl nets off the south coast of Western SOCIAL EFFECTS Australia in State waters east of 115° E longitude (Cape The estimated employment for the year 2000 was 16 Leeuwin), while Condition 79 authorises demersal skippers and crew. Bioregion – trawling for scallops within the Recherche Archipelago. ECONOMIC EFFECTS Main fishing method Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (2000): Otter trawl. $14.3 million

RETAINED SPECIES FISHERY GOVERNANCE Commercial production (season 2000): Acceptable catch range: Not available 2,722 tonnes whole weight EXTERNAL FACTORS Landings The level of fishing activity and quantity of catch within The scallop catch of 2,722 tonnes whole weight was the the south coast trawl is highly variable. This variability highest recorded for this small fishery, with the previous has largely been driven by the level of scallop recruitment highest catch being 138 tonnes whole weight in 1995. to these grounds and also by the product price paid to The south coast trawl fishery is principally a scallop fishers. The scallop catches in 2000 were very much fishery with only one licence holder reporting landings of higher than those seen in the fishery over the last mixed finfish, of which leatherjacket and redfish were the 10 years, indicating a very strong settlement in the region. main species recorded.

Fishing effort The annual effort expended in this scallop fishery is an outcome of initial fishing surveys used by operators to estimate stock abundance and likely benefits of continued fishing. As a consequence, the level of effort utilised each year closely follows stock abundance and catch levels.

Catch rate Not available.

Recreational component: Nil

Stock assessment complete: Not assessed

Exploitation status: Not assessed

Breeding stock levels: Not assessed

NON-RETAINED SPECIES Bycatch species impact: Low The large-mesh (100 mm) trawl gear used in scallop fisheries takes minimal bycatch. The areas trawled by the fleet also represent a very small percentage of the fishing area within the legislated boundary, therefore bycatch species impact is considered to be minimal.

Protected species interaction: Negligible Protected species susceptible to capture by trawling do not occur significantly in this fishing area.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 17 Commercial Fisheries

Following a statewide review of the inshore crab fishery West Coast Blue Swimmer in the years 1997 to 1999, recommendations for the future Crab Fishery of the fishery were developed. The recommendations have been the subject of further input at the request of the MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Minister, pending the development of a final position on crab fishery management arrangements. est Coast Blue swimmer crabs are found along the entire Western

W Australian coast and comprise the major proportion of Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority inshore crab catches in Western Australia. They may be Cockburn Sound (Crab) Management Plan 1995 targeted by a variety of fishing gear. The primary Warnbro Sound (Crab) Management Plan 1995 methods used by commercial fishers targeting crabs are crab traps or drop nets. Crabs are also taken by trawl gear Consultation Process in several prawn and scallop trawl fisheries. Agency–industry meeting Commercial access to oceanic areas with abundant blue Bioregion – swimmer crab stocks is controlled under a series of RESEARCH SUMMARY separate management arrangements. In Cockburn and Research monitoring of the expanding fishing activity Warnbro Sounds, commercial access is managed under for blue swimmer crabs was initially based on monthly the provisions of the Cockburn Sound and Warnbro Sound returns and interviews with commercial crab fishers. (Crab) Management Plans. For the major fishery in Following a rapid increase in commercial catches during Cockburn Sound, a review was carried out under the the 1990s, combined with a high level of participation by voluntary resource-sharing guidelines, resulting in recreational fishers, additional research became necessary amendments to the Cockburn Sound (Crab) Management to address key biological parameters and collect fishery Plan in 1999 and 2000 to incorporate the negotiated information required for stock assessments in the future. outcomes. These new management arrangements A number of new research projects were instigated during included an initial 20% ‘across the board’ crab pot 1997/98, with funding from the Fisheries Research and reduction, an increase in the legal minimum size for crabs Development Corporation, under the umbrella of the to 130 mm (for the commercial sector only), removal of national collaborative blue swimmer crab research gillnets as a permitted means of fishing, the introduction initiative. This research on the basic biology of crabs of a Fisheries Adjustment Scheme, and provision for non- along the WA coast, gear–catchability relationships, transferable B Class licence holders to convert to A Class recreational catch surveys, commercial catch monitoring, licences with a 50% reduction in crab pots. B Class discard mortality estimation and stock assessment licensees had until the commencement of the 2000/2001 modelling will be completed in 2000/2001. fishing season to re-nominate as A Class licensees. These The following status report summarises the research measures have seen the number of authorised crab pots findings for this fishery. reduced from 1,600 to 840. The daily permitted operating times have been adjusted to reflect the reduction and consolidation of pot numbers that has resulted from the recent management changes. West Coast Blue Swimmer Crab Stock Status Report The use of crab traps in waters off Mandurah, Shark Bay and Geographe Bay is controlled under a variety of Prepared by L. Bellchambers arrangements provided by way of subsidiary legislation under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994. FISHERY DESCRIPTION In the south and lower west coast estuaries set nets are Boundaries and access still used. However, commercial crab fishing no longer Blue swimmer crabs inhabit coastal waters throughout occurs in the Leschenault Inlet, as this estuary was closed Western Australia. The majority of commercially fished to all commercial fishing in the latter half of 2000, after a stock is concentrated in coastal embayments between the Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme removed all Peel/Harvey Estuary in the south and Shark Bay in the commercial operators. In the Mandurah Estuarine north. Blue swimmer crabs are found in a wide range Fishery, crab traps are now the principal method used. of inshore and continental shelf areas, from the intertidal zone to at least 50 m in depth. The total annual commercial catch of crabs is monitored through information provided by fishermen on their There are two managed commercial crab fisheries, namely monthly catch and effort returns. Fishermen also provide the Cockburn Sound and Warnbro Sound (Crab) Managed more detailed information via a voluntary daily research Fisheries. The Cockburn Sound fishery includes all logbook program. waters within a line drawn from South Mole at Fremantle to Stragglers Rocks, then through Mewstone to Carnac In past years there has been significant competition for Island and Garden Island, along the eastern shore of access to blue swimmer crabs in south-west estuaries and Garden Island and back to John Point on the mainland. south-west oceanic waters between some commercial and The Warnbro Sound fishery includes Warnbro Sound itself recreational fishers. However, the decline in the number and adjacent waters, extending generally from Becher of commercial fishermen in the estuaries and the Point to John Point. One licence holder has access to the introduction of specific arrangements for commercial crab Warnbro Sound managed fishery, while access to the fishing in Geographe Bay has reduced the friction Cockburn Sound managed fishery is by between the two sectors. 11 licence holders.

18 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Licence holders in the Exmouth Gulf Beach Seine gillnets compared with the previous year. In Shark Bay, Fishery, Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Managed trap catch rates increased by 17.7%, whilst trawl catch Fishery, and estuarine fisheries south of latitude 32° S, rates decreased by 20.2%. are permitted to take blue swimmer crab by drop net or set net. Seven licence holders have been issued an Recreational component: 40% exemption to take crabs using traps (40 traps each) in the Recreational catches of blue swimmer crabs have been est Coast waters of Geographe Bay. These exemptions expired on

surveyed in the west coast bioregion, as reported in State W 31 December 2000. of the Fisheries 1999–2000, and are estimated to be about 40% of the total catch. The recreational take was Two commercial fishers are permitted to take crabs by dominated by the catch from the Peel/Harvey Estuary. traps (80 traps each) in the waters of Comet Bay. The Carnarvon Experimental Crab Trap Fishery is also continuing, with two fishers permitted to take crabs using Stock assessment completed: Preliminary assessment 200 traps each. Exemptions to fish in the Carnarvon A preliminary assessment has been made using catch rates

Experimental Crab Trap Fishery are granted on an annual Bioregion – basis. One Shark Bay beach seine fisher and one for traps and gillnets. Trap catches show an increase Cockburn Sound fisher are also permitted to take crabs between 1993/94 and 1997/98 and again in 1999/2000. using up to 200 traps each in Shark Bay. These two The increases have been accompanied by an increase in fishers have a long-standing and continuing history of overall effort. A slight decline in catches and catch rates targeting crabs in these waters. was observed in 1998/99 (Blue Swimmer Crab Figure 3), but generally catch rates (kg/traplift) have remained Recreational fishers also take significant quantities of relatively stable over the last eight years, with no trend crabs, particularly in the south-west of the State. Surveys evident at this stage. to estimate the recreational take have been undertaken for some regions during the past five years. Exploitation status: Not assessed

Main fishing method Breeding stock levels: Adequate Purpose-designed crab traps. As the legal size at first capture is well above the size at maturity in all sectors of the fishery, the breeding stock RETAINED SPECIES levels are expected to be adequate to maintain stocks in Commercial production (season 1999/2000): all current fishing areas. 673 tonnes NON-RETAINED SPECIES Landings Bycatch species impact: Low A commercial catch of 673 tonnes of blue swimmer crab The shift from using gillnets to traps in most areas has was taken in 1999/2000, 17% up on the 577 tonnes caught resulted in a substantial reduction in bycatch from crab in the 1998/99 season. Commercial catches in Cockburn fishing. Discarded bycatch from trawl fisheries taking Sound contributed 305 tonnes (28% increase), while other crabs as a by-product is dealt with in those specific areas making a substantial contribution to total landings reports. were the Peel/Harvey Estuary (60 tonnes, 8% decrease) and Shark Bay (182 tonnes, 38% increase) (see Blue Protected species interaction: Low Swimmer Crab Figure 1). The crab trap longline system utilised in the targeted crab fisheries has little possibility of interacting with protected Fishing effort species. Bycatch reduction devices are currently being The commercial crab catch is made using a large variety trialled in Western Australian trawl fisheries, mainly to of fishing methods (see Blue Swimmer Crab Figure 2). reduce the take of sharks and rays, which damage the In the past year, traps took 85% of the commercial catch, quality of the target catch. while the balance of the catch was taken mostly by trawling (8.1%), gillnetting (4.6%) and drop netting ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS (0.5%). Fishing effort overall increased by 7.6% for traps Food chain effects: Low while decreasing by 3% for trawling, 4.2% for gillnets and 2% for drop nets in the last year. This continues the As the commercial take of crabs represents a relatively trend from the mid-1990s towards use of purpose- small portion of the biomass, which is effectively renewed designed crab traps in commercial crab fishing. annually, secondary food chain effects are likely to be minimal in these fisheries. Catch rate Habitat effects: Negligible Because of the variety of fishing methods in use and areas being fished, a single catch rate statistic has not been Fishing with traps results in limited habitat disturbance, produced. Comparative rates are given here for the three with only minor dragging of traps on the bottom during areas contributing the majority of the blue swimmer crab trap retrieval. catch for the past year. The catch rate using traps, in Cockburn Sound, increased by 36% compared with the SOCIAL EFFECTS previous season. In the Peel/Harvey Estuary, catch rates Approximately 43 people are employed as skippers and remained the same for traps but increased by 34% for crew on vessels fishing for blue swimmer crabs at various

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 19 Commercial Fisheries

locations along the west coast from Geographe Bay in the EXTERNAL FACTORS south to Shark Bay in the north. The commercial fishery has been expanding in the last few years as the main commercial sectors converted from ECONOMIC EFFECTS set nets to dedicated crab traps, and there is still potential Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year for future commercial expansion in areas not currently

est Coast (1999/2000): $2.9 million exploited. Currently, new commercial fishing grounds are being explored along the State’s northern coastline. W The catch was valued at approximately $2.9 million in 1999/2000, with most of the product going to local and This will allow the further expansion of blue swimmer interstate markets. crab catches without impacting on the more heavily fished south-western areas of the State where recreational FISHERY GOVERNANCE and commercial conflicts are a concern. Acceptable catch range: 600–800 tonnes The commercial pressure on stocks in these areas, Commercial catches are expected to be in the range together with increasing demand from the recreational

Bioregion – 600–800 tonnes, based on catches in the last three years. sector, has resulted in a number of management changes to maintain catch shares between the two sectors, such For the managed fishery in Cockburn Sound the as the Cockburn Sound catch share arrangement. commercially acceptable range for the current Given this pressure from both the commercial and management regime is approximately 200–350 tonnes, recreational sectors of this fishery, catch allocation has based on catches in the last five years. become a major issue and there is research planned to review these arrangements in both Cockburn Sound There is also interest in expanding the blue swimmer crab and Geographe Bay. fishery into currently unexploited grounds in the north of the state such as Exmouth Gulf and Nickol Bay. Acceptable catch rates for these areas are not available as yet due to the lack of commercial fishery data.

Blue Swimmer Crab Catch by Fishing Area 800

700 Cockburn Sound Peel-Harvey 600 Shark Bay Others 500 Total

(tonnes) 400

300

Catch 200

100

0 90/91 92/93 91/92 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 89/90 Year

BLUE SWIMMER CRAB FIGURE 1 Commercial catch history for the blue swimmer crab (Portunus pelagicus) in Western Australia between 1989/90 and 1999/2000, indicating main areas of commercial fishing.

20 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Blue Swimmer Crab Catch by Gear Type 700 Drop net 600 Gill net est Coast Trawl

500 W Trap Other 400 (tonnes) 300

Catch 200

100 Bioregion –

0 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 94/95 93/94 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 Year

BLUE SWIMMER CRAB FIGURE 2 Blue swimmer crab catch taken by different gear types in Western Australia during the period 1989/90 to 1999/2000.

Blue Swimmer Crab – Trap Catch and Effort 700 1.2

600 1

(trap lifts) 500 0.8 400 0.6

and effort 300 0.4

200 CPUE (kg/trap lift) Catch 100 Effort 0.2 CPUE

Catch (tonnes) 0 0 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 Year

BLUE SWIMMER CRAB FIGURE 3 Blue swimmer crab catch (kg), effort (trap lifts) and catch per unit effort (kg/trap lift) in Western Australia during the period 1991/92 to 1999/2000 using traps.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 21 Bioregion – West Coast 22 Agency–industry meetings Consultation Process fish resource. groups andequitablesharingarrangementsforthe are designedtoprovidespatialseparationbetweenuser restrictions. Manyoftheseasonalandtimeclosures seasonal andtimeclosures,areaclosuresboat Management arrangementsincludegearrestrictions, • • • • of the operating inthemetropolitanandsouth-westernregions There arefourrestrictedentryestuarinefisheries MANA Commer V Commercial FishingLicenceCondition17 Fishing BoatLicenceCondition19 Governing Legislation/Fishing groups andinterestedpartiesin2001/02. will bereleasedforfurtherconsultationwithclient fisheries. recommending specificmanagementoptionsforthese initiatives, amanagementpaperisbeingprepared Fisheries ManagementStrategy estuarine fisheriesanddevelopmentoftheIntegrated consultation aspartofthereviewwestcoast In 2000/2001,therewascontinuedindustryandpublic Management Strategy(Fisheries policy directionssetbytheIntegratedFisheries Management ofthesefisheriescontinuesunderthe Leschenault –0. Swan/Canning –4,Peel/Harvey8,HardyInlet1, remaining foreachfisheryasat30June2001is units beingremoved. Leschenault Inlethasresultedinallcommercialfishing (Peel/Harvey –1,Leschenault6). 7 fishingunitsbeingwithdrawnin2000/2001 commercial fishingunitsintheseestuarinefisheries,with schemes hasbeenasignificantreductioninthenumberof been runinthelastfiveyears. V resource shifttowardstherecreationalsector commercial presenceandproductionwhileencouraginga community interest. sharing issuesareincreasinglybecomingthesubjectof Estuarine fishingareas,practicesandresource- transferability isconsidered. that shouldbeattainedineachfisherybefore proposes atar W oluntary Fisheries arious ordersunderSection43ofthe and permittedgear) Resour FISHERIES est CoastEstuarineFisheries Hardy InletEstuarineFishery Leschenault EstuarineFishery Mandurah EstuarineFishery(Peel/HarveyEstuary) Swan/Canning EstuarineFishery W GEMENT SUMMAR estern ces It isanticipatedthatthismanagementpaper Management get (oroptimum)numberoffishingunits Australian coastline,asfollows: WESTERN Adjustment Schemes(VF In ordertomaintainabasiclevelof The numberoffishingunits cial Fisheries A Act 1994 USTRALIA The outcomeofthese . Authority W Y In supportofthese A The (closed waters 1999b). Fish – ST VF A AS inthe , anumberof TE OF AS) have This paper THE FISHERIES REPOR Hardy Inlet: Leschenault: Peel/Harvey: Swan/Canning: Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Status Repor W findings forthesefisheries. The followingstatusreportsummarisestheresearch by bothgroups. recreationally importantstockswheretheyareharvested consistent sourceofinformationformonitoring from commercialfishermenhasprovidedavaluableand scientists duringthe1970sand1980s. research byFisheries knowledge ofthefishstocksinestuariesderivedfrom These dataareinterpretedusingtheextensivescientific statistics (CAES)returnsprovidedbyindustry west coastestuariesisprimarilybasedoncatchandef Research monitoringoffisheriesandfishstocksinthe RESEARCH SUMMAR Perth herring T Cobbler W Y Blue swimmercrabs Sea mullet include thefollowingcatchesofkeytar The totallandingsof305tonnesfromwestcoastestuaries Landings Commer RET Gillnet/haul net. Main fishingmethod as itrelatestothe data aresubjecttotheFisheries fishers areactivelyinvolvedinaparticularfishery reviewed annually The statusofthefisheryineachaboveestuariesis to fishasinglewestcoastestuarysystemonly Unit holdersinthefourwestcoastestuariesareendorsed The levelsofaccesslistedaboveareasat lar management plans,butareexploitedasapartofthe whiting. west coastestuaries,namelyblackbream,cobblerand for threeofthemostvaluablefinfishspeciesfrom and arenotreported. ailor ellow-eye mullet estern sandwhiting epar ger estuarinefishery est CoastEstuarineFisheries AINED SPECIES ed byS. Y DESCRIPTION cial pr These stocksarenotsubjecttospecific T 2000/2001 level ofaccess level ofaccess level ofaccess level ofaccess A oduction (season2000): yvazian andG.Nowara . Fish Resour t Please note,wherefewerthanfive W This reportpresentsinformation . A and MurdochUniversity Y 36.2 tonnes 73.0 tonnes 88.8 tonnes 48.3 tonnes 5.0 tonnes 9.3 tonnes 9.6 tonnes ces Management – 4units – 1units – 9units – 6units W A confidentiality policy This database get species: April 2000. . . 305 tonnes Act 1994 , the fort Australian herring 8.5 tonnes Peel/Harvey. Total annual catches from these estuaries King George whiting 7.0 tonnes declined to half of the 1999 value, noting that high catches in the late 1990s appear to have resulted from an Black bream 5.0 tonnes above-average recruitment into these estuaries. Other species 14.3 tonnes

Swan/Canning: The 2000 catch was a further decrease Fishing effort est Coast

from the 1999 catch figure and continued the overall Fishing effort has been reported as the average number of W decline in catches during the 1990s (actual figure not boats fishing per month. This measure of effort provides available as there were fewer than five operators). a general indication of effort changes over time. In most The catch from the Swan/Canning during 2000 was of these fisheries, the general licence buy-back scheme composed primarily of blue swimmer crab, sea mullet applying to commercial fishing licences has resulted in a and Perth herring, with small quantities of black bream, decline in effort and hence reduced catches. Australian herring, and yellow-eye mullet. Swan/Canning: The general trend in effort has been a Peel/Harvey: Reported catches in the Peel/Harvey decrease in the mean monthly number of fishing units Bioregion – Estuary over the past 25 years are shown in West Coast from around 25 in the mid-1970s to four in 2000. Estuarine Figure 1. The total catch for 2000 of 192.1 There has been a 33% reduction in the number of fishing tonnes was a decrease from the 1999 catch figures. units from 1999. While there was little variation in the catches during the early 1990s, there has been a dramatic decline since 1998. Peel/Harvey: Fishing effort remained at fairly constant Approximately 62% of the finfish catch was comprised of levels during the 1990s after a rapid decline during the sea mullet and yellow-eye mullet during 2000. 1970s and 1980s (West Coast Estuarine Figure 1). There Approximately 32% of the total 2000 catch was has been a decline in the mean monthly number of fishing comprised of blue swimmer crabs. units from approximately 40 in the early 1970s to the current level of nine boats actively fishing, and the Leschenault: The total catch for 2000 showed a number of units in 2000 has decreased by 26% from the decrease from the 1999 value (actual figure not available previous year. as there were fewer than five active operators). While the overall total catches over the past 25 years display a Leschenault: The general overall trend has been a declining pattern, the catches during the past decade decline in the mean monthly number of fishing units from remained fairly stable until 1998 when they began to approximately 10 in the 1970s to the current level of four decline. Sea mullet and western sand whiting dominated units actively fishing in 2000. the finfish catch. Approximately 1% of the total 2000 catch was comprised of blue swimmer crabs. Hardy Inlet: Fishing effort (mean monthly number of fishing units) in the Hardy Inlet has declined from three in Hardy Inlet: The 2000 catch remained stable from the the 1970s to the current level of only one unit operational previous year (actual figure not available as there were in 2000, a decrease from two in 1999. fewer than five operators). The majority of the catch was composed of western sand whiting, sea mullet and Catch rate yellow-eye mullet. There were no reported catches of blue Swan/Canning: While the annual values of the catch per swimmer crabs in 2000. unit effort (CPUE) for the finfish fishery in the Swan/Canning Estuary have varied over the past 15 years, Key indicator species the overall catch rate trend generally has been stable, as a Black bream: Catches of black bream were reported result of reduced effort and corresponding reductions in from the Swan/Canning Estuary, the Peel/Harvey Estuary catch. While targeted fishing effort cannot be determined and the Hardy Inlet during 2000, with an insignificant for individual stocks, the general stability of the overall quantity from the Leschenault Inlet. The reported catches CPUE suggests the abundance of the suite of species from the Swan/Canning and Peel/Harvey Estuaries and which make up the overall catch has remained constant. Hardy Inlet showed an increase from the 1999 catches, while the reported catch from Leschenault Inlet declined Peel/Harvey: The catch rate has followed the catches in from 1999. this fishery. After a sharp decline in 1989 the CPUE has remained relatively stable during the past 10 years. The Cobbler: Catches of cobbler were reported from all four 2000 CPUE has decreased slightly from the 1999 values. estuaries during 2000. The reported catches of cobbler in While targeted fishing effort cannot be determined, the the Swan/Canning Estuary have been declining from the general stability of the overall CPUE over this period late 1980s, with 2000 being the lowest on record. suggests the abundance of the suite of species which The 2000 catches in the Peel/Harvey Estuary have make up the overall catch has remained constant, although decreased to approximately half of the 1999 levels. it should be noted that it is significantly lower than the In the Leschenault Inlet, the reported catch in 2000 average catch rates experienced during the 10–year period continued to decline from mid-1990s values. There was between 1975 and 1985. a small catch reported from the Hardy Inlet for 2000. Leschenault: The overall trend since the late 1980s has King George whiting: King George whiting catches for been a stable catch rate, with some annual variation, 2000 were reported from the Swan/Canning and generally following the fluctuations in catches. The 2000 Peel/Harvey Estuaries, with the majority coming from CPUE has increased slightly from 1999 CPUE levels.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 23 Bioregion – West Coast 24 catch whensurveyedin1998/99. recreational fishersalsotookaboutaquarterofthecrab bream catchoccurs. basin, excludingupstreamareaswheremostoftheblack under species. publication asfewerthanfiveoperatorslandedthese recreational catches,butexplicitdataarenotavailablefor recreational specieswereofasimilarmagnitudetothe tonnes. Australian herring,blackbreamandflathead)atabout3 estuaries (tailor five recreationalfinfishspeciesintheSwanandCanning 2001) estimatedtheboat-andshore-basedcatchoftop Swan/Canning: Recreational component: 1999 value. catches. CPUE hasgenerallyfollowedthefluctuationsin Har remained constant. the suiteofspecieswhichmakeupoverallcatchhas stability oftheoverallCPUEsuggestsabundance While tar Commer black bream yield-per Black br Geor tar Preliminary assessmentshavebeencompletedforselect Stoc survey year recreational sectortookabout90%ofthecrabsin that thefocusofsurveywascrabbing. taken recreationallyfromtheLeschenaultInlet,noting These figuresrepresentminimumestimatesoffinfish and commercialcatchofthesespeciesin1998. This representsabout9%ofthecombinedrecreational Australian herring)totalledlessthanonetonne. whiting, whitingotherthanKingGeor key recreationalfinfishspecies(tailor al. 2000)indicatedthatboat-andshore-basedcatchesof Leschenault Inletinthe1998calendaryear(Malseedet Leschenault: commercial takeofthesespeciesinthatyear approximately 17%ofthecombinedrecreationaland Peel/Harvey Estuaryat8tonnes. whiting, blackbreamandskipjacktrevally)fromthe King Geor catch ofkeyfinfishspecies(Australianherring,tailor in press)estimatedtheboat-andshore-basedrecreational Peel/Harvey: unique withineachwestcoastestuary 1998/99. took about80%ofthecrabcatchfromestuaryin fishing timesandlocations. minimum taken,asthesurveydesignfocusedoncrab recreational finfishestimatescanberegardedasthe geted speciesonly(blackbream,cobblerandKing FISHERIES dy Inlet: ge whiting). k assessmentcompleted: -estimate, asthesurveycoveredonlyestuary The commercialcatchesofthetopfive eam: -recruit stockassessmentwasdeveloped forthe This estimateoftherecreationalcatchwillbean The 2000CPUEhasdecreasedslightlyfromthe geted fishingef ge whiting,whitingotherthanKingGeor . (Acanthopagrus butcheri) Since theearly1990strendin WESTERN , whitingotherthanKingGeor Results fromtherecreationalsurveyof A Black breampopulationsaregenetically A 1998/99 survey(MalseedandSumner 1998/99 survey(MalseedandSumner In additiontothefinfishcatch, Overall per cial Fisheries fort isnotreported,thegeneral A USTRALIA The recreationalsectoralso centa This represents , KingGeor . ge whitingand A stock intheSwan – ST g preliminary e notassessed The A . TE OF ge whiting, These ge ge THE FISHERIES REPOR , Y es , af maturity islessthanthelegalminimum totallength estuary inwhichtheyreside. Cobbler exhibitdif length, breedingstocklevelsare believedtobeadequate. As thesizeatmaturityislessthanlegalminimum presented inthe research byNel(1983),theresultsofwhichwere biological datafortheSwanRiverpopulationfrom developed forthecobblerstockinSwanRiverusing Cobbler: is setabovethelengthatmaturity dif adequate. minimum length,breedingstocklevelsarebelievedtobe Because thesizeatmaturityislessthanlegal presented inthe research bySarre(1999),theresultsofwhichwere using biologicaldatafortheSwanRiverpopulationfrom developed fortheblackbreamstockinSwanRiver Black br Breeding stoc Exploitation status: whiting assessment whichwasconductedforKingGeor The resultsofapreliminaryyield-per vulnerable tocapturewhileresidingintheestuaries. where theygrowtomaturityandbreed. before migratingtoof early partoftheirlifehistory(1–3years)inestuaries King Geor within eachwestcoastestuary Cobbler: No additionalinformationisavailable. presented inthe from researchbySarre(1999),theresultsofwhichwere River usingbiologicaldatafortheSwanpopulation due toreducedavailability/qualityofestuarinehabitat. the estuaries,butmayalsoreflectadeclineinstock catches reflectthelowernumberoffishersoperatingin 1990s, exceptforapeakin1995. species. that timetherehasbeenlittleresearchdirectedatthis current legalminimumlengthof430mmwasset.Since during the1980sandearly1990s. Considerable researchwasconductedonthecobbler determine thecurrentleveloffishingmortality At thistime,agestructureinformationisnotavailableto presented inthe research byNel(1983),theresultsofwhichwere using biologicaldataforSwanRivercobblerfrom (Cnidoglanis macr recruit stockassessmentwasdevelopedforthecobbler of due tolowerrecruitmentgenerallyandthematuring King Geor of theFisheriesReport1999–2000 (1998) andPotteretal.(1997)werereportedinthe coast usingbiologicaldatafromresearchbyHyndesetal. fording protectiontothebreeding stock. fshore movementofthefishpreviouslyrecruited. ferent estuaries. (Sillaginodes punctata) eam: Cobbler catcheshaveremainedlowduringthe ge whiting: ge whitingduring1999and2000appeartobe Black breampossessdif T 2000/2001 A Cobbler populationsaregeneticallyunique preliminary egg-per k le A State oftheFisheriesReport1999–2000 State oftheFisheriesReport1999–2000 State oftheFisheriesReport1999–2000. State oftheFisheriesReport1999–2000 preliminary egg-per ocephalus) ferent growthratesdependingon the vels: In allcases,thelegalminimumlength fshore reefareasataboutage4 King Geor In allcasesthesizeat stock intheSwanRiver . A along thelowerwest -recruit modelwas . preliminary yield-per These lowcommercial . ferent growthratesin ge whitingspendthe From thisworkthe The lowercatchesof -recruit stock -recruit modelwas They aremost Full Not assessed y e . ge xploited State - . . . King George whiting: The age of King George whiting ECONOMIC EFFECTS at first capture is 2+ to 3+ years at approximately 250 mm Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (2000): length. The length at 50% maturity is 413 mm for $0.91 million females. King George whiting breed in the open ocean at. age 4, with juveniles using estuaries and coastal waters as FISHERY GOVERNANCE nursery habitats for the first few years of their life. Acceptable catch range: Not available est Coast Because the legal minimum length is considerably less. than the size at maturity, extra care needs to be taken The appropriate ranges cannot be assessed at this time. W to ensure overall fishing mortality does not exceed owing to the limited data available from the decreasing safe limits. number of commercial fishers. EXTERNAL FACTORS NON-RETAINED SPECIES The estuarine catches for 2000 have generally been lower Bycatch species impact: Low than in previous years. This appears to be related to a These small-scale, multi-species fisheries using mesh nets decline in the mean monthly number of boats actively are unlikely to generate significant impacts such as fishing in all three estuaries. These reduced levels of Bioregion – discarding, as virtually all species taken are marketed in fishing activity as a result of voluntary buy-back of the greater metropolitan area. commercial access will almost certainly render these commercial catch and effort data sets less useful in Protected species interaction: Negligible assessing the status of estuarine species in future years. No protected species occur in these fisheries which are For example, this will be the last year of reporting of the susceptible to capture by the fishing gear used. Leschenault commercial catches, as all the fishing licences have now been bought back under the Voluntary ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Fisheries Adjustment Scheme. Food chain effects: Not assessed This will necessitate far greater reliance on the Habitat effects: Low recreational sector and/or independent surveys to provide data that can be used to determine the status of our The operation of the gillnets and haul nets over important estuarine fish and crustaceans. In addition, predominantly sand and mud bottoms is unlikely to have even greater cooperation will be required from the any impact on the habitat of these estuaries. remaining commercial fishers to provide information on SOCIAL EFFECTS targeted fishing effort and catches needed to develop a catch curve for these species. Additional information to During 2000, there was an average of about 44 fishers support this assessment process will be collected as a part operating in west coast estuarine fisheries. of the FRDC-funded project to develop a methodology for a long-term annual index of recruitment for finfish species from south-western Western Australia.

Total catch (tonnes) Peel/Harvey Estuary Catch and Effort 3000 1000 50

2500 800 40

2000 600 30

1500

400 20 Effort

CPUE (kg) 1000

200 10 500 Catch Effort - Mean monthly number of fishing units CPUE - Mean monthly catch per fishing unit 0 0 0 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Year

WEST COAST ESTUARINE FIGURE 1 The annual catch, effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the total fishery of the Peel/Harvey Estuary over the period 1975–2000.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 25 Commercial Fisheries

targeted by recreational fishers, e.g. shark, pink snapper, Lower West Coast Beach and garfish and Australian herring. Embayment Fisheries Commercial landings of King George whiting, western sand whiting, squid and octopus from Cockburn Sound MANAGEMENT SUMMARY have declined in recent years. Possible reasons may est Coast Within this sector there are five managed fisheries include environmental factors, fishing pressure and

W focused mainly in the Cockburn Sound area, details of market-driven forces, or a combination of these factors. which are listed below. While Fisheries WA remains cautious about this trend, the underlying reasons for these declines are yet West Coast Beach Bait (Fish Net) Managed Fishery: to be revealed. There are 11 licensees in this fishery. Small pelagic fish are taken primarily by the beach seine method within the Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority coastal waters between the mouth of the Moore River, West Coast (Beach Bait) Management Plan 1995< north of Perth, and Tim’s Thicket, south of Mandurah. Cockburn Sound (Crab) Management Plan 1995< Bioregion – Cockburn Sound (Fish Net) Management Plan 1995< Continuation of beach access remains the main Cockburn Sound (Mussel) Management Plan 1995< management issue relevant to this fishery, particularly Cockburn Sound (Line and Pot) Management Plan 1995< where coastal developments restrict vehicle access. Warnbro Sound Crab Management Plan 1995< Relevant Managed Fishery Licence< Management of beach seining activities further south will be examined in a review of south-west beach seine access Consultation Process arrangements. Agency–industry meetings The major target species for these fisheries is whitebait, Hyperlophus vittatus, with small quantities of other RESEARCH SUMMARY species being taken. Data for monitoring the status of the various coastal stocks exploited in the southern half of the west coast As the whitebait stock in the south-west of Western bioregion are obtained primarily from the CAES records Australia is found mainly in a thin coastal strip close to provided by industry. These data, together with biological the coast and the stock size is relatively small, the knowledge from historical research, provide the basis for exploitation rate by commercial fishers should not be the following two status reports. permitted to increase above current levels.

Cockburn Sound (Crab) Managed Fishery: See West Cockburn Sound Finfish Fisheries Coast Blue Swimmer Crab Stocks, p. 18. Status Report Cockburn Sound (Fish Net) Managed Fishery: There Prepared by S. Ayvazian and G. Nowara are two licence holders in this fishery. Fish are taken by gillnet, beach seine and haul net. The main species FISHERY DESCRIPTION targeted are garfish and Australian herring. Other fish species including shark, whiting and mullet are taken Boundaries and access opportunistically. There are four managed fisheries which operate wholly and two managed fisheries which operate partly within The catch of garfish and Australian herring has been Cockburn Sound. The Cockburn Sound (Mussel, Crab, rising steadily since the 1970s. The rate at which the catch Fish Net, and Line and Pot) Managed Fisheries operate of these two species is increasing is of some concern as entirely within Cockburn Sound, while the West Coast they are both important recreational species. Beach Bait (Fish Net) and the West Coast Purse Seine Managed Fisheries operate partly within Cockburn Sound. Cockburn Sound (Mussel) Managed Fishery: There are two licensees with access to this fishery. Fishing activity The gillnetting, crab netting (and potting), mussel diving in the wild capture fishery was very low due to the and line and pot fisheries are all restricted to the waters of integration of the fishery with the mussel aquaculture Cockburn Sound. The catches in this report are for finfish operations in Cockburn Sound. only and are mainly from the Cockburn Sound (Line and Pot) and the Cockburn Sound (Fish Net) Managed Cockburn Sound (Line and Pot) Managed Fishery: Fisheries. As at May 2000 there were two licensees in the There are currently 25 licensed fishers in this fishery, fish net fishery and 26 licensees in the line and pot fishery. although not all licensees exercise their fishing entitlement. Reductions in the number of licensees have Separate status reports are given elsewhere in this come about, in part, through the Fisheries Adjustment volume for the West Coast Beach Bait, West Coast Purse Scheme for the Cockburn Sound (Crab) Managed Fishery, Seine, mussel and crab fisheries (see pp. 29-31, 31-4, where all licences associated with fishing units exiting 158 and 18-21 respectively). through the scheme were surrendered. Main fishing method The fishing methods employed include handline, longline Gillnet (set net), haul net, handline, octopus pot, beach and squid jigging; the pots used are unbaited octopus pots. seine and purse seine. Many of the species targeted by this fishery are also

26 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 RETAINED SPECIES during 1996/97 (Sumner and Williamson 1999). Catch Commercial production (season 2000): 55.7 tonnes and effort data collected as part of this survey identified the key recreational species in Cockburn Sound as Landings Australian herring, King George whiting, other whiting, skipjack trevally, tailor and garfish. The estimated catch The total catch of finfish from Cockburn Sound reported of these species was 39 tonnes. During the calendar year here excludes bait fish (whitebait, pilchard, scaly est Coast of 1997, the commercial catch of the same species in mackerel, anchovy and blue sprat), molluscs and W Cockburn Sound was approximately 45 tonnes. The crustaceans. The reported catch is primarily from the recreational fishery therefore takes approximately 45% of Cockburn Sound (Line and Pot) and the Cockburn Sound the combined recreational and commercial catch of these (Fish Net) Managed Fisheries; however, the figures key recreational finfish species. In addition, the recreational include the catch of finfish, other than those five species sector took about 5% of the crab catch from the area. mentioned above, recorded from the West Coast Beach Bait (Fish Net) and the West Coast Purse Seine Managed Stock assessment completed: Not assessed Fisheries, which conduct part of their respective Bioregion – operations within Cockburn Sound. Exploitation status: Not assessed From the early 1990s the finfish catches increased to a peak catch in 1992 and then declined to 60.1 tonnes in Breeding stock levels: Adequate for herring 1998. This rose sharply to 90.9 tonnes in 1999. However See Australian Herring Stock Status Report, pp. 107-9. the current 2000 catch represents a decline to 55.7 tonnes (Cockburn Sound Figure 1). The composition of the 2000 NON-RETAINED SPECIES catch included over 20 finfish and elasmobranch species. Bycatch species impact: Low Over 80% of the total catch was comprised of sea garfish, This small-scale, multi-species fishery using line and Australian herring (14.2 tonnes), pink snapper and sea mesh nets to target primarily surface species is unlikely mullet (2.8 tonnes). to generate significant impacts such as discarding, as The catch of sea garfish increased steadily from 1980 to a virtually all species taken are marketed in the high level in 1994, after which time the catch declined, metropolitan area. with a substantial drop in 1997. The catch peaked again in 1999; however, the current catch has declined (actual Protected species interaction: Not assessed figures are not available as there are fewer than five ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS operators catching this species). Food chain effects: Not assessed Australian herring catches showed a steady increase from 1980, reaching a peak in 1994 (around 50 tonnes). Since Habitat effects: Low that time, catches have declined significantly. The catch The fishing methods used in this fishery do not impact on for 2000 was 14.2 tonnes (Cockburn Sound Figure 2). the habitat.

Fishing effort SOCIAL EFFECTS The fishing effort is measured as the number of fishing During 2000, the average number of crew fishing for boat days for finfish catches (excluding purse seine and finfish in the Cockburn Sound (Line and Pot) Managed pot catches) from the Cockburn Sound (Line and Pot) and Fishery and Cockburn Sound (Fish Net) Managed Fishery the Cockburn Sound (Fish Net) Managed Fisheries was approximately 22. Production supplies restaurant and (Cockburn Sound Figure 1). This provides only an retail sectors in the metropolitan area. indication of the overall usage of the area by the commercial sector, which is composed of a number of ECONOMIC EFFECTS different fisheries and various fishing methods. Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (2000): The fishing effort peaked during the early 1990s at $142,000 1,400–1,600 boat days. It declined to 882 boat days in While relatively limited in overall value, the production 1997, rose to 1,562 boat days for 1999 and subsequently from the commercial fishery provides a valuable input to declined to 1,060 boat days for 2000. the metropolitan fresh fish trade.

Catch rate FISHERY GOVERNANCE The catch rate for the different fisheries and the various Acceptable catch range: 40–95 tonnes fishing methods has averaged around 80 kg/boat day The expected catch range under the current during the past 10 years (Cockburn Sound Figure 1). management regime is 40–95 tonnes of finfish. The peak catch rate during the 1990s was 101.8 kg/boat This projection is derived by double exponential day in 1992 and the lowest reported catch rate was smoothed forecasting of the annual catches to 1998 and 43.4 kg/boat day in 1990. The 2000 catch rate was the variation of observations around the predictions. 52.6 kg/boat day. The 2000 catch rate for Australian The confidence intervals are set at 80%. The current herring was 13.4 kg/boat day (Cockburn Sound Figure 2). annual catch is within the acceptable catch range. Future annual catch values which fall outside of this range Recreational component: 45% (approx.) will be investigated. Where consecutive values occur A 12-month survey of boat-based recreational fishing in outside of the range, management arrangements may coastal waters from Augusta to Kalbarri was conducted need to be reviewed.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 27 Commercial Fisheries

EXTERNAL FACTORS Catch information from the small commercial sector important to recreational fishing. However, the gradual provides a valuable input to the research database for decline in numbers of commercial fishers in recent years monitoring the abundance of these stocks, which are also may render the catch statistics less useful in future. est Coast W Fish catch Finfish (tonnes) Cockburn Sound 180 1600

160 1400

Bioregion – 140 1200 120 1000 100 800 (kg/boat day)

80 (boat days) 600 60 CPUE 400 Effort 40 Catch (tonnes) 20 CPUE (kg per boat day) 200 Effort (boat days) 0 0 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year COCKBURN SOUND FIGURE 1 The annual catch, effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) for finfish (excluding bait fish) for the Cockburn Sound fisheries over the period 1980–2000.

Fish catch Australian Herring (tonnes) Cockburn Sound 60 1600

1400 50

1200 40 1000

30 800

600 20 CPUE (kg/boat day) 400 Effort (boat days) Catch (tonnes) 10 CPUE (kg per boat day) 200 Effort (boat days) 0 0 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year COCKBURN SOUND FIGURE 2 The annual catch, effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) for Australian herring (Arripis georgiana) in the Cockburn Sound fisheries over the period 1980–2000.

28 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 West Coast Beach Bait (Fish Net) fishermen, the catch and effort data from this fishery does Managed Fishery Status Report not provide a reliable measure of abundance.

Prepared by G. Baudains and D. Gaughan Catch rate See ‘Fishing effort’ above.

FISHERY DESCRIPTION est Coast

Boundaries and access Recreational component: Not assessed W The West Coast Beach Bait (Fish Net) Managed Fishery There is no recreational fishery for whitebait. primarily targets whitebait (Hyperlophus vittatus). While some of the other retained species are also fished Because this species is also the primary target south of the recreationally, there is no assessment for these managed fishery boundary, the catches of south-west recreational catches. beach seiners have been included in this status report. Stock assessment completed: Yes The West Coast Beach Bait (Fish Net) Managed Fishery

The annual assessment for the whitebait stocks utilises the Bioregion – extends from the mouth of the Moore River, north of total catch as an indicator of abundance, on the reasonable Perth, to Tim’s Thicket in the south, with access currently assumption that catchability remains stable but that via limited entry licence. The south-west beach seine fishing effort adjusts so as to take a similar proportion of fishing activities, also targeting whitebait, occur from the available stock in all years. On this basis, the Tim’s Thicket south to Point D’Entrecasteaux, with abundance in the dominant Bunbury sector in 2000 was activity typically concentrated in Geographe Bay higher than in the previous year, as was also the case in (Cape Naturaliste to Preston Beach). While the the metropolitan and Mandurah sectors. management arrangements for this ‘southern whitebait fishery’ have yet to be finalised, a discrete group of The 2000 catch was much as expected from the fishers is endorsed to operate in this area using similar previously observed positive relationship between the methods to the managed beach bait fishers in the Fremantle sea level (Leeuwin Current) and catch in the metropolitan and Mandurah areas. following year. That is, the high annual catch of whitebait expected in 2000 following a very strong Leeuwin Main fishing method Current during 1999 did eventuate. Beach seine net. Exploitation status: Fully exploited RETAINED SPECIES Commercial production (season 2000): Breeding stock levels: Adequate All species 336 tonnes Previous modelling and plankton sampling indicate that Whitebait 240 tonnes the typical stock size of whitebait is probably less than 1,000 tonnes for the entire west coast. The cyclical nature Landings of the fishery, whereby very good catches continue to be The main target species in this fishery is whitebait, of followed by one to two years of low catches, suggests that which 240 tonnes were caught in the 2000 season. breeding stocks may become a limiting factor in years The catches of all other species landed in this fishery, following environmentally driven low recruitment, and which amounted to 96 tonnes, are shown in West Coast needs to be carefully monitored. Beach Bait Tables 1 and 2. Sea mullet and Perth herring dominated the remainder of the catch. Projected catch next season (2001): Whitebait 272–375 tonnes Catches of whitebait are discussed here according to the The average monthly Leeuwin Current in 2000 was again region in which they were landed. Metropolitan and very strong, only dropping slightly below the 1999 level Mandurah landings are from the managed fishery, while which was the highest ever recorded. The Leeuwin Bunbury landings are from the south-west beach seine Current/whitebait model suggests that the 2001 catch will fishing. be in the range 272–375 tonnes. (This range exceeds the Metropolitan: The catch of whitebait for the acceptable catch range owing to the wide confidence metropolitan region during 2000 was 32.1 tonnes, a major limits around the regression model.) increase from the average of 20.3 tonnes over the previous three years (West Coast Beach Bait Figure 1). NON-RETAINED SPECIES Bycatch species impact: Low Mandurah: The whitebait catch at Mandurah There is typically no bycatch in the targeted whitebait (33.6 tonnes) again narrowly exceeded that for the fishery. Where multi-species schools occur, for example metropolitan region in 2000. of mixed whitebait and juvenile pichards, catches are Bunbury: The Bunbury catch almost doubled this year to released because of the difficulty of sorting. 174.8 tonnes from the 96 tonnes caught in 1999 (West Coast Beach Bait Figure 1). Protected species interaction: Low No protected species occur in this fishing area which Fishing effort could be caught by the beach seine gear. Given the schooling behaviour of whitebait and most of the other retained species, and the targeting of schools by

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 29 Bioregion – West Coast 30 All fishingoccursoversandysubstrateandtheimpactof The highlyvariablerecruitmentcycleofwhitebait, not yetunderstood.Overall,therefore,theecological whitebait fishery feed inthemetropolitanandMandurahregionsof and thelittlepenguinsthatbreedonPenguinIslandand in yearsoflowwhitebaitabundancebetweenfishermen the stockthandoesfishery suggesting thatnaturalpredatorshavegreateraccessto shore, whereasthefishstockismorewidelydistributed, fishing methodlar Furthermore, theconstraintsofbeachseinegearand whitebait asamajorfoodsourceinallyears. predatory birdsandfishcannotrelyontheavailabilityof apparently relatedtooceanographicef Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Commer T WEST CO Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS in 2000. fishermen andcrewworkedinthewhitebaitindustry Approximately 28fishingunitsinvolvingabout60 SOCIAL EFFECTS the relativelylightfishinggearisminimal. Habitat eff impact ofthefisheryisconsideredtobelow otal ann FISHERIES hain eff ual catchofwhitebaitf ects: AST BEA WESTERN ual v ects: Catch (tonnes) , buttheimpactofanysuchinteractionis gely limitfishingtowithin80mofthe 150 200 250 300 350 100 50 alue (tofisher 0 75 cial Fisheries CH B A USTRALIA 77 . AIT FIGURE1 There maybecompetition Total Bunbury Mandurah Metropolitan or eachsectorfrom1975to2000. 79 s) f fects, meansthat – ST or y 81 A $0.46 million . ear (2000): TE OF 83 THE FISHERIES REPOR Lo Lo 85 w w Whitebait Year 87 the communitypresstorestrictaccessbeachesby region mayhaveimplicationsforthisfishery Ongoing urbanisationof undertaken whentimebecomesavailable. Current/whitebait relationshipisneeded,andwillbe levels aremaintained. becoming fullymanagedtoensurethatappropriateef restrictions, andispartwaythroughtheprocessof to beregulatedthroughlimitedentryaccessandgear environmental factors. exhibit lar Annual catchesinthisfisherywillmostlikelycontinueto EXTERNAL F plan inplace. sector portion ofthewhitebaitcatchistakenfromBunbury access tothesestocks. since 1990bythelimitednumbersofoperatorswith The rangeprovidedforwhitebaitreflectscatchesachieved Acceptab FISHER about $0.46million. 1999, atanaverageof$1.80/kg. The priceforwhitebaitwassimilartothatobtainedin seining gearandcatches. four 89 -wheel-drive vehiclesneededtotransportthebeach , whichdoesnotyethaveaformalmanagement 91 Y GO ge fluctuationsundertheinfluenceof le catc T 2000/2001 93 VERNANCE A CT h rang ORS 95 Further researchintotheLeeuwin It shouldbenotedthatthemajor The fisherywillthereforecontinue W e: 97 estern Whitebait 106–331tonnes 99 T Australia’ otal catchvaluewas s south-west , assectorsof fort WEST COAST BEACH BAIT TABLE 1 WEST COAST BEACH BAIT TABLE 2 Catches in 2000 of retained species other than Catches in 2000 of retained species other than whitebait from the West Coast Beach Bait (Fish Net) whitebait from the south-west beach seining sector. Managed Fishery. Numbers in brackets indicate that part of the catch taken from Cockburn Sound. est Coast Catch Catch W Species (tonnes) Species (tonnes) Anchovy 3.5 (3.5) Garfish, sea 2.0 Garfish, sea 1.7 (1.7) Herring, Australian 33.5 Mullet, sea 24.3 Herring, Perth 2.0 (2.0) Mullet, yellow-eye 2.8 Mullet, sea 3.4 (2.0) Sprat, blue 10.5 Bioregion – Mullet, yellow-eye 1.9 (1.1) Whiting, western sand 7.2 Others 1.2 (0.7) Others 1.6 Total 13.7 (11.0) Total 81.9

West Coast Purse Seine Consultation Process Purse Seine Management Advisory Committee Managed Fishery Agency–industry meetings (as required)

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY RESEARCH SUMMARY This fishery is based on the capture of pilchards Research on this fishery continues to utilise CAES (Sardinops sagax) and scaly mackerel (Sardinella lemuru) data, biological monitoring of catches and spawning by purse seine nets in the waters off the west coast of biomass estimates from egg surveys. The most recent Western Australia. It is managed under the provisions of survey of spawning biomass was undertaken in the West Coast Purse Seine Management Plan 1989. The July–August of 2000. product has a variety of uses, being sold for human consumption, angling bait, commercial bait, tuna food and These data are compiled into the following status report pet food. The recreational angling bait sector is currently and ultimately will be used to set and review total the main market. allowable catches (TACs) once the fishery moves to quota management. As in the South Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery, the spread of a Herpesvirus throughout the west coast in 1995 and again in 1998/99 has had a serious impact on the West Coast Purse Seine Managed stock. Understanding of the pathogen has increased Fishery Status Report significantly since the first outbreak, but there are still important knowledge gaps, such as the source of the Prepared by D. Gaughan virus. The possibility of a further outbreak represents a real threat to the industry. FISHERY DESCRIPTION In response to concerns for the fishery, the Minister for Boundaries and access Fisheries announced in March 2000 that the maximum The boundaries of this fishery are ‘all Western Australian quantity of pilchards that might be taken in the fishery for waters between 31° south latitude (near Lancelin) and the 2000/2001 licensing period was to be 260 tonnes. 33° south latitude (near Cape Bouvard) and on the landward side of the 200 nautical mile Australian Fishing Management arrangements are currently based on limited Zone limit, but excluding those waters within the entry and controls on gear and boat size; however, it has boundaries of the Marmion Marine Park Reserve No. 1’. been accepted for some time that the fishery should be Access to the fishery is under a limited entry system with managed under a quota arrangement. The framework of eight full licences and six supplementary access holders. arrangements that would see the change to quota No quota system is in place at present. As there is management has been developed following consultation currently no evidence for separate adult assemblages with stakeholders but has yet to be legislated. along the lower west coast (in contrast with the situation on the south coast), catch data from the developmental Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority purse seine fishing zone, which lies between Cape West Coast Purse Seine Management Plan 1989 Bouvard and Augusta, is included in the total for the West West Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery Licence Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 31 Bioregion – West Coast 32 from previousyears. dif half oftheyear temporary closureofthepilchardfisheryduringfirst following the1998/99mortalityevent,coupledwitha less than14tonnes. catch decreaseddramaticallyfrom571tonnesin1999to abundance areinfluencingfishingef Similarly 1997, 1998and1999(W in 2000;thisfollowsonfromsimilarlysharpdeclines again decreasedfrom1,103tonnesin1999to624 managed fisheryareaandthedevelopmentalzoneonce The combinedcatchofpilchardsandsardinellaforthe Landings Commer Pilchard RET Purse seinenet. Main fishingmethod Commer indicate thatthestockonlower westcoastisatthe detailed studyonsardinellainthe Geraldtonregion Fremantle region,applicationof resultsobtainedfroma assessment hasbeenundertaken forsardinellainthe fully exploitedonthewestcoast. Stock assessmentiscompletedfor pilchards,whichare Stoc Recreational component: 1,700 kg/day The estimatedcatchrateforallsmallpelagicswas Catch r ef applied inthefishery markets forsardinella)haveimpactedontheef restructuring inthefishery(e.g.developmentofnew changes inthestocks(i.e.fewerpilchards)andassociated together fishedatotalof367days. Eight vesselsparticipatedinthefishery2000and Fishing eff (Engraulis australis)occurperiodically are commonlycaught,whilesmallcatchesofanchovies In addition,smallerquantitiesofmaray referred toassardinella)alsoimportantinsomeyears. lemuru species inthecatch,withtropicalsardine 5.8 tonnes(upfrom83kgin1999). 1999. landed fortheyearcomparedtolessthan8tonnesin species), totheextentthatmorethan50tonneswere composed ofmaray(traditionallyaminorretained at thetraditionalfishinggrounds,andcatcheswerelar second halfoftheyearthisspecieswasinlowabundance 2000. 1999 toabout98%(610tonnes)ofthecombinedcatchin which increasedagainfromnearly50%(532tonnes)in to sardinella. fort separatelyforthedif ficult todeterminehowthisestimaterelatesthose FISHERIES AINED SPECIES k assessmentcompleted: There wasalsoanincreaseincatchofanchovyto In addition,whenpilchardfishingresumedinthe (previously calledscalymackerel,hereafter ate (Sar , thecontributionofpilchardstocombined cial pr or . dinops sagax)istypicallythedominant t This wasreflectedinthesardinellacatch, Note thatbecausefactorsotherthan WESTERN , causedaswitchinef oduction (season2000): The decreaseinpilchardabundance . It isnolongerpossibletoestimate cial Fisheries est CoastPurseSeineFigure1). A ferent speciesbeingtar USTRALIA Although nostock The recentsignificant fort, itiscurrently fort frompilchards . – ST (Etrumeus ter A TE OF Sar 624 tonnes fort being dinella geted. THE FISHERIES REPOR es) gely Y Nil es recovery pilchard catches. contradicted bytheagestructureofwestcoast returned priortothe2000survey 60–80% mightbepossibleifthissameportionhad industry members,anincreaseinestimatedbiomassof deeper waterorsouthwards),assuggestedbysome unusually highwatertemperatures(eitherof the westcoaststockhadbeendisplacedduring1999by estimated changesinspawningbiomass. pilchard eggsandtheaverageeggdensity changes inbothproportionofsamplingstationswith relative changesinspawningbiomass,asdepictedbythe sex ratiospresentedabove. adult parametersarenotreliable,hencethetwopossible samples couldbeinterpretedtomeanthattheestimatesof low numberofsamples(n=4). of poorestimationadultparametersresultingfromthe stock inaperiodofonlyoneyear increase appearstobetoohighforthewestcoastpilchard during timesofverystronggrowth,themagnitude increase of40%canbeconsideredexceptionalforastock from the1999estimateof5,725tonnes. However is recoveringstronglyafterthe1998/99massmortality (see below). 9,622 tonnesifthesexratiowasassumedtobe65% 8,516 tonnesifasexratioof73%wasused,or 2000. A size oftheremainingstock. biomass surveywasconsiderednecessarytoestimatethe initial diseaseeventin1995. mortalities wereestimatedtobemuchhigherthaninthe through thesouthcoastof originating inSouth only pilchardspassedthroughthewestcoaststockafter In early1999,asecondmassmortalityeventaf exploited whenitoccursof southern limitofitsgeographicrangeandisfully This fisherytar Bycatc NON-RET possible tocatchatleast100tonnes. if availabilityofthestockisreasonable, itshouldbe than thenotional possible, however Given thatstockmaynotbeavailabletothefleetitis (i.e. 720tonnesequals7.5%of9,622tonnes). estimate obtainedusingasexratioof65%female exploitation rateof7.5%thespawningbiomass A Pr See ‘Stockassessment’ Breeding stoc Pilchards andsardinellaarefullyexploited. Exploitation status: spawning biomasssurveywasthereforeconductedin notional ojected catc The spawningbiomasswasestimatedtobe h speciesimpact: , availabilitytothefleethasremainedverylow , theseestimatesequatetoa60–80%increase AINED SPECIES T T 2000/2001 AC of720tonneswasbasedonan This resultprovidesevidencethatthestock gets specificschoolsofsmallpelagic fish k le h (oreff T , thatthecatchmaybemuchlower Assuming therehasbeenstrong AC. vels: Australian watersandpassing above. Thus ithasbeenassumedthat, or W t) ne f Fremantle. However estern As aresult,post-mortality The poornumberofadult xt season(2001): . , andmaybeindicative This possibilityisnot Australia. , examinationofthe 100–720 tonnes Since anannual , supportthe If portionsof Full fshore, to y e Pilchard fecting Depleted xploited Lo . . w so bycatch is insignificant. Small pelagic fish which are FISHERY GOVERNANCE sometimes caught but for which there are no stable Acceptable catch (or effort) range: Not available markets for the quantities involved include yellowtail scad Management arrangements are currently based on limited (Trachurus novaezelandiae) and blue mackerel (Scomber entry and controls on gear and boat size; however, it has australasicus). Decapterus macrosoma, a tropical scad, been accepted for some time that the fishery should be occurred apparently for the first time on the metropolitan managed under a catch quota arrangement. The est Coast purse seine grounds in 2000. This species represents an

framework of arrangements that would see the change to W example of a non-retained small pelagic which may quota management has been developed following periodically occur on the lower west coast due to consultation with stakeholders but has yet to be legislated. anomalous environmental conditions. Such infrequent This situation remains unchanged from last year and has occurrences would have negligible impact. been delayed due to uncertainty about the recovery of the pilchard stocks. Until this issue is addressed, an Protected species interaction: Low acceptable catch range cannot be provided. Pilchards and other small pelagic fish are consumed by several species of seabirds, pinnipeds, cetaceans and EXTERNAL FACTORS Bioregion – protected sharks, but there is currently no evidence to The major factor influencing the pilchard stock has been indicate any interaction between these and the purse the impact of the virus epidemic in 1998/99. The fishery seine industry. is also heavily influenced by the contribution of the two dominant pelagic species, which dictates the make-up of ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS the catch in any one year. The influences of Food chain effects: Medium environmental factors on the two species are not yet well Small pelagic fish, typically pilchards or anchovies, understood, but oceanographic variability appears to occupy a pivotal position of energy transfer in food webs affect the distribution and availability of both species. in which they occur and are often the main link between primary (phytoplankton) and secondary (zooplankton) production and larger predators. This trophic position has been termed the ‘wasp’s waist’ since pilchards feed on many species and are eaten by many species. As a result of the mortality event outside of the control of the fishery, the reduced biomass of pilchards is likely to have a significant impact on predatory species such as seabirds, mammals and tuna. It should be noted, however, that in ‘normal’ circumstances the quota for pilchards is set at 10–15% of the spawning biomass, thus leaving 85–90% available to natural predators.

Habitat effects: Negligible Purse seining appears to have very little effect on the habitat. Although the purse seine gear used in Western Australia can contact the sea floor in some areas, the relatively light construction of the gear suggests that there is no significant impact occurring to, for example, seagrass beds.

SOCIAL EFFECTS The west coast purse seine industry has undergone a major restructure in recent years. Following the mass mortality event of 1998/99, many licence holders and their crew have had to obtain income from elsewhere. Including vessel crews, the industry provided direct employment for 6–12 people during 2000.

ECONOMIC EFFECTS Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (2000): $0.5 million The relatively small quantities of pilchards and maray were sold as individually quick frozen bait, while the majority of the sardinella were processed for human consumption. Average price of sardinella was $800/tonne.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 33 Commercial Fisheries

West Coast Purse Seine Annual Catch 4500

4000 Total Sardinops est Coast Sardinella 3500 W

3000

(tonnes) 2500

2000 Catch 1500 Bioregion – 1000

500

0 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 Year

WEST COAST PURSE SEINE FIGURE 1 Annual catches of pilchards and sardinella along the lower west coast.

(six years for the Abrolhos Islands). The report West Coast Demersal summarised catch data of dhufish, pink snapper and Scalefish Fishery baldchin groper.

Two-thirds of the wetline fleet, or 442 vessels, took MANAGEMENT SUMMARY dhufish between June 1991 and 1998. Most catches of the The ‘west coast demersal scalefish fishery’ describes the ‘wetline only’ fleet (97 boats) were small, with only 27 most important subset of the State’s wetline fishery that boats landing more than one tonne a year for more than has access to species or fishing methods not currently three years. A variety of licensed fishing boats from other subject to a management plan. The wetline fleet fisheries, including 178 rock lobster boats, reported taking comprises both ‘wetline only’ vessels and vessels with dhufish by wetlining. Dhufish are caught mostly from other managed fishery licences, and is only limited by the waters deeper than 20 m extending from Kalbarri to near overall ceiling on fishing boat licences. Wetline fishing Esperance. Few dhufish are taken on the south coast, targets mainly demersal finfish using handlines and while the reported catch in the Abrolhos Islands has droplines. The major areas for wetline catches within the increased substantially over the study period. Most west coast bioregion are the Abrolhos Islands, Perth dhufish are caught in summer. metropolitan area and the south-west coast. Around 466 boats of the wetline fleet took pink snapper The west coast demersal scalefish fishery includes two of between June 1992 and 1998, and only 45 boats recorded the three most important line-caught species of the landing more than one tonne a year in three of the six wetline catch for the state, West Australian dhufish years. Of the boats catching pink snapper, 103 were (Glaucosoma hebraicum) and pink snapper (Pagrus ‘wetline only’ and 165 were rock lobster boats. The auratus), as well as baldchin groper (Choerodon major wetline catches of pink snapper are from the rubescens) and many other species. In addition to this Abrolhos Islands area. August, March and April recorded fishery, these species are also caught in the demersal the highest catches of pink snapper. gillnet and longline fishery and by the recreational sector, including charter boats. Altogether 291 boats of the wetline fleet landed baldchin groper, including 86 ‘wetline only’ and 116 rock lobster A common community concern that the wetline fishery boats. Six ‘wetline only’ boats and one other recorded has unrestricted access to a wide range of species led to a landing more than one tonne a year in three of the six study of the fishing activity of wetliners published as years. Although baldchin groper is caught between the Fisheries Management Paper no. 135 (Fisheries WA Perth metropolitan area and Ningaloo, 46% of the catch 2000a). This document took a ‘snapshot’ of the fleet at comes from the Abrolhos Islands. The catch has little 30 June 1998 and examined its seven-year fishing history seasonal variation.

34 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority RETAINED SPECIES Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995 Commercial production (season 2000): 768 tonnes Fishing Boat Licence Landings RESEARCH SUMMARY During 1999/2000, 242 boats wetlined for demersal

A detailed FRDC-funded research project on the biology finfish with 197, 181 and 134 boats catching dhufish, pink est Coast of dhufish was completed at Murdoch University snapper and baldchin groper respectively. With landings W (Hesp and Potter 2000). This study determined the of 173 tonnes of dhufish, 158 tonnes of pink snapper and biological parameters of age, growth and reproduction, 33 tonnes of baldchin groper, these three species providing much of the scientific knowledge base for comprised almost half of the total catch. Other major management (see ‘Stock assessment’). A new FRDC- species in the catch are from the northern area of the west funded project commenced in 2000 by Fisheries WA will coast bioregion and include coral trouts (11 tonnes) and examine the mortality of under-size dhufish, snapper and, two lethrinid species, Lethrinus nebulosus and Lethrinus when possible, other species that are released after capture miniatus, reported as spangled emperor, sweetlip emperor, Bioregion – by line. The results of this project will provide an sweetlips and nor-west snapper (129 tonnes). understanding of fishing mortality for the entire Demersal scalefish catches from other fisheries are not population and, together with CAES data, will be used to included here, however the scalefish catch accounted for assess dhufish stocks. 16% of the total catch of the West Coast Demersal Gillnet Research on the life history of the baldchin groper at the and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery Abrolhos Islands examined reproductive biology, age, (WCDGDLIMF) in 1999/2000. This scalefish catch was growth and mortality (Nardi 1999). Baldchin groper can dominated by dhufish (17.7 tonnes), followed by pink live up to 20 years or longer, and individuals will change snapper (10.2 tonnes). For a full status report on the sex from female to male mostly between the ages of 8 and WCDGDLIMF, see pp. 113-18. 12 years. Spawning occurs from early spring to mid- summer. Size at first sexual maturity is estimated at Dhufish: In general, catches of dhufish along the west 29 cm total length; however, this species changes sex coast over the last 10 years reflect trends in fishing effort from female to male at around 40–45 cm (Nardi 1999). (West Coast Demersal Scalefish Figure 1). Dhufish catch The legal minimum length is 40 cm at age 9 years. peaked in 1997/98 at 196 tonnes when effort was highest; the current year’s catch of 173 tonnes is still higher than Although the Gascoyne bioregional component of the the 10-year average of 152 tonnes. Peak catches for the pink snapper stocks has been researched extensively, current year were recorded in December 1999 and there has been little research on the species on the January and May 2000. mid-west and lower west coast. Research on the biology of the breaksea cod was begun in 2001 by an honours Baldchin groper: Both catch and catch rate for the student at Curtin University. Stock assessments of these baldchin groper have been consistent over the last species are planned as biological information becomes 10 years (West Coast Demersal Scalefish Figure 2). available. Until stock assessments are completed, The baldchin groper catch in 1999/2000, at 33 tonnes, monitoring of the fishery will continue to be undertaken was higher than the 10-year average of 31.5 tonnes. annually using CAES data. This monitoring data is used Catches of baldchin groper are similar throughout the to provide this status report. year, but the highest recorded catch for the current year was in April 2000.

West Coast Demersal Scalefish Stocks Pink snapper: The pink snapper catch in 1999/2000 was Status Report 158 tonnes, and catches in the last three years have been below the 10-year average of 204 tonnes (West Coast Prepared by J. St John Demersal Scalefish Figure 3). Snapper catches, however, now appear to be on the rise, as the current year’s catch FISHERY DESCRIPTION was slightly higher than in the previous year, and recently fishers have reported an abundance of small snapper off Boundaries and access the west coast. The snapper fishery is renowned for its Wetlining for west coast demersal scalefish is not yet high variability in catch due to natural annual fluctuations subject to a specific management plan. For convenience, in recruitment to the stock. Peak catches for the current the fishing activities are assessed within the boundaries of year were recorded in November 1999 and May 2000. the west coast bioregion, i.e. in waters south of latitude 27° S and west of longitude 115°30' E. During Fishing effort 1999/2000, 77 ‘wetline only’ vessels operated in the west coast bioregion using handline and dropline. A further Throughout 1999/2000, 242 boats fished a total of 165 vessels that were licensed in other fisheries also 9,701 days in the west coast demersal scalefish fishery. carried out wetline activities in the bioregion. This was similar to the previous year’s level of effort.

Main fishing method Catch rate Handline and dropline. In this multi-species fishery, catch rates of individual species are not a direct reflection of abundance because effort targeted at each species is not available.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 35 Bioregion – West Coast 36 Scalefish Figure3). species alongthewestcoast(W snapper wereaveragedovertheentirefleetthatcaught Demersal ScalefishFigures1and2). baldchin groperintheGeraldtonregion(W Rates werecalculatedfordhufishinbothregionsand consistent recordswereusedtoestimatethecatchrates. last nineyearswereidentified,and10boatswith Perth. species wereexaminedintworegions,Geraldtonand both catchandfishingef Perth andgenerallyishigherthanonboatsinGeraldton. it canbeseenthatCPUEvariesmoreamongboatsin to levelof improvements incatchrateduetoGPScanbeexpected five yearsafteritsinstallationonthelastboat, increased almostthreefoldsince1991/92(W Dhufish: To Commer dhufish, themain speciesinthewestcoastdemersal A Stoc the threekeytar giving anoverallrecreationalshare ofthetotalcatch dhufish 46%,snapper10.5%andbaldchingroper44%, estimated recreationalcatchsharesin1996/97were likely anunder Islands, therecreationalcatchofthisspeciesismost estimates oftherecreationalcatchfrom 23 tonnesrespectively pink snapperandbaldchingroperof132,27 W from boatrampsurveysin1996/97(Sumnerand The recreationalcatchofthewestcoastwasestimated Recreational component: The currentyear the sameperiod(W coast rangedwidely general catchratesofpinksnapperforthewholewest Pink snapper: years (W 1994/95, whichwasthehighestCPUEforlastnine CPUE jumpedfrom10kg/dayin1993/94to16 Baldchin gr sites werefoundandplottedonGPS. ef period startingin1991/92. was installedontheseboatsgraduallyoverathree-year and useoftheglobalpositioningsystem(GPS),which catch ratesmayinpartbeexplainedbytheintroduction Geraldton at36.5kg/dayin1998/99. peaked at40kg/dayin1994/95and1998/99, Demersal ScalefishFigure1). scalefish fishery variable ofthemajorspeciesinwestcoastdemersal Catches andcatchratesforbaldchingroperaretheleast catch ratesofbaldchingroperasitdidfordhufish. not appeartohavehadthesamedegreeofimpacton gradual introductionofGPStoboatssince1991/92does ficiency onboatsincreasedasnewproductivefishing illiamson 1999),givingestimatedcatchesfordhufish, preliminary stockassessmenthas beenundertakenfor FISHERIES estimate catchratesfordhufishandbaldchingroper k assessmentcompleted: The fishingboatsthatlandedthemostfishin est CoastDemersalScalefishFigure2). f. For dhufishatPerthandGeraldton,CPUEhas oper: Comparing catchratesinthetworegions, -estimate. WESTERN . get speciesofabout30%. ’ In contrasttotheothertwospecies, s catchrateforsnapperis22kg/day est CoastDemersalScalefishFigure3). , from18.6kg/dayto49.3for For baldchingroperatGeraldton, . Since thissurveydidnotinclude cial Fisheries fort onboatsthattar Based onthesurveydata, A After installation,fishing USTRALIA CPUE inthePerthregion est CoastDemersal This increasein Catch ratesof Now – ST 30% (appr , however est Coast Abrolhos A est Coast geted these TE OF The THE FISHERIES REPOR , . o Y , x.) es causes offishingmortalityarebetterunderstood. assessment onthedhufishwillbecarriedoutwhen capture depthswillbecompared. release mortality the deepareconsideredtobemajorfactorinfluencing caused bybringingthesebenthic-dwellingfishesupfrom after capture). provide estimatesofshort-termsurvival(upto4days size dhufishandpinksnapperisunderway unknown. level ofmortalityaftertheyarereleasediscurrently 30 cm;however fish isunknown. uncertain becausethedegreeofprotectionunder sustainability ofdhufishstocksonthewestcoastis mature atbetween2and5yearsofage. 6 yearsformalesor7females. for dhufishis50cm,whichequatestoanageofaround began atage10years. yield wouldbegainedfromdhufishstocksiffishing source, yield-per biological informationfordhufish.Usingtheabovedata Dhufish: biology ofthewestcoastpinksnapperislimited. the managedSharkBaysnapperfishery the baldchingroperfrom scalefish fishery as eachofthethree mainspeciesisattheupper end ofthe Ef Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Pr fish (e.g.wrasses),whicharediscarded. numbers ofinediblespecies(e.g.silvertoadfish)orsmall proportion ofthecatch. selective fishingmethod,bycatchcomprisesonlyasmall As tar Bycatc NON-RET the population catch mostlikelyreflectsnaturalrecruitmentvariabilityin coast demersalscalefishfishery measured directlyforanyofthethreespeciesinwest baldchin groper stock fromthecatchorratesofdhufishand At presenttherearenoindicationsofinsuf males inthepopulationareprotectedfromfishing. Thus, theexistingLML from femaletomaleataround40–45cm(Nardi1999). groper matureataround29cm,thisspecieschangessex unexploited indhufishpopulations. 40% ofthefemalespresentbeforefishingwillremain 7 yearsold,calculationsoneggproductionsuggestthat legal size. that thespeciesspawnsforthreeyearsbeforereaching For dhufish,thepreliminarystockassessmentindicates Breeding stoc Exploitation status: fects onthefoodchainareconsidered tobenegligible, otected speciesinteraction: geting demersalfishesusingbaitedlinesisahighly h speciesimpact: hain eff AINED SPECIES Thus attheexistingLML Research intothesurvivalofreleasedunder T 2000/2001 Hesp andPotter(2000)haveprovidedrecent Problems associatedwithbarotrauma , butthebreedingstocklevelhasnotbeen k le , boththeircatchabilityatthissizeandthe . ects: , andthereforesurvivalratesfromvarious -recruit analysissuggeststhatmaximum Some under Nardi (1999)describedthebiologyof vels: The legalminimumlength(LML) of 40cmsuggeststhatfewthe T ypically Abrolhos Islands. -size fishcanbecaughtat . The variationinsnapper , bycatchincludessmall A Although baldchin more formalstock when femalesare , knowledgeofthe At present,the Both sexes ficient breeding , andwill Not assessed Negligib Unkno South of -size Lo Lo - wn le w w chain and each targets different prey types. Although all coast of Western Australia. More than 94 species or three species are carnivores, dhufish mainly eat other groups of seafood were recorded as catch and sold for an finfish and baldchin groper target shellfish, whereas pink estimated $3.68 million. The highest-valued catch was snapper eat a wide variety of prey types. For these dhufish at 42% of the total value, followed by pink reasons, the ecological impact of the fishery is considered snapper (19%), baldchin groper (5%), and nor-west to be minimal. snapper, sweetlip emperor, coral trout and spangled est Coast emperor in descending order of value. Catch of all other W Habitat effects: Negligible species represented less than 20% of the value of this The method of targeting demersal fishes using baited lines fishery. In 1999/2000 dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin has little impact on the benthic environment. groper sold on average for $9/kg, $4.50/kg and $6/kg respectively. Of all species in the fishery, coral trout SOCIAL EFFECTS commanded the highest average price of $9.92/kg. Employment in this fishery is difficult to measure, as the many boats in the wetline fleet are also associated with FISHERY GOVERNANCE Bioregion – other licensed fisheries. A rough average of all boats in Acceptable catch range: 558–798 tonnes this fishery suggests that in 1999/2000 242 boats fished Using 80% confidence limits around a 10-year mean to an average of 6 weeks and employed approximately 1999/2000, the acceptable catch range is calculated to be 500 people. 125–179 tonnes for dhufish, 153–254 tonnes for pink snapper and 27.5–35.5 tonnes for baldchin groper. ECONOMIC EFFECTS As the fishery for these species is not under a formal Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year management arrangement, the catch may move outside (1999/2000): $3.68 million this range if a higher proportion of the State’s fishing The estimated value of the fishery in 1999/2000 includes fleet, particularly ‘wetline only’ vessels, move into all species caught by handlines and droplines on the west this bioregion.

Dhufish 50 250 CPUE Perth CPUE Geraldton Effort (standard fishing days) 40 Total catch (tonnes) 200

30 150 ays x 100) (kg/fishing day) d (tonnes) E

20 100 (fi shi ng Catch t

10 50 Effor Average CPU

0 0

1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 Year WEST COAST DEMERSAL SCALEFISH FIGURE 1 Annual catch and effort for dhufish in the west coast demersal scalefish fishery over the period 1990/91 to 1999/2000. Catch per unit effort (CPUE, kg/standard fishing day) for is shown for dhufish caught by 10 boats in the Perth region and 10 boats in the Geraldton region over the period 1991/92 to 1999/2000.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 37 Commercial Fisheries

Baldchin Groper 20 60

50 est Coast

W 15 ng day) i 100) h 40

(kg/fis 10 30 (tonnes) shing days x i f Bioregion –

20 ( Catch 5

CPUE Effort

Average CPUE 10 Effort (fishing days) Total catch (tonnes)

0 0

1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 Year WEST COAST DEMERSAL SCALEFISH FIGURE 2 Annual catch and effort for baldchin groper in the west coast demersal scalefish fishery over the period 1990/91 to 1999/2000. Annual catch per unit effort (CPUE, kg/standard fishing day) is shown for baldchin groper caught by 10 fishing boats in the Geraldton region over the period 1991/92 to 1999/2000.

Pink Snapper 50 1000 CPUE Effort (fishing days) Total catch (tonnes) 40 800 ng day) i 100) h

30 600 (kg/fis (tonnes)

20 400 shing days x i f ( Catch

10 200 Effort Average CPUE

0 0

1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 Year� WEST COAST DEMERSAL SCALEFISH FIGURE 3 Annual catch, effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE, kg/standard fishing day) for pink snapper in the west coast demersal scalefish fishery over the period 1990/91 to 1999/2000.

38 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Gascoyne Coast Bioregion patrols, sea patrols and aerial surveillance to ensure compliance with the management arrangements. They also conduct education sessions prior to fishing Regional Management Overview seasons with masters and relevant support staff of The Gascoyne coast bioregion is home to the State’s individual industries. major trawl fisheries for prawns and scallops in Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf. In addition, the region supports The Shark Bay prawn and scallop fleet consists of yne Coast the important Shark Bay snapper and beach seine 41 licensed fishing vessels, though numbers can fluctuate fisheries, which provide most of the pink snapper and due to licensee commitments elsewhere in the State. whiting catch for the State. A fishery for blue swimmer Compliance within the fleet was further enhanced in crabs, primarily based in Carnarvon, is also developing. 2000/2001 with the implementation of the Vessel Monitoring System. The VMS uses satellites to relay The major change in the Gascoyne bioregion over the past real-time information regarding a vessel’s position, and 12 months was the introduction of new management records past movements. A total of 21 warnings were arrangements in the Shark Bay Snapper Managed Fishery. issued to vessels in 2000/2001 for VMS-related offences. Changes are embodied in the Shark Bay Snapper Fishery Four prosecutions are currently pending relating to fishing Management Plan Amendment 2000. These changes have in closed waters.

modernised the management arrangements by moving Bioregion – Gasco them to a fully unitised, output-managed framework. VMS is currently being trialled within the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery, with full implementation Trialling of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) continued scheduled to take place for the 2002 season. in the Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fisheries, with full BRD implementation anticipated for The Shark Bay Snapper Managed Fishery is one of only the Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery in the 2002 three fisheries in the State to be managed on a quotaseason. The bycatch action plan for the Shark Bay Prawn based system (output controls). Fisheries Officers Managed Fishery was approved by the Minister for conducted routine inspections of ‘unloads’ of pink Fisheries for release for public consultation, and work snapper to confirm weights of fish. Other inspections commenced on bycatch action plans for the Exmouth Gulf carried out consisted of licence checks (commercial Prawn and Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fisheries. BRD fisherman’s licence, fishing boat licence and managed trials also commenced with the Shark Bay Scallop fishery licence), and gear checks to ensure fishing gear Managed Fishery. and equipment met management specifications.

Ministerial approval was received for the Exmouth Gulf Regional Research Overview Prawn Managed Fishery to formally adopt the Vessel In addition to the research projects and activities noted in Monitoring System in 2002. the research summary for each individual fishery, there The wetline fishery in the Gascoyne bioregion operates in has been a major focus during 2000/2001 on assessing the a number of areas: general wetline catch in each bioregion. This assessment, undertaken utilising the CAES database, indicates that • Demersal line fishing; around 14% of the State’s wetline catch was reported • Mackerel (primarily by trolling); from the Gascoyne coast bioregion during 1999/2000. • Beach seining and near-shore gillnetting. The top ten species include Spanish mackerel (53 tonnes), other mackerel (35 tonnes), sea mullet (33 tonnes), The demersal line fishery takes a range of demersal fish spangled emperor (28 tonnes), western sand whiting species, including emperors and baldchin groper, from (18 tonnes), sweetlip emperor (17 tonnes), red emperor boats operating purely as ‘wetliners’ (i.e. no form of (12 tonnes), unspecified trevally (12 tonnes) and tailor access other than the fishing boat licence), as well as from (11 tonnes). An interim management plan is currently boats operating in the two managed finfish fisheries being developed for the troll fishery for mackerel, details (Shark Bay Snapper and Shark Bay Beach Seine and of which are reported under the north coast bioregion Mesh Net Managed Fisheries). Mackerel are also taken (pp. 82-6). Most other demersal species are taken by by ‘wetliners’ as well as by operators in the two managed vessels targeting pink snapper in the region’s oceanic finfish fisheries. managed fishery for that species (see pp. 53-5). Most of the mullet and whiting catches were reported from the There is also a take of fish by beach seining and near- area between the northern boundary of the beach seine shore gillnetting using hand-hauled nets north of the fishery and Carnarvon. northern boundary of the Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Managed Fishery.

Regional Compliance and Community Education Overview The compliance program focuses on ensuring that industry adheres to the various input controls, which include size limits, fishing gear types and closed/nursery areas. Fisheries Officers from Denham, Carnarvon and Exmouth conduct routine inspections including land

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 39 Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 40 30% oftheannualscallopcatchinSharkBay The 27boatsinthefisheryalsocatchbetween20%and T the dominantspecies,comprisingabout70%ofcatch. endeavour prawns(Metapenaeus species includingcoralprawns(variousspecies)and (Penaeus esculentus) breeding stocksandpreventthefishingofsmallprawns. area closureswithinthefisheryprotecttigerprawn shelled andthereforelessmarketable. reduced andagreaterproportionofthecatchissoft- fishing ef aimed atincreasingeconomicef three andfivedaysoverthefullmoon. changing fromastandardthree-dayperiodtobetween season, moonclosureshavebeenmademorevariable, stock fromrecruitmentover catching prawnsatappropriatesizesandprotectingthe subsidiary openingsandclosureswhichareaimedat season. prawns whichwerenotcaughtinthepreviousyear opening oftheseasonallowsharvestlar scheduled tocloseon28October The 2001fishingseasoncommencedon14Marchandis nets. during the2001season,usingaBRDinoneoftwo continuing withitstriallingofbycatchreductiondevices currently beingdiscussedwithindustry the longer Prawn ManagementPlan1993. unit rulecurrentlyprovidedforundertheSharkBay the 2001season,exemptingoperatorsfrom375boat Exemption wasgrantedtolicenseespriorthestartof closures anddailyfishingtimecontrols. season andareaopeningsclosures,moonphase based onlimitedentry Management oftheSharkBayPrawnManagedFisheryis markets, andexchangerates. according tocatchlevels,thepricesofprawnsonworld $25–30 million,althoughthevalueofcatchfluctuates coral prawns. Australian marketstakemostofthesmallerkingand or headlessto Most lar Shark BayPrawn ManagedFisheryLicence Shark BayPrawnManagementPlan 1993 Governing Legislation/Fishing of thefisheryandensuringcost-ef the prawnresourceaswellmaintaining sustainability tailored forachievingthemaximumeconomicreturnfrom allows forthemanagementarrangementstobebetter Management through theprovisionofadvicebySharkBayPrawn Cooperative managementofthefisheryisachieved king prawns(Penaeuslatisulcatus) The SharkBayPrawnManagedFisherytar MANA Commer Shark Ba iger prawnsmakeupmostoftheremaining30%. FISHERIES T rials withtwoBRDswillcommenceinlate2001. GEMENT SUMMAR ge kingandtigerprawnsareexportedwhole W fort awayfromtheperiodwherecatchratesare -term removalofthe375boatunitruleare ithin themainfishingperiod,therearevarious Advisory Committee. Asia (Japan)andEurope,whilethe The fisheryhasanannualvalueofaround WESTERN y Pra and avarietyofsmallerprawn , crewlimitations,gearcontrols, wn Mana cial Fisheries A -fishing. USTRALIA Authority ficiency byshifting Management responsesto Y . spp.). fective management. The timingofthe , browntigerprawns The adviceprovided g Since the1999 Permanent nursery . ed Fisher – ST This changeis King prawnsare The fisheryis A gets western Ministerial A TE OF . ge residual ’ s THE FISHERIES REPOR y Status Repor Agency–industry meetings Shark BayPrawnManagement Consultation Process Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Shark Ba findings forthisfishery The followingstatusreportsummarisestheresearch improve productquality evaluating gearmodificationstoreducebycatchand impact oftrawlingonnon-tar A surveys, madeupthedatabaseformonitoringfishery research logbookswhich,togetherwithpre-season particularly tigerprawns. assessment andmonitoringthestatusofprawnstocks, Research activitiescontinuedtofocusonstock RESEARCH SUMMAR five-year average (SharkBayPrawnFigure2). King prawnlandingsfor2000were 12%higherthanthe penaeids (coralprawns)landed. endeavour prawns. prawns, 689tonnesoftigerprawns and6tonnesof were 2,250tonnes,comprising1,555 tonnesofking The totallandingsofmajorpenaeidsforthe2000season Landings Commer RET Otter trawl. Main fishingmethod end oftheseason(4November). Sound openedon1 reopened on1 Denham Soundwasclosedtotrawlingfrom1Mayand to fishingon1 Carnarvon/Peron Lineon27 opened. was usedtodeterminetheextentofENA Carnarvon/Peron Lineandextendednurseryarea(ENA) A 4 November 2000 season,whichopenedon13Marchandclosed trawling inthisfisheryandalllicenceswereactivethe T the 200misobath(SharkBayPrawnFigure1). and adjacentto the IndianOceanbetweenlatitudes23°34'Sand26°30' The boundariesofthismanagedfisheryarethewaters wenty-seven boatsarelicensedtoengageinprawn collaborative projectwithindustrytoreviewthe recruitment surveywithintheclosedareasouthof epar AINED SPECIES ed byM.KangasandE.Spor Y DESCRIPTION The entireENA cial pr T 2000/2001 . y Pra August. August toprotectjuvenilekingprawns. W oduction (season2000): estern t August andremainedopenuntilthe There werealso152tonnesofminor wn Mana . The . Australia onthelandwardsideof was openedtogetherwiththe All boatscompleteddetailed T Y April. get specieshasbeen orbay LinewithinDenham Advisory Committee g ed Fisher The ENA er 2,250 tonnes to be was closed This may y . be due to higher than average catch rates of king prawns and tiger prawns are likely to remain in the vicinity of at the start of the fishing season, after heavy rainfall and 1,500 and 500 tonnes respectively. water runoff from the Gascoyne and Wooramel Rivers during early March apparently increased their Exploitation status: Fully exploited vulnerability to trawling. Breeding stock levels: Adequate

Tiger prawn landings were 6% higher than the yne Coast Owing to the multi-species nature of this fishery, levels of five-year average but within the expected catch range exploitation of both king and tiger prawn stocks are being (400–700 tonnes) for this species. The average catch of carefully monitored with the aim of achieving maximum tiger prawns has been 514 tonnes since the inception of sustainable catches simultaneously. The tiger prawn the closure to early seasonal fishing inside the closure area introduced during the 1996 season was again Carnarvon/Peron line, whereas the average catch for the implemented from 1 July to 4 November (Shark Bay previous 10 years (1980–1989) had been 303 tonnes. Prawn Figure 1). Variable quantities of minor penaeids (predominantly Current stock and recruitment studies indicate that the coral prawns) are retained, depending on the catch of the king prawn stock remains at a point where recruitment is target species. Owing to the small size of these species, not affected by spawning stock levels. At the current it is likely that the majority of the stock is able to pass

level of exploitation, fluctuation in annual king prawn Bioregion – Gasco through the mesh, suggesting that the overall exploitation is low. harvest is likely to result from effort levels and environmental variations, and not from abundance of Scallop landings by the prawn fleet in 2000 totalled spawning stock. 120 tonnes whole weight. All Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery boats have Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fishery In contrast, the recruitment levels of tiger prawns during Class B licences. the 1980s were affected by reduced spawning stock biomass. Management practices have been employed to By-product landings were 43 tonnes of blue swimmer increase the survival of these spawning stocks. crab, 19 tonnes of squid, 13 tonnes of cuttlefish, 19 tonnes A reduction in the fleet size from 35 to 27 boats through of tuna (wetlining), 2 tonnes of kingfish and a small the buy-back scheme introduced in 1990, together with quantity of other miscellaneous finfish species. the new area closures introduced in that year, appear to have benefited tiger prawn stocks. Tiger prawn catches Fishing effort have returned to the levels achieved in the 1970s, in the Effort recorded in the 2000 daily logbooks for the fleet range of 400–700 tonnes. Changes in the efficiency of showed nominal effort as 52,049 hours, which was a the fishing fleet must be monitored carefully to ensure reduction of 5,264 hours when compared with the last five that tiger prawn spawning stocks are not reduced below years’ average effort (57,313 hours). Fishing effort is optimal levels. This is particularly the case during high being monitored with the aim of reducing ineffective rainfall events, when the vulnerability of stocks appears trawl hours whilst maintaining high catch levels, thus to be increased by moving the stock on to the fishing reducing overall effort to improve economic efficiency grounds from inshore areas early, thereby allowing the within the prawn trawl fleet. fishery to deplete the spawning stock well before the spawning season starts in August. Catch rate NON-RETAINED SPECIES Catch rates of 29.9 kg/hr for king prawns and 13.2 kg/hr for tiger prawns were recorded for the 2000 season. Bycatch species impact: Medium King prawn catch rates were similar to last year, whereas Bycatch composition is dominated by dead wire weed the average tiger prawn catch rate was 24% up from last which breaks off the extensive shallow Wooramel year. Tiger prawn catch rates were exceptionally high in seagrass bank annually over summer, and small fish the beginning of the fishing season, possibly as a result species mostly not exploited by other sectors. Small blue of the high water flow into the bay with the flooding of swimmer crabs and other crustacean species are also the Gascoyne and Wooramel Rivers in early March, taken in significant quantities but are generally released moving tiger prawns out on to the fishing ground earlier alive. Overall bycatch loads are medium relative to other than usual. subtropical trawl fisheries at about 4–8 times the prawn catch. Trialling and implementation of secondary bycatch Recreational component: Nil reduction devices will reduce the quantity of small fish retained in trawls. Stock assessment completed: Yes The king and tiger prawn stocks are fully exploited. For Protected species interaction: Low tiger prawns, this assessment is supported by the position Although protected species including whales, dolphins, of recent indices of recruitment and spawning stock with dugongs, turtles and sea snakes are particularly abundant respect to the accepted spawning stock–recruitment in Shark Bay generally, only sea snakes are seen regularly relationship (SRR). Environmental factors are being in the trawl catches in certain areas, and these are incorporated to improve understanding of the SRR for the generally returned to the sea alive. Loggerhead turtles are king prawn stock, and we continue to employ an occasionally taken, but the short trawl duration examination of catch trends to support our evaluations. (approximately 60 minutes) required in Shark Bay to Indications are that at current effort levels, catches of king accommodate the high prawn catch rates and the clogging

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 41 Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 42 Although theexploitationratesofretainedtar Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS be returnedtotheseaalive. ef Commer the 2001season. will bemaintainedatthehigher end oftherangeduring high, whichwouldindicatethat the catchofkingprawns 1–30 tonnes. tiger prawns400–700tonnesand endeavourprawns individual speciesarekingprawns 1,100–1,600tonnes, is 1,501–2,330tonnes. (1990/91), theacceptablecatchrangeformajorpenaeids since therestructuringoffisheryto27licences conditions, andbasedonthe10-yearrangeofcatches Under currentef FISHER Coral prawns Endeavour prawns T King prawns 1999 andaverageex-boatpriceswereasfollows: time. of productandthemarketforcesoperatingatanyone Wholesale pricesforprawnsvarydependingonthetype Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS support staf skippers andcrew The estimatedemploymentfortheyear2000was135 SOCIAL EFFECTS trawls isminimal. Bay trawlgrounds,meansthatthetypicalimpactof low levelsofbenthicfaunacharacteristictheShark This fact,combinedwiththehardsandhabitatsandvery fleet isoperatingoverlessthan10%. 1). 1960s and1970srespectively(SharkBayPrawnFigure closures firstintroducedviathemanagementplanin as aresultoftheextensivepermanentandtemporary prawns, butlessthan20%ofinnerSharkBayasawhole, approximately 40%ofthehabitatoccupiedbyadult northern areaofDenhamSound. areas ofthecentralbay Inside SharkBay Habitat eff of the‘fish’ mortality ratesandmakeuparelativelylowproportion species arehigh,suchhaveveryhighnatural in trawlnets. 2002/03 shouldeliminatetheoccasionalcaptureofturtles bycatch reductiondevices(grids)intothefisheryduring Acceptab also likelytoutilisethefinfishdiscards. unlikely toimpactonhigher indicate thattheremovalofthesevolumesprawnsis iger prawns fects ofdeadwireweedmeansthattheturtlestoocan FISHERIES In termsoftheoveralllicensedareafishery Generally hain eff Y GO le catc ects: f employedatCarnarvonandFremantle. biomass onthetrawlgrounds. The LeeuwinCurrentindexcontinues tobe VERNANCE WESTERN , thevalueofprawnswashigherthanin ual v ects: fort levelsandnormalenvironmental , trawlfishingisfocusedinthedeeper h rang . There arealsoprawnprocessingand alue (tofisher $17.30/kg $22.90/kg $12.90/kg , northofCapePeronandinthe $4.70/kg Acceptable catchrangesfor cial Fisheries e: A USTRALIA -order predatorswhichare The implementationof T rawling occursover s) f 1,501–2,330 tonnes – ST or y These factors A $42.7 million ear (2000): TE OF get THE FISHERIES REPOR Lo Lo , the w w when scallopsareveryabundant. from prawnareasandartificiallylowercatches recruitment, whichcancausearedirectioninef The LeeuwinCurrentalsoappearstoaf method forimprovingcatchforecasts. catches hasbeenidentifiedandisbeingrefinedasa (as measuredbyFremantlesealevel)andkingprawn the embayment. be theflowofLeeuwinCurrentalongoutside environmental factorinfluencingthesestocksappearsto compared withotherpenaeidfisheries. The catchesofprawnsinSharkBayareparticularlystable EXTERNAL F T 2000/2001 A CT A ORS relationship betweencurrentstrength fect scallop The major fort away Shar SHARK B Boundar SHARK B k Ba ies oftheShar y Pr A A Y PRA Y PRA a

wn ManagedFisher Landings (tonnes) 1000 1500 2000 2500 500 0 WN FIGURE2 WN FIGURE1 62 k Ba 26 25 65 y Pr Effort Tiger King a 68 Shark BayAnnualPrawnCatchandEffort FISHERIES wn ManagedFisher y ann 71 ual pr 74 WESTERN 1 1 13 13 Bellefin a Cape wn catchandeff Dorre Is 77

Denham Line Be

rnier Is T

Denham orbay Line Line orbay Sound Carnarvon/Peron Line y . 80 A Year USTRALIA Area Closure Spawning T iger

P Lombardo Line

Permanent P

Nursery i

86 s u l a a Extended Area t, 1962–2000. Nursery – ST Area Permanent Nursery A 89 Area TE OF 92 THE FISHERIES REPOR 95 98 0 600 100 200 300 400 500 700 800

Effort (hours x 100) T 2000/2001 43

Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast Commercial Fisheries

unwanted bycatch. Work is also being undertaken with Exmouth Gulf Prawn industry and CSIRO on assessing the possibility for stock Managed Fishery enhancement of the tiger prawn population.

The following status report summarises the research MANAGEMENT SUMMARY findings for this fishery. yne Coast The Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery targets western king prawns (Penaeus latisulcatus), brown tiger prawns (Penaeus esculentus), endeavour prawns Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery (Metapenaeus spp.) and banana prawns (Penaeus Status Report merguiensis).

The 2001 fishing season commenced on 10 April and is Prepared by M. Kangas and E. Sporer proposed to close in early November. Within the main fishing period, there are various subsidiary area openings FISHERY DESCRIPTION and closures which are aimed at maximising the long- Boundaries and access term yield from the fishery, particularly of tiger prawns. The boundaries of the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed These closures also protect breeding stocks as well as Fishery are ‘the waters of the Indian Ocean and Exmouth Bioregion – Gasco maximising the catch of larger prawns suitable for export. Gulf below high water mark lying south of a line starting at Point Murat and extending northeasterly to the Since the 1999 season, moon closures have been made southern extremity of South Muiron Island; thence more variable, changing from a standard three-day period generally northeasterly along the southeastern shore of to between three and five days over the full moon. that island to its easternmost extremity; thence This change is aimed at increasing economic efficiency northeasterly to the southern extremity of North Muiron by shifting fishing effort away from the period where Island; thence northeasterly and northerly along the catch rates are reduced and a greater proportion of the southeastern and eastern shores of that island to its catch is soft-shelled and therefore less marketable. northern extremity; thence easterly to the northern extremity of Serrurier Island; thence generally southerly Management controls also include limited entry and gear along the western shores of that island to its southern restrictions as well as controls on vessel size and power. extremity; thence southeasterly to the southern extremity Licensees in the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery of Locker Island and then due south to the mainland’ have been granted an Exemption to permit trials with (Exmouth Gulf Prawn Figure 1).� quad gear (four smaller nets). Depending on the results of these trials, the Exmouth Gulf Prawn Management There were 13 boats licensed to operate in the Exmouth� Plan 1989 may be amended to allow for more flexible Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery during the 2000 season, two� gear configurations (without altering the total headrope). fewer than in 1999. All boats towed 4.5 fathom quad gear� Trials with bycatch reduction gear are in progress in the (four nets). The fleet headrope length has been adjusted� fishery in the 2001 season. so as not to exceed previous effort levels, and � 6 fathoms of headrope were unused. � Cooperative management of the fishery is achieved through the provision of advice by the Exmouth Gulf The fleet commenced fishing on 2 April in Area A� Prawn Management Advisory Committee. The advice (predominantly king prawn grounds), but moved to Area� provided allows for the management arrangements to B (predominantly tiger prawn grounds) on 6 April due to� be better tailored for achieving the maximum economic the small size of the king prawns. During the season,� return from the prawn resource as well as maintaining Area B was fished for several periods (6-19 April, � sustainability of the fishery and ensuring cost-effective 12-15 May, 29–30 May and 27 June). On each occasion� management. when the catch rate of tiger prawns from Area B fell� below the sustainable threshold level (16 kg/hr), the� Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority prawn fleet voluntarily ceased fishing in this area. � On 12 June, a restricted portion of Area B was opened for� Exmouth Gulf Prawn Management Plan 1989 one night for banana prawn fishing. On 28 June, Area B� Exmouth Gulf Prawn Managed Fishery Licence closed to fishing at a catch rate of 10.2 kg/hr. Area C� Consultation Process north of the A-line opened on 28 May and remained open� until the closure of the season. Fishing ceased in all areas� Exmouth Gulf Prawn Management Advisory Committee on 5 November. The season officially closed at 8.00 a.m.� Agency–industry meetings on 11 November.�

RESEARCH SUMMARY Main fishing method Research activities focused on stock assessment and Otter trawl. surveys to monitor both annual recruitment of tiger prawns and spawning stocks. All boats completed RETAINED SPECIES detailed research logbooks which, together with survey Commercial production (season 2000): 565 tonnes data and factory records, provide the database for managing the fishery. Landings During the past year, collaborative research has been The total annual prawn landings from Exmouth Gulf for undertaken with industry on assessing devices to reduce the 2000 season were 565 tonnes, a decrease of 51% on

44 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 the five-year mean of 1,027 tonnes and down 62% on last and June 2000 using daily logbook data. Fishing ceased year’s combined landings of 1,467 tonnes. Lower than in the tiger prawn area before the abundance of tiger average catches were achieved for all major prawn prawns was severely reduced. After closure to species, with 299 tonnes of king prawns, 82 tonnes of commercial fishing, surveys of spawning stock levels tiger prawns and 122 tonnes of endeavour prawns landed were conducted using two commercial boats which (Exmouth Gulf Prawn Figure 2). The king and tiger indicated that the spawning stock was below the threshold prawn catches were the lowest since 1981 and 1983 level of 16 kg/hr (in twin-gear terms). yne Coast respectively. However, the banana prawn catch of 62 tonnes was the highest catch recorded for this species Exploitation status: Fully exploited (Exmouth Gulf Prawn Figure 2). Breeding stock levels: Adequate Recorded landings of by-product were 59 tonnes of coral King prawn breeding stocks continue to be adequate. prawns, 10 tonnes of squid, 2 tonnes of cuttlefish, However, low recruitment levels and continuing concerns 6 tonnes of blue swimmer crab, 4 tonnes of shark and about tiger prawn stocks necessitated the close monitoring small quantities (less than one tonne each) of bugs, of catch rates in Areas B and C during 2000. Fishing in octopus and finfish species including mackerel and cobia. these areas was restricted to only 19 nights to ensure that average catch rates did not fall much below the ideal

Fishing effort cutoff level of 16 kg/hr. This catch rate has been Bioregion – Gasco Total nominal effort for the 2000 season was 27,415 hours. determined from historical data as that needed to ensure a Two boats were removed from the fishery to compensate full breeding stock remains in spring of that year. for the full introduction of quad gear for this season, with 6 fathoms less of overall headrope towed in the fishery Standardised spawning surveys were again conducted in during 2000. The comparable effort in twin-gear terms August, September and October of 2000, and indicated was 33,380 hours, which was slightly lower than in 1999. catch rates for tiger prawns averaging 10.3 kg/hr in the The lower effort for 2000 reflected the lower stock area. This was lower than the ideal catch rate level, but abundance and the decision to cease fishing on still considered reasonable given the very low recruitment 5 November, six days earlier than the nominated closing which was available. date of 11 November. NON-RETAINED SPECIES Catch rate Bycatch species impact: Low Catch rates for king and tiger prawns were low. � Bycatch levels for Exmouth Gulf are relatively low by The catch rates in twin-gear terms, after adjusting for� tropical trawl fisheries standards, with few species of changes in configuration from twin to quad gear, were � significance to other fishing sectors being taken. 9 kg/hr for king prawns, 2.5 kg/hr for tiger prawns and� Historically the fishery impacted on shallow water areas 3.6 kg/hr for endeavour prawns. � (< 12 m) containing sponge habitats, but the refocusing of the fishery into deeper waters to take larger prawns Recreational component: Nil since the early 1980s has reduced this interaction.

Stock assessment complete: Yes Protected species interaction: Low The king and tiger prawn stocks are fully exploited. While protected species including dugongs, turtles and sea For tiger prawns, this assessment is supported by the snakes are found in this general area, only sea snakes and recent indices of recruitment and spawning stock with occasionally turtles are encountered in the trawl catches. respect to the accepted SRR. The SRR and the Both species are typically returned to the sea alive. environment are not examined in Exmouth Gulf for the Trialling of grids and secondary bycatch reduction devices king prawn stock; however, examination of catch trends commenced in 2000 to improve the quality of the prawn continues to support evaluations. catch by minimising the capture of large animals and reducing the volume of overall bycatch species retained in The king prawn stock was slightly below the range the trawls. normally predicted for this fishery. This may be attributed to the redistribution of the stock into areas not ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS normally trawled as a result of the strong impact of Food chain effects: Low Cyclone Steve during March 2000. Although the prawn species are managed at relatively The tiger prawn stock during 2000 was low, with very high levels of annual exploitation, the impact of the catch little recruitment to the fishery being evident despite good on local food chains is unlikely to be significant in view breeding stock in 1999. Most of the prawns surveyed of to the high natural mortality and variable biomass during the recruitment period in 2000 were residual stock levels of prawns resulting from naturally occurring (larger individuals). The longer-term impacts of Cyclone cyclone events. Vance (March 1999) on nursery habitats appear to have had a negative effect on tiger prawn recruitment in 2000. Habitat effects: Low Inshore sampling by CSIRO in late 1999 found very low The trawling effort is focused in the deeper central and numbers of juvenile tiger prawns, indicating low north-western sectors of Exmouth Gulf and occurs over settlement/survival rates in nursery areas. The level of the about 35% of the licensed fishery area and about 30% of tiger prawn stock was monitored very closely during May the target species habitat. An extensive permanent trawl

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 45 Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 46 based inExmouthGulfandFremantle. ECONOMIC EFFECTS skippers andcrew The estimatedemploymentfortheyear2000was52 SOCIAL EFFECTS ef very tightcontrolsonef Overall, thenatureofthisparticulartrawlfisheryand trawl grounds,thegearhasrelativelylittleimpact. Owing tothepredominantlymudandsandhabitatsof quantity ofprawnstaken. also aseriesoftemporaryclosurestoregulatethesizeand accounts for28%ofthelicensedfisheryarea,andthereis closure intheshalloweasternandsouthernsectors Commer stock for2000. suf part tothemanagementcontrols whichensuredthat The verylowtigerprawncatch was, however cyclone frequencywasatasimilarlevel. reminiscent ofthesituationthatexistedin1960swhen summers of1998/99andparticularly1999/2000,are have beendrivenbytheimpactofcycloneeventsin highest recordedfromthefishery range, whileconverselythebananaprawncatchwas endeavour prawnsatthelowerendofacceptable range forthespecies,kingprawnsslightlybelow The tigerprawncatchwaswellbelowtheacceptable season intheExmouthGulfprawnfishery2000. Several factorshavecontributedtothelowerthanaverage EXTERNAL F and aregenerallybasedonafive-to10-yearaverage. These figuresarefornormalenvironmentalconditions catches donotoccurforallspeciessimultaneously). 120–300 tonnes(notingthatmaximumorminimum tiger prawns250–550tonnesandendeavour individual speciesarekingprawns350–500tonnes, (771–1,276 tonnes). range formajorpenaeidsisthatofthelate1990s Under currentfishingef FISHER Coral prawns Endeavour prawns T King prawns prices wereasfollows: product pricesquotedcanonlybeestimates.Estimated product intooverseasmarkets. own theboatsundertakingdirectmarketingof vertical integration,withthefishingcompanieswhich one time. type ofproductandthemarketforcesoperatingatany The ex-vesselpricesforprawnsvarydependingonthe Estimated ann significantly reduced accesstotheendeavourprawn stock prawn groundsearlytoprotectthe breedingstock Acceptab iger prawns fect islikelytobelow FISHERIES ficient tigerprawnswereleftto become thespawning Y GO le catc In thisfisherythereisahighdegreeof VERNANCE A WESTERN ual v CT Secondly h rang . ORS Processing andsupportstaf Acceptable catchrangesfor alue (tofisher $17.30/kg $22.90/kg $12.90/kg fort indicatethatitsenvironmental fort levels,theacceptablecatch . $4.70/kg cial Fisheries e: , theneedtoclosetiger A USTRALIA For thisreason,the . These perturbations s) f 771–1,276 tonnes – ST or y A ear 2000: TE OF $9.6 million , alsoduein f arealso , and THE FISHERIES REPOR maintained abovehistoricallysettar carefully toensurethattigerprawnspawningstocksare headrope length. fishery reflected inamendedmanagementarrangementsforthe ascertain themostef catching ability and lowerfuelusageoverallwhilemaintainingits Gulf fleettogaininef under anExemption. remaining 13boatsmovedtoquadtrawlgearin2000 T low totalcatchforthe2000season. and toalesserextentthekingprawnstock,resultingin wo boatswereremovedfromthefisheryand , whichmaybebasedonunitisationofthetrawl T 2000/2001 . This ispartofanapprovedtrialto These changeswillbemonitored ficient netconfiguration,andwillbe This changepermittedtheExmouth ficiency byhavingfewertrawlers gets. Exmouth GulfPr EXMOUTH GULFPRA Boundar EXMOUTH GULFPRA ies oftheExmouthGulfPr

a Landings (tonnes) wn ManagedFisher 1,000 1,200 1,400 200 600 800 400 0 63 WN FIGURE2 WN FIGURE1 65 50' 30' 20' 10' 40' 22 Exmouth GulfAnnualPrawnCatchandEffort 67 o Effort Banana Endeavour Tiger King FISHERIES S 69 a Area B wn ManagedFisher y ann 71 A-Line 10' 73 ual landingsandeff WESTERN P 75 ermanent Nur 77 Area C ser 20' 79 y A USTRALIA Year 81 y Area A P2 . 83 or 30' 85 t, 1963–2000. – ST Area D 87 A 89 TE OF P1 91 40' THE FISHERIES REPOR 93 95 97 99 30 40 0 10 20 50 60

Effort (hours x 1,000) T 2000/2001 47

Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 48 (27 ClassBlicences). for prawnsintheSharkBayPrawnManagedFishery scallops (14Class The catchistakenbyvesselslicensedtotakeonly on thetakeofsouthernsaucerscallop catch forecasttobeprovidedannually with existingdetailedbiological knowledge,enablesa an annualresearchsurveyiscarried outwhich,together continues. of November),andmeatconditiondeclinesasspawning spawning inmid-April(continuingthroughuntiltheend breeding stocklevels. maximising theeconomicreturn,whilstmaintaining at thebestsizeandconditionformarket,thereby Management ofthefisheryisaimedatcatchingscallops W The SharkBayScallopManagedFisheryishistorically MANA Commer findings forthis fishery The followingstatusreportsummarises theresearch and factoryreceivalsprovidedbyindustry Shark Bayisbasedondetailedresearchlogbookrecords Research formonitoringthestatusofscallopstockin RESEARCH SUMMAR Agency–industry meetings Shark BayScallopManagement Consultation Process Shark BayScallopManagedFisheryLicence Shark BayScallopManagementPlan1994 Governing Legislation/Fishing during the2001season. Bycatch reductiondevicetrialsarebeingundertaken Scallop andSharkBayPrawnManagedFisheries. which includesrepresentativesfromboththeSharkBay the SharkBayScallopManagement management strategiesinthisfisheryisachievedthrough A (roe-of marketed tosouth-east strength oftheLeeuwinCurrent. strength ofrecruitment,thoughttobeinfluencedbythe Catch inthisfisheryvarieswidelydependingonthe controls andcrewlimits. measures includelimitedentry Shark BayPrawnManagedFishery and isscheduledtoclose28October The 2001scallopfishingseasoncommencedon28 decline inmeatconditionassociatedwithspawning. a pre-seasonsurveyofstockabundance)andtheseasonal compromise betweenbreedingstocklevels(measuredby Shark Ba estern cooperative approachtothedevelopmentof FISHERIES f). GEMENT SUMMAR Australia’ Therefore, theopeningdateofseasonisa WESTERN y ScallopMana s mostvaluablescallopfishery A licences) andvesselswhichalsofish The scallopstockcommences Asia asfrozenscallopmeat . cial Fisheries A USTRALIA Y , areaclosures,gear Authority Advisory Committee Y Most ofthecatchis . Advisory Committee, , thesamedayas Other management . (Amusium balloti) g – ST ed Fisher . In addition, A TE OF , based April THE FISHERIES REPOR y . Peninsula (seeSharkBayPrawnFigure1). the northernextremityofCapeBellefintoPeron 1 of SharkBayandDenhamSoundwestlongitude Sound. endorsed tofishthewatersofSharkBayandDenham 27 boatswithClassBlicences(prawnandscallop)are Fourteen boatswithClass south of26°30'latitude’ 200 misobath,togetherwiththosewatersofSharkBay adjacent toW 23°34' southlatitudeand26°30' waters oftheIndianOceanandSharkBaybetween The outerboundariesofthefisheryencompass Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Status Repor Shark Ba was recordedfor theClass A Catch r size andpoorcondition. June, whentheremainingscallops showedsmallmeat because thescallopboatsdidnotfishbeyondendof 9,893 hours,thelowestrecordedsince1991. The totalef Fishing eff Class blue swimmercrabsandcuttlefish)wererecordedforthe quantities ofby-product(lessthanonetonneeachbugs, whole weight(SharkBayScallopFigure1). the totalcatch,withClassBfleettaking124.5tonnes 2000) caught1,220.5tonneswholeweightor90.7%of whole weight. The totalscallopcatchforthisfisherywas1,345tonnes Landings Commer RET Otter trawl. Main fishingmethod because ofpoorqualityandsmallmeatsize. scallop byClass of The 2000scallopseasoncommencedon3Mayand northward fromCapePerontothemainland. no scalloptrawlingisallowedeastofalineextending Island, isalsoclosedtoscallop(andprawn)trawling;and end ofDirkHartogIslandandthesouthernBernier eastward oftheNaturalisteChannel,betweennorthern 40 m. outer islandsofSharkBay areas, scalloptrawlingonlyoccursinwaterseastofthe 13°30'36" Eandnorthofalinerunningdueeastfrom ficially closedon4November mean catchperunitef epar AINED SPECIES A In additiontotheoutershelfregion,areefarea ed byM.KangasandE.Spor ate fleet during2000. The boundariesforClass Y DESCRIPTION cial pr T 2000/2001 or fort recordedbytheClass y ScallopMana estern t The Class oduction (season2000): A t boats hadceasedbytheendofJune Australia onthelandwar fort of123kg/hr(wholeweight) A , indepthsbetween16mand A A fleet (all14boatsfishedin 1,345 tonneswholeweight licences (scalloponly)and fleet. . . W A However ithin thesegeneral g This ef boats arethewaters ed Fisher A er boats in2000was ficient catch , trawlingfor d sideofthe Low This was ‘the y rate was maintained as a result of the decision to cease section of Shark Bay. Fishing is concentrated on a small fishing in June. sector (estimated 30%) of the typically bare sand habitat associated with concentrations of this species. As a Recreational component: Nil result of the small area impacted and the short-term impact of the gear on sand habitats, the overall effect of Stock assessment complete: Yes fishing is low. yne Coast The status of the stock is determined from a pre-season survey of recruitment and residual stock carried out in SOCIAL EFFECTS November–December. This survey enables the start date The estimated employment for the year 2000 was 182 of the fishery to be determined and allows management of skippers and crew. There are also processing and support the spawning stock. Recruitment of juveniles to the stock staff employed at Carnarvon, Fremantle and Geraldton. in 1999 was at the low end of the range, as measured using the data from the November scallop survey. This ECONOMIC EFFECTS level of recruitment was reflected in the catch taken in Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year 2000: 2000; however, the catch projection was not realised $7.1 million because the small meat size of the scallops produced a The wholesale price of scallops varies depending on the lower than expected ratio of total meat to whole weight. type of product (grade and meat condition) and the market The fishing effort was also 21% lower than the previous forces operating at any one time. The average price for Bioregion – Gasco year. The remaining stock from the 2000 season may be scallops was $5.25/kg whole weight or $26.25/kg meat beneficial for the scallop industry as it should provide weight. Meat weight is 20% of whole weight. additional catch of the residual scallops in 2001. FISHERY GOVERNANCE Exploitation status: Fully exploited Acceptable catch range: 1,250–3,000 tonnes whole weight Breeding stock levels: Adequate The acceptable catch range is approximately The management arrangements for the fishery over past 1,250–3,000 tonnes whole weight, based on catches over years have ensured that some spawning has occurred each the five-year period 1995–1999. This period excludes year before the bulk of the stock has been taken. Annual the artificially high catches of the early 1990s variations in recruitment seem to be dominated by (Shark Bay Scallop Figure 1), apparently created by an environmental factors that are believed to be correlated unprecedented three years of El Niño conditions. inversely with the strength of the Leeuwin Current. The expected catch for next season is based on a pre-season survey, as indicated above. Projected catch next season (2001): 1,000–1,700 tonnes whole weight EXTERNAL FACTORS The catch projection range for the 2001 season is A relationship exists between sea level (at Fremantle) and approximately 1,000–1,700 tonnes whole weight, based the recruitment of scallops in Shark Bay. Generally, high on the November 2000 survey which indicated that sea levels (corresponding to strong Leeuwin Current) recruitment was lower than last year but residual stock correlate with poor recruitment. The 1999 and 2000 was higher due to the lower level of fishing in 2000. recruitment was low due to poor environmental conditions. There is a need to examine the mechanisms NON-RETAINED SPECIES that control recruitment success in greater detail in future Bycatch species impact: Low projects in order to explain more of the inter-annual variation that occurs. The low catch for the 2000 season Owing to the legislated design of the nets (100 mm was expected; however, it was further reduced by the mesh), fish bycatch is minimal. small meat size of the scallops and the resultant lower fishing effort. The recovery of this fishery to average Protected species interaction: Low catch levels (similar to those before the peak years of Protected species, occasionally captured, are released 1991–1993) is expected if environmental conditions alive due to the relatively short duration of trawls. During (including the El Niño/Southern Oscillation index) 2000, preliminary grid trials to minimise the capture of become favourable. large animals were undertaken on commercial boats.

ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Food chain effects: Low The ecosystem impacts of saucer scallop fisheries are unlikely to be significant, taking into account the typically high annual variation in abundance of the species and the high natural mortality associated with short life-cycles and natural death in the third year of life.

Habitat effects: Low The scallop fleet operates over a limited portion of the licensed fishing area, primarily in the oceanic centre

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 49 Commercial Fisheries

Shark Bay Annual Scallop Catch 16000 Class A boats 14000 (Scallops only)

yne Coast Class B boats 12000 (Prawn + scallops)

10000

8000

6000 (whole weight tonnes)

4000

2000

Landings 0 Bioregion – Gasco 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year

SHARK BAY SCALLOP FIGURE 1 Annual scallop landings by fleet for the Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fishery, 1983–2000.

levels. The fishery, although relatively small-scale, makes Shark Bay Beach Seine and a significant contribution to the Denham economy and Mesh Net Managed Fishery community. The following status report summarises the research findings for this fishery. MANAGEMENT SUMMARY This fishery operates in the waters of Shark Bay and takes a mixed catch of whiting, mullet, tailor and yellowfin Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net bream. Entry to the fishery is limited, with restricted, Managed Fishery Status Report family-only transfers and gear limitations. A unit in the fishery comprises one primary vessel, a maximum of Prepared by S. Ayvazian and G. Nowara three netting dinghies and a maximum team size of three fishers. Most of the catch is marketed through the fish FISHERY DESCRIPTION processing factory in Denham. Effort is driven by market Boundaries and access needs as opposed to fish availability, with catches The boundaries of this fishery are ‘the waters of Shark conforming to commercially acceptable size limits which Bay from high water mark lying - are above the legal minimum size for species concerned. (a) south of a line drawn from the northernmost point of Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority Cape Inscription on Dirk Hartog Island due east to Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Management the mainland; and Plan 1994 Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Managed (b) east of a line drawn from Surf Point on Dirk Hartog Fishery Licence Island to Steep Point on the mainland; but excluding the waters of Shark Bay due south of a line drawn Consultation Process west of the highwater mark of Kopke Point on the Agency–industry meeting mainland to the highwater mark on the mainland south of Petit Point on Peron Peninsula’. RESEARCH SUMMARY At April 2000, 11 unit-fishing boat licence holders were Research monitoring of the status of the stocks taken in registered in the beach seine and mesh net fishery and the fishery is undertaken annually using industry-based were based at Denham. The fishery is also subject to data coupled with the extensive scientific knowledge net length and mesh size controls. The legislation gained from previous research. Overall the fishery has indicates that: remained relatively stable over the past decade with the main target species (whiting) being fished at sustainable • the mesh not be less than 48 mm for taking whiting;

50 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 •: the mesh not be less than 86 mm for taking mullet; recreational fishers from the inner gulfs of Shark Bay, and consisting mainly of pink snapper, black snapper (grass emperor), narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, spangled •: the mesh not be greater than 38 mm and not less than emperor and tailor. Smaller quantities of baldchin groper, 26 mm throughout and the net shall not be more than whiting species, western butterfish, mullets and 200 m in total length and have a pocket no more than Queensland school mackerel are included in this total. 30 m in length when used to take garfish. The commercial catch for the same area in the calendar yne Coast year of 1998 was about 250 tonnes; however, it was Main fishing method dominated by whiting, mullet, tailor and bream, most of Beach seine and haul net. which were not major components of the recreational take. Less than 2 tonnes of pink snapper was taken by the RETAINED SPECIES commercial fishery. The recreational catch of the main Commercial production (season 2000): commercial species was approximately 4% of the All finfish 300.1 tonnes combined recreational and commercial catch of these Whiting 126.6 tonnes species. For more details on the Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Survey, see pp. 135-42. Landings

Stock assessment completed: Yes Bioregion – Gasco Whiting is the main target species in Shark Bay, although the overall catch consists primarily of two species of A preliminary yield-per-recruit stock assessment has been whiting, sea mullet, tailor and bream. Thus assessments conducted for the western sand whiting (Sillago of the fishery have been based historically on the total schomburgkii) stock in Shark Bay. Biological data were whiting catch and effort data (Shark Bay Beach Seine incorporated from research by Lenanton (1970). A more Figure 1). Landings during 2000 were 126.6 tonnes of detailed evaluation of the current status of the fishery whiting. Landings have increased over the 1999 catch and cannot be achieved with the data currently available, are similar to the 1997 catch of 122 tonnes. The current however the increasing trend in CPUE resulting from the catch is the highest reported between 1989 and the present. reduced effort levels during the early 1990s indicates that the stock is being fished within its productive capacity. The 2000 total catch for the Shark Bay beach seine and haul net fishery of 300.1 tonnes has increased from the 1999 reported catch and is slightly lower than the 1997 Exploitation status: Fully exploited catch of 325 tonnes, which was at the highest level Breeding stock levels: Adequate reported during the past 10 years (Shark Bay Beach Seine Figure 2). Among the landings of other species from this As the legal minimum length for Shark Bay whiting is fishery, mullet (106.1 tonnes) ranked second to whiting, equivalent to the 50% selection point of the 48 mm mesh followed by tailor (38.9 tonnes) and bream (8.7 tonnes). used in this fishery, virtually all of the catch is made up of There were 19.8 tonnes of fish of other species. mature fish. Consistent catches of whiting over recent years provide a good indication that the breeding stock is Fishing effort being maintained. During 2000, there was an average of seven boats fishing NON-RETAINED SPECIES per month, expending a total 1,187 days of fishing effort (Shark Bay Beach Seine Figure 2). The overall trend in Bycatch species impact: Low fishing effort in the Shark Bay beach seine and haul net The fishery operates throughout its licence area but with a fishery has been a decline to a low point in 1995, very low level of effort as its specifically targets schools followed by a slight increase from 1995 to 2000. of fish. As a result of the gear type used and the method of operation, there are no bycatch issues or physical Catch rate habitat impacts associated with this fishery. Overall the fishery has minimal effect on the Shark Bay ecosystem. CPUE (based on nominal effort) for the whiting fishery has increased during the past 10 years, with only minor Protected species interaction: Low annual fluctuations. The present CPUE is 106.7 kg/boat day for the whiting fishery, which is a slight increase over As nets are actively set and hauled, if any protected 1999. The increase in catch rate of whiting during the species are caught they are immediately released. 1990s may be related to increased efficiency following the introduction of jet boats (Shark Bay Beach Seine Figure 1). ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS The CPUE for the overall Shark Bay beach seine and haul Food chain effects: Not assessed net fishery increased steadily between 1989 and 1995. After 1997, there was a gradual decline in the CPUE Habitat effects: Negligible values, until the current season saw an increase to Nets are set and hauled over shallow sand banks and have 252.8 kg/boat day (all species) (Shark Bay Beach Seine no lasting effect on the habitat. Figure 2). SOCIAL EFFECTS Recreational component: < 5% During 2000, the average number of fishers in the Shark. The Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Survey conducted in Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Fishery was 18.8. 1998/99 (Sumner et al., in press) estimated a catch of Fishing and associated local processing is one of the. approximately 100 tonnes by shore- and boat-based major sources of employment for the Denham community.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 51 Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 52 Acceptab of observationsaroundthepredictions. forecasting ofpastannualcatchesto1998andthevariation projection isderivedbydoubleexponentialsmoothed regime is95–140tonnesofSharkBaywhiting. The acceptablecatchrangeunderthecurrentmanagement FISHER Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS Commer The ann SHARK B Ba FISHERIES y o v er theper Y GO ual catch(tonnes),eff le catc A Y BEA VERNANCE WESTERN

CPUE (kg/boat day) ual v h rang iod 1989–2000. (tonnes) 100 150 200 250 Catch 50 0 alue (tofisher CH SEINEFIGURE1 cial Fisheries 1980 e: A USTRALIA 1981 Whiting 95–140tonnes

or 1982 Effort (boatdays) CPUE Catch (tonnes) t (boatda

1983 s) f All finfish$911,000 Whiting $490,000 – ST The confidence 1984 or y (kg perboatday)

A 1985 ear (2000): TE OF ys) andcatchperuniteff

1986 The 1987 Shark BayWhiting THE FISHERIES REPOR 1988

Year 1989 1990 be considered. changes tothemanagementarrangementsmayneed Where consecutivevaluesoccuroutsideoftherange, which falloutsideofthisrangewillbeinvestigated. intervals aresetat80%. (predominantly commercial)ratherthanenvironmentally from thefisheryisthereforeareflectionoffishingef result ofitslow-rainfalldesertlocation. stocks exploitedbythisfisheryisparticularlystableasa The innerSharkBayenvironmentwhichsupportsthe EXTERNAL F 1991 driven variationsinrecruitment. 1992

or 1993 t (CPUE,kg/boatda

T 2000/2001 1994

1995 A CT 1996 ORS 1997

1998 Future annualcatchvalues 1999 y) f 2000 2000 2500 0 500 1000 1500 or whitingfromShar The production Effort (boat days) fort k knowledge base for management. undertaken duringthe1980sand providesthescientific Detailed researchontheof RESEARCH SUMMAR Agency–industry meeting Consultation Process Shark BaySnapperManagedFisheryLicence Shark BaySnapperManagementPlan1994 Governing Legislation/Fishing Fisheries W providing moreflexibilityforbothindustryand administrative arrangementspreviouslyinplacewhile The amendmentsimplifiesthecomplexmanagementand principles exist. transferable, althoughanumberofgoverningpoliciesand minimum holdingof100quotaunitsapplies. now quota-managedonayear Management Plan under theprovisionsofSharkBaySnapperFishery In 2001,newmanagementarrangementswereintroduced using amixofinputandoutputcontrols. operation sincethelate1980s,andhasbeenmanaged The SharkBaySnapperManagedFisheryhasbeenin MANA The ann SHARK B fisher Shark Ba Mana y ofShar GEMENT SUMMAR ual catch(tonnes),eff g ed Fisher A. A Y BEA

y Snapper CPUE (kg/boat day) k Ba (tonnes) Amendment 2000. Catch 350 100 150 200 250 300 50 y o 0 CH SEINEFIGURE2

v 1989 er theper y fshore snapperfisherywas Y -round basis,anda 1990 Authority Y or A Effort (daysfished) CPUE (kgperboatday) Catch (tonnes) t (boatda FISHERIES iod 1989–2000. new FRDC-funded Shark BayBeachSeineTotalCatch The fisheryis 1991

1992 ys) andcatchperuniteff Units are WESTERN 1993

Year 1994 A USTRALIA

1995 Mechanised handline. Main fishingmethod the wholeyear of The peakseasoncatchin2000was 393tonnesandthe quotas, whilegearcontrolsappliedintheof season (May–August)havebeensubjecttoindividual snapper peryear trawlers arealsopermittedtocatchuponetonneof fishing boatlicence.SharkBayprawnandscallop several managedfisherylicencesaggregatedonone Inscription. 26°30' SandinthewatersofSharkBaynorthCape waters oftheIndianOceanbetweenlatitudes23°34'Sand The SharkBaySnapperManagedFisheryoperatesinthe Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Status Repor Shark Ba The monitoringdataisusedtoprovidethestatusreport. annually usingCAESdata. monitoring ofthefisherywillcontinuetobeundertaken the resultsfromthisresearchbecomeavailable, increased yieldsfromthisoceanicsnapperstock. collected sincethe1980stoassesspotentialfor project whichcommencedinJuly2000willutilisedata f-peak catchwas95tonnes.Commencing with2001, epar 1996 – ST or ed Y DESCRIPTION t (CPUE,kg/boatda A by M.Moran TE OF

There are24licences,butsomeboatshave 1997 y SnapperMana ’ s catchwillbesubjecttoindividual quotas. . Catchesofsnapperinthepeakfishing t THE FISHERIES REPOR 1998

1999

y) f 2000 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 or thetotalfinfish g ed Fisher

f-peak season. Effort (boat days) T 2000/2001 Until y 53

Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast Commercial Fisheries

RETAINED SPECIES NON-RETAINED SPECIES Commercial production (season 2000): 488 tonnes Bycatch species impact: Negligible Virtually all the catch consists of demersal fish with a Landings medium to high market value, therefore there is no The managed snapper fishery operates on the ocean stock significant discarding of unwanted species.

yne Coast of snapper which is distinct from the inner Shark Bay stocks. Catches of snapper from the ocean stock in 2000 Protected species interaction: Negligible were slightly higher than the previous year, at 488 tonnes The line fishing methods used do not catch any compared with 450 tonnes in 1999. Catches are generally protected species. limited more by market capacity than availability of fish. The snapper fishery also took 106 tonnes of other finfish ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS species in 2000. The catch of other species is detailed in Food chain effects: Low Shark Bay Snapper Table 1. Food chain effects are insignificant because the quota Fishing effort system restricts catches to a small percentage of the total biomass of snapper. The effectiveness of fishing effort varies markedly on a seasonal basis. Fishing effort in 2000 was 845 standard Bioregion – Gasco June–July line boat days compared with 712 days in 1999 Habitat effects: Negligible and 984 days in 1998. The nature of the fishery, targeting aggregations of adult snapper using hooks and lines, means that the fishery has Catch rate no impact on the habitat. The catch per line boat day of the managed fishery licensed boats for the peak months (June–July) was SOCIAL EFFECTS 578 kg in 2000, close to the the average for the 1990s of Seven boats fished both peak and off-peak seasons (about 593 kg/boat day, compared with 632 kg/boat day in 1999 nine months) with an average crew of three. This rose (Shark Bay Snapper Figure 1). during the peak season (four months) to a total of 13 boats with an average crew of five. Recreational component: 4% (approx.) The Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Survey, conducted ECONOMIC EFFECTS between April 1998 and March 1999 (Sumner et al., in Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (2000): press), has estimated the recreational catch from the $2.7 million offshore stock at 14 tonnes, approximately 2.5% of the The value of the pink snapper taken by the fishery in commercial catch. In addition, there is a recreational 2000 was $2.24 million, while other scalefish species catch of offshore pink snapper from charter boats, added a further $0.45 million. reported to be 5.7 tonnes from a total charter catch of 32 tonnes. FISHERY GOVERNANCE For the genetically distinct inner bay stocks (not covered Acceptable effort range: 820–950 days by this status report), most of the catch is recreational and The total allowable commercial catch under the new year- is now subject to separate management arrangements. round quota system is 550 tonnes. Effort is likely to be Research for management of these stocks is reported in around 820–950 standard June–July line boat days. It is the recreational fisheries section on pp. 139-41. expected that the new management arrangements will facilitate utilisation of latent effort, e.g. from the Shark Stock assessment completed: Yes Bay prawn and scallop trawler fleet. The pink snapper stock is close to fully exploited. A stock production model assessment in the mid-1980s EXTERNAL FACTORS estimated maximum sustainable yield at around 600 Japanese demand for snapper has been declining in recent tonnes, whereas the average annual commercial catch for years and efforts have been made to explore other the 1990s was 503 tonnes. The new FRDC-funded overseas and Eastern States markets. project commenced in July 2000 will assess the potential for increased yields from this oceanic pink snapper stock.

Exploitation status: Fully exploited

Breeding stock levels: Adequate Snapper breeding stock level for the ocean stock is not measured directly; however, there are no indications of insufficient breeding stock from the catch rates, locations fished or size frequency. This is in contrast to the inner Shark Bay stocks, where the breeding stock level has been seriously impacted by recreational fishing.

54 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 SHARK BAY SNAPPER TABLE 1 Catches in the year 2000 by Shark Bay Snapper Managed Fishery licensed boats, in the area between 23° S and 26° S, of species other than pink snapper (excluding mackerels which are reported on pp. 82-6).

Species Tonnes yne Coast Mulloway 20.7 Cod, various species 12.1 Trevally, various 9.3 Sweetlip emperor 8.4 Spangled emperor 6.0 Red emperor 5.7 Baldchin groper 3.0 Pearl perch 2.5 Blue-spot emperor 2.0 Bioregion – Gasco Tailor 1.9 Sea perch, various 1.7 Flagfish 1.6 Cobia 1.6 Dhufish 1.5 Blue-lined emperor 1.1 Shark, various 1.0 Scalefish, other 13.4 TOTAL 106.0

Shark Bay Snapper CPUE� 800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

CPUE (kg/standard boat day) 0 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year

SHARK BAY SNAPPER FIGURE 1 Catch per unit effort by year from 1988 to 2000 for the Shark Bay Snapper Managed Fishery. Units are kg whole weight of pink snapper per standard boat day. As catchability varies markedly throughout the year, peaking in June and July, the CPUE for line fishing in June and July is used as the index of abundance.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 55 Bioregion – North Coast 56 fisheries arealsobasedinthisregion. coastal areas. on barramundi,threadfinsalmonandsharkinmore The PilbaraFish tropical anddeep-watersnappersinof Commercial fisheriesinthisbioregionarefocusedonthe Regional Mana Nor Commer main methodfor capturingSpanishmackerelis by trolling summer byfishersoperatinginthe Pilbararegion. T May andOctoberbetweenGeraldton andtheNorthern (Scomber Commercial fishingforSpanish mackerel • • • in anumberofareas: The wetlinefisheryinthenorthcoastbioregionoperates Managed Fisheryandtorecreationalfisherycontrols. arrangements fortheKimberleyGillnetandBarramundi given ef ‘Accord’ the stockandreduceconflictbetweenusergroups. agreement whichwillassistinsustainablemanagementof other interestedgroups,developedandsignedof gillnet andbarramundilicenseesrepresentativesof the Kimberley Accord’) wasdevelopedforthebarramundiresourcesof A Fishery expectedtocomeunderthe the 2001season,withNickolBayPrawnManaged the The KimberleyPrawnManagedFisheryformallyadopted fishery fishery toremovethelinkbetweenitandprawn received toamendthemanagementplanforfishtrawl T Nickol BayPrawnManagedFisherywiththePilbaraFish Managed Fisheriesandtheinter arrangements fortheOnslowandNickolBayPrawn There weresomesignificantchangestothemanagement Scalefish andthePilbara finfish operatingintheareaareNorthernDemersal demersal fishfish. continued astheproviderofmajorityState’ latent ef become fullytransferable. Fishery whichwillallowOnslow management planfortheOnslowPrawnManaged was alsoreceivedtoprovideforanamendmentthe Fishery tobefurtherconsidered. Monitoring System. ef All threefisheriesoperateunderindividualtransferable fishery frominterimmanagedtofullystatus. Fishery wasintroducedon1January2001,movingthe management planfortheNorthernDemersalScalefish Onslow PrawnManagedFisheryunderthe Ministerial approvalwasalsoreceivedtobringthe erritory border rawl InterimManagedFishery fort managementarrangements,monitoredbythe resource managementagreement(the‘Barramundi FISHERIES V Demersal linefishing(Pilbarafishery). Beach seiningandnear Mackerel (primarilybytrolling); essel MonitoringSystemforthecommencementof th CoastBioregion . fect throughanumberofchangestomanagement fort issueintheNickolBayPrawnManaged Once thischangeisef omorus commerson) now hastobeapprovedbytheMinisterand . Most oftheState’ WESTERN . Fisheries T Limited catchesarealsomadethrough rawl InterimManagedFishery Other importantprovidersofdemersal g cial Fisheries T ement Over W A rap ManagedFisheries. -shore gillnetting; A, togetherwithKimberley USTRALIA operates mainlybetween fected itwillrequirethe . -relationships ofthe s smallerprawntrawl Ministerial approvalwas Area 3licencesto Ministerial approval VMS laterintheyear fshore watersand – ST VMS in2002. vie A TE OF w f onan A The V The THE FISHERIES REPOR essel s new . Finfish FisheriesStatusReportonpp.75-81. demersal finfish,arereportedinthePilbaraDemersal The activitiesofthedemersallinefishery Barramundi ManagedFishery The exceptiontothisistheKimberleyGillnetand which isnotsubjecttoanydedicatedmanagementplan. seining andnear There isalsoatakeoffishthroughouttheregionbybeach mackerel fishingarereportedonpp.82-6. age atsexualmaturity been increasedto90cmcorrespondmoreclosely minimum legalsizeforSpanishmackerelhasrecently interim managedstatusin2002. options, itisanticipatedthatthefisherywillmoveto receipt ofalar Following extensiveconsultationduring2000/2001,and management planiscurrentlyunderdiscussion. suggest thatthespeciescouldbeover over increasedcatchesandpreliminaryassessmentswhich Owing toconcernsfrombothindustryandGovernment and droplines. incidental catchesmayoccurwhenusinghandlines drifting boatarealsousedtotar Baits andluresdriftedorcastfromananchored baits andlures,withuptosevenlinestrolledatatime. other speciesare takenbylinefishingof mackerel, detailsofwhicharereported onpp.82-6.Most plan iscurrentlybeingdeveloped forthetrollfishery mulloway (blackjew)(4tonnes). (6 tonnes),cod(5redemperor (4tonnes)and (17 tonnes),unspecifiedtrevally(8blacktip shark unspecified shark(20tonnes),spangled emperor threadfin (72tonnes),othermackerel(25 The toptenspeciesincludeSpanishmackerel(250tonnes), includes watersof 1999/2000 wasreportedfromthisbioregion,which around aquarter(25%)oftheState’ undertaken utilisingtheCAESdatabase,indicatesthat general wetlinecatchineachbioregion. has beenamajorfocusduring2000/2001onassessingthe the researchsummaryforeachindividualfishery In additiontotheresearchprojectsandactivitiesnotedin Regional Resear the lowerOrdRiver increased demandforcomplianceactivities,especiallyin related mainlytobarramundifishingareleadingan licensees involved. the extensivegeographicalareaandsmallnumberof were atalowlevelduetolimitedresourcescoupledwith Compliance activitiesdirectedattheremainingfisheries region’ to inspectthecatchesoflicenseesintheseand locations carriedoutnumerousland-basedandseapatrols In addition,FisheriesOf stations attheKarrathaandBroomeDistrictOf through theuseof Kimberley PrawnManagedFisheriesweremonitored The PilbaraFish Comm Regional Complianceand s othersmallprawnfisheries. unity EducationOver T 2000/2001 ge numberofsubmissionsonproposed -shore gillnettingusinghand-haulednets, T f boththeKimberleyandPilbaracoasts. rawl, NorthernDemersalScalefishand VMS, whichoperatesthroughclient , RoebuckBayandthePilbara. However . Research dataonSpanish ficers frombothofthese c h Over , resource-sharingissues , reportedonpp.67-70. get mackerel,whilst An interimmanagement In theinterim, s wetlinecatchduring -fished, aninterim vie f thePilbaracoast. This assessment, , whichtakes w vie fices. w , there Ashburton Nursery; Area 2, incorporating Coolgra Point Onslow Prawn Managed Fishery Nursery; and Area 3, incorporating Fortescue Nursery.

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY During the 2000 season the areas were open during the following periods: The Onslow Prawn Managed Fishery targets western king prawns (Penaeus latisulcatus), brown tiger prawns Area 1 2 April-11 November th Coast (Penaeus esculentus), endeavour prawns (Metapenaeus Area 2 2 April-11 November spp.) and banana prawns (Penaeus merguiensis). Area 3 1 March-15 November The 2001 fishing season commenced on 1 March and will Fortescue Nursery 1 May-11 November end on 15 November. Within the main fishing period, a Ashburton and number of fishing area openings and closures allow Coolgra Point Nurseries 1 May-30 September access to tiger prawn and banana prawn stocks at appropriate times. Different licence classes apply to this fishery allowing boats to trawl in specific zones. These classes are listed A significant number of boats have access to this fishery, below (figures in brackets indicate 2000 endorsements): Bioregion – Nor as most Exmouth Gulf prawn vessels have access to Class A Areas 1, 2 and 3 (4 boats) Area 2 and most Nickol Bay prawn vessels have access to Class B Areas 2 and 3 (3 boats) Area 3. Management controls include limited entry, gear Class C Area 2 (12 Exmouth Gulf boats) restrictions and controls on replacement boat size. The Onslow Prawn Fishery Management Plan has recently Class D Area 3 (12 Nickol Bay boats) been amended to increase the transferability of some licence categories. Main fishing method Otter trawl. Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority Onslow Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1991 RETAINED SPECIES Onslow Prawn Managed Fishery Licence Commercial production (season 2000): 87 tonnes

Consultation Process Landings Agency–industry meeting The total landings of major penaeids for the 2000 season were 87 tonnes, including 12 tonnes of king prawns, RESEARCH SUMMARY 18 tonnes of tiger prawns, 6 tonnes of endeavour prawns Research for managing this small fishery involves stock and 51 tonnes of banana prawns (Onslow Prawn Figure monitoring and assessment utilising the CAES monthly 2). King prawn catches were 33% lower than the five- return data provided by industry, as well as information year average, which may have been due to effects of from interviews with boat skippers. Annual meetings are cyclonic activity and heavy rain during March 2000. held with boat operators to consider the status of the This may have dispersed king prawns further offshore stocks and recommend changes to fishing operations. away from areas where they are normally caught, reducing the catchability for this season. Conversely, The following status report summarises the research rainfall-dependent banana prawns provided a higher findings for this fishery. catch this season, up 144% on the five-year average.

Recorded landings of by-product species included Onslow Prawn Managed Fishery 4 tonnes of coral prawns, 11 tonnes of bugs and less than one tonne each of black tiger prawns, squid, blue Status Report swimmer crabs, shark and mixed finfish species. Prepared by M. Kangas and E. Sporer Fishing effort FISHERY DESCRIPTION Not assessed. Boundaries and access Catch rate The boundaries of this fishery are ‘all Western Australian Not assessed. waters of the Indian Ocean below high water mark lying west of 116°45' east longitude and east of a line commencing at the high water mark on the mainland due Recreational component: Nil south of the southernmost extremity of Locker Island Stock assessment complete: Not assessed drawn due north to the high water mark at that extremity; thence northwesterly to the high water mark at the The catches during 2000 were below average for king southernmost extremity of Serrurier Island; thence prawns, middle of the range for tiger prawns, and in the northerly along the high water mark of that island on its low end of the range for endeavour prawns. Banana western shore to its northernmost point; thence due north’ prawn catches were among the highest recorded since (Onslow/Nickol Bay Prawn Figure 1). 1990. Further work is under way to assess the relationship between summer rainfall and catches from The fishery is then divided into three fishing zones with Area 1, which includes the Ashburton River estuary, a associated nursery areas as follows: Area 1, incorporating nursery area for this species.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 57 Commercial Fisheries

Exploitation status: Not assessed FISHERY GOVERNANCE Acceptable catch range: 60–130 tonnes Breeding stock levels: Not assessed Under current effort levels and previous environmental conditions, the acceptable ranges of prawn catches, based NON-RETAINED SPECIES on the catches of the 1990s, are as follows: th Coast Bycatch species impact: Low King prawns 10–55 tonnes Bycatch from the fishery is typical of tropical trawl Tiger prawns 5–40 tonnes fisheries (i.e. up to about 6:1 relative to the target species), but the effort levels and spatial coverage are Endeavour prawns 5–20 tonnes too low to impact bycatch species. Banana prawns 2–90 tonnes

Protected species interaction: Low Note the overall acceptable range for all species combined The Onslow prawn fishery can at times catch turtles and is different from the aggregate of the individual species sea snakes, but the overall low effort level and targeted ranges shown, as the environmental circumstances that benefit banana prawns generally result in decreased Bioregion – Nor coverage of the fishery suggest that such interaction would not be significant. catches of the other species in the same year.

EXTERNAL FACTORS ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Food chain effects: Low The catches taken are from a number of separate nursery areas and are highly variable from year to year. Because of the limited spatial coverage of this fishery and This is particularly the case for the rainfall-dependent its low levels of catch of the target species, it is unlikely banana prawn, which was the dominant species caught to have any significant ecological consequences. during 2000.

Habitat effects: Low Catches of tiger prawns from this fishery are also quite This fishery targets primarily king and tiger prawns in variable. It is likely that severe cyclonic activity impacts most years and, occasionally, schooling banana prawns in negatively on tiger prawns in some years, and moreover, the infrequent high rainfall periods, as in 2000. Within the effect varies depending on whether juvenile prawns the extensive licensed fishing zone, relatively few discrete are still in vulnerable, shallow nursery areas at the time. areas offshore from nursery areas are fished (less than 5% Severe cyclones can impact directly on endeavour prawns. of the overall fishery). Consistent effort occurs mostly The king prawn catch has remained stable, indicating that between the Ashburton River and Onslow for banana and environmental effects such as cyclonic activity (producing king prawns, and in the Mangrove Passage area for tiger heavy rainfall) have little effect on the abundance of the prawns. Trawling occurs over a very small proportion king prawn stock. However, fishers report that there can (< 5%) of the king prawn habitat, as densities in most areas be an indirect, short-term impact on the distribution of are too low for economically viable trawling. In contrast, king prawns when heavy rainfall inland and subsequent fishing covers a high proportion (50%) of the discrete river flooding appear to disperse the stock, affecting banana prawn habitats associated with river estuaries. overall catches. At times, debris from flooding is reported to restrict fishing activities and hence landings The fishery is restricted to clean sand and mud bottoms, for the year. where trawling has minimal physical impact.

SOCIAL EFFECTS Estimated employment for the year 2000 was 12–15 skippers and crew, with up to 10 people involved in local processing.

ECONOMIC EFFECTS Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year 2000: $1.5 million Ex-vessel prices for prawns vary depending on the type of product and the market forces operating at any one time. Generally, average prices received by vessels fishing along the northern coast in 2000 were as follows: King prawns $17.30/kg Tiger prawns $22.90/kg Endeavour prawns $12.90/kg Banana prawns $15.40/kg Coral prawns $4.70/kg

58 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 116˚ 118˚ 120˚ th Coast

De Grey Nickol Bay Nursery Nursery Nickol Bay 20˚ Onslow 20˚ Extended Nickol 3 Bay Nursery Port Hedland Dampier 2 Depuch Nursery Bioregion – Nor 1 Onslow 22˚ 22˚

116˚ 118˚ 120˚

ONSLOW/NICKOL BAY PRAWN FIGURE 1 Boundaries of the Onlsow and Nickol Bay Prawn Managed Fisheries.

Onslow Annual Prawn Catch 120 Tiger King 100 Endeavour Banana 80

(tonnes) 60

40 Landings 20

0 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year

ONSLOW PRAWN FIGURE 2 Annual landings for the Onslow Prawn Managed Fishery, 1990–2000.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 59 Bioregion – North Coast 60 Status Repor to removethelinkbetweenitandNBPMF to amendthemanagementplanforfishtrawlfishery industry consultation,Ministerialapprovalwasreceived Onslow PrawnManagedFishery the PilbaraFish number oftheNickolBayprawntrawlersalsooperatein closures, gearcontrolsandrestrictionsonboatsize. NBPMF arebasedonlimitedentry occurring ininshoreareas. (Metapenaeus (Penaeus esculentus) Agency–industry meeting Consultation Process Nickol BayPrawnManagedFisheryLicence Nickol BayPrawnFisheryManagementPlan1991 Governing Legislation/Fishing will closeon15November In 2001,themainfishinggroundsopenedon1Mayand tiger andbananaprawnstocksatappropriatetimes. period, fishingareaopeningsandclosuresallowaccessto the NBPMFtobefurtherconsidered. change isef king prawns(Penaeuslatisulcatus) tar The NickolBayPrawnManagedFishery(NBPMF) MANA Commer during thefollowing periods: During the2000seasonmajor fishingareaswereopen the 200misobath’(Onslow/NickolBayPrawnFigure 1). longitude and120°east onthelandwar Indian OceanandNickolBaybetween 1 The boundariesofthisfisheryare Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Nic findings forthisfishery The followingstatusreportsummarisestheresearch recommend changestofishingoperations. meetings whichconsiderthestatusofstocksand Research outcomesarereviewedatannualindustry the catch–rainfallrelationship. assessment ofthebananaprawnstocksinvolvesupdating from boatskippers,andrainfallrecords. monthly returndataprovidedbyindustry involves stockmonitoringandassessmentutilising Research forthemanagementofthissmallfishery RESEARCH SUMMAR Nic epar gets bananaprawns FISHERIES k k ol Ba ed byM.KangasandE.Spor ol Ba GEMENT SUMMAR Y DESCRIPTION fected itwillrequirethelatentef y Pra spp.), withmostprawnfishingactivity WESTERN y Pra T rawl InterimManagedFisheryandthe t wn Mana and endeavourprawns (Penaeus mer . wn Mana cial Fisheries A . Management controlsforthe USTRALIA W Y ithin themainfishing Authority . Y g ‘all thewatersof However , seasonalandarea , browntigerprawns ed Fisher guiensis), western g er – ST ed Fisher 16°45' east , information Stock , following A fort issuein TE OF . Once this y d sideof THE FISHERIES REPOR A y Nickol Bayduring2000. There were14boatslicensedtotrawlforprawnsin Onslow De GreyNursery Depuch Nursery Extended NickolBayNursery Nickol BayNursery prawns (NickolBayPrawnFigure1). 13 tonnesoftigerprawnsand1tonneendeavour 45 tonnes,comprising31tonnesofkingprawns, Other prawnlandingsforthe2000seasontotalled rainfall inthe1999/2000summerperiod. of 300–500tonnesprojectedonthebasishigh season (NickolBayPrawnFigure1)fellwithintherange The bananaprawnlandingsof467tonnesforthe2000 Landings Commer RET Otter trawl. Main fishingmethod compared withother trawlfisheries. results inrelativelylowef specifically tar The NickolBayprawnfisheryoperates predominantlyby Bycatc NON-RET catch projectionofbetween80and190tonnes. of rainduringthe2000/2001summerperiodprovidesa Adjusting theforecastofbananaprawnsfor183mm Pr Breeding stoc Exploitation status: Bay PrawnFigure2). same year (December–March) andthecatchofbananaprawnsin A Stoc Recreational component: Not assessed. Catch r Not assessed. Fishing eff finfish species. shark andlessthanonetonneeachofsquidmixed bugs, 2tonnesofblueswimmercrabs,1.5 black tigerprawns,3tonnesofcoral4 Recorded by-productspeciesfor2000were1tonneof to carryoutaformalstockassessment. relationship existsbetweenthesummerrainfall ojected catc AINED SPECIES k assessmentcomplete: h speciesimpact: ate Area 3 cial pr . AINED SPECIES T 2000/2001 or This relationshipisassessedannually(Nickol t geting schoolsofbananaprawns. k le h ne oduction (season2000): vels: xt season(2001): Other prawnstocksareinsuf Banana pra fort andminimalbycatch 1 May-15November 1 March-1 1 May-1 1 May-1 1 May-15November wns 80–190tonnes August August 1 November Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed 512 tonnes This ficient Lo Nil w Protected species interaction: Low The majority of boats in the prawn fleet of Nickol Bay are The Nickol Bay prawn fishery can at times catch turtles also licensed to fish finfish stocks offshore (the Pilbara and sea snakes, but the overall low effort level and Fish Trawl Fishery). Some also fish for prawns in the targeted coverage of the fishery suggest that such Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery. As such, the fishing interaction would not be significant. effort in the Nickol Bay Prawn Managed Fishery is dependent on management measures in place elsewhere, th Coast ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS and on the catch rates available in these other fisheries. Fishing for finfish has encouraged the construction of Food chain effects: Low larger boats with greater fishing power than would In view of the highly variable nature of banana prawn otherwise have been supported by fishing prawns alone. recruitment, positively related to cyclonic rainfall, any In recent years, however, concern about over-exploitation food chain impacts from fishing are likely to be minimal in the Pilbara Fish Trawl Fishery has led to time quotas despite the relatively high annual exploitation rate. and other restrictions. The impacts of these restrictions and of falling finfish catches have forced some of the Habitat effects: Low fishing effort back into the Nickol Bay Prawn The small fleet fishes on a limited number of discrete Managed Fishery. Bioregion – Nor fishing grounds, making up less than 5% of the coastal habitat within the fishery. Habitat types on the trawl areas Banana prawns usually dominate the catch from Nickol associated with banana and king prawns are mud and sand Bay. The catch of this species is positively correlated respectively, and not impacted significantly by trawl gear. with rainfall in the months December to March. The record catches of banana prawns in 2000 were anticipated SOCIAL EFFECTS because of high rainfall (572 mm) during this critical period. With only 183 mm of rainfall recorded for this Estimated employment for year 2000 was 40–50 skippers same period during 2000/2001 lower landings and crew, with up to 20 people involved in onshore (80–190 tonnes) of banana prawns are forecast for 2001. processing in the region. The king prawn catches were below the five-year average but within the acceptable range for this species. The ECONOMIC EFFECTS distribution of the king prawn stock appears to have been Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year 2000: affected by freshwater inflow from cyclonic activity $8 million during the summer period (December to March). The Ex-vessel prices for prawns vary depending on the grade high rainfall during the 2000 season would have dispersed of the product and the market forces operating at any one the king prawns further offshore, away from where they time. Generally, average prices received by vessels fishing would normally be caught, thus reducing their catchability along the northern coast in 2000 were as follows: for this season. It is anticipated that the king prawn Banana prawns $15.40/kg catches should return to acceptable catch range in 2001 provided environmental conditions are favourable King prawns $17.30/kg (less rainfall). Tiger prawns $22.90/kg Endeavour prawns $12.90/kg Coral prawns $4.70/kg

FISHERY GOVERNANCE Acceptable catch range: 90–300 tonnes Under current effort levels and previous environmental conditions, the acceptable ranges of prawn catches, based on the catches of the 1990s, are as follows: Banana prawns 40–220 tonnes King prawns 20–70 tonnes Tiger prawns 2–40 tonnes Endeavour prawns 1–10 tonnes

Note the overall acceptable range for all species combined is different from the aggregate of the individual species ranges shown, as the environmental circumstances that benefit banana prawns generally result in decreased catches of the other species in the same year.

It should also be noted that the banana prawn catch has exceeded 400 tonnes following extreme cyclonic rainfall on three occasions over the past 30 years.

EXTERNAL FACTORS Minimum catch monitoring is completed for minor fisheries such as the Nickol Bay Prawn Managed Fishery.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 61 Commercial Fisheries

Nickol Bay Annual Prawn Catch 500

450 King

th Coast Tiger 400 Endeavour 350 Banana

300 (tonnes) 250

200

150 Landings 100 Bioregion – Nor 50

0 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year

NICKOL BAY PRAWN FIGURE 1 Annual landings for the Nickol Bay Prawn Managed Fishery, 1990–2000.

Catch – Rainfall Relationship 500 y = 0.7551x - 1.6082 67 00 76 R2 = 0.6339 400

300

73 90 97 85 200 71 75 89 74 99 2001 87 96 95 70 80 100 77

Total catch (tonnes) 78 83 88 94 72 93 82 81 98 68 69 84 92 91 79 86 66 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Rainfall (mm Dec-Mar)

NICKOL BAY PRAWN FIGURE 2 Relationship between banana prawn landings and rainfall between December and March for the years 1966–2000.

62 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Main fishing method Broome Prawn Managed Fishery Otter trawl. MANAGEMENT SUMMARY RETAINED SPECIES The Broome Prawn Managed Fishery is a small fishery

Commercial production (season 2000): 159 tonnes th Coast which operates in July–August in a designated trawl zone off Broome and generally coincides with the seasonal Landings closures for the Northern and Kimberley prawn fisheries. The dominant species caught are western king prawns The total landings for the 2000 season were 159 tonnes, (Penaeus latisulcatus) and coral prawns (a combined including 76 tonnes of king prawns and 83 tonnes of coral category of small penaeid species). The management prawns (Broome Prawn Figure 1) for 54 days fished. plan, which came into effect in 1999, includes a provision King prawn landings for 2000 were 8% lower than the for licensees to be directed to instal bycatch reduction five-year average (83 tonnes) whereas the catch of coral devices if required. prawns was the highest total catch recorded to date. Bioregion – Nor Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority Fishing effort Broome Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1999 Nominal effort recorded in the daily research logbooks for Broome Prawn Managed Fishery Licence the fleet was 2,957 hours. Consultation Process Catch rate Agency–industry meeting A catch rate of 25.8 kg/hr for king prawns and 28 kg/hr RESEARCH SUMMARY for coral prawns was recorded. The catch rates of king Research data for managing this small seasonal fishery is prawns for June (28.9 kg/hr) were similar to those seen in provided by detailed research logbooks completed by all 1999, but rates were lower in July (21.8 kg/hr) compared boats. This data is used for stock assessment and to the corresponding period in 1999. monitoring which is discussed with industry at annual review meetings. The relationship between catch and Recreational component: Nil moon phase was investigated during 1997/98, which has resulted in some ongoing modifications to the Stock assessment complete: Yes management arrangements. A more sophisticated Delury depletion analysis incorporating lunar effects was carried out on the 2000 The following status report summarises the research findings for this fishery. logbook data to quantify the standing stock of king prawns in the Broome fishery. From this analysis, a standing stock of approximately 190 tonnes was Broome Prawn Managed Fishery estimated. This indicates that approximately 40% of the Status Report stock was taken by fishing, utilising the 2,957 hours of fishing recorded in this fishery. The approach of using a Prepared by M. Kangas and E. Sporer depletion analysis has potential to examine variation in recruitment strength from year to year because the FISHERY DESCRIPTION standing stock estimate for each year will reflect this. Boundaries and access When sufficient years of data have been assembled, it will be possible to relate the proportion of the king prawn The boundaries of this fishery are ‘all waters of the stock unfished at the end of each fishing season (a Indian Ocean off the north-west coast of Western measure of residual spawning stock) and the recruitment Australia east of 120° east longitude and west of 123°45' east longitude on the landward side of the 200 m isobath’. of king prawns in the subsequent year.

Within this schedule, the permitted fishing area is ‘all The depletion method applied has provided a good insight Western Australian waters bounded by a line commencing into stock levels. It has the advantage of being a very at the intersection of 17°20' south latitude and 121°50' direct assessment method, with the potential to carefully east longitude; thence east to the intersection of 17°50' control exploitation rates. It is intended to continue its south latitude and 121°55' east longitude; thence north- use as the primary assessment method for this fishery. east to the intersection of 17°40' south latitude and 122° east longitude; thence north to the intersection of 17°30' Exploitation status: Under-exploited south latitude and 122° east longitude; thence north-west to the intersection of 17°20' south latitude and 122°55' Breeding stock levels: Adequate east longitude; thence west to the commencement point’. Depletion analysis indicated that approximately 60% of the king prawn stock was left when fishing stopped. This The permitted fishing area was opened for the 2000 fishing season on 1 June and closed on 7 August. stock could continue to breed. In addition, some females may have spawned prior to capture. These data indicate Five Western Australian-based Northern Prawn Fishery that the king prawn stock is well above the level of 20% (Gulf of Carpentaria) boats are licensed to operate in of virgin biomass generally considered to be sufficient to this fishery. sustain a fishery.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 63 Bioregion – North Coast 64 protected speciesisminimal. number ofboatsinvolved,meansthatinteractionwith fact, combinedwiththeshortseasonandsmall by trawling. mud orsandwhichisunlikelytobeadverselyimpacted fishery habitat. plan toensureminimalimpactontheadjacentpearl industry diverspriortoestablishmentofthemanagement was surveyedbytheFisheriesResearchDivisionand area forthiskingprawnstock. of The fisheryispermittedtooperateonlyinadiscretearea that foodchainef fishery The shortdurationandlimitedspatialcoverageofthis Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS The fisheryoperatesinrelativelydeepwater Pr species isminimal. small numberofboatsinvolved,theimpactonbycatch Owing totheveryshortdurationofthisfisheryand Bycatc NON-RET Commer prawn recruitment andcatchability (approximately eightweeks)coincides withtheking this fisherydependsonhowthe limited fishingseason Fishery (NPF)intheGulfofCarpentaria. casual basisbyboatstransitingto theNorthernPrawn 1991. Fishery havefluctuatedbetween36and173tonnessince Catches ofkingprawnsintheBroomePrawnManaged EXTERNAL F based onthecatchesof1990s,is35–170tonnes. conditions, theacceptablerangeforkingprawncatch, Under currentef FISHER Coral prawns King prawns follows: Generally product andthemarketforcesoperatingatanyonetime. Ex-vessel pricesforprawnsvarydependingonthetypeof Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS and crew Estimated employmentfortheyear2000was20skippers SOCIAL EFFECTS colour secondary catchofcoralprawns(commonnamedueto The fisherytar Habitat eff Acceptab fshore, north-westofRoebuckBaywhichisthenursery otected speciesinteraction: FISHERIES , nothabitatassociation)inrelativelydeepwater , andthesmallnumberofboatsinvolved,indicate Before thattimethisfishingarea wasusedona h speciesimpact: hain eff Y GO . , pricesreceivedbyboatsfor2000wereas le catc AINED SPECIES ects: VERNANCE A gets non-schoolingkingprawnswitha WESTERN ual v ects: CT The seafloorinthetrawlareawas fort levelsandpreviousenvironmental h rang fects willbeinsignificant. ORS $17.30/kg $4.70/kg alue (tofisher cial Fisheries e: A King pra USTRALIA The gazettedfishingarea , whichisinfluenced s) f wns 35–170tonnes – ST or y The successof A , andthis ear 2000: TE OF $1.7 million THE FISHERIES REPOR Lo Lo Lo Lo . w w w w ef timing oftheseasoninlinewithlunarperiod,fishing catches occurringaroundthefullmoon. king prawnsisaf relating tothetimingoffishingseason. season closure. keeping theseasongenerallyinlinewithNPFmid- catch ratesavailableduringthefishingperiodwhile prawn stock. period hasnotalwaysbeenoptimalforexploitingtheking in theNPF five boatsinawaythatcomplementstheirfishingactivity it allowsapproximatelyeighttonineweeksoffishingby This fisheryisvaluable,despiteitsshortseason,because This fisheryhasbenefitedfromadviceFisheries lunar period. mid-season closure(sixweeks)ratherthantheappropriate fishery hasbeensetbycalendartocoincidewiththeNPF by thelunarperiod. ficiency hasbeenmaximised. , andinotherfisheries T 2000/2001 Consequently fected bythelunarphase,withlower Historically , thetimingoffishing This achievesthebest , thetimingofthis W estern By bringingthe The catchof Australia. W A Broome Annual Prawn Catch 200 180 King th Coast 160 Coral 140 120

(tonnes) 100 80 60 Landings 40 Bioregion – Nor 20 0 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year

BROOME PRAWN FIGURE 1 Annual landings for the Broome Prawn Managed Fishery, 1990–2000.

The following status report summarises the research Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery findings for this fishery. MANAGEMENT SUMMARY The Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery operates off the Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery north of the State adjacent to the Commonwealth- Status Report managed Northern Prawn Fishery. A significant number of vessels hold authorisations to operate in both fisheries, Prepared by M. Kangas and E. Sporer and opening and closing dates are aligned to prevent large shifts of fishing effort into the Kimberley fishery. FISHERY DESCRIPTION The management controls for the Kimberley Prawn Boundaries and access Managed Fishery are based on limited entry, seasonal The boundaries of this fishery are ‘all Western Australian closures, gear controls and restrictions on boat waters of the Indian Ocean lying east of 123°45' east replacements. VMS was also introduced into the fishery longitude and west of 126°58' east longitude’. during 2001. Seasonal dates for the Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority are aligned with those of the adjacent Northern Prawn Kimberley Prawn Fishery Management Plan 1993 Fishery. Consequently, the 2000 season opened on Kimberley Prawn Fishery Managed Fishery Licence 1 April and closed for the mid-season closure on 27 May. Consultation Process The fishery re-opened on 4 August and ran until the final season closure on 8 November. Agency–industry meeting Although a total of 134 boats had access to the Kimberley RESEARCH SUMMARY Prawn Managed Fishery under various licensing Research data for monitoring this fishery are provided by arrangements, only 25 boats operated in the fishery during Western Australian fishers’ monthly returns, and by the 2000 season. research logbooks collected by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) for NPF boats licensed Main fishing method to operate in the Kimberley fishery. Otter trawl. Research assessments are provided to annual meetings of boat operators and provide the basis for recommending RETAINED SPECIES changes to management arrangements each year. Commercial production (season 2000): 236 tonnes

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 65 Bioregion – North Coast 66 the expectedrange(1 (15–40 tonnes)whilstendeavourprawnswerejustbelow catch waswithintheexpectedrangeforthesespecies coastline, andlar rainfall), theextensivecoastline,topographyof variable catchesduetoenvironmentalconditions(summer catches. between summerrainfall(DecembertoMarch)and (275–525 tonnes)usingthepreliminaryrelationship The bananaprawncatchwasbelowtherangeexpected Prawn Figure1). prawns, and7tonnesofendeavourprawns(Kimberley including 201tonnesofbananaprawns,23tiger The totallandingsforthe2000seasonwere236tonnes, Landings Commer meaning thatbycatchisminimal. prawns whichformschoolsthat are specificallytar The majorityofthecatchinthisfisherycomprisesbanana Bycatc NON-RET relationship is200–350tonnesforbananaprawns. The projectedcatchfor2001basedontherainfall–catch Pr Breeding stoc Exploitation status: rainfall–catch relationshipsarecontinuing. the rangeof200–350tonnes. indicates thatbananaprawncatchesfor2001shouldbein 348 mmatDerbyand571Kalumburu,which Rainfall duringtheperiodJanuary–February2001was February) andthesubsequentcatchofbananaprawns. relationship betweenearlyseasonrainfall(Januaryand Further investigationshaveshownamorepromising may provideadegreeofforecasting. banana prawns(thedominantspeciestakeninthisarea) from otherfisheriesbetweenrainfallandcatchesof prawn stocks,neverthelesstherelationshiprecognised based oncatchesandfishingef Although therehasbeennoformalstockassessment Stoc Recreational component: Not assessed. Catch r Not assessed. Fishing eff one tonneofsquid. Recorded by-productswere2tonnesofbugsandlessthan bycatch species. Overall, thefisheryislikelytohave alowimpacton when theyaredispersedduetolocal tidalconditions. however ojected catc FISHERIES k assessmentcomplete: h speciesimpact: ate , bananaprawnsmayalsobegenerally trawled The estimatehasawiderangebecauseofhighly AINED SPECIES or t WESTERN k le h ne ge tidalfluctuations. vels: xt season(2001): 1–80 tonnes). Banana pra cial Fisheries A USTRALIA Investigations onrefining fort fortheKimberley In theKimberley wns 200–350tonnes The tigerprawn – ST Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed A TE OF geted, , THE FISHERIES REPOR Lo Nil w Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS skippers andcrew Estimated employmentfortheyear2000was100 SOCIAL EFFECTS minimal impactonthehabitat. substrates andhighturbidity characterised byextreme(10m)tidalranges,heavymud area. limited sector The Kimberleyprawntrawlfisheryoperatesoveravery Habitat eff chain impactsfromfishingarelikelytobenegligible. variable inrecruitmentduetocyclonicrainfall,anyfood As thefisherytar Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS was returnedtotheseaalive. captured intheKimberleyfisheryduring2000,andthis one turtlewasrecorded(AFMA T Pr Australia useitat certaintimesoftheyeartocomplement Boats fromNickolBayandelsewhere in Kimberley-only boatsforthecomplete fishingseason. This fisheryisusedbyrelatively fewstand-alone, managers tomakethebestuseof thefishery from thisfishery prawns usuallycomprisethemajorityofprawncatch banana prawnsisbeinginvestigatedfurther The relationshipbetweensummerrainfallandthecatchof EXTERNAL F catches oftheotherspeciesinsameyear benefit bananaprawnsgenerallyresultindecreased ranges shown,astheenvironmentalcircumstancesthat is dif Note theoverallacceptablerangeforallspeciescombined Endeavour prawns T Banana prawns on thecatchesof1990s,areasfollows: conditions, theacceptablerangesofprawncatches,based Under currentef FISHER Endeavour prawns T Banana prawns the northerncoastin2000wereasfollows: Generally product andthemarketforcesoperatingatanyonetime. Ex-vessel pricesforprawnsvarydependingonthetypeof Acceptab urtle exclusiondevicesareusedbytheNPFboats.Only iger prawns iger prawns otected speciesinteraction: ferent fromtheaggregateofindividualspecies Owing totheunusualnatureofenvironment, hain eff Y GO , averagepricesreceivedbyboatsfishingalong le catc T 2000/2001 ects: , estimatedtobelessthan5%ofthelicensed VERNANCE A ual v ects: CT fort levelsandpreviousenvironmental , thiscorrelationwillassistfishers and gets bananaprawns,whicharehighly h rang . ORS alue (tofisher 15–60 tonnes $22.90/kg 7–80 tonnes 200–450 tonnes $12.90/kg $15.40/kg e: , thefishingisjudgedtohave records) asbeing s) f or y 240–500 tonnes W . estern . . ear 2000: As banana $3.7 million Lo Lo Lo w w w catches in their local fisheries. Boats fishing in the NPF, to prevent the small Kimberley fishery from Northern Prawn Fishery in the Gulf of Carpentaria also attracting too much fishing effort from its large neighbour. use this fishery for periods each year, and in fact the However, it must be noted that the level of latent effort in Kimberley fishing season is set to mirror dates used in the this fishery is high. th Coast

Kimberley Annual Prawn Catch 500 450 King Tiger 400 Endeavour Banana 350 300 Bioregion – Nor (tonnes) 250 200 150 Landings 100 50 0 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year

KIMBERLEY PRAWN FIGURE 1 Annual landings for the Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery, 1980–2000.

These recommendations included extensive areas closed Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi to commercial fishing around major town sites and Managed Fishery recreationally important fishing locations, and a total netting ban north of Beadon Creek near Onslow.

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Amendments to existing bag and size limits have also The Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery been recommended. The main elements of this extends from the WA/NT border to the top of Eighty Mile ‘Barramundi Accord’ have been supported by the Minister Beach, south of Broome (latitude 19° S). It encompasses for Fisheries, and legislation is being drafted to implement the taking of fish by means of gillnet and the taking of the new arrangements. barramundi by any means. Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority The species taken are predominantly barramundi (Lates Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Fishery Management calcarifer) and threadfin salmon (Eleutheronema Plan 1989 tetradactylum). The main areas of the fishery are the river Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery systems of the northern Kimberley, the Fitzroy River, Licence Roebuck Bay and Eighty Mile Beach. Consultation Process There are currently seven licences in the fishery, reduced Agency–industry meeting from a historical level of 10 through a Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme in 1999. RESEARCH SUMMARY In March 2000, a working group consisting of The data used to assess the status of the series of commercial, recreational and charter boat representatives barramundi stocks taken by this fishery are provided from as well as Fisheries WA research and management officers the CAES database. The following status report is compiled annually and provided to industry and regional was formed to consider future management arrangements management. for the barramundi resource. A number of recommendations were developed for both the commercial and recreational exploitation of barramundi.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 67 Bioregion – North Coast 68 was bysevenvesselsduring1999/2000. Sound of16°21'38"southlatitude’ mainland ofW nautical milesseawar latitude andwestof129°eastlongitudewithinthr W The boundariesofthislimitedentryfisheryare Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Mana Kimberle Commer 1980s andsince then totalcatchandef The catchandef Catch r This totalef across thefourprescribedfishingareaswas1,355units. gillnet usedperboat. multiplied bytheaveragedailytotalof100mlengths total annualnumberoffishingdaysbyallboats The fishingef Fishing eff and rays)cod. species, including3tonneseachofelasmobranchs(sharks the totalcatch. barramundi. 90.8 tonnes,wereonceagainfarhigherthanthoseof The 1999/2000landingsofthreadfinsalmon,at Broome coast,andPilbaracoasttothe coast (sixriversystems),KingSound/FitzroyRiver considerations: CambridgeGulf/OrdRiver ef separately becauseofdif Each offiveprincipalfishingareasisconsidered Landings Commer RET Gillnet. Main fishingmethod been inanoveralldownwardtrendoverrecentyears. extends furthersouthtothe distribution ofbarramundicatchesin than intheprevious10years(Kimberley GillnetFigure1). reflecting anincreaseinabundance,notingthatef was greaterthanthoseofthepreviousthreeyears, (Kimberley GillnetFigure1). areas withinthefisherywere44.5tonnesfor1999/2000 landings ofbarramundiforallfourprescribedfishing coast arenotincludedinthetotalcatchfigure. fishery (belowlatitude19°S). the lastofwhichissouthprescribedrestrictedentry managed fisheryandarenotincludedinthisstatusreport). These catchesareoutsideoftheboundaries estern fort application,recreationalinterestandunitstock epar FISHERIES AINED SPECIES ed byS. g ate Y DESCRIPTION Australian waterslyingnorthof19°south cial pr ed Fisher or fort isslightlyhigherthanlastyear y GillnetandBarram These twomainspeciescomprised92%of t fort inthisgillnetfisheryiscalculatedasthe estern WESTERN There werereportedlandingsof18other A oduction (season1999–2000): fort forbarramundipeakedinthe late yvazian andG.Nowara Australia andthewatersofKing ds ofthelowwatermark During 1999/2000,thetotalef y StatusRepor cial Fisheries fering historiesofdevelopment, A Ashburton RivernearOnslow USTRALIA This catchofbarramundi Landings fromthePilbara Barram All species147tonnes . Access tothefishery W fort havefallen, Ashburton River estern – ST undi 44.5tonnes (Note: , Kimberley undi A t TE OF Australia , butlower T ‘all The otal fort has , THE FISHERIES REPOR fort ee , . highest inthepast12years(KimberleyGillnetFigure1). The currentCPUEisdownfromlastyear with anaccompanyingincreaseincatchperunitofef is sustainable. operates indicatethatfishingatcurrentlevelsinthisarea ef uncertainty intervals aroundtheannualestimatesindicategreater issue. FortheKingSoundfishery Management changesarebeingintroducedtoaddressthis prediction isthatthebiomasswillcontinuetodecline. the estimatedvir predicted futurebiomassfallsbetween20%and50%of both theBroomecoastandKingSoundsectors, has onlyjuststartedtorecoveracceptablelevels.For has beenatmuchlowerlevelsoverthepast20yearsand be under above 50%ofthevir 10 yearsintheseareas. ef coast fisherymodelpredictthatatcurrentcommercial The CambridgeGulffisherymodelandtheKimberley not available. a numberofassumptionsinherentinthemodels,are uncertainty aroundtheresultsbecausedatatoverify to thestatewideincrease. annual increaseinrecreationalparticipationthatissimilar commercial catchforthefishingarea,andarateof level (=ef data andanestimatedrecreationalcatchparticipation each ofthefourmodelsusescommercialcatchandef of thefourprincipalfishingareas. estimate biomassforthebarramundiassemblageeach A Stoc catch andef At thistimetherearenoavailablefiguresonrecreational Recreational component: saw sharksandrays. of speciesimportanttoothersectors, butdoestakesome lar barramundi andthreadfinsalmon. wide areaoftheKimberley The fisheryoperatesatarelativelylowintensityover Bycatc NON-RET vir local depletionapproachingthecriticallevelof20% breeding stocksinmostareasareadequate,withsome Assessment ofthebarramundistocksindicatesthat Breeding stoc Barramundi onaveragearefullyexploited. Exploitation status: ef involved. these impactsareunlikelytobe significant tothestocks fort trendsandourunderstandingofhowthefishery fort levels,thecatchwillbesustainablefornext fect ontheKimberley ecosystemasawhole. boot-strapped biomassdynamicsmodelwasusedto ge meshsizes,doesnotgenerate asignificantbycatch gin biomassintheBroomeregion. k assessmentcompleted: h speciesimpact: -exploited, notinghoweverthatCambridgeGulf fort) basedonapercentageofthe1999 AINED SPECIES Overall, thisfisheryislikelytohave little . However T 2000/2001 fort inthisarea. k le gin biomass.IntheBroomeregion vels: gin biomassandthestocksappearto , referencetohistoricalcatchand Because ofthelowef The estimatedbiomassremains There remainsahighdegreeof , specificallytar , lar The fishinggear The informationfor ge confidence , whichwasthe Full geting Not assessed fort levels, y e Adequate xploited , with fort. fort Lo Y es w Protected species interaction: Low EXTERNAL FACTORS The fishing gear used for this fishery does take some The barramundi stocks utilising the large, productive crocodiles. Because of the low effort levels, these Kimberley river systems as nursery areas are expected to impacts are unlikely to be significant. be reasonably resilient to fishing pressure. However, the smaller, isolated stocks along the Pilbara desert coastline ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS are likely to suffer more variable recruitment. These th Coast Food chain effects: Not assessed stocks are subject to relatively uncontrolled fishing under general wetline licence arrangements, as well as from Habitat effects: Not assessed recreational fishers, and are likely to need specific management arrangements in the future. SOCIAL EFFECTS Resource sharing between commercial and recreational The Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery fishers on the Ord River is a current issue. However, involved an average of about 23 fishers in 1999/2000. recent and anticipated levels of commercial fishing by There was additional employment through local existing operators pose no threat to the viability of the processors and distribution networks. resource. At current levels of fishing it is unlikely that the Bioregion – Nor abundance of fish is being significantly impacted by the ECONOMIC EFFECTS commercial sector. Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (1999–2000): All species $861,000 The stock assessment models developed for the Barramundi $424,000 barramundi fisheries cannot be improved without the allocation of more resources to the gathering of the data FISHERY GOVERNANCE necessary to test the model assumptions and to evaluate Acceptable catch range: Barramundi 25–40 tonnes the effects of proposed management changes. This projection is derived by double exponential Since 1995/96 the catch of threadfin salmon has been smoothed forecasting of the annual catches up to 1998/99 considerable, making it the major focus of this fishery and the variation of observations around the predictions. in recent years (Kimberley Gillnet Figure 2). As The confidence intervals are set at 80%. The future such, priority needs to be given to basic research on annual catch values which fall outside of this range these stocks. will be investigated. Where consecutive values occur outside of the range, management changes may need to be considered.

Fish catch (tonnes) Barramundi 60 5000 Catch (tonnes) 4500 50 CPUE (kg/100m net day) Effort (100m net days) 4000 3500 40 3000 30 2500 2000 20 1500 1000 10

500 Effort (100 m net days) CPUE (kg/100 m net days) 0 0 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 Year

KIMBERLEY GILLNET FIGURE 1 The annual catch, effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE, kg/100 m net day) for barramundi from the Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery over the period 1988/89 to 1999/2000.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 69 Commercial Fisheries

Fish catch (tonnes) Threadfin Salmon

th Coast 120 5000 Catch (tonnes) 4500 100 CPUE (kg/100m net day) Effort (100m net days) 4000 3500 80 3000 60 2500 2000

40 (100 m net days) 1500 1000 Bioregion – Nor 20

500 Effort CPUE (kg/100 m net days) 0 0 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 Year

KIMBERLEY GILLNET FIGURE 2 The annual catch, effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE, kg/100 m net day) for threadfin salmon from the Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery over the period 1988/89 to 1999/2000.

Northern Demersal Scalefish Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority Northern Demersal Scalefish Fishery Management Managed Fishery Plan 2000 Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery Licence MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Consultation Process The Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery Northern Demersal Scalefish Management Advisory (NDSMF) operates off the north-west coast of Australia in Committee the waters east of 120° E longitude. Commercial catches are dominated by tropical snappers (which include red RESEARCH SUMMARY emperor), the emperors or nor-west snappers (which A major three-year research project to assess the status of include goldband snapper), and the cods or gropers. the major fish stocks which contribute to this fishery was The Northern Demersal Scalefish Fishery Management completed in 2000. The information gathered is now Plan 2000 was developed and legislated during 2000 and being analysed to reassess the sustainable yield. Ongoing monitoring of this fishery is being undertaken using both commenced on 1 January 2001. This plan superseded the CAES data and VMS records. Northern Demersal Scalefish Fishery Interim Management Plan 1997 and converted the NDSMF to The following status report provides a synthesis of the managed fishery status. The Northern Demersal Scalefish current data from the fishery. Management Advisory Committee, NDSMF licensees and Fisheries WA have worked co-operatively to ensure that the new management arrangements are simple, Northern Demersal Scalefish Fishery enforceable, flexible and cost-effective. Status Report The fishery is managed by way of a series of input Prepared by S. Newman controls including individual transferable effort allocations, gear restrictions and area closures. In FISHERY DESCRIPTION addition, a nominal total sustainable catch (TSC) is allocated on an annual basis. In 2000, the TSC was Boundaries and access 800 tonnes of demersal scalefish. The waters of the NDSMF are defined as all Western Australian waters off the north coast of Western Australia With the exception of one case, all the objection tribunals east of longitude 120° E. These waters extend out to the pertinent to the NDSMF have been resolved. There are edge of the Australian Fishing Zone (200 nautical mile) presently three licensees authorised to fish in Area 1 of limit under the Offshore Constitutional Settlement the fishery and 11 licensees authorised to fish in Area 2. arrangements (Northern Demersal Scalefish Figure 1).

70 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 The fishery is further divided into two fishing zones, an Table 1). Line vessels operating within the NDSMF in inshore zone (Area 1) and an offshore zone (Area 2) (see recent years have struggled to be economically viable and Northern Demersal Scalefish Figure 1). The demersal most have looked to convert to trap fishing methods. This scalefish resources of the deeper waters of the offshore limited viability is the reason for the heavily reduced line zone (greater than 200 m depth) remain to be adequately effort evident for the period 1998–2000 (Northern investigated; these waters are shown on Northern Demersal Scalefish Table 1). th Coast Demersal Scalefish Figure 1 as a research fishing area. Catch rate The inshore waters in the vicinity of Broome are closed to Catch per unit effort for trap vessels in the NDSMF commercial fishing. The closed area extends from Cape increased in 1998, reflecting increases in efficiency as Bossut to Cape Coulomb, inside a line which approximates fishers sought to maximise their catch return from each as closely as possible the 30 m bathymetric contour. day fished as the fishery came under full management, Access to the NDSMF is currently limited to 11 licences with consequent limitation on the available fishing effort. under an individual transferable effort quota system. This Since 1998, CPUE for trap vessels has declined to allows the effort quota to be operated by a lesser number average historic levels. Bioregion – Nor of vessels. For example, during 2000, seven vessels collectively held and operated the effort individually Recreational component: Not assessed assigned to the 11 licences. At present there is little recreational fishing effort directed towards the deeper-water fish species in Area 2, which are Main fishing method the key species targeted by commercial fishers in the Principally fish traps, and to a lesser extent line fishing NDSMF. Most of the recreational fishing effort targeting methods such as handline and/or dropline. demersal finfish in the Kimberley region is thought to be expended in Area 1. However, the magnitude of this RETAINED SPECIES effort and the catch taken is still to be quantified. Commercial production (season 2000): 470 tonnes Stock assessment completed: Not assessed Landings The introduction of formal management procedures has restricted the number of vessels permitted to fish in the The reported catch in the NDSMF rose steadily in the waters of the NDSMF. A target TSC of 800 tonnes was period from 1992 to 1996 (Northern Demersal Scalefish adopted in order to constrain harvest rates until a stock Table 1 and Figure 2). However, catches have declined assessment of the key target species could be completed. from 1997 through to 2000. In the three years since the The control mechanism implemented to maintain a catch implementation of management controls, the reported level of approximately 800 tonnes was a restriction on the catch has ranged between 470 and 580 tonnes. The 2000 number of trap or line days fished by each vessel catch of demersal scalefish in the NDSMF is the lowest exploiting the NDSMF resource. Trap and line effort catch return of the last nine years. In particular, the trap units (fishing days) are allocated annually on the basis of catch in 2000 was down considerably on 1999 and on historical catch rate trends and set to enable the target historical levels (Northern Demersal Scalefish Table 1, catch to be achieved within each year. Decision rules Northern Demersal Scalefish Figure 2). The trap and line have been developed to manage variations in catch around fishery in the NDSMF principally targets red emperor the target TSC. The outcome from this effort (Lutjanus sebae) and goldband snapper (Pristipomoides determination process for the 2001 fishing season is noted multidens) with many species of snappers (Lutjanidae), in the ‘Acceptable catch range’ section below. emperors (Lethrinidae) and cods (Serranidae) comprising a large component of the landed by-product. A A major three-year FRDC-funded research project was breakdown of the landed catch in the NDSMF in 2000 is completed in 2000. The primary objective of this provided in Northern Demersal Scalefish Table 2. A research project was to undertake a formal assessment of number of operators within the NDSMF are also involved the key demersal finfish species in the NDSMF, red in other fishing activities in the region, such as trolling for emperor and goldband snapper. Goldband snapper live to Spanish mackerel. The catches of pelagic fishes such as at least 30 years. Growth parameters for the goldband -1 the mackerels are not included in the demersal scalefish snapper are L∞ = 598 mm, K = 0.187 yr , t0 = -0.173 2 catch. The catch of Spanish mackerel and other (r = 0.76). The instantaneous rate of natural mortality mackerels is reported on pp. 82-6. (M) was estimated to be in the range 0.104–0.139. Total instantaneous mortality rate (Z) estimates generated from catch-at-age data for goldband snapper, taking into Fishing effort account fishing effort levels were 0.65 for 1995/96, 0.87 The fish trap effort (in boat days fished) within the for 1996/97 and 0.76 for 1997/98. In 1999 fishers NDSMF has on average been declining since 1992. The increasingly targeted goldband snapper and this is likely fish trap effort in 2000 was down from that recorded in to have affected their catchability, and thus influenced the 1999, but was marginally higher than the 1998 level mortality estimates derived from catch-at-age information. (Northern Demersal Scalefish Table 1). As has been the This result is to be investigated further. The above case in both 1998 and 1999, a large proportion of the mortality estimates were used to calculate exploitation effort allocated to both line and trap vessels in the fishery rates. They ranged from 0.79 to 0.84 in the period from remained unutilised in 2000. The line effort recorded in 1995/96 through to 1997/98. These rates of exploitation 2000 was down on that recorded in 1999, but was higher for the NDSMF population of goldband snapper are than the 1998 line effort (Northern Demersal Scalefish considered to be above the optimum.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 71 Bioregion – North Coast 72 may alsobeabovetheoptimum. emperor of0.63in1997/98and0.571998/99,which exploitation ratesfortheNDSMFpopulationofred for 1997/98and0.281998/99. estimated fromcatch-at-agedataforredemperorwas0.32 0.104–0.122. mortality (M)wasestimatedtobeintherange evident forbothsexes. in thelongterm. whether the800tonne achieved inrecentyears,whichraisesthequestionof the tar fishery todeterminewhethergreaterspatialresolutionof next stepinthisprocessistolookatareaswithinthe approach haslookedatthefisheryinitsentirety for stockassessment. improve thespatialresolutionoftar Part ofthereviewprocesswillinvolveattemptingto tar to undertakeareviewoftheappropriatenesscurrent The resultsfromthestockassessmentworkwillbeused the keyspecies. and islikelytobeoperatingaboveoptimumlevelsfor These resultsindicatethatthefisheryisfullyexploited K =0.271yr with malefishreachingalar There wassignificantdif Red emperorwerefoundtoliveatleast34years. Commer management measuresotherthan thosedealingwithef Fishery managersandfisherswill thusneedtoconsider returning theseimmaturefishto thebreedingstock. size regulationsisunlikelytohave thedesiredef already deadormoribund),theintroduction ofminimum goldband snappercaughtbelow the sizeatmaturityare swim bladderover However snapper intheNDSMFisdeclining. results indicatethatthebreedingstocklevelofgoldband snapper landedintheperiodfrom1995to1999. decline inthemeanlengthandweightofgoldband maturity maturity snapper population consistsofimmaturefish. indicates thatalar snapper ofbothsexessampledoverthelastfiveyears frequency distributionofmorethan4,500goldband and allfishlandedaresenttomarket. minimum sizeforgoldbandsnapperwithinthefishery decompression injuries),thereiscurrentlynolegal impractical toreturnunder 8.2 yearsforfemalesand8males. length) formales,correspondingtoanageatmaturityof for femalesand470mmforklength(549total estimated tobe473mmforklength(552totallength) The lengthatmaturityforgoldbandsnapperwas Breeding stoc Key speciesareexploitedaboveoptimumlevels. Exploitation status: fish. K =0.151yr get sustainablecatchpriortothe2002fishingyear FISHERIES Growth parametersformaleswereL geted catchandef , 23%offishsampledwerebelowthesizeat . , whileforfemales41%werebelowthesizeat , giventhevulnerabilityofgoldbandsnapperto Furthermore, therehasbeenasignificant -1 -1 , t , t The instantaneousrateoftotalmortality(Z) WESTERN k le 0 0 Furthermore, the = 0.065. = -0.595,andforfemalesL ge proportionoftheharvested -expansion injuries(meaningthat vels: The presentstockassessment TSC issustainableorachievable The instantaneousrateofnatural fort dataispossible. cial Fisheries ferential growthbetweensexes, -size fish(dueto A Slow growthinlengthwas USTRALIA ger sizeatagethanfemale TSC hasnotbeen These resultsyield For malegoldband The length geted ef – ST Full ∞ = 628mm, A ∞ As itis TE OF y e = 483mm, fort used Dec . fect of xploited These The lining THE FISHERIES REPOR . , fort on anongoingbasis. emperor andgoldbandsnapperintheNDSMFisrequired Careful monitoringofthebreedingstocklevelred expended sincetheintroductionofformalmanagement. considered tobedecliningevenattheloweref breeding stocklevelofredemperorintheNDSMFis emperor landedintheperiodfrom1997to1999. significant declineinthemeanlengthandweightofred waters oftheNDSMF This isbelowthesizeatmaturityforredemperorin minimum sizeforredemperoris410mmtotallength. females and8yearsformales. corresponding toanageatmaturityof8.2yearsfor and 457mmforklength(491totallength)formales, be 429mmforklength(461totallength)forfemales The lengthatmaturityforredemperorwasestimatedto stock biomassfromfishing. closures designedtoprotectaportionofthespawning reductions. Suchmeasuresmayincludespatialarea there isalimitedquantityofby-catchinthisfishery As aresultofthemarketabilitymostspeciescaught, Bycatc NON-RET achieved in1999. fishers in2000wasmuchimproved ontheprices lower catch. value islowerthanthatreportedin1999owingtothe in 2000,foracatchvalueofover$2.63million. fishery landedatotalof470tonnesdemersalscalefish such asthegoldbandsnapperandredemperor The NDSMFprincipallytar Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS 21 peopleweredirectlyemployedintheNDSMF average crewlevelof3peoplepervessel,indicatingthat Seven vesselsfishedinthe2000fishingseasonwithan SOCIAL EFFECTS on videotobeableexittrapsifleftundisturbed. be significant,assimilarfishspecieshavebeenobserved with coralhabitats. on thehabitat,althoughtheremaybesomeinteraction As aresultofthegeardesign,fisheryhaslittleimpact Habitat eff Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS protected species. significant opportunitiesforthegeartointeractwith T Pr considered tobesignificant. Abalistes stellatus most commonby-catchspeciesisthestarrytriggerfish, rap fishingindeepwaterdoesnotcreateany otected speciesinteraction: h speciesimpact: hain eff AINED SPECIES T 2000/2001 ects: However ual v ects: , butthenumberstakenarenot ‘Ghost fishing’ alue (tofisher . , theaveragepricereceivedby In addition,therehasbeena gets thehigher The currentlegal by trapsisunlikelyto s) f or y -value species Not assessed $2.63 million ear (2000): . fort levels Negligib The . This The . Lo Lo The le w w FISHERY GOVERNANCE management plan which took effect on 1 January 2001, Acceptable catch (or effort) range: 600–1,000 tonnes licensees can now chose either fish traps or lines on a For the year 2001, the total allowable effort has been set trip-by-trip basis. Hence, the low level of line fishing at 1,320 fishing days distributed equally among the effort in the NDSMF is expected to continue. licences operating in the fishery. At this level of effort Recreational fishing pressure in the Broome region is th Coast and at recent catch rates, the catch is expected to be in the considered to be increasing, and potentially involves range 600–1,000 tonnes. thousands of anglers per year. A recreational creel survey However, a three-year research project to reassess the was undertaken between December 1999 and November long-term sustainable catch level is expected to indicate 2000 to determine the magnitude and composition of the that a reduction in the TSC is needed. This is in keeping recreational fishing catch between Exmouth and Broome. with the inability of the fleet to achieve the 800-tonne Results from this survey should become available in 2002 TSC in the past four years. to assess the degree of overlap between the two sectors.

EXTERNAL FACTORS The future catch from the NDSMF may also involve the stocks from waters greater than 200 m depth. This area of Bioregion – Nor The current assessment of the status of the key species, in the fishery is available as a research fishing zone and association with a declining catch rate in 2000, is likely to confirm that the current TSC needs to be revised fishers have the option to explore the deeper waters, downwards in future years. though to date industry has shown little interest in doing so. However, the resources of this sub-region are unlikely There has also been reduced line effort in the period from to be substantial. Given the even lower production 1998 to 2000, probably reflecting the reduced viability of potential of deeper-slope reef fish, the sustainable catch line fishers presently in the NDSMF. Under the from this zone is likely to be quite low.

122oE 124oE 126oE 128oE

y dar Boun 12oS AFZ

14oS

Research fishing zone Area 2

Wyndham 16oS Area 1

Prohibited fishing zone 18oS Broome Research fishing zone Area 1 (inshore)

Area 2 (offshore)

AFZ boundary

NORTHERN DEMERSAL SCALEFISH FIGURE 1 Boundaries and access areas of the Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 73 Commercial Fisheries

Northern Demersal Scalefish Catch 1,000,000 Total Trap th Coast 800,000 Line

600,000

Catch (kg) 400,000

Bioregion – Nor 200,000

0 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 Year

NORTHERN DEMERSAL SCALEFISH FIGURE 2 Catches of demersal finfish in the NDSMF by line and trap, 1989–2000.

NORTHERN DEMERSAL SCALEFISH TABLE 1 Catches of demersal finfish by line and trap in the NDSMF, 1989–2000. Note that the NDSMF came under full management in 1998 and effort levels have been limited in each year since.

Year Total allowable Line Fish trap Total catch (kg) effort Catch Effort* Catch Effort (days) (kg) (block days)** (kg) (block days)** 1989 23,979 267 26,649 81 50,628 1990 4,638 91 202,783 395 207,421 1991 16,031 255 316,228 750 332,259 1992 29,607 433 695,954 1,776 725,561 1993 23,507 283 747,215 1,713 770,722 1994 71,763 453 656,937 1,349 728,700 1995 265,798 1,204 555,162 1,200 820,960 1996 242,590 1,319 706,063 1,412 948,653 1997 146,548 788 555,172 1,293 701,720 1998 1,684 44,863 79 497,154 869# 542,017 1999 1,716 91,045 228 485,918 971# 576,963 2000 1,562 68,543 148 401,487 890# 470,080

* Line methods that have been selected for the calculation of effort include handline, dropline and longline only. ** Block days are defined as the number of days on which fishing occurred in a particular block by a particular vessel (that is, block boat days). # Trap fishing effort from 1998 onwards has been converted to standard trap fishing days for comparison with previous years.

74 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 NORTHERN DEMERSAL SCALEFISH TABLE 2 Demersal finfish catch in tonnes and the percentage composition of each of the major species taken by trap and line fishers in the NDSMF in 2000. th Coast Species group Line Fish trap Total catch Tonnes % Tonnes % Tonnes Red emperor 3.1 0.7 85.7 18.2 88.8 Goldband snapper 48.2 10.3 136.8 29.1 185.0 Cod 4.4 0.9 70.3 15.0 74.7 Spangled emperor - - 11.4 2.4 11.4 Scarlet perch 6.0 1.3 16.8 3.6 22.8 Red snapper 2.2 0.5 5.2 1.1 7.4 Bioregion – Nor Other species 4.7 1.0 75.3 16.0 80.0 All demersal finfish 68.6 14.6 401.5 85.4 470.1

Pilbara Trap Management Plan 1992 Pilbara Demersal Finfish Fisheries Fishing Boat Licence (line fishing)

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Consultation Process The majority of demersal finfish produced from the North Agency–industry meetings West Shelf are taken by fish trawling activities, with a smaller proportion taken by fish traps and line. Both the RESEARCH SUMMARY Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery and the Baseline research for managing these important fish Pilbara Trap Managed Fishery operate under individual stocks was conducted in two FRDC-funded projects from transferable effort (ITE) regimes monitored by the 1993 to 1999, providing a basis for long-term research satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System. monitoring of the stocks.

The Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery In addition, research surveys of the deeper areas adjacent commenced in 1998 when a number of fishing boats with to the existing trawl grounds have been completed under a conditions authorising fish trawling were brought under a separate FRDC-funded project. management plan. The fishery is controlled through a combination of area closures, gear restrictions, and total The following status report, which provides a synthesis of and area effort limitations. Since the fishery came into a the data from the fishery, utilises the results of this earlier formal management framework, effort has been reduced research and some ongoing monitoring. and redistributed to achieve the best yield from the fishery while keeping exploitation rates of key indicator species (red emperor and Rankin cod) at sustainable levels. Pilbara Demersal Finfish Fisheries Eleven licences currently exist to operate in the fishery, Status Report with a total of 29,568 trawl units allocated. Unit values for 2001 reflect values between 0.6 and 1.1 trawl hours Prepared by P. Stephenson and J. King per unit, dependent on the zones being fished.

The new ITE management arrangements introduced into FISHERY DESCRIPTION the Pilbara Trap Managed Fishery in January 2000 dealt Boundaries and access with the issue of latent effort in the fishery and proved The Pilbara Trap Managed Fishery (Pilbara Figure 1) lies effective at holding the fishery within its acceptable 300 north of latitude 21°44' S and between longitudes tonne limit. However, the ability of the fishery to target 114°9'36" E and 120° E on the landward side of a red emperor may require species limits in the future. boundary approximating the 200 m isobath and seaward of a line generally following the 30 m isobath. This has Some demersal scalefish are also taken by ‘wetline only’ been a managed fishery since 1992. In 2000, effort quota vessels which do not have access to specific managed was introduced, with allocation of transferable trap units fisheries. monitored by VMS.

Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority The boundaries of the Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery Management Managed Fishery (Pilbara Figure 1) are the waters lying Plan 1997 north of latitude 21°35' S and between longitudes

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 75 Bioregion – North Coast 76 discussion paperinNovember1997. by thegeneralwetlinefleetbeganwithreleaseofa illustrated inPilbaraFigure2. the trawlandtrapfisheries. In addition,somewetlinefishingoccursintheareasof of alinegenerallyfollowingthe50mdepthcontour boundary approximatingthe200misobathandseaward 1 Commer (22 tonnes). 27 tonnes(52tonnes),andredsnapper 27tonnes goldband snapper30tonnes(38 tonnes), Rankincod (55 tonnes),bluespotemperor39 tonnes(27tonnes), figures inbrackets)wereredemperor 40tonnes quota. Majorspeciestakenbytrap fishingin2000(1999 to 257tonnesin2000duetheintroductionofef The trapfisherycatchdecreasedfrom351tonnesin1999 52 tonnes,bugs5andcuttlefish23tonnes. (34 tonnes). 65 tonnes(72tonnes)andRankincod25 goldband snapper75tonnes(82tonnes),scarletperch (189 tonnes),threadfinbream187tonnes(217 emperor 68tonnes(78tonnes),flagfish166 (445 tonnes),redsnapper252tonnes(230 catch inbrackets)werebluespotemperor401tonnes increasing. of mostthemajorspeciesdecreasingandredsnapper similar speciescompositiontothatin1999,withthecatch The 2000trawlfisherydemersalscalefishcatchhada 1,995 tonnes,257and59tonnesrespectively Demersal scalefishcatchbytrawl,trapandlinewas years 1985to2000areshowninPilbara T Catch ofthemajorspeciesfor2000isshowninPilbara Landings Commer RET and trappingbeingrelativelyminorcomponents. T Main fishingmethod Interim ManagedFisheryManagementPlan1997. Management Plan1992andthePilbaraFish sectors ofthePilbarafisheryarelistedin fishery where specificfishingactivitiesarepermittedwithinthis Pilbara Figure1isageneraldiagramshowingareas boundaries forsixmanagementsub-areas. the interimmanagementplanintroducedin1998setdown of thefishery trawl fisheryconsistsoftwozones. monitored by Areas 1to6. licence unitswithvaryingtimeallocationsthroughout 14°9'36" Eand120°onthelandwardsideofa able 1. rawling isthedominantfishingmethod,withline FISHERIES AINED SPECIES . The exactlatitudesandlongitudesdelineatingthe The catchesbydif cial pr The majortar There isnoby-product inthisfishery , iscurrentlynotbeingtrawled. The mainby-productspecieswereshark The allocatedef VMS. WESTERN oduction (season2000): cial Fisheries get specieslanded(with1999 A ferent fishingmethodsforthe USTRALIA Planning forlimitingaccess fort quotaistransferableand Zone 1,inthewest Tr aw – ST T T rap 257tonnes Line 59tonnes able 2and l 2,075tonnes There are1 A T TE OF In Zone2, rawl . fort . THE FISHERIES REPOR . T The rap 1 shown inPilbara percentage oftheallocationusedfrom1998to2000are monitoring system),thenumberofhoursused,and in eachareaofthefishery(verifiedbyasatellite time vessels. In thetrawlfleetthereareequivalentofsevenfull- commercial fisheryisshowninPilbara The fishingef Fishing eff Report (pp.82-6). mackerel catchintheSpanishMackerelStocksStatus Shark FisheriesStatusReport(pp.87-8),andthe shark catchisreportedinmoredetailtheNorthCoast 103 tonnesofmackerelwerecaughtinthePilbara. (which includestheNorthCoastSharkFisherycatch)and (6 tonnes).Inaddition,187tonnesofsharksandrays Rankin cod5tonnes(5tonnes)andredemperor7 mainly spangledemperor18tonnes(12in1999), higher at59tonnes(50in1999),comprising Demersal scalefishcatchesbylinefishingwereslightly the reportednumber ofdaysfished)wereslightly higher Catch ratesforthetrapfisheryand linefishing(basedon the trawlfishery have decreasedintherecentlydeveloped The catchrates(basedonnominalef Catch r unrestricted andunderreview report (pp.82-6). include trolling,whichisreportedintheSpanishmackerel compared with453daysin1999. In 2000,linefishersreportedoperatingfor500days, with anaverageof1 5,000 unitswereused. multiplied bynumberoftraps)wereallocatedin2000and compared with842daysin1999. 518 daysfishinginstatutorymonthlyreturns2000, Five trapboatsusingbetween10and12trapsreported ef ef The managementplanallowsforsomeflexibilityinthe upwards infutureyears. means thattheobservedcatchrates arelikelytobebiased used totar become moreexperiencedandelectronic equipmentis trawl fleethasprobablycontinuedtoincreaseasskippers ef ef ef rosy threadfinbream. fishery emperor catchratesincreasedinallareasofthetrawl Areas 2and3itisincreasing. rate forredemperorisstabilisingatalowlevel,whilein trawling in 4 (comparedwith12%and5%in1999). from skippers’ 2000 isalsorecordedasthenetbottomtime(hours)taken however forthetrawlfishery fort over fort distributionbetweenareas,whichresultedinan fort in fort allocationwillberedistributedin2001toreduce fort indaysisfrommonthlycatchandef . ate Area 1,themostheavilyexploitedarea. No declineincatchratesisevidentforflagfishor get fish. -run in2000of17% T 2000/2001 Area 6,theresearchzone,in2000. or t fort inthetrap,lineandtrawlsectorsof The numberofhoursallocatedtothefleet logbook data. . In T Line fishinginthePilbaraisstill able 4. This expectedef Area 1ofthetrawlfishery 1.6 trapsperday However This equatesto505.6daysfished , theef . Rankin codandbluespot , theef Area 2and10%in This ef 5,867 trapunits(days fort from1991to ficiency increase fort) forredemperor . ficiency ofthefish T able 3. Areas 4and5of fort doesnot There wasno fort returns, , thecatch The 2001 The The Area in 2000 than 1999, apparently due to the increasing skill fallen below the reference point in Area 1 in the period of operators. 1997–2000. However, this represents a local depletion, as Area 1 consists of only one-eighth of the area where this Recreational component: Not assessed species occurs in the Pilbara fishery. The overall recovery of the spawning stocks in Areas 1, 2, and 3 of the trawl Stock assessment completed: Yes fishery is expected following the 1999 effort reductions th Coast Red emperor and blue spot emperor were used as and the 2001 effort redistribution. Careful ongoing indicators of long-lived and short-lived species. monitoring is required to ensure compliance with effort reductions in order to maintain satisfactory breeding stock Trawl fishery: The effort reduction introduced in 1999 levels of the long-lived species within the fishing zone. appears have arrested the decline in the catch rates. An age-structured model (using biological information, age NON-RETAINED SPECIES structure, catch from 1989 to 2000 and catch rates from Bycatch species impact: Low 1993 to 2000) was used to assess the red emperor and Owing to the relatively large mesh size used by the fish blue spot emperor stocks in Areas 1 to 5. The assessment trawl fishery, there is only a small bycatch of under-size Bioregion – Nor criterion was that ‘the spawning biomass should not and unmarketable finfish. For the trap and line fisheries, decrease below 25% of the estimated virgin level in the bycatch is minimal. fishing area’. Protected species interaction: Medium The virgin biomass, with upper and lower confidence values, was determined using trawl, trap, line, and charter The trawl fishery involves the occasional capture of catches and the effort levels adopted in 2001 (Pilbara dolphins which are apparently attracted to the trawl while Table 4) were projected into the future. The assessment it is operating. The significance of these accidental indicated that the lower estimate of the spawning biomass captures, relative to the population size and natural of red emperor in Area 1 declined to 17% of the virgin mortality of the North West Shelf dolphin population, is level in 1998 and would stabilise at a low level of 16% not expected to be great, but needs to be assessed further. after 2001. In Area 2, the lower estimated spawning Sea snakes are occasionally captured in the fish trawl nets biomass was 25% of the virgin level in 1998, and then but are returned alive to the sea in most cases. There is increased, with an expected value of 30% in 2006. no turtle catch in the trap, line or fish trawl fishery, In Area 3, which is closed to fishing, the biomass fell to 30% of the virgin level in 1998 and is expected to rise ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS to 58% of the virgin level by 2006. Overall, in the Food chain effects: Medium western half of the fishery (Areas 1, 2, and 3), the lower The current fish trawl fishery operates with standard stern estimate of spawning stock reached a minimum of 25% trawling gear (single net with extension sweeps) within an of the virgin level and would be expected to rise to 35% area previously trawled by a Taiwanese fleet. Historical by 2006. research by CSIRO has suggested that the extensive Taiwanese pair trawl fishery caused a significant decrease Blue spot emperor spawning biomass would be expected in the biomass of finfish on the North West Shelf, and a to decline in Area 1 for the next few years, but then change in species composition towards smaller species. remain steady at a level above the assessment criteria. The current Australian trawl fishery, which developed There was no indication of decline for this species in when the fish stocks had somewhat recovered, uses a Areas 2 or 3. For both red emperor and blue spot much larger mesh size and much lighter ground rope, and emperor, there was insufficient information for an operates at lower exploitation rates. At the now permitted assessment to be made in Areas 4 or 5. On the basis of levels of trawl and trap exploitation, a higher standing this modelling, the 2000 effort allocation was continued stock is maintained, although all sectors selectively into 2001. harvest the larger individuals of many of the top-end predators. Overall the fishery is likely to have only a Trap fishery: The effort quota introduced in 2000 moderate impact on the food chain of the North West reduced catches to a level below the recommended cap of Shelf outside 50 m. 300 tonnes. In the portion of the trap fishery west of 116° E the catch rates of red emperor are still decreasing, Habitat effects: Medium and although the data is very limited, there appears to be Impacts to the habitat are restricted to those of the trawl serious growth over-fishing in this area. fishery, which in turn is restricted to a relatively low Line fishing: The line catch was low in 2000, but there is proportion of the North West Shelf (Pilbara Figure 1). some concern that it consists mainly of a few species Area 3 and the waters inside 50 m are permanently closed vulnerable to line fishing (e.g. Rankin cod, red emperor to trawling, Zone 1 is currently closed to trawling, and and spangled emperor). Area 6 has had no trawl effort allocation in 2000. Effective impact is further lessened by the concentration Exploitation status: Fully exploited of effort in the west of the fishery where the habitat is already most disturbed, with low effort in the east where Breeding stock levels: Adequate habitat is least disturbed. Breeding stocks of the short-lived species have been assessed as adequate in the fishing area overall. The Within the area open to trawling, research has indicated spawning biomass of red emperor was estimated to have that approximately 10% of the sessile benthic fauna

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 77 Bioregion – North Coast 78 each speciesassuppliedbyfishprocessors. This estimateisbasedonthelandedweightandpriceof Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS not assessed. trap fishery 2000 onPilbaratrawlfishingvessels,and9fishersinthe It isestimatedthat18fisherswereemployedduring SOCIAL EFFECTS Commer increase theeconomic returnfromthefishery increasing catchesofthelar methods whichincreasecatches of thesespecieswithout are probablyunder The smallerspeciessuchasflagfish andthreadfinbream species inthisarea. exploited, andthesamemaybetrueofotherlong-lived fishery westofthetrawlappeartobeover The stocksofredemperorintheportiontrap appears tohavebeenarrested,albeitatalowlevel. of thetrawlfishery recovery willoccurforotherlong-livedspecies.In red emperorstocks,anditisanticipatedthatsimilar In 1999and2000therehasbeennoticeablerecoveryof trawl fisheryduetounusedef the trapfisheryduetoef fishing in2000. There wasaslightincreaseincatchandef EXTERNAL F trawl and150–300tonnesfortrap. in 2001indicatesacatchrangeof1,900–2,200tonnesfor ef relationship betweenmorerecentcatchesandfishing the acceptablecatchrangehasbeendeterminedfrom have beendecreasesincatchoverthelastfouryears,and years. Inthetrawlfishery the catchvariationoftar In thetrapandlinefisheries,catchrangeisbasedon Acceptab FISHER processing sector Australian metropolitanmarketsandsupportthelocalfish The catchesfromthesefisheriesdominatethe 12 months. There hasbeenlittleoverallincreaseinpricesthelast Area 1wheretheef (e.g. sponges)isdetachedperyear $1.2 millionand$0.3respectively emperor andjobfish,thevaluesareapproximately catches aredominatedbythevaluablespeciessuchasred bream, andthevalueis$7million. valued speciessuchasbluespotemperorandthreadfin whether thisexceedstherateofregrowth. fort. FISHERIES The ef Y GO le catc . The trawlfishcatchisdominatedbylower fort allocationinthetrawlandtrapfisheries The levelofemploymentinlinefishingis VERNANCE A WESTERN ual v CT . Conversely h rang -exploited. , thedeclineinredemperorstock ORS fort isconcentrated. alue (tofisher cial Fisheries fort quotaintroduction,andinthe e: , duetoef A ge, long-livedspeciescould USTRALIA get speciesoverthelastseven , catchandef T fort quotabysomevessels. Development offishing ra wl , withhigherratesin T fort reduction,there rap Line The trapandline s) f 1,900–2,200 tonnes – ST or y 150–300 tonnes It isnotknown fort decreasedin . 50–115 tonnes fort forline A ear (2000): . TE OF $8.5 million W estern - Area 1 THE FISHERIES REPOR - This isnotexpectedtoadverselyaf years duetoexclusionareasforgaspipelineandfacilities. The areaavailableforfishershasdecreasedoverrecent should beverylimited. limited andiffishingistobeallowedinthisarea,it Research Divisionsuggestthatstocksinthiszoneare over and 140marelikelytobehighlyvulnerable species areconcentratedbetweenthedepthsof100m In thedeep-waterzone(100–200mdepth),fish redistribution oftrawlef habitat torecruitmentinorderassistfuturedecisionson habitat distribution,recoverytimesand Research isneededtoobtainmoredetailedinformationon -fishing. T 2000/2001 Industry surveysmonitoredbythe fort. fect fishcatches. the importanceof PILBARA TABLE 1 Commercial catches in tonnes (to the nearest tonne) and the percentages (to the nearest 1%) of each major species taken by trawl, trap and line in the Pilbara in 2000.

Fish trawl catch Trap catch Line catch Total catch tonnes % tonnes % tonnes % tonnes th Coast Red emperor 68 59% 40 35% 7 6% 115 Rankin cod 25 44% 27 47% 5 9% 57 Scarlet perch 65 76% 18 21% 2 3% 85 Red snapper 252 90% 27 10% 2 0% 281 Goldband snapper 75 67% 30 27% 6 6% 111 Spangled emperor 27 39% 25 42% 18 26% 70 Blue spot emperor 401 91% 39 9% - - 440 Bioregion – Nor Flagfish 166 98% 3 2% - - 169 Threadfin bream 187 100% 0 - - 187 Frypan snapper 45 98% 1 2% - - 46 Other demersal scalefish 684 91% 47 6% 2 3% 750 All demersal scalefish 1,995 86% 257 11% 59 3% 2,311 Shark and ray 52 22% 0 187 78% 239 Other by-product 28 0 0 28

PILBARA TABLE 2 Summary of reported commercial catches (tonnes) of demersal scalefish by line, trap and trawl in the Pilbara fishery as well as shark catch by all methods, scombrid catch by trolling and charter catch.

Year Demersal scalefish Troll Shark Charter Line Trap Trawl Total 1985 180 168 - 348 132 22 - 1986 65 113 - 178 97 25 - 1987 67 192 3 262 119 19 - 1988 136 243 3 382 79 24 - 1989 104 457 124 685 116 29 - 1990 157 407 421 985 209 57 - 1991 107 119 754 980 196 132 3 1992 63 148 1,413 1,624 125 273 7 1993 67 178 1,724 1,969 160 143 7 1994 79 207 2,506 2,792 144 144 12 1995 95 222 2,821 3,138 131 67 15 1996 136 302 3,201 3,639 119 123 33 1997 109 234 2,630 2,973 152 96 22 1998 78 250 2,512 2,840 121 333 36 1999 50 371 2,136 2,419 113 232 47 2000 59 257 1,995 2,314 130 244 27

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 79 Commercial Fisheries

PILBARA TABLE 3 Summary of effort in the Pilbara fishery. The trap, line and trawl effort (days) is from monthly catch and effort returns. The trawl effort (hours) is nominal effort from operators’ logbook data.

Year Line Trap Trawl Trawl th Coast (days) (days) (days) (hours) 1985 809 709 - - 1986 655 548 19 - 1987 614 507 17 - 1988 985 804 32 - 1989 863 1,198 310 - 1990 1,332 1,321 698 - 1991 740 472 1,132 8,660 Bioregion – Nor 1992 514 681 983 10,030 1993 876 696 832 10,725 1994 732 545 1,484 22,087 1995 852 608 1,571 21,529 1996 814 513 1,550 25,246 1997 809 483 1,389 19,810 1998 692 503 1,291 20,555 1999 453 842 1,139 15,963 2000 500 518 957 14,084

PILBARA TABLE 4 The number of hours allocated, the number of hours used and the percentage of the allocation used in each area of the Pilbara trawl fishery (and, for 2000, in the Pilbara trap fishery).

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Total 1998 time allocation 17136 3,360 0 3,360 5,712 29,568 TRAWL time used 15,076 3,842 0 3,736 4,955 27,609 % of time used 88% 114% - 111% 87% 93% 1999 time allocation 11,481 3,360 0 3,057 5,198 23,096 TRAWL time used 10,237 3,767 0 3,213 4,973 22,190 % of time used 89% 112% - 105% 96% 96% 2000 time allocation 11481 3360 0 3057 5198 23096 TRAWL time used 9438 3928 0 3358 4476 21199 % of time used 82% 117% - 110% 86% 92% 2000 time allocation 0 524 TRAP time used 0 507 % of time used - 97%

80 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Catches ofdemersalscalefish (tonnes)inthePilbar PILB Demersal scalefishfisher PILB regions inZone2ofthetr ARA FIGURE2 ARA FIGURE1

Catch (tonnes) 3,000 3,500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 21 20 19 18 500 ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ I NDIAN 0

1984 Tp O ies ofthePilbar CEAN a wl fisher Tw Pilbara DemersalScalefishCatchbyGearType Tp = Tw 11 =

1986 5 T T ˚ Key Onslow rap fishing rawl fishing FISHERIES Zone 2 Zone 1 Scalefish catchbyfishtrawl Scalefish catchbytrap Scalefish catchbyline y . Tp 1988 a regionof WESTERN Area 1 1 Area 1990 a fisher W A Samson Area 2 2 Area Y ester 11 USTRALIA Point ear 7

1992 ˚ y b n A y tr ustr Area 3 3 Area ap – ST 1994 alia. , lineandtr W A Area 4 4 Area estern Australia Australia estern TE OF Tp Areas 1to6ref 1996 Tw & Tp THE FISHERIES REPOR Port Hedland a wl. 11 9 ˚

1998 5 Area Area 6 6 Area er tothemanagement

2000 T 2000/2001 81

Bioregion – North Coast Bioregion – North Coast 82 during the2001season. consultation withindustryandisunlikelytobeinstigated use of on previouscatchhistories. contain moreboatswithrestrictionstofishingef fishery would haveunlimitedaccesstodesignatedsectorsofthe Subject toongoingreviewofthefishery with strictercriteriaandfewerboatsinthefishery fishery with twoseparateoptionsproposedformanagingthe boats whichmeetcertainfishinghistoryandcatchcriteria, preparation. interim managementplan(IMP)iscurrentlyin that thespeciesmaybeindangerofover over increasedcatchesandanecdotalevidencetosuggest which specificallytar fisheries, andatpresentthereareonlyabout10boats made opportunisticallybyboatsoperatingwithinother wetline fleetfortheyear). was reportedby68boatsduring2000(18%ofthetotal all commerson), underthegeneralwetlineaccessavailableto Fishing forSpanishmackerel MANA Commer findings forthisfishery The followingstatusreportsummarisestheresearch project inJune2002. should beavailableattheconclusionofcurrent required fortheIMP interviews withindustry provided byindustrytoFisheries stocks hasbeenundertakenusingtheCAESrecords preliminary evaluationofthestatusSpanishmackerel of biologicalinformationonSpanishmackerel. waters. status ofSpanishmackerelstocksin FRDC-funded projectbegan,aimedatdeterminingthe project isdueforcompletionin2001.In1999asecond In 1998,ajoint RESEARCH SUMMAR Fishing BoatLicence Fish ResourcesManagementRegulations1995 Governing Legislation/Fishing markers, stableisotoperatiosandparasiticfauna. mackerel intheseStatescommenced,usinggenetic project todeterminethestockstructureofSpanish 90 cmtotallength. recreational fishersissubjecttoaminimumlegalsizeof capture ofSpanishmackerelbycommercialand per anglerdayisalsoinplace. Spanish Mac FISHERIES W estern VMS technology . Underthesecondoption,fisherywould . The firstoftheseisalow-cost,simplealternative GEMENT SUMMAR The mainfocusofthisresearchisthegathering Australian licensedcommercialfishingboats, This planwillrestrictthemackerelfisheryto WESTERN W A/NT/Qld FRDC-fundedresearch A . kerel Fisher get mackerel. recreational baglimitoffourfish Results fromthestockassessment . . . cial Fisheries The IMP In additiontotheIMP This informationhasbeen A Most ofthesecatcheswere This optionwouldrequirethe USTRALIA Y (Scomber Authority Y W has involvedsignificant A, andfrom Owing toconcerns W estern omorus – ST y , theseboats -fishing, an A Australian TE OF , the A fort based . This THE FISHERIES REPOR changes totheboundariesbetweenthem. fishery isnowreportedinfoursectors,withresultant ongoing consultationwithindustryovertheIMP and likelyboundariesoftheIMP three sectorsbasedonoverallcatches,fishingmethods Spanish mackerelfishingwaspreviouslyreportedunder clarified attheendofstockstructureproject. important stockandmanagementimplications,willbe along thecoast. viable. during summerwhenthecoastalfisheryisgenerallynot time dispersedindeeperof shoals. surface incoastalareasaroundreefs,headlandsand Spanish mackerelareusuallycapturedatornearthe fishers alsoreportsmallcatchesasfarsouth conditions permit.Onrareoccasions(including2001), the PilbaraandKimberleyregionswhenweather to October Most ofthecommercialcatchistakenfromMaythrough commercially fromGeraldtonnorthtotheNT W Spanish mackerelarewidespreadthroughouttheIndo- Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Spanish Mac the Gascoynesector Fishing gearandmethodsarethe sameasthoseusedin W trunked andsoldlocallyorsent to Perthmarkets. for export,whilefishlandedatother portsareusually and Quobba-basedfishersareusuallykeptwholeinbrine 20–30 kglineandwiretrace. lasting onetofivedays. length andarecrewedbyonetotwopersonsfortrips 23° S. Gascoyne sector: and soldlocallyorsenttoPerthmarkets. last lessthanaweek,andtheproductistrunked,brined, come fromthePortHedlandarea. In recentyearsthemaincatchesfromthissectorhave one totwocrewusing180kgmonolineandwiretrace. area arebetween9and15minlength(nodories),with 1 Pilbara sector: filleted, boxedandfrozen. weeks. five, andfishingtripsgenerallylastbetweenonethree line andwiretrace),crewsnumberbetweenthree relatively heavy(8–10mmropewitha200+kgmono 20 minlength.Fishinggearusedthissectoris two tothreelinesandworkamotherboatthatisabout 121° E(previously120°E)totheNT is restrictedtothissector Kimberley sector: 14° Eto121°andnorthof23°S. est coastsector: est Pacific. epar V ed byM.Mackie It isalsolikelythatSpanishmackerelmigrate Anecdotal evidencesuggeststhatmanyalsospend Mackerel capturedinthissectorareusually essels usedinthisareaarebetween7and15m Y DESCRIPTION , withminorcatchesmadeduringsummerin T 2000/2001 In The extentofthesemovementshas W This sectorextendsfromlongitude kerel Stoc estern , withmostcatches obtainedfromthe This sectorextendsfrom The useofdories(5–6.5mdinghies) This sectorextendssouthof27° S. , whichextendseastoflongitude Gear usedisrodandreelwith Australia, theyarefished fshore waters,particularly Fish caughtbyCarnarvon . However k StatusRepor Fishing tripsusually V border essels usedinthis , asaresultof . Doriestroll 27° Sto border Albany , the . . t Geraldton and Abrolhos areas. Few commercial mackerel serious concern over the status of the stocks; however, catches are made south of Geraldton, and this sector may this seems unlikely because catch rates in this sector still remain within the general wetline fishery following remain relatively high (Spanish Mackerel Figure 2), and implementation of the IMP. the pattern of fish abundance during 2000 was considered unusual by fishers. Catches in the Pilbara sector during Main fishing method 2000 were slightly above the acceptable catch range for th Coast Trolling. that year, again due in part to the unusual pattern of mackerel abundance along the coast. The 2000 Pilbara RETAINED SPECIES catches continue a rising trend that sees them approaching the peak catches of the mid-1980s, which are considered Landings unsustainable (Spanish Mackerel Figure 1). Catches in Commercial production (season 2000): 304.7 tonnes the Gascoyne sector during 2000 were within the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) is the projected catch range (noting that the change in target species and may comprise 95% of the catch. Grey boundaries and the addition of the west coast sector

mackerel (S. semifasciatus) is the dominant by-product, makes comparisons less valid). Bioregion – Nor particularly in the Gascoyne and west coast sectors where it is sometimes captured in large numbers. However, Annual catches of other species of mackerel, including the because fishing methods need to be modified in order to grey or broad-barred mackerel (Scomberomorus catch this species in quantity, it is essentially a separate semifasciatus), school mackerel (S. queenslandicus), fishery. Other by-products of Spanish mackerel fishing spotted mackerel (S. munroi) and shark mackerel include school, spotted and shark mackerel, wahoo, cobia, (Grammatorcynus bicarinatus), are shown in Spanish blue- and yellowfin tuna, smaller sharks and the Mackerel Table 1. Grey mackerel are sometimes captured occasional reef fish such as spangled emperor and coral in large numbers but are usually present in the fishery for trout. Quantities of mullet, whiting and similar species are only one or two months each year. This species, which also netted by some fishers for use as bait in their makes up approximately 80% of the ‘other mackerel’ mackerel fishing operations. catch, is becoming more targeted in the Gascoyne sector and will be reported as a separate species in 2002. The total catch of 304.7 tonnes of Spanish mackerel in (Catches of grey, school and spotted mackerel are now 2000 comprised 118.3 tonnes from the Kimberley sector, recorded separately in the CAES database.) School and 103.4 tonnes from the Pilbara, 68.1 tonnes from the shark mackerel species make up approximately 7% each Gascoyne and 14.9 tonnes from the west coast. (It should of the ‘other mackerel’ catch. Annual fluctuations in the be noted that the catch figures expressed here may differ catch of other mackerel are thus mainly due to variability from those given in previous reports owing to the changes in the capture of grey mackerel. Catches of other in sector boundaries, the introduction of a new sector, and mackerel in the Kimberley and Pilbara show particular the use of an improved conversion factor for filleted to year-to-year variability. In 2000, the catches of whole weight – previously 3, now 1.6.) 14.3 tonnes in the Kimberley sector were at their lowest Annual catches in the Kimberley sector rose slowly level since 1989, coinciding with decreased catches of between 1979 and 1990, before a significant increase in Spanish mackerel, whilst in the Pilbara sector catches catches from 45.4 tonnes in 1990 to 160.7 tonnes in 1991 improved from 7.9 tonnes in 1999 to 27.1 tonnes in 2000. when two of the four main present-day operators entered Catches of other mackerel in the Gascoyne sector have the fishery (Spanish Mackerel Figure 1 and Table 1). generally been on the increase despite periods of low Between 1991 and 1998 the trend in catches increased catches in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 2000, catches slightly in this sector, with a peak of 198.2 tonnes in within this sector reached 29.2 tonnes. The increase in 1997. However catches have dropped in subsequent catches of other mackerel in the Gascoyne sector since years to 118.3 tonnes in 2000. Catches within the Pilbara 1992 mirrors increases in catches of Spanish mackerel. sector have been steadily rising from a low in 1988 of Catches of other mackerel peaked in the west coast sector 47.1 tonnes, following a period of high catches that in 1989 at 37.1 tonnes, but have since dropped and peaked in 1984 at 136.9 tonnes. In 2000, 103.4 tonnes remained at a low level since 1993. Only 4 tonnes were caught in this sector. Catch trends in the Gascoyne were captured in this sector in 2000. Note that landed sector are similar to those in the Pilbara, with a steady weights of other mackerel species are converted to whole increase in recent years from a low of 8.7 tonnes in 1992. weights using the same conversion factors used for This low followed a period of high catches during the Spanish mackerel. 1980s which peaked in 1987 at 110.6 tonnes. In 2000 the catches in this sector were 68.1 tonnes. Catches in the Fishing effort west coast sector are minor, averaging about 10 tonnes per The annual number of boats recording catches of Spanish year with 14.9 tonnes caught in 2000. Catches in this mackerel has varied substantially since 1980, from 4 to 20 sector have ranged from 1.7 tonnes in 1981 to 20.4 tonnes boats in the Kimberley sector (7 in 2000), 17 to 53 boats in 1989. in the Pilbara sector (17 in 2000), 13 to 56 boats in the The 2000 catch in the Kimberley sector gives cause for Gascoyne sector (26 in 2000), and 10 to 39 boats in the concern because it was below the acceptable catch range west coast sector (32 in 2000). Note that the number of provided last year (150–200 tonnes), and continues the boats within each sector differs from that given in 1999 downward trend in catches since 1998 (Spanish Mackerel because of changes to sector boundaries and the addition Figure 1). Continuation of this trend in 2001 would create of the fourth sector.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 83 Bioregion – North Coast 84 ‘fishing day’. The unitofef Commer remained fairlysteady between1990and1996at about dropped to351kg/dayin2000. Mackerel Figure2). increasing trendpeakingin1998 at440kg/day(Spanish since 1989havefluctuatedmarkedly butexhibitan analysis. catch ratesofallvesselsinthefisheryfollowing to tar catching otherspecies. doing soislikelytobecombinedwiththeef normally tar that manyfisherswhocatchSpanishmackereldonot Analysis ofcatchperunitef Catch r have declinedto367daysin2000. between 1991and1997. 1991 andafairlysteadyaverageof789days/year average wasfairlysteadyat262days/year in 1982to9211994. Kimberley sector Annual trendsinef of 17.7%inJuly). 72.4% ofef August), whilstintheGascoyneandwestcoastsectors of ef August. between JuneandOctober for theperiod1990-1999(datapooled)wasexpended were captured)byallvesselswithintheKimberleysector fishing ef ef fishing ef of ef mackerel fleet.Itisneverthelessthemostreliablemeasure trolled andnumberofhoursfishedperdaybythe measure ofef mackerel werecaughtisrelativelyhigh. day; nevertheless,theircombinedtallyofdaysonwhich mackerel andmayonlycatchasmallnumberofthemper In contrast,mostoftheGascoynefleetdonottar but havearelativelylowcombinedtotaloffishingdays. Kimberley sectorfocusalmostexclusivelyonmackerel For instance,thefewmackerelfishingvesselsin in eachsectorratherthantheintensityoffishingef reflect thenumberofvesselsrecordingmackerelcatches that thelar fishing daysinthissectorwas545. 330 and746from1989to2000.In2000thetotalof 1988 of1,148beforedroppingandremainingbetween of fishingdaysinthewestcoastsectorreachedapeak 1999 beforedroppingto868in2000. Since 1991totalfishingdaysrosesteadilyto1,265in followed byasteepdeclineto335fishingdaysin1991. 2,087 fishingdaysin1985and1987respectively Ef with atotalof552fishingdaysforthissectorin2000. 1997 thedropinfishingef before adownwardtrendto1,443daysin1997. fishing ef fort aresimilartothoseforcatches:70.3%oftheannual fort intheGascoynesectorreachedpeaksof2,476and FISHERIES fort occurredfromJunetoOctober(peakof19.7%in fort untilamoreappropriatemeansofdetermining get Spanishmackerelisthereforeusedtoestimate ate In thePilbarasectorforsameperiod,68.9% fort (dayspermonthinwhichSpanishmackerel fort isputintouse.Monthlypatternsoffishing fort peakedin1984at1,960totalfishingdays Catch rates(kg/day)intheKimberley sector ge dif fort occurredbetween get them,andthustheef fort giventhevariationinnumberofhooks fort usedinanalysisofcatchrateisthe This isnotconsideredthemostaccurate WESTERN ferences infishingdaysbetweensectors , wheretotalfishingdaysvariedfrom92 fort andcatcharealsosimilarinthe Catch ratesinthissectorhavesince The catchrateofvesselsknown cial Fisheries Between 1979and1990the Since 1997totalfishingdays , withapeakof16.2%in fort hasbeenmoredramatic, A USTRALIA fort iscomplicatedbythefact In thePilbara,catchrates April and It shouldbenoted fort theyexpendin In thePilbarasector The annualnumber – ST , withajumpin August (peak A fort spent TE OF get , Since fort. THE FISHERIES REPOR , Catch andef have sinceincreasedtoahighof155kg/dayin2000. when catchesforthissectorwerealsoatalowpoint,but reached alowofjust6kg/dayin1992duringtheperiod of 294kg/dayin2000.CatchratestheGascoynesector 155 kg/day Exploitation status: Stoc the Gascoyneandwestcoast. recreational catchshareisexpectedtobelowerthanfor provide informationonthesemoreremoteareaswherethe A the recreationalsharewasestimatedat40%. and relatedspecies,whilefortheGascoynein1998/99, to beabout44%ofthetotalcatchSpanishmackerel west coastin1996/97,therecreationaltakewasestimated Gascoyne in1998/99(Sumneretal.,press). coast in1996/97(Sumnerand Recreational surveydataareonlyavailableforthewest Recreational component: only aboutsixmonths eachyear of themackerelfishery fisheries. sectors, astheyareconsideredemployees ofother of fisherscatchingminoramounts ofmackerelinother consider employmentoffishers in thewestcoastsectoror to determineoverallemployment. and Pilbara,4perboatintheKimberley)wasthenpooled number ofcrewoneachboat(2perintheGascoyne > 1000kginthePilbaraandKimberley). catches ofSpanishmackerel(>500kgintheGascoyne, This estimateisbasedonthoseboatsrecordingsignificant mackerel fisheryduringthe2000fishingseason. Approximately 72peoplewereemployedintheSpanish SOCIAL EFFECTS the habitat. The fishingmethodsusedinthisfisherydonotimpacton Habitat eff Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Pr mackerel tuna,queenfishandtrevally discarded includesailfish,billfish,pike,barracuda,shark, discarding. to tar Fishing forSpanishmackerelusesspecialisedtrolllines Bycatc NON-RET Breeding stoc meaningful statisticsforthissector mackerel inthewestcoastsectoristoolimitedtoprovide recreational surveyofthenorthcoastin2000/2001will otected speciesinteraction: k assessmentcompleted: get theschoolingfishandinvolveslimited h speciesimpact: hain eff For manyofthefishersincluded asemployees AINED SPECIES , buthaveriseninconsecutiveyearstoahigh T 2000/2001 ects Species occasionallycaughtandgenerally fort dataforvesselsknowntotar k le ects: vels: , thedurationofemploymentis W . illiamson 1999)andthe . This estimatedoesnot . 40–44% (appr The average Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed get Spanish Negligib For the Lo o x.) le w ECONOMIC EFFECTS EXTERNAL FACTORS Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (2000): Spanish mackerel and associated species are important Spanish mackerel $1.9 million commercial and recreational species, and implementation Other mackerel $0.37 million of the interim management plan will provide timely Overall ex-vessel prices for Spanish mackerel ($6.27/kg) regulation of the commercial fishery that is needed for the th Coast and other mackerel (approximately $5/kg) were obtained long-term conservation of these fish. This is agreed in from fish processors and represent an average price per principle by industry, although there is considerable kilogram of whole weight. Actual prices paid to fishers debate about the type of management that is needed. As a for their product may reach over $10/kg for fillets and consequence there have been delays to implementation of trunks, particularly during summer when few mackerel the IMP and it is unlikely to be operational during the are captured. 2001 season. Ongoing cooperation between Fisheries WA research staff and mackerel fishers will be essential under FISHERY GOVERNANCE the IMP to ensure information needed to monitor the status of the fishery is obtained. Acceptable catch range: 249–358 tonnes

Acceptable catch ranges for the individual sectors are The recreational fishery for Spanish mackerel also Bioregion – Nor Kimberley 110–165 tonnes, Pilbara 80–110 tonnes, requires assessment as this is a growing sector which Gascoyne 50–70 tonnes and west coast 9–13 tonnes. takes a significant proportion of the mackerel catch. Such an assessment will need to examine the usefulness of These acceptable catch ranges are broad due to current minimum size limits and bag limits, since research incomplete knowledge of the status of mackerel stocks. fishing and tagging experience suggests that the survival They are based on historic catch trends and take into of released fish is low. account previous fishing pressure. This is particularly relevant in the Kimberley, where accumulated stocks of larger, older fish are likely to have supported high initial catches during the 1990s.

SPANISH MACKEREL TABLE 1 Catches of Spanish and other mackerel within each sector. The main species included under ‘other mackerel’ are grey mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus), school mackerel (S. queenslandicus), spotted mackerel (S. munroi) and shark mackerel (Grammatorcynus bicarinatus).

Year Spanish mackerel (tonnes) Other mackerel (tonnes) Kimberley Pilbara Gascoyne South Total Kimberley Pilbara Gascoyne South Total 1980 2.8 56.0 36.9 2.2 97.9 0.0 8.6 2.1 0.0 10.8 1981 28.3 68.7 88.5 1.7 187.2 1.9 0.4 0.1 0.1 2.5 1982 17.6 100.7 67.8 4.0 190.1 3.3 3.6 11.8 1.2 19.9 1983 49.5 123.0 72.8 3.5 248.7 0.0 2.2 0.9 0.6 3.6 1984 25.5 136.9 80.1 4.5 247.0 0.4 1.2 0.2 0.0 1.8 1985 75.9 120.4 68.3 5.7 270.3 11.7 5.7 2.0 0.1 19.4 1986 36.4 73.5 72.3 12.9 195.1 16.7 11.4 8.9 2.2 39.2 1987 40.6 87.8 110.6 10.3 249.3 12.2 2.3 8.6 0.7 23.9 1988 62.0 47.1 68.8 17.6 195.5 56.6 16.2 3.3 13.3 89.3 1989 46.6 62.7 35.1 20.4 164.8 13.4 35.8 18.2 37.1 104.5 1990 45.4 68.0 38.1 12.3 163.8 24.8 97.3 23.6 20.9 166.4 1991 160.7 116.8 12.8 6.3 296.7 50.5 44.3 12.1 8.9 115.8 1992 160.6 69.3 8.7 10.6 249.2 37.0 30.5 5.2 6.8 79.5 1993 186.1 99.3 25.4 9.1 319.9 28.0 36.4 8.1 2.4 75.0 1994 187.1 101.8 24.6 7.2 320.7 67.9 9.7 6.5 3.8 87.9 1995 149.7 115.8 34.5 7.9 307.9 27.6 15.6 9.7 2.8 55.8 1996 156.4 90.3 66.7 12.8 326.2 34.1 31.0 25.9 2.9 93.8 1997 198.2 133.2 77.6 14.9 423.9 64.7 31.8 20.6 3.5 120.6 1998 196.7 101.2 61.2 5.2 364.3 25.8 16.2 21.2 2.6 65.7 1999 159.5 104.7 68.8 2.6 335.6 26.9 7.9 32.7 5.2 72.7 2000 118.3 103.4 68.1 14.9 304.7 14.3 27.1 29.2 4.0 74.6

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 85 Bioregion – North Coast 86 Commer v Estimated catchperuniteff SP Ann SP essels kno FISHERIES ANISH MA ANISH MA ual catchofSpanishmac wn totargetthespecies

WESTERN Catch (kg) CKEREL FIGURE1 CKEREL FIGURE2 400000 450000 Catch rate (kg/day) 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000 50000

100 150 200 �250 300 350 400 450 50 0 1989 cial Fisheries 1979 0 A USTRALIA 1990 or 1981 k t (kg/da erel in Gascoyne Pilbara Kimberley Total South Gascoyne Pilbara Kimberley 1991 Spanish MackerelAnnualCatchRate 1983 . – ST y) f W Spanish MackerelAnnualCatch ester 1992 or v A TE OF 1985 essels catchingSpanishmac n A 1993 ustr THE FISHERIES REPOR 1987 alia. 1994 Year 1989 Year 1995 1991 1996 1993 1997 T 2000/2001 k 1995 erel. 1998 1997 Eff or 1999 t dataw 1999 2000 as basedonthose shark from longitude 123°45' E to the WA/NT border is North Coast Shark Fisheries managed by Joint Authority between Western Australia and the Commonwealth (the JANSF). Gillnet fishing is MANAGEMENT SUMMARY not permitted west of longitude 123°45' E or within 12 The taking of shark by longline and gillnet between nautical miles of the coast east of longitude 123°45' E. 123°45' E and the WA/NT border is controlled by a A total of 13 fishers have licensed access to one or more th Coast Western Australian and Commonwealth Joint Authority. of these zones. This sector is officially titled the Joint Authority Northern Shark Fishery (JANSF). Main fishing method Shark dropline and shark longline. The Western Australian-controlled sector of the north coast shark fishery is managed by orders under section 43 RETAINED SPECIES of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994. The orders were first gazetted in May 1993 and cover the taking of Commercial production (season 1999/2000): 103 tonnes shark in all waters off the north coast, from longitude 114°06' E to 123°45' E with longline, and from 114°06' E Bioregion – Nor Landings to the WA/NT border with dropline. This sector is referred to in this report as the WA North Coast Shark This total shark catch of 103 tonnes comprised 101 tonnes Fishery (WANCSF). from the WANCSF and 2 tonnes from the JANSF. In 1999/2000, the WANCSF also retained 6 tonnes of There is a lack of knowledge regarding the dynamics of finfish species. the target species in these fisheries, largely as a result of low fishing activity. The paucity of knowledge on Sharks are also caught by other user groups apart from the northern shark species is not a problem unique to Western two dedicated fisheries. During 1999/2000, vessels Australia, and to address this concern Fisheries WA is part licensed in other managed fisheries operating in the same of a cooperative approach to shark research by a number overall area (i.e. between North West Cape and the of agencies across northern Australia that includes WA/NT border) reported catches of shark and ray totalling CSIRO and the Northern Territory and Queensland 77 tonnes. A further ‘wetline’ catch of 22 tonnes of shark fisheries agencies. and ray was taken by vessels without access to managed fisheries. Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority Fisheries Notice no. 476 (Section 43 order) Fishing effort Fisheries Notice no. 602 (Section 43 order) There are 13 vessels with specific licensed access to these Fisheries Notice no. 601 (Section 43 order) stocks, eight of which were active in 1999/2000. Effort is Condition 127 on a Fishing Boat Licence not reported this year as the accuracy of CAES returns from the northern shark fisheries cannot be ascertained Consultation Process until research staff have had the opportunity to assess Agency–industry meeting reporting procedures. However, there does appear to have been a reduction in effort during 1999/2000. Given the RESEARCH SUMMARY escalation of shark-fin prices and the subsequent Research to monitor the status of the northern shark introduction of additional full-time vessels in the northern stocks has been undertaken as an extension of the south shark fisheries, this is considered to be a temporary and and west coast shark research project. A three-year artificially low level of effort. research project partly funded by the FRDC began in July 2000 and will provide an improved understanding of these Catch rate fisheries and of northern shark stocks generally. The See ‘Fishing effort’ above. following status report has been prepared based on CAES data from industry and a general knowledge of tropical Recreational component: Not assessed shark stocks from the scientific literature. Stock assessment completed: Not assessed

North Coast Shark Fisheries Exploitation status: Not assessed Status Report Breeding stock levels: Not assessed Prepared by R. McAuley and R. Lenanton NON-RETAINED SPECIES FISHERY DESCRIPTION Bycatch species impact: Low Boundaries and access The fisheries have some scalefish catch which is generally The management boundaries of the north coast shark retained for sale. There is some discarded bycatch of fisheries depend upon the type of gear used. Western unsaleable species of sharks, stingrays and scalefish. Australia manages dropline fishing for shark from longitude 114°06' E to the WA/NT border (129° E) and Protected species interaction: Negligible longline fishing for shark from longitude 114°06' E to The WANCSF between North West Cape and Koolan 123°45' E (the WANCSF). Longline and gillnet fishing for Island is only permitted to utilise longlines and droplines,

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 87 Bioregion – North Coast 88 SOCIAL EFFECTS seabed isminimal. The physicalimpactofdroplineandlonglineonthe Habitat eff Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS interactions areinsignificant. in thissector(2%ofthecatch),withresultthatsuch dolphins andturtles. gillnets, andthereforehasthepotentialtointeractwith 12 nauticalmilesfromthecoast,ispermittedtoutilise species. which havenegligibleinteractionwithendangered Commer Combined NOR estimated valueofsharkfins). sectors wasapproximately$0.4million(including The valueofthecombinedcatchfromtwomanaged Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS not known. was 20fishers. Estimated employmentinthe (1999/2000): FISHERIES TH CO hain eff The JANSF ects: W A Nor AST SHARKFIGURE1 WESTERN ual v ects: Employment levelsintheJANSFare Blacktip 11.7% th CoastShar , whenoperatingmorethan 18.9% Other shark alue (tofisher However 12.0% cial Fisheries Tiger A Sandbar/thickskin USTRALIA W , littlefishingisundertaken During the1999/2000 ANCSF during2000 35.8% k Fisher s) f North CoastSharkCatchComposition whaler 8.5% – ST Bronze or y Scalefish 6.0% Not assessed A ear y andJointA TE OF $0.4 million Negligib Lemon 2.0% Hammerhead (unspecified) 5.2% THE FISHERIES REPOR le uthor scalefish ity Nor 36.5% Other generally lar using apriceof$60/kg(thehighvaluereflectingthe whole weightandvaluewasconservativelyestimated weight wascalculatedatanaverageof3%sharks’ specify thevalueoffinsontheircatchreturns,fin depending onfinsizeandspecies. season, sharkfinswereworthbetween$25and$120/kg, other fisheries. well asprovidingaclearerpictureofthesharkcatchby improve understandingofseveralnorthernsharkstocksas sandbar (thickskin)shark FRDC, aimedatconductingastockassessmentofthe However formal stockassessmentprocessesparticularlydif species natureofthetropicalsharkfisheries,makes tar northern bioregionistakenbyvesselsfishingforother A EXTERNAL F FISHER from finvaluation. of sharkwhichdonothavesaleablefinswereexcluded Acceptab lar Spotted cod5.7% get species. ge portionofthesharkcatchfromState’ ther Y GO , anewresearchprojectfundedinpartbythe Rankin cod17.3% n Shar le catc T 2000/2001 Goldband snapper6.2% ger sharkscaughtinthisfishery). VERNANCE A This factor Spangled emperor8.6% CT k Fisher h rang Perch (unspecified)9.1% ORS Red emperor16.7% e: Car , inadditiontothemulti- y catchspeciescomposition. char hinus plumbeus,will As fishersdonot Not assessed Categories s ficult. South Coast Bioregion breaches in 2000/2001 of management rules relating to annual quota management, non-completion of catch and disposal records, and the unlicensed take and sale Regional Management Overview of abalone. Management arrangements in the South Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery continue to be dominated by the after- Poaching activity by unlicensed operators running illegal effects of the 1998/99 mortality event, believed to be commercial operations continues to be a significant issue caused by a Herpesvirus. At this stage the stocks in the within this fishery. These operations extend to the illegal western zones of the fishery have not rebuilt sufficiently take and shipment of abalone to overseas and interstate to allow for commercial exploitation. Quotas for markets. The Serious Offences Unit was again used this 2000/2001 in the Albany and Bremer Bay areas remained year to target this particular problem. Two major at zero (although there are small research quotas to allow prosecutions of unlicensed commercial-level operators are for research sampling). The quota in the Esperance area currently under way, and high-level investigations into was originally set at 1,060 tonnes, but later raised on a other suspected offenders are continuing. The media pro rata basis to 1,300 tonnes when the season was attention given to the high fines and penalties imposed for Bioregion – South Coast extended to 30 June. these offences ensures that the general public is aware of the activities of fish thieves, and serves as a deterrent to The review of the South Coast Estuarine Fishery was other thieves. completed in 2000 and Ministerial approval of the outcomes was received. A Voluntary Fisheries The development of a uniform national approach to Adjustment Scheme was established to facilitate a compliance monitoring of the abalone industry by voluntary reduction in the number of participants ahead of fisheries agencies around Australia will also assist in the implementation of the approved outcomes. A VFAS addressing this problem. A National Docketing System is was also established to remove herring G-trap now in place for all other abalone-producing states, and entitlements and five entitlements were removed. Western Australia is continuing to develop a similar audit and monitoring system. Some changes have been made to the management arrangements for the Esperance Rock Lobster Managed In addition to the cases of unlicensed operation reported Fishery. In addition, following successful negotiations above, three prosecutions were initiated for commercial with Environment Australia, a new ‘Controlled Specimens abalone offences during 2000/2001, and one other matter Declaration’ was granted under the Wildlife Protection is currently under consideration. (Regulation of Imports and Exports) Act 1982 for spiny, giant and snow crabs. Funding of the compliance program for the commercial abalone fishery remains a major management issue and The abalone fishery is one of the major fisheries of the resulted in ‘response only’ field compliance being area, taking predominantly greenlip and brownlip abalone provided for the last six weeks of the quota season. The on the south coast, while Roe’s abalone is taken mostly on abalone fishery is in the high-risk category for non- the west coast . The Joint Authority Southern Demersal compliance, and the resourcing of the compliance Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery is program needs to be resolved. another important fishery of the region. This fishery, and its west coast counterpart, have been engaged in a strict Compliance monitoring activities undertaken in the Joint process of effort reduction and exploitation rate control to Authority Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal rebuild the biomass of the major shark stocks. The first Longline Managed Fishery include monitoring the use of five-year program of effort reduction will be completed in time/gear units and net lengths. Some 2001 and a new program will have to be developed for commercial/recreational/general community conflict 2002 onwards. continues in certain areas of the fishery. Community and industry liaison by Fisheries Officers has assisted each There was a significant catch in the south coast scallop sector to develop a better understanding of the other fishery during 2000/2001 (reported under Minor Scallop sectors’ concerns and needs. Fisheries in the west coast bioregion, p. 17), following an unusually high level of recruitment to the fishery. A high Compliance within the South Coast Estuarine Fishery level of variation in recruitment is normal for scallop continues to be generally good. Some complaints were fisheries and it is likely that this fishery will return to received regarding fishers continuing to operate nets more normal catch levels in future years. beyond the daytime set net closure times. These instances sometimes occur because of breakdowns or larger than The ‘wetline’ fishery in the south coast bioregion is expected fish catches. Fisheries Officers monitor composed primarily of inshore gillnetting and beach- licences, gear restrictions, closed-water areas, fish size seining sectors. limits and setting and retrieval limits in this fishery.

Regional Compliance and There is a high level of compliance activities in the seasonal Western Australian salmon fishery. Inspections Community Education Overview for this shore-based fishery include beach inspections On the south coast, the major compliance issues relate to for block nets, checking commercial licences, and abalone. The commercial abalone fishery continues to monitoring of penning time periods and compliance with require a high level of compliance activity, with reports of designated fishing zone boundaries.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 89 Bioregion – South Coast 90 closures andassociatedregionalef In theSouthCoastPurseSeineManagedFishery fishery for2000/2001. and nosignificantconflictsreportedforthisbeach-based may beset. concentrate ontheperiodoftimeeachdayforwhichnets Compliance activitiesinthe based activitiescontinuestobeanissueforthisfishery Recreational/commercial conflictinrelationtobeach- Commer season dates. of aprocesstoallowtheExecutive Directortovarythe mandatory potreductionsontransfer andtheintroduction Fishery arrangements fortheEsperance Rock LobsterManaged There weresignificantchangesin themanagement 125° E,catchingthesouthernrocklobster which operatebetweenlongitudes120°and Esperance RockLobsterManagedFisheryhas1 Esperance RockLobsterManagedFishery: MANA (6 tonnes)anddeepseatrevalla(4tonnes). herring (10tonnes),hapuku(7queensnapper samsonfish (14tonnes),squid(12 include redfish(28tonnes),pinksnapper(17 coast bioregionduring1999/2000. only 6%ofthewetlinecatchwasreportedfromsouth undertaken utilisingtheCAESdatabase,indicatesthat general wetlinecatchineachbioregion. has beenamajorfocusduring2000/2001onassessingthe the researchsummaryforeachindividualfishery In additiontotheresearchprojectsandactivitiesnotedin Regional Resear south coastbioregion. commercial fisheriesof 4 prosecutionswereinitiatedduring2000/2001for A encountered inthesefisheriesduring2000/2001. this bioregion. inspections inanumberofminorcommercialfisheries Fisheries Of enforcement work. general community time tobespentonliaisonwithfishers,processorsandthe program duringthesalmonseason. Fisheries Of particularly withrespecttodesignatedfishingzones. relatively securerocklobsterfishery rock lobsterhabitatsupportsasmallbutsignificantand the overallpotentitlementonanylicence.Favourable applies toanyboatandthereisarestrictionof90potson species. edwar South CoastRoc total of8infringement/warningnoticeswereissuedand FISHERIES dsii, andasmallquantityofvariousdeep-seacrab , withtheremovalofrequirement for GEMENT SUMMAR A maximum potentitlementof10potspermetre ficers undertakecompliancemonitoringand ficers continuetoconductapubliceducation There werenomajorcomplianceproblems Following successful negotiationswith WESTERN No majorcomplianceissueshavebeen , ratherthanspecificmonitoringand fences (excludingabalone)inthe cial Fisheries c A h Over k LobsterFisheries USTRALIA Australian herringfishery Y fects requiredmore The toptenspecies . vie – ST This assessment, , w Australian Jasus A TE OF The 1 vessels , there , the THE FISHERIES REPOR , operation andcatchvaryingfromyearto part ofmorediversifiedfishingactivitieswiththelevel rock lobsterfishingoperationsintheseareasaregenerally itself tofull-timespecialistrocklobsterfishing;instead, variations inavailablestock. exploited onanopportunisticbasisinaccordancewith rock lobsterhabitatmeanthatthisfisherytendstobe recruitment intothefisheryandscarcityoffavourable that aboatmaycarry issued andconstraintsonthenumberofrocklobsterpots controlled byalimitationonthenumberoflicences Ef Harbour/Augusta RockLobsterManagedFishery particularly intheareaadjacentto cygnus, arealsotakeninthewesternpartoffishery although catchesofwesternrocklobster zones, catchingpredominantlysouthernrocklobster managed fisheryzone. fish forlobstersonthesouthcoastoutsideEsperance and deep-seacrabsarealsotakenbyvesselsauthorisedto In additiontotheEsperancefishery Other southcoastr giant andsnowcrabs. (Regulation ofImportsandExports) Declaration’ Environment Governing Legislation/Fishing limits oftherangesouthernrocklobstermeet. main populationofwesternrocklobsterandthe The fisheryislocatedwherethesouthernlimitsof quantities ofdeep-seacrabs,aretakenfromthisfishery western andsouthernrocklobsters,togetherwithsmall the catch dataisincludedinthepublishedtotalof individual fishermantobeidentified. Management Act confidentiality requirementsofthe disclosure oftotalcatchdatawouldbreachthe There areonlytwolicenseesinthisfisheryandthepublic W it lesseconomictotar periods wherethescarcityoflegal-sizespecimensmakes down intimesofabundance,andthenreboundfollowing season toseason,asfishablestocksarerapidlyfished likely toresultincatchesthatfluctuatewidelyfrom grounds butexploitationratesareincreasing. Deep-sea crabstocksarethinlyspreadoverthefishing Regulation Licencegrantedunder Regulations125 Fish ResourcesManagementRegulations 1995 Other southcoastendor Esperance RockLobsterManaged FisheryLicence Esperance RockLobsterManagement Plan1987 Esperance indy Harbour/AugustaRockLobsterManagedFishery: fort intheareasadjacenttoEsperancefisheryis and 126 W est CoastRockLobsterManagedFishery T 2000/2001 was grantedunderthe Australia, anew‘ControlledSpecimens 1994 ock lobsterfishingendorsements: . However get them. These vesselsoperateintwo by allowingthecatchofan sements The fisherydoesnotlend , thefluctuatingnatureof Authority Fish Resour , southernrocklobster W Act 1982 ildlife Pr Accordingly W , indy Panulirus This is . otection for spiny . Both ces . , this , , . , Windy Harbour/Augusta catch taken in the 1998/99 season (40 tonnes). The Windy Harbour/Augusta Rock Lobster Management combined catch for the GAB and Albany southern rock Plan 1987 lobster fishery zones in 1999/2000 was 31 tonnes, a Windy Harbour/Augusta Rock Lobster Managed Fishery decrease of 14% on the 1998/99 figure (36 tonnes). Licence Catches in the Albany zone increased from 6 to 8 tonnes, but in the GAB zone of the fishery catches decreased Consultation Process from 29 to 23 tonnes. As a by-product of the rock lobster Agency–industry meetings fishery, 3 tonnes of giant crabs and 14 tonnes of champagne crabs were landed in the Albany zone and RESEARCH SUMMARY 2 tonnes of giant crabs in the ERLMF. Research in this sector involves assessing the current status of the stocks in the area based on commercial catch Fishing effort returns and information from south coast rock lobster The ERLMF experienced a 20% decrease in nominal fishermen. This information is reflected in the following fishing effort levels, from 52,600 pot lifts in 1998/99 to

status report. 42,000 pot lifts in 1999/2000. Total effort for the Bioregion – South Coast Albany and GAB zones in the 1999/2000 season was 90,500 pot lifts, a decrease of 1,200 pot lifts (1%) on the South Coast Rock Lobster Fisheries previous season’s 91,700 pot lifts. Fishing effort Status Report increased in the Albany zone, from 21,600 pot lifts in 1998/99 to 33,700 pot lifts in 1999/2000, and decreased in Prepared by R. Melville-Smith the GAB zone, from 70,000 pot lifts in 1998/99 to 56,800 pot lifts in 1999/2000. Effort figures are FISHERY DESCRIPTION confounded in the Albany zone, because an unknown Boundaries and access amount of the effort recorded there may have targeted deep-water crabs rather than lobsters. The boundaries of the Esperance Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (ERLMF) are between longitudes 120° E (near Hopetoun) and 125° E (near Point Culver) seawards to the Catch rate 200 nautical mile Australian Fishing Zone outer limit. In The catch per unit of fishing effort for the 1999/2000 1999/2000, 11 vessels were licensed to fish in the area. season in the ERLMF increased by 18%, from 0.76 kg/pot lift in 1998/99 to 0.90 kg/pot lift in 1999/2000. The Boundaries for the neighbouring southern rock lobster combined catch per unit of fishing effort for the GAB and fishery zones are defined as: Albany zones in the 1999/2000 season was 0.34 kg/pot lift, a 13% decrease from the 0.39 kg/pot lift for the Great Australian Bight (GAB) zone: being the 1998/99 season. Catch rates decreased from the 1998/99 Australian Fishing Zone adjacent to the south coast of value in the Albany sector by 21%, from 0.29 to Western Australia, from longitude 125° E to longitude 0.23 kg/pot lift, and in the GAB by 2%, from 0.42 to 129° E to the 200 m depth contour. 0.41 kg/pot lift.

Albany zone: being the waters of the Australian Fishing Recreational component: Not assessed Zone adjacent to the south coast of Western Australia, from longitude 116° E to longitude 120° E to the 200 m Stock assessment completed: Yes depth contour. Indications from production modelling of the Western In 1999/2000, 31 vessels were endorsed to fish in the Australian portion of the southern rock lobster resource, GAB and Albany zones. Endorsements have been frozen and from a postal survey in which commercial fishers since October 1994 and fishermen without ongoing catch were asked to quantify the amount of available ground history have been asked to show cause why their related colonised by lobsters, suggest that the western and eastern rock lobster pot entitlements should not be cancelled. zones are not suited to southern lobster colonisation. The While the agency’s intention is to reduce the number of survey of fishers showed that the western and eastern pot entitlements as the opportunity arises, it is recognised zones only have about 10% of the amount of ground that the Albany/GAB zones will never be a significant available for lobster colonisation compared with what can rock lobster fishery and will be best managed as an be found in the optimal fishing areas inside the ERLMF. adjunct to fishers’ other diverse operations. The Esperance area has a long history of sustained exploitation (South Coast Rock Lobster Figure 1) and Main fishing method model results, though inconclusive, would suggest that the Rock lobster pots. virgin biomass for this part of the fishery was substantial (of the order of 400–1,000 tonnes). Model outputs show RETAINED SPECIES that the ERLMF fishery is sustainable at current annual Commercial production (season 1999/2000): catch levels of around 40 tonnes, but not at the 60 tonne 69 tonnes levels that were experienced in the early to late 1990s. The fact that the current effort in this fishery remains Landings similar to that during the period of 60 tonne catches A catch of 38 tonnes of southern rock lobsters was taken means that if latent effort is utilised in the future, in the ERLMF in 1999/2000, a decrease of 5% on the localised depletion will be likely to result.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 91 Bioregion – South Coast 92 The stockofsouthernrocklobsterin Breeding stoc Exploitation status: egg productionfrom coast fisheryoverallisnotconsideredtobedependenton should notaf Unsustainable fishingpressureintheneighbouringzones GAB and future, theywillprobablyleadtolobsterfishinginthe have beenexperiencedinrecenttimespersistthe rapidly depleted. fishing levelsofrecentyears,bothareashavebeen that sustainableyieldsinbothzonesaresmall,andatthe Stock assessmentsfortheGABand Commer There arealar SOCIAL EFFECTS granite habitatoverwhichthefisheryoperates. Rock lobsterpottinghasaverylowimpactonthelar Habitat eff chain isexpectedtobeminimal. biomass, andanyimpactoffishingonthegeneralfood The rocklobsterandcrabcatchesrepresentaverysmall Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS interact withprotectedspeciesinthisfishingarea. Rock lobsterpotsandropeshaveminimalcapacityto Pr fish’ and thedesignofpotsissuchthattheydonot‘ghost The gearusedinthisfisherygeneratesminimalbycatch Bycatc NON-RET remained atacceptablelevels. depleted byfishingseveralyearsago,theirbroodstockhas these slow-growingandlong-livedspeciesmayhavebeen the broodstock. sizes, returnoffemalescarryingeggs)inplacetoprotect species, For thesecondaryretainedspecies,i.e.deep-seacrab localised breedingstocklevels. driven bylar would suggestthatrecruitmentmaybesporadicand southern rocklobsterlarvalpool. waters probablymakesaninsignificantcontributiontothe waters and,assuch,thebroodstockin of thestockinSouth settlement tothisregionisprobablyderivedfromthebulk waters isatthewesternedgeofitsdistribution. but notalar commercial rocklobsterfishing season. fishers haveotherformsofemployment outsideofthe otected speciesinteraction: FISHERIES if lost. h speciesimpact: hain eff there aremanagementmeasures(legalminimum Albany zonesbecominguneconomic. AINED SPECIES ects: ge numberofactivefishers. ge-scale environmentalfactorsratherthan fect theERLMF ge numberoflicensedpotsinthisfishery WESTERN k le ects: Therefore, whilethestandingstockof Should theratesofexploitationthat vels: W Australian, estern cial Fisheries A USTRALIA , asrecruitmenttothesouth Australian waters. T asmanian and A vailable evidence Albany zonesshow W W estern – ST estern Most ofthe Full A TE OF Australian y e Australian Negligib Negligib Adequate V Puerulus xploited ictorian THE FISHERIES REPOR gely Lo Lo , le le w w fishery asanadjuncttofishers’ entitlements astheopportunityarisesandmanage policy wherebyitwillreducethenumberofpot medium termandtheagencyhasthereforeadopteda in thesezonestosuchlevelsisunattainablethe However ef western zonestoeconomicallyviablelevels,thencurrent If themanagementobjectiveweretofisheasternand the model. upper boundsofwhatispredictedtobesustainableby the shorttomediumterm,butlandingsarein outer zones. The ERLMFisamoreproductivefisherythanthe reported forthisfisheryoverrecentyears This rangeissimplybasedonthelandingsthathavebeen FISHER 1999/2000, basedonabeachpriceof$26/kg. The beachvalueofthefisherywasabout$1.8millionin Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS Acceptab fort levelswouldneedtobedrasticallyreduced. (1999/2000): Y GO , ithasbeenacceptedthatreducingfishingef le catc T 2000/2001 It wouldappeartobereasonablystablein VERNANCE ual v h rang alue (tofisher e: other activities. s) f or y 50–80 tonnes ear $1.8 million fort South Coast Rock Lobster Annual Catch 80000

70000 Esperance Managed Fishery Albany zone 60000 Great Australian Bight zone

50000

40000

Catch (kg) 30000

20000

10000 Bioregion – South Coast

0 75/76 79/80 83/84 87/88 91/92 95/96 99/00 Season

SOUTH COAST ROCK LOBSTER FIGURE 1 Seasonal catches of southern rock lobster by management area, 1975/76 to 1999/2000.

There are 42 current abalone licences. This includes 15 Abalone Managed Fishery greenlip/brownlip abalone licences, with the remainder endorsed to take Roe’s abalone. There are a total of MANAGEMENT SUMMARY 13,800 greenlip units, 2,300 brownlip units and 25,180 The Abalone Managed Fishery harvests three abalone Roe’s abalone units in the fishery. During 2000/2001, species: greenlip abalone (Haliotis laevigata), brownlip fishermen were entitled to catch nearly 116 tonnes whole abalone (Haliotis conicopora) and Roe’s abalone (Haliotis weight of Roe’s abalone, 195 tonnes whole weight of roei). The large greenlip and brownlip abalone are greenlip abalone and 35 tonnes whole weight of brownlip confined to the lower south-west and south coasts of the abalone. State, while Roe’s abalone are found in commercial quantities from the South Australian border to Shark Bay, Abalone divers are required to provide daily catch although they are not uniformly distributed throughout information in the form of a catch and disposal record. this range. Details including the weight of abalone collected, the quantity (for greenlip/brownlip only), the date and The commercial abalone ‘season’ operates from 1 April location of collection and the personal details of the diver each year to 31 March the following year. The fishery is are all recorded and used to assist in research, compliance divided into eight areas so that the spatial nature of the and management matters. abalone stocks can be better managed. Each February, total allowable catches are determined for each area in the Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority fishery. The set number of units in each area is then Abalone Management Plan 1992 assigned a unit value based on the number of units in that Abalone Managed Fishery Licence area. Every fishery licence is endorsed with a certain number of tradeable units of entitlement to a specific area Consultation Process or areas. Multiplying the number of area units on a Abalone Management Advisory Committee licence by the unit value for that area indicates the weight Agency–industry meetings of abalone that can be taken in that area by the holder of that licence (or their nominated operator). RESEARCH SUMMARY Since a major management plan change in March of 1999, The 2000 quota period represents the second full season each licence in the fishery must be permanently endorsed of abalone fishing under new management arrangements. with a minimum of 800 units for Roe’s abalone and Prior to 1999 the Abalone Managed Fishery was divided 450 units for greenlip/brownlip abalone. There are a into three zones. For the 1999 and 2000 fishing seasons number of licences, however, that are permitted to exist fishing was separated by species into a greenlip abalone below the minimum unit holding level because these fishery, brownlip abalone fishery and Roe’s abalone licences continue to be fished as they had been prior to fishery, with transferable units of quota allocated over the major management plan change. eight areas throughout the State (Abalone Figure 1).

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 93 Bioregion – South Coast 94 areas isundertakenannuallyutilisingindustrydatafrom Basic researchmonitoringfortheeightabalonecatch particular abalonestocks. accurately toreflectchangesintheabundanceof managers willbeabletomanipulatequotasmore The separatequotashavetheadvantagethatfisheries caught asincidentalcatchwhilefishinggreenlipabalone. have alowervaluethangreenlipabalone,wereusually management plan.Previouslybrownlipabalone,which brownlip abaloneisanewinitiativewithinthe The introductionofindividualquotasforgreenlipand and 2000catchrateswithhistoricaldata. three zones,insomecasesitisdif was previouslytakenwhenthefisherydividedinto Although the Commer Gener AB fisher FISHERIES ALONE FIGURE1 ies of al mapsho W T ester AC ineacharearemainssimilartowhat WESTERN wing oldz n A ustr cial Fisheries A USTRALIA alia. onal arr Area 3 ficult tocompare1999 Cape Leeuwin Area 6 Area 7 Area 8 angements andne – ST Zone 2 A TE OF THE FISHERIES REPOR Busselton Jetty Moore River Cape Bouvard Area 5 w areamanagementregimeof thecommercialabalone Zone 3 Area 4 fishing areas. the greenlip,brownlipandRoe’ following statusreportsutilisetheresearchfindingsfor commercial abalonefisheryin2000was$19million. The approximatevalueofthe reported astakeninthe2000season.) For example,forthe2000/2001quotaperiod,datawillbe against thequotaperiodforyearinwhichitbegan. following year Managed Fisherywas1 period forallareasthelasttwoseasonsof to ensurethatthequotalevelissustainable. ef research projects.Ineachoftheeightareas,fishing fishers’ the dailycatchrecords,informationfromprocessors, fort requiredtoachievethecatchisexaminedannually Shoal Cape monthly returnsanddatacollectedduringspecific Area 2 T 2000/2001 Point Culver . (Forsimplicity Zone 1 Area 1 April to31Marchinthe W , datawillbereported s fisheriesfromtheeight estern SA Border NT Border Australian The quota Abalone The Greenlip and Brownlip Abalone carried out exploratory fishing at Twilight Cove to Status Report determine the distribution and density of the stocks and obtain data needed for the development of a new strategy Prepared by K. Friedman and F. Fabris for sustainable fishing of these particular stocks. The survey revealed that less than 5% of stocks were of legal FISHERY DESCRIPTION size (140 mm+) and that stocks reaching legal size were localised to small areas. Boundaries and access The greenlip/brownlip abalone fisheries include Areas 1, 2 In Area 2, the recent improvement in average meat and 3, which extend from the SA/WA border to Busselton weights of non-stunted greenlip stocks recorded in 1999 Jetty. The quota period for all areas was 1 April 2000 to has not been sustained this season. In 2000 the average 31 March 2001. greenlip meat weight reverted to 177 g, a decrease of just over 10 g from the previous season’s average when Main fishing method controlled harvesting of stunted stocks relieved fishing Diving. Abalone divers operate from small fishing vessels pressure (and effort) from traditionally fished stocks. (generally < 9 m). The Area 2 catch rate for greenlip abalone was Bioregion – South Coast 54.63 kg/day in 2000. In addition to decreasing average RETAINED SPECIES meat weights, fishing 10% more abalone (by weight) from traditional stocks than in 1999 also saw catch rates Commercial production (season 2000): decrease by 9 kg/day. Although lower than last season by Greenlip 189.84 tonnes whole weight Brownlip 33.53 tonnes whole weight 4 g, the generally consistent average meat weight of brownlip abalone in Area 2 does not indicate any present Landings cause for concern. Catches are currently controlled by quotas, with the Area 3 has utilised a combination of temporary quota TAC for the 2000 quota year being 194.67 tonnes whole reductions and closures/openings of the most productive weight (73 tonnes meat weight) for greenlip abalone and locations in the recent past as controls to direct effort. In 34.87 tonnes whole weight (14 tonnes meat weight) for addition, raising minimum size limits (by industry brownlip abalone. The greenlip catch was 189.84 tonnes agreement) has increased the average meat weight of whole weight (71 tonnes meat weight) and brownlip catch greenlip abalone substantially since 1997. In 2000, the was 33.53 tonnes whole weight (13 tonnes meat weight) average meat weight for greenlip abalone was 231 g, the for the 2000 season (Abalone Table 1). highest average recorded in the 1990s. During the season the catch of greenlip from traditionally fished grounds Fishing effort was decreased 3.75% by fishing 1.5 tonnes of ‘stunted Total effort for 2000 was 1,173 days fished for greenlip stock’ east of Hopetoun. Information on brownlip abalone and brownlip abalone, which was similar to 1999 and stocks in this area is limited, as divers have in the past within the projected effort range of 1,100–1,520 days. primarily targeted greenlip abalone. The quota for brownlip abalone in Area 3 was increased by 2 tonnes for Catch rate the 2000 season to allow divers to target new areas for brownlip abalone. Average meat weights and diver catch In 2000 the catch rate was 195.7 kg whole weight per records indicate that this approach has been partially diver day (72.1 kg meat weight per diver day). effective. The average meat weight for brownlip abalone in 2000 was 274.5 g, the highest since 1995. Recreational component (2000): 21% (estimate) Based on recreational telephone surveys, recreational Exploitation status: Fully exploited fishing accounted for an estimated 21% of the combined commercial and recreational catch of greenlip and Breeding stock levels: Adequate brownlip abalone in 2000. See Recreational Abalone The literature lists greenlip abalone as maturing between Fishery Status Report, pp. 130-34. 70 and 90 mm shell length (2–4 years of age), and brownlip abalone maturing at between 90 and 130 mm Stock assessment completed: Yes shell length. However, maturity in abalone is generally Presently greenlip and brownlip abalone stocks are related to age and not size. Despite growth varying assessed by analysing industry data from the daily markedly between fast-growing and stunted stocks in catch records, information from processors, fishers’ Western Australia, the minimum legal size limit is monthly returns and data collected during specific considered adequate. The breeding stock for both species research projects. is further protected, as industry sets self-imposed length limits in excess of the minimum legal limits in areas of Industry has collaborated with Fisheries WA to develop fast-growing stocks. For example, in Area 2 there is a strategies for the sustainable harvesting of stunted general 145 mm minimum length across the fishing populations of abalone. In Area 1 there are extensive, grounds (other than stunted stocks), whereas within fast- isolated populations of stunted greenlip abalone. The growing areas of Area 3, fishers take abalone over generally small size of these abalone (surveyed in 1974, 153 mm shell length (5.5–7 years of age). 1994 and 2000) has limited catches from this part of the fishery, with less than 200 kg fished annually since 1994. A new finer-scale reporting system initiated by Fisheries In 2000, industry divers and Fisheries WA researchers WA researchers in 2000 is giving a clearer picture of

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 95 Bioregion – South Coast 96 protected species. the secondaryef deterrence devicesfortheirpersonalprotection,whichhas Most diversnowusedivingcagesorelectronicshark car fishery iswiththegreatwhiteshark The onlyprotectedspeciesinteractionoccurringinthis Pr Divers havetheabilitytotar Bycatc NON-RET Commer brownlip abalonerespectively meat weightand$1 significantly higherthanlastyear approximately $13.38million. greenlip andbrownlipabalonefisherywasworth brownlip abalone.Onthebasisofaverageprices, weight forgreenlipand The estimatedaveragewholesalepricewas$163/kgmeat Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS income fromtheactivityofdivers. from BusseltontotheSouth brownlip abalonefisherymeansthatsmallcoastaltowns deckhands. brownlip abalone,employingapproximately35diversand abalone industry There arecloseto30vesselsinthe SOCIAL EFFECTS to thealgalgrowthcoverinareasfished. feeders, theirremovalisunlikelytoresultinanychanges high waveener habitat, whichtypicallyconsistsofhardrocksurfacesina The fishingactivitymakesminimalcontactwiththe Habitat eff proportion ofthetotalabalonehabitat Commercial abalonedivingoccursoverasmall Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS activities. inadvertently harvestbycatchintheirnormalfishing (species, sizesandqualityofabalone)donot limit serialdepletionofsub-stocks. protection ofbreedingstocksbyhelpingtoidentifyand reporting system. was dif stock utilisationandspatialvariationsincatcheswhich ef considered unlikelythatthefisheryhasanysignificant proportion ofthenaturalbiomassabalone,itis exploitation ratesandconsequentmaintenanceofahigh Australian coastline.Inviewoftherelativelylow fect onthefoodchaininregion. otected speciesinteraction: FISHERIES charias), whichhasbeenknowntoattackdivers. ficult toassessfromtheprevious10xmilegrid h speciesimpact: hain eff AINED SPECIES ects: The dispersednatureofthegreenlipand WESTERN gy environment. ual v ects: fect ofreducingtheincentivetoharmthis . Ofthese,14vesselsfishgreenlipand The newsystemwillallowgreater 10/kg meatweightforgreenlipand alue (tofisher cial Fisheries $132.50/kg meatweightfor A USTRALIA get abaloneofchoice Australian borderreceive . These priceswere As abalonearedriftalgae ’ s valuesof$120/kg W (Car s) f estern – ST or y char $13.38 million A Australian ear (2000): W TE OF odon estern Negligib Negligib Negligib Negligib THE FISHERIES REPOR le le le le the moreremotepartsoffishery days fishedmayvaryduetovariationsintotalcatch greenlip abalone=2.667). abalone (meattowholeweightconversionratefor 154 ±20kgwholeweightperdayforgreenlip/brownlip days divedthatyear)withinthefive-yearrangewas (± SD)catchrate(basedontotalannualdividedby 1,173 days,wasatthelowerendofthisrange. the dailycatchrecord. general catch. stocks (>30m)thathistoricallyhavecontributedlittleto increase intheprevalenceofdiverstar locations intheabalonefisherytherehasalsobeenan on theassessmentofef in anattempttominimisefishingcosts. in diversspendinglongerthewaterforaday’ owner normal operatingprocedureofthefishery In thelastfewyearstherehasbeenachangein EXTERNAL F 1,1 be takenwithinthefive-yearrange(1994–1998)of and brownlipabalone(34.87tonneswholeweight)should quotas forgreenlipabalone(194.67tonneswholeweight) To Acceptab FISHER stocks areplannedfor2001.Inaddition,Fisheries Further assessmentandsupervisedfishingofstunted the future. stocks, andwillimprovethereliabilityofmanagementin ef areas inthe2000season. Fisheries scale thanprevioussystems,hasbeeninitiatedby A average presented. kg/day catchratesshouldnotfallsignificantlybelowthe surveys usingunderwaterdigitalvideocameraequipment. techniques forgreenlipandbrownlipabalonestock collaboration withtheindustryisdevelopingnew fective assessmentoftheseincreasinglyvaluable new industrycatchreportingsystem,whichisonafiner 10–1,520 diverdays. be fishedatahistoricallysustainablelevel,the2001 -operators toleasedivers. Y GO W le catc T 2000/2001 A for allgreenlip/brownlipabalonefishing VERNANCE At presentfishingdepthisnotrecordedon A CT h andeff ORS fort inthefishery The ef This datawillenablemore Although ef 229.54 tonneswholeweight or 1,110–1,520 diverda t rang fort recordedin2000,at This changehasresulted , theseason’ e: geting deeper fort innumberof This shiftimpacts . Insome , awayfrom The mean s mean s fishing W ys f -water A in or ABALONE TABLE 1 Greenlip and brownlip abalone catch and effort by quota period.

Quota Greenlip Brownlip Greenlip Brownlip Combined Diver period TAC TAC caught caught catch days kg whole kg whole kg whole kg whole kg whole weight weight weight weight weight 1990 126,500 - 114,414 18,768 133,182 809 1991 148,500 - 131,266 14,660 145,926 1,145 1992 192,500 - 175,054 30,285 205,339 1,284 1993 197,450 - 178,794 31,155 209,949 1,347 1994 200,750 - 177,166 32,223 209,389 1,522 1995 187,264 - 151,863 27,263 179,126 1,327 1996 189,750 - 176,668 21,933 198,601 1,113 Bioregion – South Coast 1997 207,350 - 187,993 26,298 214,291 1,259 1998 200,750 - 187,644 22,198 209,842 1,246 1999 189,750 28,000 180,620 27,673 208,293 1,121 2000 194,669 34,875 189,846 33,531 229,309 1,173

Notes 1. Data source: quota returns. 2. Standard conversion factors for meat weight to whole weight for greenlip abalone were 2.75 prior to 2000 and 2.667 for 2000. Brownlip abalone conversion factor for meat weight to whole weight was 2.5. 3. The length of quota period has varied with management changes, and for simplicity has been recorded against the nearest calendar years. 4. Brownlip allocations not fixed across Areas 2 and 3 (ex-Zone 1 and 2) prior to 1999. Brownlip TAC fixed for the first year in 1999.

Roe’s Abalone Status Report Catch rate The Roe’s abalone catch rate in 2000 was 142.63 kg Prepared by K. Friedman, A. Hancock and F. Fabris whole weight per diver day.

FISHERY DESCRIPTION Recreational component: 32% (estimate) Boundaries and access The recreational catch estimates for 2000 were The Roe’s abalone fishery includes Areas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and approximately 32% of the total Roe’s abalone catch. See 8 and extends from Steep Point (Shark Bay) in the north Recreational Abalone Fishery Status Report, pp. 130-34. to the SA/WA border. Stock assessment completed: Yes Main fishing method Presently stocks of Roe’s abalone are assessed by Diving. Abalone divers generally operate from small analysing industry data from the daily catch records, fishing vessels (generally < 9 m), although on occasion information from processors, fishers’ monthly returns and they can approach stocks from the shore. data collected during specific research projects. Unlike greenlip and brownlip abalone, Roe’s abalone are not RETAINED SPECIES counted by divers, so there is no process for assessing average meat weights within this fishery. Commercial production (season 2000): 107.7 tonnes whole weight The population structure has now been assessed through genetic analysis (gel electrophoresis). Results demonstrate Landings moderate levels of connection (gene flow) between Catches are currently controlled by quotas, with the TAC populations throughout the species distribution, hence for the 2000 quota year being 115.9 tonnes whole weight Roe’s stocks can be examined on a State scale. Statewide for Roe’s abalone. The catch of 107.7 tonnes whole weight connection occurs despite mixing within each generation for the 2000 season (Abalone Table 2) was lower than the occurring on a smaller scale of < 13 km. This means that, TAC as some stock in remote locations remained unfished although there is gene flow across the complete range of and there was a voluntary 4 tonne reduction in catch from Roe’s abalone, the majority of recruitment occurs as a Area 8 due to concerns over the size of the quota. local event on continuous reef complexes; therefore most fisheries management and research occurs on a smaller scale by Area. Fishing effort Total effort in 2000 was 755 diver days, which was In general, assessment of Roe’s stocks using daily catch similar to 1999 and within the projected effort range of records is limited to reviewing catch per unit effort 750–950 days. Note that the full quota was not taken. (CPUE) and movement of catch and effort within the

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 97 Bioregion – South Coast 98 area at depletion ofRoe’ the fishery commercial stocksatspecificlocationsthemar In 1999therewassomeconcernattheconditionof within theacceptablecatchandef fished intwolessdaysthanwasthecaselastyearand statistics describeawell-managedstock,asthecatchwas 10 xmilegridreportingsystem.Ingeneralthesecatch Commer commercial fishery’ than thatusedbytherecreational sector Area 7(themetropolitanarea)is 70mm,10mmlar since thecommercialfishery’ adequate protectionforthebreeding stock,especially in legal sizeatwhichRoe’ year Roe’ age). Preliminarygrowthdataforthesesamemetropolitan metropolitan areais40mm(approximately2.5yearsof of animalsmature)Roe’ Research hasshownthatthesizeatsexualmaturity(50% Breeding stoc Exploitation status: Fisheries prior toanycriticalchangeinstockhealth.In2001/2002 are neededtobeablemonitorfluctuationsincatches weight, e.g.byassessingchangesinaveragemeat catches fromparticularlocationsbeyondgrosscatch season. However from particularlocations. changes intheaveragemeatweightorgradeofcatch the developmentofasystemwhichisabletomonitor 75 mmshelllength. legal minimumsizelimitfor concern hasbeensomewhatallayedbyanincreaseinthe 30 tonne 8 institutedavoluntaryreductionof6tonnesfromtheir coincided withextremelowtides.In1999,fishersin shallow waterareaswhereunusuallyhotweather the controlofcommercialfishery occurred asaresultofenvironmentalfactorsoutside previously reported).Inaddition,somenaturallosseshave experienced fishers(onaspatialscalesmallerthan inappropriate distributionoffishingef declined duetolocaliseddepletionofabalonecausedby abundance oflegal-sizedRoe’ too high,despiteareductioninquota2000. suggested thatthequotasettingfor1999and2000was northerly mar unpredictable natureoftheweather due totheremotenessoffishinglocationsand coast, aportionofthequotaconsistentlyremainsunfished abalone isnotofconcernatotherlocationsonthesouth Area 8. fishing theseremotecoloniesoperateinthenorthof quota unitstoensurethatonlydiversexperiencedin of legal-sizedabalone,andindustryoperatorshavetraded reduction inquotaisplannedtoimprovetheabundance quota wasstilltoohigh.Forthe2001season,afurther 4 tonnesduringtheseasonfollowingconcernsthat 2000, fishersagaininstitutedavoluntaryreductionof W FISHERIES ’ s abaloneindicatethattheyhaveaminimumofone estern s spawningbeforereaching60mm,theminimum T wilight Cove(first10kmeastofclif T W . In AC. Despitear Australia. A gin ofthefishery will beworkingwithindustrytoinstitute Area 1therewasevidenceoflocalised WESTERN k le , comparativeassessmentsofchangesin s abaloneinthevicinityoflaunch vels: s legalminimum lengthis75mm. Although theabundanceofRoe’ This isconsideredtoprovide s abaloneareharvestedanywhere cial Fisheries guing fora20tonne A s abaloneinthePerth USTRALIA Area 1from60mmto s legalminimumsizein s abaloneinthisareahas , observationsfromdivers fort rangeprojectedlast . In , forexamplein fort byless Area 8,themost . In – ST Full Area 1,the A fs). TE OF y e T The Adequate AC for This xploited gins of ger THE FISHERIES REPOR s Area the habitat. fishery hasanysignificantef of abaloneonthereefatalltimes,itisunlikelythat low exploitationrateswhichleaveasignificantbiomass Australian coastline. proportion ofthetotalabalonehabitat Commercial abalonedivingoccursoverasmall Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS protected species. secondary ef divers fortheirpersonalprotection,whichhasthe shark podtechnologygenerallyusedbygreenlip/brownlip locations. SomeRoe’ car fishery wouldbewiththegreatwhiteshark The onlypotentialprotectedspeciesinteractioninthis Pr activities. inadvertently harvestbycatchintheirnormalfishing (species, sizesandqualityofabalone)donot Divers havetheabilitytotar Bycatc NON-RET varying theaverage 1999and2000catchrate(first two range for recordings. (Area 7)isnolongercomparable withpresent-dayef historical ef as theremovalofdailycatch limitsin As aconsequenceofmanagementchangesin1999,such Acceptab FISHER year The priceofRoe’ price thefisherywasworthapproximately$5.9million. weight forRoe’ The estimatedaveragepricewasabout$55/kgwhole Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS abalone industry There arecloseto30vesselsinthe SOCIAL EFFECTS to thealgalgrowthcoverinareasfished. feeders, theirremovalisunlikelytoresultinanychanges high waveener habitat, whichtypicallyconsistsofhardrocksurfacesina The fishingactivitymakesminimalcontactwiththe Habitat eff income fromtheactivityofdivers. small coastaltownsfromKalbarritoEuclareceive dispersed natureoftheRoe’ abalone, employingapproximately50people. otected speciesinteraction: charias) , at$35/kgwholeweight. h speciesimpact: hain eff Y GO Area 7hasbeencalculatedforthis reportby AINED SPECIES le catc T 2000/2001 ects: A fort datasetfromthemetropolitan area while fishinginsomeofthemoreopen-water fect ofreducingtheincentivetoharmthis new estimationoftheacceptable ef VERNANCE gy environment. s abalone. ual v ects: . Ofthese,26vesselsfishforRoe’ s abalonewassignificantlylowerlast h andeff As aconsequenceoftherelatively s abalonediversareadoptingthe alue (tofisher On thebasisofaverage or s abalonefisherymeansthat get abaloneofchoice 107.9 tonneswholeweight fect onthefoodchainin t rang As abalonearedriftalgae 725–929 diverda W e: s) f estern or y Area 7,the (Car Australian ear (2000): W $5.9 million The estern Negligib Negligib Negligib Negligib char fort s ys f fort odon or le le le le years of new management arrangements) by the mean EXTERNAL FACTORS annual variation of catch rate recorded within other areas The 1999 quota period saw several major management of the fishery between 1994 and 1998 (± 16.5%). With the changes within the metropolitan area (Area 7). The inclusion of this variation in catch rate for Area 7, the full 100 kg maximum daily limit was removed, along with the quota for the Roe’s abalone fishery in 2001 (107.9 tonnes restricted two-month fishing season; subsequently effort whole weight) should be achieved in 725–929 days of was greatly reduced due to larger daily catch rates and fishing. Although effort in number of days fished may decreased diver days in the water. A new catch reporting vary due to variations in total catch in the more remote system, which is on a finer scale than previous systems, parts of the fishery, the season’s mean kg/day catch rates has been initiated by Fisheries WA, with industry support, should not fall significantly below 142.63 kg whole for all Roe’s abalone fishing areas in the 2000 season. weight Roe’s abalone per diver day. This will permit improved monitoring of the exploitation rates in the fishery. Bioregion – South Coast

ABALONE TABLE 2 Roe’s abalone catch and effort by quota period.

Quota period Roe’s TAC Roe’s caught Diver days∆ kg whole weight kg whole weight 1990 105,000 117,558 1114 1991 101,000 110,334 1005 1992 105,000 112,275 942 1993 128,000 116,390 1058 1994 125,960 119,849 1146 1995 125,960 115,218 1206 1996 125,960 122,065 1176 1997 126,790 119,080 970 1998 93,960* 86,530 799 1999 119,900+ 108,278 757 2000 115,900+ 107,683 755

∆ Diver days from dedicated Roe’s abalone divers only. * Reduced quota for a six-month season. + Industry-instigated voluntary 6 tonne reduction in quota for 1999 and voluntary 4 tonne reduction in quota for 2000 in response to concerns over the low abundance of legal-sized abalone.

Notes 1. Data source: quota returns. 2. Standard conversion factors for meat weight to whole weight for Roe’s abalone were 2.5 prior to 2000 and 3.0 in 2000. 3. The length of quota period has varied with management changes, and for simplicity has been recorded against the nearest calendar year.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 99 Bioregion – South Coast 100 Agency–industry meetings Consultation Process phase tobecompletedby31December this fisheryclosedon1 period forthe been reducedtotheoptimumlevelof15. authorisations whenthenumberofunitsinfisheryhas. with limits. to thefishery The newarrangementswillnotresultindramaticchanges. will beinplaceatthebeginningof2002.. anticipated thatthenewmanagementplanforfishery. Development ofthenewlegislationisunderwayanditis. arrangements forthefisheryhavebeenapproved.. Fishery wascompletedin2000andthenewmanagement. Consultation forthereviewofSouthCoastEstuarine. MANA Commer stood at31fishing unitsin Inlet, StokesInletandJerdacuttup. Hamersley Inlet,CulhamOldfield Inlet, Harbour W South CoastEstuarineFishery(SCEF): OysterHarbour Beaufort andthe The followingestuariesandinletslocatedbetweenCape Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Status Repor South CoastEstuarineFisher findings forthisfishery The followingstatusreportsummarisestheresearch important stockswheretheyareharvestedbybothgroups. source ofinformationformonitoringrecreationally commercial fishermenprovidesavaluableandconsistent scientists duringthe1970sand1980s. from researchbyFisheries scientific knowledgeofthefishstocksinestuariesderived industry estuaries isprimarilybasedonCAESreturnsprovidedby Research monitoringoffishstocksinthesouthcoast RESEARCH SUMMAR V Commercial FishingLicenceCondition17. Fishing BoatLicenceCondition19. Governing Legislation/Fishing number ofunitstothetar unlikely thatthelatestschemealonewillreducethe. recent South CoastEstuarineFisher arious ordersunderSection43ofthe ilson Inlet,IrwinBroke PrincessRoyal permitted gear) Management Act epar FISHERIES VF ed byS. . GEMENT SUMMAR , ParrysInlet,BeaufortGordon Inlet, Y DESCRIPTION AS therewere27licensedunits,anditis. These dataareinterpretedusingtheextensive They willalsoprovidefortransferabilityof. , butwilldefinepermittedfishingmethods,. V WESTERN oluntary Fisheries A W yvazian andG.Nowara t A/SA 1994 . April 2001,withthenegotiation. cial Fisheries get number border arereportedunderthe (closed watersand A W April 2000. USTRALIA Y A and MurdochUniversity Authority Y Adjustment Schemefor. The levelofaccess .. Fish Resour . This databasefrom – ST Prior tothe. The invitational. y A TE OF T y orradup ces THE FISHERIES REPOR , cobbler andKingGeor most importantestuarinefishstocks,namelyblackbream, species. South CoastEstuarineFisherycomprisesmanyfinfish where onlythreelicenseesayeararegrantedentry individual southcoastestuaries,exceptBeaufortInlet South coastlicenseeshaveaccesstoeachofthe King Geor Sea mullet Australian herring Black bream Cobbler tar well asfinfish,andincludethefollowingcatchesofkey coast estuariesincorporatemolluscsandcrustaceansas The totalreportedlandingsof252tonnesfromthesouth Landings Commer RET Gillnet/haul net. Main fishingmethod (South CoastEstuarine Figure3). W spawning aggregationsandareas. tar a numberofestuaries,specialregulations specifictothe the highestcatches(76%)reported from Inlet, OysterHarbourandPrincessRoyal three southcoastembayments/estuaries,namely Cobbler: Gordon Inletand 2000 werereportedfromBeaufortInlet,Stokes (South CoastEstuarineFigure2). bream insouthcoastestuariesincreasedfrom1999levels Black br herring andblackbream. cobbler south coastestuaries,thepredominantfinfishspeciesare invertebrates arerepresentedintheannualcatchfrom While over40speciesofsharks,rays,finfishand 2000 afterseveralyearswithoutfishingactivity Culham Inlet,HamersleyInletand Inlet. similar tothe1999catchesforIrwinInletandOldfield Inlet andStokesInlet. were recordedfromOysterHarbour levels. showed anincreaseofmorethan1tonneover1999 Harbour higher catcheswerereportedfromPrincessRoyal 1999 levels(SouthCoastEstuarineFigure1). The reported2000catchfigurehasdecreasedfromthe catches reportedin1998followedbyadecline1999. stable historybetween1993and1997,withanincreasein The reportedcatchfromsouthcoastestuariesshowsa was nofishingreportedinParrysInlet. ilson Inletdecreasedby9tonnes fromthe1999catch get species: get fishingofcobblerhavebeen introducedtoprotect AINED SPECIES Catches werereportedfromtheJerdacuttupLakes, , KingGeor Decreased catchescomparedtothepreviousyear , GordonInletandBeaufortInlet,whicheach eam: This reportpresentsspecificdataforthreeofthe cial pr ge whiting T 2000/2001 During 2000,thecatchwasconcentratedin In 2000,thereportedcatchesofblack oduction (season2000): W ge whiting,seamullet, ilson Inlet. ge whiting. The 2000reportedcatcheswere 62.0 tonnes 19.4 tonnes 28.5 tonnes 21.8 tonnes 30.0 tonnes The greatestcatchesin The 2000catchesfrom T , orradup Inletduring W ilson Inlet,Broke W Australian ilson Inlet.In 252 tonnes In 2000, . W There , with . ilson The King George whiting: During 2000, the majority of Black bream: A preliminary eggs-per-recruit model was catches were reported from Wilson and Irwin Inlets. developed for the black bream stock in the Wellstead The King George whiting catch from Wilson Inlet for Estuary using biological data for the Wellstead Estuary 2000 continued to decline from the high 1998 level but population from research by Sarre (1999), the results of was still above the catch during the early 1990s (South which were presented in the State of the Fisheries Report Coast Estuarine Figure 4). The very high 1998 catches 1999–2000. Since the size at maturity is lower than the resulted from high juvenile recruitment into Wilson Inlet legal minimum length, it is believed that breeding stock several years earlier. This same trend is reflected for levels are adequate. As with the west coast stocks of the overall King George whiting catch from the south black bream, this estuarine species exhibits different coast estuaries. growth rates in different south coast estuaries. In all cases the size at maturity is lower than the legal minimum Fishing effort length, affording protection to the breeding stock. Fishing effort has been reported as the average number of boats fishing per month. This measure of effort gives Cobbler: The breeding stock for cobbler in the Wilson only a very general indication of effort changes. The Inlet stock is contained within the estuary. The legal Bioregion – South Coast number of days fished is also recorded, but it is difficult minimum length for the capture of cobbler is 430 mm to determine targeted effort from this measure. total length. Research by Laurenson et al. (1993b) on cobbler in Wilson Inlet demonstrated a length at maturity Since 1992, the fishing effort in the SCEF has declined of approximately 425 mm, which corresponds to an age of (South Coast Estuarine Figure 1). In particular, Wilson 3+ to 4+ years. In this estuary, the breeding size and the Inlet and Oyster Harbour are reporting effort declines for legal minimum length are very similar. This important 2000 compared to the previous year. species is afforded some additional protection by a closed fishing area in Wilson Inlet. Cobbler exhibit different Catch rate growth rates in different south coast estuaries, however CPUE has closely followed the trend in catches overall in the size at maturity is generally less than the legal south coast estuaries. The catch rate reported for the minimum length of 430 mm, thus affording some south coast estuaries in 2000 was similar to 1999 levels. protection to the breeding stock.

Recreational component: Not assessed King George whiting: Between 1997 and 1999, the Wilson Inlet catch of King George whiting surpassed the Stock assessment completed: Yes catch in other Western Australian estuaries. These high commercial catches of King George whiting from the inlet Black bream: Black bream populations are genetically indicate a successful ocean spawning and subsequent unique within each south coast estuary. A preliminary settling of juveniles into estuarine nursery habitats. There yield-per-recruit stock assessment was developed for the is little fishing pressure for this species outside of Wilson black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) stock in the Inlet, suggesting that the breeding stock is adequate for Wellstead Estuary using biological data for the Wellstead this species. Estuary population from research by Sarre (1999), the results of which were presented in the State of the NON-RETAINED SPECIES Fisheries Report 1999–2000. However, assessments for other south coast estuarine stocks are unavailable at Bycatch species impact: Low this time. The selective fishing methods employing specific mesh sizes have historically not taken significant quantities of Cobbler: The multi-species targeting aspects of the bycatch species. However, over recent years, fishing effort data from Wilson Inlet make a formal assessment of operations targeting finfish have been compromised by the the State’s major cobbler fishery in this estuary difficult. presence of increasing quantities of blue swimmer crabs. However, the current level of catch, which is at the upper end of the historical range, and average catch per vessel Protected species interaction: Negligible operating, indicate that this valuable stock is being No protected species interact with these fisheries. harvested sustainably. ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS King George whiting: Approximately 70% of the south Food chain effects: Low coast catch of King George whiting is fished from Wilson Recruitment-driven variations in abundance, independent Inlet, which provides critical nursery habitat for this of fishing in these estuarine systems, suggest that species to the age of 3+ years. High catches during the significant food chain effects due to fishing are highly late 1990s were most likely related to a substantial unlikely. increase in recruits entering the estuary, and not to changes in the overall fishing effort level in this estuary Habitat effects: Low which, although at the maximum end of the historical range, has been relatively steady during the 1990s. This The operation of the nets used is unlikely to have any indicates that the stock is being fished sustainably. significant impact on the benthic habitats in these estuaries.

Exploitation status: Fully exploited SOCIAL EFFECTS The South Coast Estuarine Fishery involved an average of Breeding stock levels: Not assessed around 38 fishers during the 2000 fishing season.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 101 Bioregion – South Coast 102 1980–2000. which falloutsideofthisrangewillbeinvestigated. intervals aresetat80%. observations aroundthepredictions. annual catchesthroughto1998andthevariationof double exponentialsmoothedforecastingofthepast 50 tonnes). arrangements is200–500tonnes(roundedtothenearest The acceptablecatchrangeundercurrentmanagement FISHER Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS Commer Geor 1993, whenaseparatefishingblockwascreatedforPrincessRoyalHarbour Note thatpriorto1993,thesouthcoastestuarinecatchfiguresincluded King Geor The ann SOUTH CO Acceptab FISHERIES ge Sound. CPUE (kg) Y GO ual catch,eff 1000 1200 1400 le catc 400 200 600 800 The acceptablecatchrangeisderivedby 0 VERNANCE AST ESTU WESTERN ual v h rang (tonnes) catch Total alue (tofisher 100 200 500 300 400 600 or 1980 0 cial Fisheries e: Future annualcatchvalues t andcatchperuniteff A ARINE FIGURE1 USTRALIA s) f The confidence – ST or y 200–500 tonnes 1985 A $1.06 million ear (2000): TE OF South CoastEstuaries or THE FISHERIES REPOR t (CPUE)f Catch CPUE Effort 1990 Year - Meanmonthlynumberoffishingunits - Meanmonthlycatchperfishingunit or theSouthCoastEstuar considered. changed managementarrangementsmayneedtobe Where consecutivevaluesoccuroutsideoftherange, from yearto often haveadominantinfluenceonthecatchandef factors, whichareoutsidethecontrolofFisheries estuarine amenitycoupledwithecosystem‘health’. estuarine bars,mostlyforarangeofreasonsrelatedto estuaries andtheneedforhumaninterventiontobreach further complicatedbythenaturalclosureofsome recruitment. IntheSouthCoastEstuarineFisherythisis stocks islar V EXTERNAL F , thecatchfiguresincludePrincessRoyalHarbourbu ariation infishabundancethesesouthcoastestuarine ge Sound,whichwasnotstrictlypartofthe T 2000/2001 gely drivenbyenvironmentalinfluenceson 1995 A CT . ORS ine Fisher 2000 0 10 20 30 40 50 y o v

er theper Effort SCEF t notKing W . fort These A, iod From Wilson Inleto The ann SOUTH CO The ann SOUTH CO south coastestuar

CPUE (kg) CPUE (kg) ual catch,eff ual catch,eff 160 100 120 140 180 200 100= 200 300 400 500 600 700 20 40 60 80 0 AST ESTU AST ESTU v er theper (tonnes) (tonnes) catch catch ies o Fish Fish 100 120 100 120 20 40 60 80 40 60 80 20 or or 1980 0 0 1975 t andcatchperuniteff t andcatchperuniteff v er theper iod 1974–2000. ARINE FIGURE3 ARINE FIGURE2 FISHERIES Catch number offishingunits CPUE number offishingunits Effort iod 1980–2000. 1980 - Meanmonthly - Meanmonthly 1985 WESTERN South CoastEstuaries or or t (CPUE)f t (CPUE)f 1985 Wilson Inlet Black Bream Cobbler CPUE Effort -Meanmonthlynumberoffishingunits Catch A Year USTRALIA Year 1990 - Meanmonthlycatchperfishingunit or thecob or theb 1990 – ST lac b k bream A ler TE OF 1995 (Cnidoglanis macrocephalus)fisher 1995 THE FISHERIES REPOR (Acanthopag 2000 2000 r us b 4 6 8 10 12 14 10 20 30 40 50 0 utcher Effort Effort� T 2000/2001 i) fisher y of y in 103

Bioregion – South Coast Commercial Fisheries

Fish catch King George Whiting (tonnes) Wilson Inlet 400 60 14

50 12 300 10 40 8 200 30 Catch

6 Effort Effort - Mean monthly number of fishing units CPUE (kg) 20 CPUE - Mean monthly catch per fishing unit 4

Bioregion – South Coast 100

10 2

0 0 0 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Year

SOUTH COAST ESTUARINE FIGURE 4 The annual catch, effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata) fishery of Wilson Inlet over the period 1974–2000.

Western Australian Salmon Fisheries Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority South Coast MANAGEMENT SUMMARY South Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan 1982 South Coast Salmon Managed Fishery Licence Western Australian salmon (Arripis truttaceus) are taken Proclaimed Fishing Zone Notice (South Coast) 1975 primarily during their annual east-to-west migration, South West Coast usually between March and May each year, by fishing teams using a beach seine net from small boats. Salmon South West Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan 1982 may also be taken outside this period, particularly on the South West Coast Salmon Managed Fishery Licence south coast. Proclaimed Fishing Zone Notice (South West Coast) 1975

There are two managed salmon fisheries: Consultation Process Australian Salmon and Herring Industry Advisory • The South Coast Salmon Managed Fishery permits Committee authorisation holders to operate from specifically Agency–industry meetings assigned beaches between Shoal Cape and Cape Beaufort. RESEARCH SUMMARY • The South West Coast Salmon Managed Fishery The main information used to monitor this important operates north of Cape Beaufort, comprising specific commercial and recreational stock is from industry CAES beaches that are shared by the authorisation holders data and historical biological research. through priority of netting rules. Presently, a juvenile index of recruitment for Australian Market price and transport costs play a major role in salmon in Western Australian waters is being developed reducing the profitability of this fishery, and many as part of an FRDC-funded project. This index and the industry members are investigating ways of improving potential link to subsequent recruitment will be completed fish handling and value-adding techniques to improve the by late 2002. Time-series analysis of the historic profit margin. This subject will be listed for discussion at Australian salmon catches to predict future catches is also this year’s annual meeting of the Australian Salmon and being investigated through a separate FDRC-funded Herring Industry Advisory Committee. project also due to be completed by the end of 2002.

104 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 These two projects will be using different methods to try Catch rate to predict future commercial Australian salmon catches. During 2000, the average catch per fishing team was 126.8 tonnes for the south coast, and effectively zero for the west coast where less than 1 tonne was taken overall. Western Australian Salmon Fisheries Status Report Recreational component: 6% (approx.) The most recent surveys, conducted in 1994 and 1995 Prepared by S. Ayvazian and G. Nowara (Ayvazian et al. 1997), indicated that the recreational catch share was about 6% of the total south coast catch FISHERY DESCRIPTION and 8–16% of the west coast catch. Given the very low Boundaries and access commercial west coast catch in 2000, there would have As at April 2000, each of 18 licensed south coast teams been little recreational catch for the year. has access to a nominated beach in this sector, the boundaries of which are ‘Western Australian waters below Stock assessment completed: Yes high water mark from Cape Beaufort to the waters up to The results from preliminary yield-per-recruit and egg- Bioregion – South Coast the eastern boundary of the State on the south coast of per-recruit analyses were presented in the State of the Western Australia’. A further 12 licensees collectively Fisheries Report 1999–2000. Before an accurate have access to beaches in the west coast sector, the determination of the status of the stock can be completed boundaries of which are ‘Western Australian waters from more complex analyses are needed to account for the the eastern boundary of the State on the north coast of environmental impacts on recruitment. However, there Western Australia to Cape Beaufort on the south-west are insufficient resources available to progress this aspect coast of Western Australia’. Three licensees have access of the research. to the west coast sector north of Busselton Jetty. These licensed fishers are the only ones with authority to catch Exploitation status: Fully exploited and sell Australian salmon. Breeding stock levels: Adequate Main fishing method Current commercial catches indicate the breeding stock is Beach seine. still at an acceptable level. However, egg-per-recruit analysis indicates that the current exploitation level on the RETAINED SPECIES western Australian salmon population is high, owing to Commercial production (season 2000): 2,283 tonnes the nature of the fishery. Any further increase in the catch from either commercial or recreational fishers, or Landings significant reduction in recruitment due to unusual environmental effects, could take the stock below a limit The total State catch for the year was 2,283 tonnes, which biological reference point of 30% of virgin egg biomass. was about 500 tonnes more than the previous year (Salmon Figure 1). The 2000 south coast commercial NON-RETAINED SPECIES catch of Australian salmon was 2,282.6 tonnes. This catch was taken from the designated salmon beaches, with a Bycatch species impact: Negligible minor catch component from the estuaries. Between The fishery uses beach seine nets to specifically target March and May 2000, the south coast catch of salmon schooling salmon, primarily during the annual was 2,136 tonnes. There were 133 tonnes caught in the summer–autumn spawning migration. As a result of the ‘back run’ between June and December. The January and fishing method and the design of the gear used, the February catch was 13 tonnes, which would have been fishery involves minimal bycatch. part of the back run from 1999. Protected species interaction: Negligible The highest proportion of the 2000 south coast catch This fishery has no interaction with protected species. (1,459 tonnes or 63.9%) was taken from the central sector of the fishery (east of Albany to Cape Riche). A total of ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS 570 tonnes (25%) was taken in the western region of the fishery (west of Albany to Windy Harbour). Fewer fish Food chain effects: Low (254 tonnes or 11.1%) were taken from the eastern sector As salmon are a top-end predator in the marine food chain of the fishery (from Cape Riche to the east). of the lower west and south coasts, the fishery has the potential to reduce the mortality on salmon prey species. The south-west and west coast catch for 2000 totalled However, given the naturally occurring variability in less than 1 tonne, apparently due to limited migration to Australian salmon biomass, the fishery effect is likely to the west coast which is usually related to a strong be similar in magnitude to other factors contributing to Leeuwin Current. the natural variation on prey species. Overall, the ecological impact of the fishery is assessed as low. Fishing effort There are 18 south coast and 15 south-west and west Habitat effects: Negligible coast fishing teams (three with access only north of No habitat impacts occur as the fishery operates seine nets Busselton Jetty). only on sandy surf beaches.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 105 Bioregion – South Coast 106 Acceptab FISHER Processors andBevan’ Seafoods, processors: Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS average ofabout13fishersduringthe2000fishingseason. fishers andthesouth-westwestcoastfisheryinvolvedan The southcoastfisheryinvolvedanaverageofabout67 SOCIAL EFFECTS Commer A SALMON FIGURE1 regime is1,300–3,600tonnes(roundedtothenearest50 The expectedcatchrangeunderthecurrentmanagement The southcoastcatchin2000wasreceivedbyfive to 1977f ustr FISHERIES alian salmoncatchesf Y GO or SouthA Allerton’ le catc Albany BaitProducers,PrincessRoyal VERNANCE WESTERN ual v h rang s BaitSupply alue (tofisher ustr Catch (tonnes) s FishSupplies. 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 500 cial Fisheries e: alia areuna 0 A USTRALIA

or SouthA 1976 1977 , BremerBayFish s) f 1978 1,300–3,600 tonnes v Total WA South Australia West coastWA South coastWA – ST ailab

1979 or y

ustr 1980 A $1.14 million ear (2000): le TE OF

alia and 1981 . 1982

THE FISHERIES REPOR 1983

W 1984

ester 1985

1986 Salmon Year n A 1987 need tobeconsidered. the managementarrangementstoprotectstockmay consecutive valuesoccuroutsideoftherange,changesto outside ofthisrangewillbeinvestigated. been setat85%.Futureannualcatchvaluesthatfall around thepredictions. annual catchesto1998andthevariationofobservations exponential smoothedforecastingofthepast35years tonnes) ofsalmon. warmer watersandremainof period of2000.Itisbelievedthatthesalmonavoid Current, whichwasrelativelyhighduringtheautumn behaviour andstrengthofthesouthward-flowingLeeuwin coast during2000isthoughttobeassociatedwiththe The minimalcatchof EXTERNAL F vulnerable tocommercialandrecreationalfishinggear ustr 1988

alia f 1989 1990

or theper 1991 T 2000/2001 1992 A

1993 CT ORS

1994 This projectionisderivedbydouble iod 1976to2000. 1995 Australian salmonfromthewest The confidenceintervalshave 1996

1997 fshore wheretheyarenot 1998 1999 2000 Catches pr Where ior . using ‘G’ trap nets set on 12 nominated south coast Australian Herring Fishery beaches. On the west coast, the Cockburn Sound (Fish Net) Managed Fishery specifically fishes for herring. In MANAGEMENT SUMMARY addition, small quantities of herring are also taken by The majority of the commercial catch of Australian herring wetline vessels, and by some estuarine licensed fishers on (Arripis georgianus) is taken using herring trap nets (also both the south and west coasts. For completeness, these known as ‘G’ trap nets) from south coast beaches. small catches have been included in this status report.

Herring trap nets may only be used by specific Main fishing method endorsement holders on individually assigned south coast Trap (‘G’) net and beach seine. beaches. There is a closed season (10 February to 25 March each year) which coincides with the peak RETAINED SPECIES salmon season along the south coast. Herring caught in Commercial production (season 2000): Cockburn Sound are managed under the Cockburn Sound State 818 tonnes (Fish Net) Managed Fishery. Apart from these restrictions, South coast 705 tonnes herring may be commercially caught by beach seine and Bioregion – South Coast set net by any licensed commercial fisher holding an Landings unrestricted fishing boat licence, provided the use of The total catch of Australian herring for the State in 2000 this method is permitted in the particular area and the was 818 tonnes, an increase of approximately 53 tonnes waters being fished are not subject to other fishery from the 1999 catch (Herring Figure 1). The south coast management arrangements. catch was 705 tonnes, which comprised 86% of the total Herring is also a very important recreational fishing State catch. The south coast landings included 676 tonnes resource. In recognition of this, the South Coast Herring from the ocean (668 tonnes from trap nets and 8 tonnes Fishery Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme was from other gear) and 28.5 tonnes from estuaries and introduced for the period February 1998 to 30 June 2000. embayments. The south coast catch to the end of May In this process, fishermen were able to offer the surrender 2000 (traditionally the end of the trap net fishing season) of their herring trap endorsement to the scheme and be was 686 tonnes, or 97% of the annual south coast catch. compensated by a negotiated amount. This scheme The west coast catch was 113 tonnes and included removed a total of 10 endorsements. 35.2 tonnes from the ocean, 8.5 tonnes from estuaries and 69.6 tonnes from embayments (Geographe Bay and Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority Cockburn Sound). Fisheries Notice no. 478 (Section 43 order) Condition 42 on Fishing Boat Licence Fishing effort There are 13 south coast fishing teams with access to the Consultation Process trap net fishery. These fishers exert targeted effort on Australian Salmon and Herring Advisory Committee Australian herring. However, most licensed commercial Agency–industry meetings fishers are permitted to take Australian herring in any Western Australian waters under their basic fishing boat RESEARCH SUMMARY licence wetline entitlement. The annual assessment of the status of the herring stock has Catch rate been undertaken utilising CAES data supplied by industry and detailed biological information from a national research The average catch per south coast trap net fishing team project conducted between 1996 and 1999. during 2000 was 54.2 tonnes, which is an increase from 1999 levels. Two FRDC-funded research projects are currently under way which will assist in the prediction of future catches. Recreational component: Approx. 10% (south coast) One is focused on the development of a juvenile index of Recreational catch and effort figures are not available for recruitment for Australian herring, while the other is using 2000. However, data collected in 1994 and 1995 time-series analysis of historic commercial catches. Both (Ayvazian et al. 1997) indicated that the recreational catch projects are due for completion by the end of 2002. shares at that time for the south and west coasts were around 10% and 60% respectively. The following status report summarises the research findings for this fishery. Stock assessment completed: Yes Two age-structured stock assessment models have been developed, one for the west coast of Western Australia Australian Herring Stock Status Report and one for the southern coast of Australia, using historic information and data gathered during the three-year Prepared by S. Ayvazian and G. Nowara Australian herring research project. The results of the age-structured models suggest that the stock on the west FISHERY DESCRIPTION coast of Western Australia is smaller than the stock on the Boundaries and access southern coast of Australia. The Australian herring There are 13 licensed fishing teams (most of whom are populations in all regions appear to be at satisfactory also Australian salmon fishers) permitted to take herring levels, and above a prudent biological limit reference

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 107 Bioregion – South Coast 108 As isthecasewith Breeding stoc Exploitation status: around someoftheresultsmodel. improve modelestimatesandtoreduceuncertainty Deriso 1999,p.474). point of40%thetotalvir Commer stock willneedtobeconsidered. outside oftherange,management changestoprotectthe will beinvestigated. Future annualcatchvalueswhich falloutsideofthisrange the predictions. catches to1998andthevariationofobservationsaround exponential smoothedforecastingofthepastannual 50 tonnes). regime is450–1,200tonnes(roundedtothenearest herring trapnetfisheryunderthecurrentmanagement The acceptablecatchrangeforthesouthcoast Acceptab FISHER This estimateisforthesouthcoasttrapnetfisheryonly Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS retail fishsalessectors. created intheprocessinganddistributionnetworks 41.5 fishersduring2000. The southcoasttrapnetfisheryinvolvedanaverageof SOCIAL EFFECTS the habitat. The fishingmethodsusedinthisfisherydonotimpacton Habitat eff Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS This fisheryhasnointeractionwithprotectedspecies. Pr be removedandreturnedtothewater the fishinggeargenerallyallowsanybycatchspeciesto during theshortautumnfishingseason. fixed trapnetson12beacheswhicharemanneddaily The mainsouthcoastfisheryoperatesprimarilythrough Bycatc NON-RET ‘External Factors’). the catchand,therefore,breedingstocklevels(see fishing maybelar evidence suggeststhattheinfluenceoffactorsotherthan the annualautumnspawningmigration. individuals withpeakseasonalcatchesbeingtakenduring entire commercialherringcatchconsistsofmature ecological ef otected speciesinteraction: FISHERIES h speciesimpact: hain eff Y GO AINED SPECIES le catc ects: This projectionisderivedbydouble fect ofthisfisheryisassessedaslow VERNANCE WESTERN k le ual v ects: The confidenceintervalsareset at 80%. h rang gely responsibleforfluctuationsin Australian salmon,virtuallythe vels: alue (tofisher Where consecutivevaluesoccur Further analysesarecontinuingto cial Fisheries South coast450–1,200tonnes e: Additional employmentis A gin biomass(Quinnand USTRALIA s) f . Overall, the – ST or y The operationof Increasingly Full Not assessed A $0.27 million ear (2000): TE OF y e Australian Negligib Negligib Adequate xploited . THE FISHERIES REPOR , Lo le le w 125 tonnes. herring catchisexpectedtobebetween60and Using theabovemethods,commercialwestcoast catches. Australian herringthatmaybeusedtopredictfuture on thedevelopmentofajuvenileindexrecruitmentfor At presentanFRDC-fundedresearchprojectisfocused nursery areas. herring resourceisrecruitedfromSouth As isthecasewithsalmon,aproportionof EXTERNAL F (correlation coef catch, whichisconsistentwiththeaboveview coast catchisunrelatedtothesizeofsouth between 1976and1998indicatethatthesizeofwest significant recruitment. substantial nurseryareasandcanbeasourceof protected marinehabitats,suchasGeographeBay west coastsectoroftheresource,whereitisbelievedthat Australia. W year basis,‘local’ completion bytheendof2002. herring topredictfuturecatchesandisalsoduefor analysis ofhistoriccommercialcatches second FRDC-fundedresearchprojectisusingtime-series estern Australian fisherythanrecruitmentfromSouth This researchwillbecompletedby2002. This islikelytobeparticularlytrueforthe T 2000/2001 A However CT ficient =0.38;non-significantvalue). recruitment isfarmoreimportanttothe ORS , itisthoughtthatonayear Indeed, historicalcatchrecords Australian Australian Australian , are A -to- Australian Herring 1800 South coast 1600 Total WA 1400

1200

1000

800

600

Catch (tonnes) 400

200 Bioregion – South Coast

0 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Year

HERRING FIGURE 1 Catches of Australian herring from the south coast and the total Western Australian catch for the period 1976 to 2000.

South Coast Purse Seine was extended by three months to 30 June 2001. The season for the South Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery Managed Fishery will now run from 1 July to 30 June each year.

The TAC-setting process is coordinated through the Purse MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Seine Management Advisory Committee, an expertise- This fishery is based on the capture of pilchards based committee established to advise the Minister on (Sardinops sagax) and other small pelagic fish by purse matters relating to the management of purse seine fishing seine nets in the waters off the south coast of Western in Western Australia. Australia between Cape Leeuwin and the WA/SA border under the provisions of the South Coast Purse Seine Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority Management Plan 1994. Pilchards have a variety of uses, South Coast Purse Seine Management Plan 1994 being sold for human consumption, angling bait, commercial bait, tuna food and pet food. The recreational South Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery Licence angling bait market is currently the main focus. Consultative Process The spread of a Herpesvirus throughout the pilchard Purse Seine Management Advisory Committee population in 1995 and again in 1998/99 has had a serious Agency–industry meetings impact on the stock. Understanding of the pathogen has increased significantly since the first outbreak, but there RESEARCH SUMMARY are still important knowledge gaps, such as the source of Data for setting catch quotas is derived from fishery- the virus, and the possibility of a further outbreak independent spawning biomass surveys, quota returns and represents a real threat to the industry. biological monitoring of the catch composition. Commercial fishing is controlled by the setting of total allowable catches (TACs) that represent the combination Research during 2001 will focus on fishery-independent of transferable quota units within each of the five zones. spawning biomass surveys, which will continue for the With the exception of Zone 4 (Esperance region), TACs next five years as part of an FRDC-funded project to were reduced to zero for the 2000/2001 season to allow examine regrowth of the pilchard stocks in Western continued rebuilding of the stock. The TAC for Australia. Detailed monitoring of catches will continue. Esperance was initially set at 1,060 tonnes, but was Biomass surveys and analysis of catches together allow increased to 1,300 tonnes (for a 15-month period) the annual review of stocks in each major zone and following a change to the end date of the season, which compilation of the following status report.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 109 Bioregion – South Coast 110 units foreachzone. three primarymanagementzones,withseparatequota The SouthCoastPurseSeineManagedFisheryconsistsof Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Fisher South CoastPur Commer T species inthisfishery Pilchard Landings Commer RET Purse seinenet. Main fishingmethod with eachvesselhavingindividuallytransferablequota. The accesstothefisheryisunderalimitedentrysystem significantly fished. D’Entrecasteaux exists,but,todate,hasnotbeen border of theEsperancezonearePointCharlesand zone areCapeKnobandPointCharles. reported together zone isasubsetofthisareaandthetwozonesare D’Entrecasteaux toCapeKnob. regions weresetat0tonnesforthe2000/2001season. Br Catch r 2000 wasabout453,28%greater thanin1999. Esperance zone: Br 1 event, thefisherywasseta Albany zone: Fishing eff calendar year catches willbereportedbyfinancialyearratherthan (In future,followingthechangeinseasondates, at 1999/2000 quota,andnocommerciallandingsweremade Five tonneswerecaughtatBremerBayaspartofthe Esperance zone(SouthCoastPurseSeineFigure1). 988 tonnes,withallbut5tonnesofthisfromthe (Sar Using datafromthequotareturns,catchofpilchards Albany zone: scad anchovy only retainedwhenpilchardsarescarce. but marketdemandislimitedandcatchesarenormally ACs; smallerquantitiesofmaray April 2000–31March2001. Albany emer Bayzone: emer Bayzone: epar FISHERIES dinops sagax)onthesouthcoastin2000was AINED SPECIES (T . rachurus novaezelandiae)aresometimesretained, ed byD.Gaughan ate A Y DESCRIPTION (Sar (Engraulis australis)arealsoretained. y StatusRepor cial pr . further zonebetweenCapeLeeuwinand or Note thatannual dinops sagax)istypicallythedominant , tomatchthequotaperiod.) t WESTERN Following the1998/99pilchardmortality Not applicable. oduction (season2000): . The boundariesoftheBremerBay The recordednumberofCAESdaysin Not applicable. As for The , andtheonlyspeciessubjectto se SeineMana cial Fisheries Albany zoneextendsfromPoint A Albany T USTRALIA T AC of0tonnesfortheperiod ACs fortheselattertwo t The KingGeor . (Etrumeus ter – ST The boundaries A g TE OF 988 tonnes ed ge Sound Y W es) and ellowtail A/SA THE FISHERIES REPOR will beasmallincreaseinpilchardbiomassat died. the 1998/99massmortalityindicatethat70%ofstock Esperance. distinct adultassemblagesat consist ofasinglebreedingstock,butwithfunctionally The southcoastpopulationofpilchardsisconsideredto Stoc Recreational component: substantial recruitment hasoccurredinthe has beennounequivocalevidence toindicatethat be criticallylowandinaseverely depressedstate. Following themassmortality of December1998,wasatitslowest recordedlevel. biomass at Albany zone: incorporating searchingtime,werenotavailable. would provideamoremeaningfulestimateofef 1997 (~1,940kg/day). represents areturntothecatchratesrecordedin1996and an increaseonthe1999catchrateof1,224kg/day Esperance zone: Bay and it isclearthatrecruitmenthasoccurredtobothBremer recruitment totheseregionshasoccurred. recruitment. Albany precludecommentsonthemagnitudeof strong. comparable tothoseinpastyears,recruitmentwasvery catch. zone, withpilchardslessthan4yearsolddominatingthe During 2000,somerecruitmentwasrecordedwithineach with anincreasefrom41.3%to56.4%ofvir indicate thatthebiomassinEsperanceisgrowingquickly still aroundthe20%level. the sizeofvir indicated thatthe regions hasinitiallybeenslow Bay indicatethattherecoveryofstocksinthese Esperance. small decreaseatBremerBayandasubstantialincrease production priortocapture. ‘compounding ef to reproduce;thestockthusmissedouton to therecoveryofstockatEsperanceweretooyoung Thus, alar of fishspawnedafterthe1998/99massmortality indicates thatasubstantialproportionofthestockconsists somewhat unrealistic. prediction ofarapidrecoveryatEsperancemaybe it isdominatedbyfishlessthan4yearsold,themodel similar tothatintheothertwosouthcoastregions, Bremer Bay initially poorlevelsofrecoverypredictedfor decrease ineggproduction;thesefactorsexplainthe decrease inaverageweightoffishandaconcomitant each region. be partlyexplainedbytheagestructureofpilchardsin suggested bythemodelfor determined atthistime. to produceasignificantchangeinstocksizecannotbe k assessmentcompleted: The assessmentmodelpredictsthatin2001there At Esperance,wheresamplesizeswere Smaller samplesizesatbothBremerBayand Albany ge numberofpilchardsthathavecontributed Albany hasbeendecliningsince 1994and,as T 2000/2001 . The mar Estimates ofquantitiespilchardskilledin However The lossofolderageclassestranslatesasa Given thattheagestructureatEsperanceis The assessmentmodelindicatedthatthe , whetherthishasbeenatlevelssuf fect’ gin stock,whiletheBremerBaystockis Albany stockisstilllessthan10%of The 2000catchrateof2,171kg/day ginal changesat of allowingatleastsomeegg , thedataclearlyshowthat The agestructureofthecatch Estimates offueluse,which The slowrateofrecovery Albany andBremerBaycan In contrast,themodeldata Albany , thestockwasconsideredto . Egg surveysduring1999 , BremerBayand Albany andBremer Albany region, Thus, although gin biomass. Albany and Albany fort . , ficient There , a Y , Nil es , which is a prerequisite for recovery of the stock. to indicate any interaction between these and the purse Thus, the model indicates that the stock is still at a very seine industry. low level. ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Bremer Bay zone: As with the Albany stock, the Food chain effects: Medium integrated model indicated that the Bremer Bay stock had Small pelagic fish, typically pilchards or anchovies, been declining since the mid-1990s. Following the occupy a pivotal position of energy transfer in food webs 1998/99 mass mortality, the Bremer Bay stock appeared in which they occur and are often the main link between to be severely depressed. Research samples collected in primary (phytoplankton) and secondary (zooplankton) 2000 have shown high proportions of recruit-aged (1- to production and larger predators. This trophic position has 2-year-old) pilchards in the Bremer Bay region. been termed the ‘wasp’s waist’, since pilchards feed on However, the numbers of samples collected were many species and are eaten by many species. As a result insufficient to allow determination of the magnitude of of the mortality event outside of the control of the fishery, this apparent influx of recruits. the reduced biomass of pilchards is likely to have a

significant impact on predatory species such as seabirds, Bioregion – South Coast Esperance zone: As in 1999, Esperance again had a high mammals and tuna. It should be noted, however, that in level of recruitment in 2000. The relatively stable nature ‘normal’ circumstances the quota for pilchards is set at of the biomass at Esperance can be attributed both to 10–15% of the spawning biomass, thus leaving 85–90% fewer years of poor recruitment than in the other south available to natural predators. coast regions, and to a history of much lower exploitation rates. The reasonable catch rates at Esperance were Habitat effects: Negligible reflected in the strong production of nearly 1,000 tonnes. Current exploitation rates are less than 10% of the Purse seining appears to have very little effect on the spawning biomass and appear to be sustainable. habitat. Although the purse seine gear used in Western However, because there continue to be uncertainties over Australia can contact the sea floor in some areas, the the level of interchange of pre-recruit-aged pilchards relatively light construction of the gear suggests that there between the south coast zones, the level of exploitation at is no significant impact occurring to, for example, Esperance will likewise continue to be kept at a seagrass beds. precautionary level. No significant change to the TAC is expected for 2001. SOCIAL EFFECTS The south coast purse seine industry has undergone a Exploitation status: major decline over recent years, with many licence Overall south coast stock fully exploited holders and their crew moving elsewhere. Likewise, processing factories have experienced significant declines Breeding stock levels: Depleted in staff, and those which focused on pilchards have shut Breeding stock for the entire south coast pilchard down for extended periods. These effects were felt population decreased by approximately 70% due to the mainly in the Albany and Bremer Bay regions. In disease event in the first two months of 1999. Estimates Esperance, where an economically significant TAC has of vulnerable biomass (which closely reflects spawning remained, there were five vessels working in 2000, biomass) at the end of 2000 were derived from the employing approximately 15 staff (skipper and crew). integrated model and are as follows: Albany 1,051 tonnes The catch from these was directed through two factories, (630–1,607 tonnes), Bremer Bay 3,301 tonnes which in turn employed approximately 10–20 casual staff (2,784–5,202 tonnes), Esperance 22,563 tonnes as well as 6 full-time staff, including the owners. (12,315–43,214 tonnes). The total estimated spawning biomass across the south coast was 26,915 tonnes, which ECONOMIC EFFECTS represents 35% of the virgin biomass, a small increase Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (2000): from the previous year’s level of 28%. Although the $0.84 million breeding stock levels at Albany and Bremer Bay remain The higher value angling blocks/trays and individually depleted, for the south coast as a whole the breeding stock quick frozen (IQF) fish represented more than 95% of appears to be recovering. the total catch processed. The different product types for each zone are shown in South Coast Purse Seine NON-RETAINED SPECIES Table 1. Total catch value for 2000 was $0.84 million Bycatch species impact: Low (988.5 tonnes at an average price of $850/tonne), This fishery targets specific schools of small pelagic fish, marginally higher than last year’s $0.7 million. so bycatch is insignificant. Small pelagic fish which are sometimes caught in small quantities and released from FISHERY GOVERNANCE the net or later discarded include yellowtail scad Acceptable catch (or effort) range: (Trachurus novaezelandiae) and blue mackerel (Scomber Effort not available australasicus). The south coast purse seine fishery is still in a state of flux owing to implementation of measures to protect the Protected species interaction: Low stock following the 1998/99 virus epidemic. The Several species of seabirds, pinnipeds, cetaceans and resulting changes in the way the fleets operate in each protected sharks are attracted to schools of pilchards and region have been significant, particularly at Albany and other small pelagic fish, but there is currently no evidence Bremer Bay where fishers have been requested to modify

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 111 Bioregion – South Coast 112 EXTERNAL F Esperance zone Bremer Bayzone Albany zone South coasttotal The quotasforthe2001/02seasonareasfollows: not available. ef can bemonitored. ‘research’ quotas setfor supply ofsamplesforresearchpurposes. their ‘normal’ Commer Ann SOUTH CO Processing details(intonnes)fromAlban SOUTH CO stocks in event, seriousconcernsaboutthesustainabilityofpilchard Following thelossofstockduetomassmortality these concernsledto T Pet/tuna food IQF T Pr fort levelrequiredtolandthe FISHERIES otal rays oduct ual catchesofpilchardsalong thesouthcoast,b W quotas toensurethestockrebuildingprocess estern Albany andBremerBayin2001/02are fishing patternssoastoensurecontinuityin AST PURSESEINEFIGURE 1 AST PURSESEINE A WESTERN CT Australia havecontinued. ORS For thesereasons,aprojectionofthe 50–100 tonnes 1,000–1,200 tonnes 100–200 tonnes Catch (tonnes) 1,175–1,350 tonnes T ACs ofzerotonnesfor 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 cial Fisheries 0 A Alban USTRALIA 1965 0 0 0 0 T AC ateachregionis y 1970 South CoastPurseSeineAnnualCatch – ST Total Esperance Bremer Bay Albany T ABLE 1 In ef A In particular TE OF y Albany and , BremerBa fect, the 1975 Bremer Ba THE FISHERIES REPOR 5.0 5.0 0 0 , 1980 y fishingz Year y andEsper y become available. species, andwillbeassessedfurtherasmoreyearsofdata af possibly associatedwithglobalwarmingarelikelytobe Environmental factorssuchasLeeuwinCurrentflow purse seinefisheriesof question. relatively slowandthefutureviabilityoffleetisin likely torecover another outbreakofthedisease. Herpesvirus, itisnotknowniforwhentheremaybe significant gapsinourknowledgeofthepilchard 2000 –31March2001). Bremer Bayduringthe2000/2001quotaseason(1 disease risktothelocalpilchardstocks. imported fromoverseas,whichpresentsadegreeof Australian pilchardshasbeenfilledby bait marketbythedecreasedvolumeof currently remainsaproblem. 1985 fecting boththedistributionandbiologyof one . ance f Esperance The short-andmedium-termviabilityofthe 1990 T 2000/2001 122.6 830.5 983.6 30.5 or 2000. , therebuildingprocessisexpectedtobe 1995 f southern Because therearestill 2000 The gapleftintheangling T Although thestockis W otal southcoast estern 122.6 (12.4%) 835.5 (84.5%) 30.5 (3.1%) Sar W 988.6 Australia estern dinops sagax April Fisheries WA plans to progress management of this Demersal Gillnet and Demersal fishery from interim managed fishery status to managed Longline Fisheries fishery status upon completion of what has been a lengthy objections process.

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority The take of demersal finfish, including shark, by demersal South Coast gillnet and longline is controlled on the south coast and Joint Authority Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal the west coast (as far north as Shark Bay) through two Longline Management Plan 1992 complementary management plans, described below. Joint Authority Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal The threat of over-exploitation and the potential for Longline Managed Fishery Licence activation of latent effort remain important issues in both West Coast the southern and western fisheries. Also of concern is the West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline ability of fishers outside of the two managed fisheries to Interim Management Plan 1999 take sharks by wetlining, pot hooks and other methods, as West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Bioregion – South Coast well as the latent effort in these other fisheries. High Managed Fishery Licence demand for shark fins has led to reports of increased activity and targeting of sharks by wetliners (i.e. wetline Consultation Process fishery operators). Western Australian Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries Management Advisory Committee Joint Authority Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Agency–industry meetings Longline Fishery (JASDGDLF): During 1997, the Minister for Fisheries approved the implementation of a five-year management package, beginning in 1997/98, RESEARCH SUMMARY which included phased effort reductions for this fishery. A major FRDC-funded study of the shark fishery on the This package was developed by the WA Demersal Gillnet south and west coasts of Western Australia, undertaken and Demersal Longline Fishery Management Advisory over the period 1993/94 to 1998/99, has provided a Committee (WADGDLFMAC) in response to an detailed basis for managing the fishery. The extensive identified need to restore and maintain targeted shark information from these studies has been incorporated in stocks at 40% of their virgin biomass. In the 1999/2000 two FRDC final reports, and the data sets incorporated season, the fishery implemented the third phase of into the Fisheries WA research data records. A new three- scheduled effort reductions. The results of scientific year FRDC-funded project commenced in July 2000 monitoring indicate that the reductions made to date have focusing on the sandbar (thickskin) shark component of not increased the spawning biomass of the whiskery shark the fishery. stock. A review of the current five-year management package is expected to be completed during 2001/2002, Research monitoring of the fishery involves analysis of with another package to be implemented after CAES data and biological sampling of commercial consultation with industry. catches. These research data are used to provide the following status report on the fishery. In response to concerns regarding the at-sea ‘finning’ of sharks by both State and Commonwealth commercial fishing sectors, regulations were introduced under the Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fish Resources Management Act 1994 to prohibit the Fisheries Status Report removal of fins from sharks and the discarding of the associated carcass at sea. The new regulations permit the Prepared by R. McAuley and R. Lenanton removal of gut and head at sea, but all other parts of the sharks must be retained and brought ashore. FISHERY DESCRIPTION Having developed good stock assessment models, Boundaries and access Fisheries WA will continue to monitor the effectiveness of Joint Authority Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal management arrangements in the fishery in close Longline Fishery: The JASDGDLF was declared a association with the WADGDLFMAC. limited entry fishery in 1988, managed under a Joint Authority with the Commonwealth Government. It West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline covers the waters from latitude 33° S to the WA/SA Interim Managed Fishery (WCDGDLIMF): Extensive border. For the purposes of management, the fishery is research carried out on the commercially important shark composed of two zones. Zone 1 extends from latitude species off the Western Australian coast indicates that this 33° S around the coast as far as longitude 116°30' E, and fishery shares a unit stock with the JASDGDLF. Because Zone 2 from 116°30' E to the WA/SA border (129° E). of the commonality of these key stocks, the WCDGDLIMF is reported under the south coast The fishery is currently managed using effort controls in bioregion. The biomass targets for the south coast fishery the form of time/gear units. One unit allows a fisher to also apply to the west coast fishery, and the declaration use one ‘net’ for one month. When management was of a management plan was an important part of the introduced a net length was set at 600 m, but periodic management of the key species throughout their effort reductions had brought this down to 378 m by distribution. 1998/99. During the 1999/2000 season, units were further

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 113 Bioregion – South Coast 114 Demersal Gillnet andLonglineFigures1-3. the twosouthcoastzonesand westcoastfishery For adetailedbreakdownofcatch speciescompositionin * of which35wereactive. 1999/2000 seasontherewere57JASDGDLFlicences, increased theircatchratesofothersharkspecies. being permittedtouse20-meshdropnets,which Interim ManagedFishery: W sharks, werepartlyof reductions, aimedatreducingef 15-mesh dropnet. reduced to270mof20-meshdropnetor324 Commer in theJASDGDLFand82tonnes inthe sale. is nowcomprisedoffinfishspecies whichareretainedfor 10–20% oftheoveralldemersalgillnetandlonglinecatch In additiontothesesharklandings,approximately † Whiskery shark JASDGDLF: tonnes fromthe comprised 829tonnesfromtheJASDGDLFand428 The totalsharkcatchof1,257tonnesfromthesefisheries Landings Commer RET Demersal gillnet Main fishingmethod productive catchreturnswerereceivedfrom15vessels. licences whichhadpowerednetdrumendorsements,and WCDGDLIMF during1999/2000waslimitedto26 to theproposedunitallocation. currently beingdelayedbyanumberoflegalchallenges 540 m. time/gear units,witheachunitallowinganetlengthof the fisheryismanagedusingef protect breedingstocksofwhalersharks.Underthisplan, and North-W However W between latitude33°SandalinedrawnnorthofNorth for thedemersalgillnetandlonglinefishery T Other shark* Dusky whaler T Other shark Gummy shark Dusky whaler Whiskery shark WCDGDLIMF: otal shark otal shark est CoastDemersalGillnetandLongline est Cape(1 project commencedinJuly2000. species onthewestcoastandissubjectofaresearch separately (thickskin) shark. This ‘othershark’ Original keytar FISHERIES AINED SPECIES In 1999/2000,scalefishlandings totalled134tonnes Implementation ofthefullmanagementplanis , sharkfishingbetweenSteepPoint(26°30'S) cial pr , butisnowemer est Capehasbeenprohibitedsince1993to 14°06' E)wasintroducedin1997/98. † † † WESTERN † † WCDGDLIMF oduction (season1999/2000): get speciessubjecttostockassessment. catch includes139tonnesofsandbar The financialef This specieswasnotpreviouslyreported 85 tonnes 51 tonnes 240 tonnes 250 tonnes 159 tonnes 209 tonnes 180 tonnes 428 tonnes 829 tonnes fset bysouthernfisheryoperators cial Fisheries ging asanimportantcommercial A USTRALIA An interimmanagementplan fort controlsintheformof , madeupasfollows: Key fort directedatwhiskery All sharks1,257tonnes Access tothe fects ofnet-length species 785tonnes – ST WCDGDLIMF A TE OF In the , see THE FISHERIES REPOR . See ‘Stockassessment’ Catch r Longline Figure5). the totalallowableef to takeintoaccountthechangesinnetlengthsusedunder Ef WCDGDLIMF: JASDGDLF: Fishing eff access tomanagedfisheries. 26.5 tonnesofsharkandraywastakenbyvesselswithout and raytotalling87.5tonnes. W operating inthesameoverallarea(i.e.betweenNorth 1999/2000, vesselslicensedinothermanagedfisheries understanding ofthetrueexploitationrates. here forthefirsttimebecauseoftheirimportancetoan two dedicatedfisheries,andthesecatchesarereported Sharks arealsocaughtbyotherusergroupsapartfromthe commercial sharkcatchinthatyear 15–20 tonnes,orapproximately4%ofthewestcoast at thetimeofsurveywouldhavebeenabout shark, thenthewestcoastrecreationaltakeofsharks commercial fishery caught recreationallyaresimilartothosetakenbythe of which1,000werekept. This totalcatchincludedwobbegongandrelatedspecies, 1999), was3,700sharks,withafurther3,500released. survey conductedin1996/97(Sumnerand Kalbarri, fromaFisheries The estimatedrecreationalcatchbetween Recreational component: during thelate1970s andearly1980sbutsincethe late Catch ratesofwhiskerysharksdecreased substantially there wasalsoanoticeabledecline innominalef in theJASDGDLFand25% Overall therewasa7%increase inwhiskerysharkcatch whiskery sharklandingsincreased by15%inZone1. fishing ef the JASDGDLF 12 months. of thespeciesremainedrelativelystableoverlast ‘acceptable catchrange’ by 13%in1999/2000to210tonnes,whichwaswithinthe Whiskery shark: summary oftheresultsstockassessmentsfollows. estimated tobeslightlylowerthanpreviouslyreported. of thesechanges,thecatchesspeciesare have beenrecalculatedfrom1994/95onwards. gillnet sharkcatchwasmodifiedthisyearandcatches composition ofthesouthernandwestcoastdemersal fishery Owing tochangesinthetar obscurus) (Fur species caughtbythefishery Stock assessmentiscarriedoutforthethreemainshark Stoc est CapeandtheSA fort isexpressedasstandardisedkilometregillnethours galeus macki) k assessmentcompleted: , theprocedurethatdeterminesspecies ate fort. and gummyshark T 2000/2001 or Whiskery sharkcatchfellby8%inZone2of t Despite areductioninnominalef , duemainlytoasignificantdeclinein T , duskywhaler(Car , atanaverageweightof5kgper otal whiskerysharklandingsincreased 1 169,1 13,649 kilometregillnethours fort system(DemersalGillnetand border) reportedcatchesofshark below forecast lastyear 16 kilometregillnethours W Assuming thatthespecies get speciesofthewestcoast A , namelywhiskeryshark (Mustelus antar . A recreational trailered-boat further ‘wetline’ WCDGDLF . char Y es (ke . Augusta and hinus W The catchrate cticus) During illiamson y species) , where As aresult fort, fort. catch of . < 5% A 1980s have declined only slowly and have stabilised in Breeding stock levels: Adequate recent years. Estimates of the current level of total Current fishing levels are permitting the maintenance of biomass (relative to the virgin level) range from 3% to adequate breeding stock levels of dusky whaler and 40%, with the best estimate at 26%. At this level of gummy shark, but are causing a gradual decline in biomass, the whiskery shark stock is considered to be breeding stock levels of whiskery shark. exploited above the optimum level, and at current levels of fishing effort has a less than 7% probability of NON-RETAINED SPECIES achieving the biomass target (40% of virgin) set by the Bycatch species impact: Low WADGDLFMAC by 2010. There is some discarded bycatch of unsaleable species of Dusky whaler: At 335 tonnes, the total catch of dusky sharks, rays and scalefish, but this is considered to be of whalers in 1999/2000 was 7% less than that of the relatively minor impact to those stocks. previous year and was below the acceptable catch range forecast last year, due to an over-estimate of the Protected species interaction: Not assessed acceptable catch range in last year’s report. Whilst dusky ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS shark catches in Zone 1 of the JASDGDLF increased by Bioregion – South Coast 3%, catches in Zone 2 and the WCDGDLF declined by Food chain effects: Not assessed 9% and 20% respectively. Catch rates were calculated to have risen by 10% in Zone 1 and fallen by 3% in Zone 2 Habitat effects: Negligible and 14% in the WCDGDLF. Given that Zone 1 is the The level of effort is such that the gear is deployed main area of dusky whaler recruitment, these regional infrequently over approximately 40% of the target catch rate figures suggest that recruitment continues at a species’ habitat. Demersal gillnet and longline fishing are reasonable level. However, although the weight of sharks not permitted between Steep Point (26°30' S) and a line landed in Zone 1 increased slightly during 1999/2000, the drawn north of North West Cape (114°06' E), or within catch was reported by fishers to be made up of fewer, 3 nautical miles of the Abrolhos Islands baselines. The larger individuals, supporting their views that recruitment physical impact of the gear on the bottom is minimal. over the last three years has been low. This lower level of SOCIAL EFFECTS recruitment may indicate a reduction in the breeding stock Estimated employment during 1999/2000 in the of mature females, and is a cause for concern, noting that JASDGDLF was 50 skippers and crew, and in the there appears to be an unreported catch of these animals WCDGDLIMF 20. in the offshore Commonwealth-managed longline fisheries. ECONOMIC EFFECTS Gummy shark: The total catch of gummy sharks in 1999/2000 was 240 tonnes, 22% lower than in the Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year previous year and slightly below last year’s ‘acceptable (1999/2000): $5.1 million catch range’, however this range is considered to have JASDGDLF: $2.7 million (shark and scalefish) been over-estimated in last year’s report. A significant reduction in effort in Zone 2 of the JASDGDLF, where JASDGDLF: $850,000 (shark fins) most gummy shark is caught, is thought to account for WCDGDLIMF: $1.2 million (shark and scalefish) most of this reduction in catch. A 25% decline in gummy WCDGDLIMF: $350,000 (shark fins) shark catch rate is, however, of some concern, although it is too early to say whether this is likely to be a trend. The The value of the fisheries was similar to last year. The previously stable catch rates and the results of previous decline in total shark landings during the 1999/2000 stock assessments indicate that the stock is likely to be season was offset by dramatic increases in the value of above the target level. However, given the fall in the shark fins to between $25/kg and $120/kg, depending on catch rate and the imminent conclusion of the five-year fin size and species. As fishers are not able to record fin management cycle, a new stock assessment needs to be weights on their catch returns, an average of 3% of conducted as soon as possible. The results of the 1998 sharks’ whole weight and a conservative price of $35/kg assessment, the most recent available, estimated that the were used to estimate fin values. Categories of shark current level of biomass (relative to 1975) ranged from which do not have saleable fins were excluded from 23% to 60%, with the best estimate at 42.7%. At this fin valuation. level, the stock was considered to be just above the target FISHERY GOVERNANCE level set by the WADGDLMAC, and fully exploited. The effort targeted at gummy shark in 1999/2000 was Acceptable catch range: calculated to be 65% of 1993/94 level, on which the last Key species 725–975 tonnes stock assessment was based. At this level of effort, it was Acceptable catch ranges for the key species are as calculated that there is a 72% probability that the gummy follows: shark biomass target will be met in 2010. Whiskery shark 175–225 tonnes Dusky whaler 300–400 tonnes Exploitation status: Fully exploited Gummy shark 250–350 tonnes Current effort levels in this multi-species fishery are considered to be fully exploiting the dusky whaler and These acceptable ranges are based on the revised gummy shark stocks, but causing some over-exploitation catches for the last 10 years, and hence are lower than of the whiskery shark stock. previously shown.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 115 Bioregion – South Coast 116 managed tunalongliningvessels,illegalforeignvessels taken byotherusergroups,includingCommonwealth- numbers oflar continued anecdotalevidencesuggeststhatsignificant mature animalsdoesnotexceed4%annually appears tobesustainableprovidedtheexploitationof The currentlevelofexploitationduskywhalersharks EXTERNAL F Commer Joint A DEMERSAL GILLNETAND LONGLINEFIGURE2 Joint A DEMERSAL GILLNETANDLONGLINEFIGURE1 species compositionf species compositionf FISHERIES uthor uthor ity Souther ity Souther ge duskywhalersharksarenowbeing A WESTERN CT ORS or 1999/2000. or 1999/2000. cial Fisheries n DemersalGillnetand LonglineInter n DemersalGillnetandLonglineInter A Whiskery USTRALIA 21.2% 19.5% Dusky Gummy 44.6% Whiskery 14.1% Dusky 37.0% sharks 12.7% Other – ST A Sandbar/thickskin 9.8% . TE OF Scalefish Scalefish 16.0% However 13.2% South CoastZone1 South CoastZone2 Other sharks5.0% THE FISHERIES REPOR , (unspecified) 3.4% Wobbegong Hammerhead (unspecified)3.6% current exploitationrateoftheduskywhalerstock. fisheries, inordertoprovideabasisdeterminethetrue the exploitationrateofjuvenilestakenintar structure oftheoverallcatchandupdateourestimates sharks bythenon-W years. evidence thatrecruitmentmaybedeclininginrecent general ‘wetlining’ and scalefish 34.1% Snapper Queen 57.9% Other W Groper Pink Snapper4.1% Blue 23.5% A-licensed fishingvesselsoperatingundertheir Other scalefish15.7% There isthusanur T 2000/2001 im ManagedFisher im ManagedFisher Queen Snapper14.2% Pink Snapper12.0% WA Dhufish10.7% access. Hapuku 4.3% etc 5.5% Redfish Nannygai, Blue Groper13.1% A Boarfish 4.9% vessels, determinethesizeandage gent needtoquantifythetakeof There isalsoanecdotal y Zone2catch y Zone1catch get West Coast

Baldchin Groper 5.1% Blue Groper 5.8% Sandbar/thickskin 28.1% Sweetlip Emperor 7.3% Other Other Scalefish Samson-fish 8.6% shark 21.9% Scalefish 29.0% 16.4% WA Dhufish Queen Snapper 10.0% Dusky 21.7% 17.2% Pink Snapper 12.5% Blacktip/Spinner 6.1% Bioregion – South Coast Whiskery 10.3%

DEMERSAL GILLNET AND LONGLINE FIGURE 3 West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery catch species composition for 1999/2000.

Shark Catch by Species 800 Whiskery 700 Gummy Dusky 600

500

400

300

200

100 Catch (tonnes live weight) 0 75/76 80/81 85/86 90/91 95/96 Year

DEMERSAL GILLNET AND LONGLINE FIGURE 4 Combined annual catches of key target shark species from the JASDGDLF and WCDGDLF.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 117 Commercial Fisheries

Demersal Gillnet and Longline Effort 900 Zone 1 800 Zone 2 700 West Coast Total 600 500 400 300

(km gillnet hour x 1000) 200 100 Bioregion – South Coast Effort 0 75/76 80/81 85/86 90/91 95/96 Year

DEMERSAL GILLNET AND LONGLINE FIGURE 5 Historical effort in the JASDGDLF and WCDGDLF.

118 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Northern Inland Bioregion Ord River at Lake Argyle and on part of Lake Kununurra. During 1999/2000 there were six licensees who had access to the Lake Argyle catfish fishery. Regional Management Overview The only commercial fishery in the northern inland Main fishing method bioregion is the Lake Argyle Freshwater Catfish Fishery. Gillnet. Future management arrangements for this fishery are currently under examination. RETAINED SPECIES thern Inland Commercial production (season 1999/2000): Regional Compliance and 230.5 tonnes Community Education Overview Landings There is limited compliance monitoring activity in this fishery, and compliance continues to be a low priority. The fishery developed from 1979 with increasing catches There were no compliance problems encountered during to 1988/89 (133 tonnes), and then fluctuated at a lower 2000/2001. level until 1993/94. Since 1993/94 there has been a trend towards increasing catches in this fishery, with the current

catch being the highest on record (Lake Argyle Catfish Bioregion – Nor Figure 1). Lake Argyle Freshwater Catfish Fishing effort Fishery Nominal effort in this gillnet fishery is calculated as the total number of fishing days by all boats multiplied by the MANAGEMENT SUMMARY average daily total per boat of 100 m lengths of gillnet The only commercial freshwater fishery in Western used. The fishing effort during 1999/2000 was 10,788 Australia is in Lake Argyle in the Kimberley. This fishery units, which is slightly lower than the previous year specifically targets catfish (silver cobbler) and is managed (Lake Argyle Catfish Figure 1). through a set of licensing conditions. There is a two- month closure during the wet season breeding period of Catch rate November and December. Since 1987/88, the catch rate has remained fairly constant, although it declined in the three years from 1993/94 to As a result of conflict with charter operators on Lake Argyle 1995/96. During the past five years the CPUE has as well as the general public and conservation groups, Lake remained fairly constant at this lower level (Lake Argyle Argyle catfish endorsement holders are currently in the Catfish Figure 1). process of developing an industry Code of Conduct. The code will specify the accepted means of operation in the Recreational component: Not assessed fishery, as well as outlining contingency procedures for circumstances when fishing gear has been lost or Stock assessment completed: Yes abandoned. The code will be implemented during 2001. This year, a process error model and an observational Future management measures for this fishery will include error model have replaced the biomass dynamics model. a review of the possible impact of latent effort within the The process error model has forecast an estimate of the fishery and a shift in the seasonal closures to better catch for 2000/2001 of 193 tonnes. The results of this accommodate the wet season breeding period. model indicate that the fishery is either fully fished or slightly over-fished. The alternative observational error Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority model predicts a lower catch for 2000/2001 of 105 tonnes. Fisheries Notice no. 665 (Section 43 order) Under this model, the fishery would be classified as Condition 42 on Fishing Boat Licence severely over-fished, and would be approaching the point at which recruitment might be adversely affected. Both RESEARCH SUMMARY models indicate that the current catch levels reported from the fishery are not sustainable. Data for assessing the status of this fish stock are derived from CAES returns provided by industry. These data are However, both models require a number of assumptions, analysed annually using standard fisheries models to enable and the available data are not sufficiently detailed to the following status report to be provided for management. determine whether or not these assumptions are valid, creating a high degree of uncertainty around the results. Lake Argyle Freshwater Catfish Fishery The only way to reduce this uncertainty is to allocate more resources to the gathering of the necessary data Status Report from the fishery, and to gain an understanding of some Prepared by S. Ayvazian and G. Nowara key characteristics of both the fishery and the biology of the species. FISHERY DESCRIPTION Exploitation status: Over-exploited Boundaries and access The fishery is contained in the impounded waters of the Breeding stock levels: Decreasing

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 119 Bioregion – Northern Inland 120 Minimal fishbycatchoccursinthisfisheryasaresultof is designatedasawetlandofinternationalimportance the freshwatercatfishfisheryinLake There isanincidentalcaptureoffreshwatercrocodilesby Pr the lake. the lar Bycatc NON-RET the currentlevel. existing recruitmenttothefisheryiffishingcontinuesat breeding stocklevelmaynotbesuf Assessment ofthecurrentstockindicatesthat Commer Catfish Fisher The ann LAKE ARGYLECA distribution networks. involved intheLake During 1999/2000,theaveragenumberoffishers SOCIAL EFFECTS Habitat eff Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS is consideredtobeofminimalecologicalsignificance. anecdotal information,theincidentalcaptureofcrocodiles of thisinformation,butonthebasisfishers’; being capturedincidentallybythefishery of thepopulation,norproportionpopulation creation ofthedam,therearenoassessmentssize crocodile populationhasincreasedinresponsetothe under theRamsarconvention. Additional employmentoccursatlocalprocessors’ otected speciesinteraction: FISHERIES ge meshsizeusedrelativetothespeciespresentin h speciesimpact hain eff ual catch,eff AINED SPECIES ects: WESTERN y o CPUE (kg/100 m net days) ects: (tonnes) catch Fish 250 100 150 200 v 50 er theper Ar 0 88/89 or gyle catfishfisherywas12. TFISH FIGURE1 cial Fisheries t andcatchperuniteff A USTRALIA iod 1988/89to1999/2000. While weassumethatthe Effort (100mnetdays) CPUE Catch (tonnes) 90/91 ficient tomaintain Lake ArgyleFreshwaterCatfishFishery Ar (kg/100m netday) – ST gyle. Lake . Not assessed Not assessed In theabsence; A TE OF 92/93 or and Ar THE FISHERIES REPOR t (CPUE,kg/100mnetda Lo Lo gyle w w Year 94/95 continuation offishingatthishighlevel. were presentedtothefisherswithconcernsabout in annual managementmeetingwithoperatorsinKununurra; An annualresearchreportwasmadeavailableforthe; EXTERNAL F the sustainabilityofthisresource.; management actionmayneedtobeconsideredensure; present (Lake dramatic increaseinef process models. level ofcatchdeterminedbytheobservationaland; upper limitofthecatchprojectionandsustainable; and the1999/2000catchof230.5tonnesareabove 1997/98. average oftheobservedcatchesfor10yearsupto estimate isbasedonthe80%confidencelimitsaround regime is100–140tonnesofLake The acceptablecatchrangeunderthecurrentmanagement Acceptab FISHER f Estimated ann ECONOMIC EFFECTS indicated adeclineinfishsizeduringrecentyears, from sectorsoftheLake stock torecruitmentover low fecundityofthespecies,whichmaypredispose because ofthespecialisedreproductivebehaviourand (‘latent’) ef W supporting theviewthatexploitationratesmaybetoohigh. or y ith theintroductionoflicencetransferability April 2000. ear (1999–2000): Y GO 96/97 The 1998/99annualcatchfigureof194tonnes le catc T 2000/2001 fort inthisfisheryisofbiologicalconcern Ar VERNANCE A y) f At thattimethepresenthighcatchlevels ual v CT gyle Figure1). This increasedlevelofcatchreflectsthe; h rang or theLak ORS alue (tofisher fort between1997/98andthe; 98/99 -fishing. Ar e: gyle catfishfishingindustryhas e ArgyleF Under thisscenario,; 0 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 2000 Anecdotal evidence Ar s) gyle catfish. reshw 100–140 tonnes

Effort (100 m net days) $0.61 million , theunused ater This Statewide Fisheries Specimen Shell Managed Fishery There are a small number of fisheries which operate MANAGEMENT SUMMARY across all bioregions of the State. Information on these minor fisheries is reported under this ‘statewide’ category. The Specimen Shell Managed Fishery comprises 34 licensees who operate under the Specimen Shell Management Plan. The fishery targets a broad range of specimen shell species along the entire Western Australian Marine Aquarium Managed Fishery coastline, except where there are specific closures, for wide Fisheries example within marine parks or aquatic reserves. MANAGEMENT SUMMARY The management plan establishes the legislative controls The Marine Aquarium Managed Fishery comprises for the number of licences issued, boat replacement size, State 13 licensees who operate throughout Western Australian permitted means of capture and fishing gear. waters under the Marine Aquarium Fishery Management Plan. There are also reporting requirements to Environment Australia to maintain the ‘Controlled Species Declaration’ The fishery targets in excess of 250 different species of for eight of the species taken by the fishery, which allows fish for the marine aquarium industry. Because these them to be exported. species are not being targeted as a food product, there is not the same incentive as in other commercial fisheries to Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority maximise catches, and no species has been identified as Specimen Shell Management Plan 1995 being at risk of over-exploitation at current levels of Specimen Shell Managed Fishery Licence fishing. Operators cannot take juvenile specimens of the commercially exploited species where there are specific Consultation Process size limits, and are not permitted to take species for which Agency-industry meeting there are specific management arrangements or management plans. RESEARCH SUMMARY The fishery’s management plan establishes the legislative Production from this fishery is monitored by way of a controls for the number of licences issued, boat statutory record completed by each fisher, which is recorded replacement size, the permitted means of capture and in a database held in the Fisheries Research Division. fishing gear. Other legislation imposes constraints on the areas in which commercial collecting of marine aquarium species can be undertaken. Fishing activities are targeted and relatively low in volume, and have limited effect on fish populations.

There are reporting requirements to Environment Australia in relation to the commercial harvest of syngnathids to maintain the ‘Controlled Specimens Declaration’ which allows these species to be exported. In addition, the Marine Aquarium Managed Fishery is being assessed as a case study as part of the national project to develop ESD reporting arrangements for all fishing activities.

Governing Legislation/Fishing Authority Marine Aquarium Fishery Management Plan 1995 Marine Aquarium Managed Fishery Licence

Consultation Process Agency-industry meeting

RESEARCH SUMMARY Production from this fishery is monitored by way of a statutory record completed by each fisher, which is recorded in a database held in the Fisheries Research Division.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 121 122 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 RecreationalRecreational FisheriesFisheries

General Overview...... 124 West Coast Bioregion...... 126 Gascoyne Coast Bioregion ...... 135 North Coast Bioregion...... 143 South Coast Bioregion ...... 144 Northern Inland Bioregion ...... 145 Southern Inland Bioregion...... 146 General Overview 124 strategic, businessandoperationalplanning. and thedeliveryofprogramoutcomesidentifiedthrough recreational fisheries. mile fishingzoneandinlandregionssupportninemajor • Other majorprogramobjectivesinclude: improve thequality The program’ management of The RecreationalFisheriesProgramisresponsibleforthe General Over Recreational Fisheries and atropicalfreshwater finfishfishery and estuarinemulti-speciesfinfish fisheries,atemperate The majorrecreationalfisheries comprise fourmarine seasons. tends tofocuswithintheseareas duringidentifiable tourism regionsoftheState,and visitorfishingactivity In addition,theseregionsalsocoincidewithdiscrete fish speciesandstocks. of sections of)themajoroceanographicandclimaticzones regions arelar From abiologicalperspectivetheboundariesofthese southern inland). Gascoyne, westandsouthcoasts,northerninland marine andtwoinlandbiogeographicregions(north, These aredistributedbetweentheState’ W Recreational Fisheries W for theRecreationalFisheriesProgram. $1.7 millionofthetotaloperatingcosts$10.3 activities. Licencefeescontributedapproximately fisheries management,researchandcommunityeducation the RecreationalFishingFundtosupportrecreational Revenue raisedfromlicencefeesiscrediteddirectlyto public submissionscollatedduringplanningprocesses. provided throughcommunity-basedworkinggroupsand Additional adviceonspecificmanagementissuesis Recreational Fishing Committee (RF is providedthroughtheRecreationalFishing Community adviceonplanningandoperationalpriorities • • community W fishing andecotourismbasedonfishhabitatsin estern estern W FISHERIES estern A importance torecreationalusers; the conservationoffishstocksandtheirhabitats and theaquaticenvironment. recreational fishingandactivitiesassociatedwithfish improved qualityanddiversityofopportunitiesfor support forsustainablerecreationalfishing;and improved individualresponsibilityandcommunity estern Australia’ Australia throughpartnershipswiththe . Australia, andconsequentlythedistributionof s keystrategicobjectiveistomaintainor gely consistentwith(orrepresentsub- WESTERN AC) andanetworkof12Regional W ustralia’ estern s 12,000kmcoastline,200nautical , diversityandvalueofrecreational Advisory Committees. vie Australia’ A USTRALIA s w s recreationalfisheries , andlicensed – ST s fourbroad A Advisory TE OF THE FISHERIES REPOR significantly Recreational catchandtar billfish andtunas. fishery whichtar or threenauticalmilesofthecoast,andan fishing inwatersgenerallywithintheinshorereefsystem creeks andestuaries,shore-basedfishing,inshoremarine Recreational fishingactivityoccursinfourmainzones: and marron. single-species fisheriesforwesternrocklobster of recreationalfisherscontribute80%fishingef fisher spending6daysayearfishing. 10 millionfishingdays,withthetypicalrecreational also risenfromanestimated3millionfishingdaysto 10 orfewerdaysperyear than 10daysayear (one-third) areregularfisherswhogofishingonmore (Baharthah andSumner2001)showedthat213,000 population over4yearsold. about 640,000peopleayear kinds hasmorethandoubledfrom284,000peopleto Since 1987participationinrecreationalfishingofall a yeartotheState’ community asset,andcontributeinexcessof$570million W Threats andOppor focusing ontaking lar support forfishingasaqualityexperience, ratherthan tourism drawcardoccurthrough growingcommunity fishing asanimportantcommunity activityandregional Opportunities formaintainingand developingrecreational rivers andestuaries. compounded insomeinstancesbytheeutrophicationof many fishstocksatallstagesintheirlifecycle, These factorsareplacingunprecedentedpressureon levels ofrecreationalexploitationbytheirremoteness. access toareaspreviouslyprotectedfromsignificant technology coastal development,improvedfishingandfishstorage recreational fisheriescomefrompopulationgrowth, Major threatstothesustainabilityof bait, boatingandvehiclemanufacturingindustries. for animportantdomesticmarketthefishingtackle, thousands of Recreational fishingcontributestothequalityoflife 30 June2001.) licence available.(Allfiguresaregivenasat Of these,1 South westfreshwaterangling Netting Abalone Rock lobster Marron 66,069 peopleobtainedlicencesin2000/2001,asfollows: In theState’ estern Australia’ 1,254 peopletookoutallcategoriesof , alowparticipationcost,andtheopeningof T 2000/2001 s licensedrecreationalfisheriesatotalof , asdoesthefishingpressure. W estern gets demersalfishandpelagicssuchas s recreationalfisheriesareamajor s economy , while427,000(two-thirds)fishfor ge quantitiesof fish. Australians andprovidesthebasis . get speciesineachregionvary The estimatedfishingef , orfrom27%to37%ofthe The mostrecentsurvey . tunities W The mostavid30% 22,460 licences 18,713 licences 17,297 licences 36,820 licences 15,795 licences estern fshore Australia’ , abalone fort. fort has s Other opportunities are provided by the multi-species, Each regional strategy is being developed by a regional nature of recreational fishing activities, a demand community-based working group comprising fishing, w by fishers to be involved in all aspects of resource conservation and tourism interests and will include vie management, and fishery enhancement opportunities recommendations for a detailed research and management provided through the developing aquaculture industry, program specific to that region. particularly for inland and some estuarine habitats. This process has commenced with the Gascoyne and west Recreational Fisheries Management coast regions and reviews of the north and south coast regions will commence in 2001/02. A key outcome of the strategic planning process jointly carried out by Fisheries WA’s Recreational Fisheries A major review of charter fishing and associated

Program and the Recreational Fishing Advisory ecotourism was undertaken by an industry-based working General Over Committee is the development of four regional marine group established by the Minister for Fisheries. Their recreational fisheries management strategies, based on the final report was released in November 1998 (Fisheries State’s major biogeographic regions (Recreational WA 1998). Fisheries Figure 1). A charter licensing and management framework has been These five-year strategies aim to ensure that the quality of developed to regulate the industry across the four recreational fishing available in Western Australia is biogeographic regions. At this stage 282 applications for maintained or enhanced in the face of growing population fishing and aquatic ecotour licences have been received pressures, and will complement management already in and are undergoing assessment against selection criteria place for the licensed recreational fisheries and set out in Ministerial Policy Guidelines. commercial fisheries. Upon the issue of licences, operators will be required to Key elements in each strategy include the clear submit catch returns, which will provide information on identification of those fish species, stocks and areas of the impacts of this sector in each bioregion. most importance for recreational fishing, and the development of a set of ‘fishing quality’ indicators against which each plan can be reviewed.

114o 50' E

North Coast Kununurra

Broome Gascoyne Coast Port Hedland

Onslow A s hb ur Northern Inland ton Exmouth Riv er

Carnarvon

Denham o 27 S 27o S Kalbarri

Geraldton Southern Inland West Coast Eucla Perth

Esperance Augusta

Black Point Albany South Coast 115o 30' E

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES FIGURE 1 Map showing Western Australia’s major biogeographical regions.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 125 Bioregion – West Coast 126 suite ofmarinespecies. more otherregions). (operators seekingaccesstothewestcoastandoneor bioregion, withafurther82‘multi-zone’ licence applicationshavebeenreceivedforthewestcoast Charter activityisalsosignificantand99aquatictour The westcoast,betweenKalbarriand Regional Mana W Recreational Fisheries laevigata lar easy accesstothereefs.Southof CapeNaturaliste,the summer monthswhentideandweather conditionsallow Geraldton and takes placemainlyontheinshorereefplatformsbetween Recreational fishingforRoe’ recreational rocklobsterlicenceisrequired. operates between15Novemberand30Junea breeding females.Inaddition,arestrictedfishingseason gear restrictions,bagandsizelimitsprotectionof metropolitan areaandGeraldton.Fishingcontrolsinclude 20 m,withmostfishingactivityaroundthePerth concentrated ininshoreregions,depthsoflessthan and abalone. There arelicensedrecreationalfisheriesforrocklobster Blue swimmercrabsarethetar estuaries. variable fisheryintheSwan/CanningandPeel/Harvey King andriverprawnsalsoprovideahighlyseasonal bream, cobbler recreational fishingareasandproducecatchesofblack Leschenault andHardyInletarehighlypopular Estuaries includingtheSwan/Canning,Peel/Harvey tar pink snapperandbaldchingroperdominateboatfishers’ (manna) crabs,tailor King Geor Australian herring,whiting(severalspeciesincluding Major speciesintheshoreandinshoreboatcatchinclude five millionfishingdaysayear State, witharound450,000anglersfishinganestimated the highestlevelofrecreationalfishingactivityin W 453,000 anglerfishingdaysin1996/97(Sumnerand Augusta fortheboatingsectoralonewasestimatedat Sumner 2000). estimated 4millionfishingdaysayear(Baharthahand Mandurah attractabout310,000fishers,generatingan metropolitan coastalwatersbetween deeper water of thiscomingfromthePeel/HarveyEstuary 500 tonnesperyear(twomillioncrabs),withoverhalf recreational catchislikelytobebetween400and Catch surveysfortheseareasindicatethatthetotal Inlet, CockburnSound,GeographeBayandSwanRiver fishing areasincludethePeel/HarveyInlet,Leschenault recreational fishery illiamson 1999). ger speciesofgreenlipandbrownlip abalone get list. FISHERIES est CoastBioregion and ge whiting),skipjacktrevally , withmostfishing activityoccurringfrom The recreationalrocklobsterfisheryis Haliotis conicopora) Augusta duringtheearlyspring and , tailor WESTERN The totalef , withover80,000participants.Major , garfishandsquid,whiledhufish, , mulloway g ement Over A fort fromKalbarrito USTRALIA s abalone . get of , flathead,flounderanda W ithin thisregionthe are alsotakenin Y W Augusta, attracts anchep and (Haliotis r , blueswimmer A – ST applications ’ s lar vie A . TE OF gest (Haliotis w oei) , THE FISHERIES REPOR . Cockburn Sound appearedtobeextremelywell The six-weekclosuretofishing for pinksnapperin Leschenault Estuaries. take ofunder of netting intheSwanRiver snapper andsquidinCockburnSound,illegalrecreational lobster andtailor arrangements wererelatedtothetakeofunder risks ofnon-compliancewiththemanagement In themetropolitanandMandurahareashighest 8,402 hours. for 5,447hoursandthesouth-west(Bunbury–Augusta) Lancelin, whilethemid-west(Jurien–Kalbarri)accounted greater metropolitanareabetweenMandurahand Approximately 12,430ofthesehourswereappliedinthe and tooverseeingnettingbyrecreationalfishers. were appliedtocoastalboatingandland-basedfishing A (VFLOs) inmajorcoastalcentres. with theassistanceof Hillarys, Fremantle,Mandurah,BunburyandBusselton, stationed inGeraldton,Dongara,JurienBay coast bioregionwascarriedoutbyFisheriesOf Recreational fishingcomplianceandeducationinthewest Comm Regional Complianceand released inJune2000forpubliccomment(Fisheries prepared byacommunity-basedworkinggroupwas A arrangements forthewestcoastiscurrentlyunderway A Geographe Bay Leschenault Inlets,andcrabsinCockburnSound Protection Bay MarinePark, for specificmanagementcontrolstheproposedJurien Additional requestshavealsobeenmadeinrecenttimes commercial crabfleetandtheestuarinefishery the commercialwetlineanddemersalgillnetfleet, waters, andcompetitionfortheavailableresourcewith environmental degradationinestuariesandnearshore and theinshorereefsystem),coastaldevelopment recreational fishingpressure(particularlyondemersalfish recreational fisheriesrevolvearoundthegrowthin Key issuesfacing to takeabalone. 10 December each Sundayonlyfrom7.00a.m.to8.30until commenced onSunday5November2000andcontinued metropolitan andGreenoughrecreationalabaloneseason possession andsizelimitsgearcontrols. include licensing,closedseasons,waters, Hamelin Bayroundtothesouthcoast.Fishingcontrols for Fisheries. group andiscurrentlybeingconsideredbytheMinister submissions, afinalreportwaspreparedbytheworking discussion paper 2000c). Over1,200submissionswerereceivedonthe fences duringtheshortabaloneopen season,andthe total of26,279hoursactivitybyFisheriesOf discussion paper(FisheriesManagementPaperno.139) review ofrecreationalfisheriesmanagement unity EducationOver Area, prawndragnettinginPeel/Harveyand T 2000/2001 -size crabsinthePeel/Harveyand . A . . Followingconsiderationofpublic recreational abalonelicenceisrequired , takeofexcessivenumberslar Abrolhos IslandsFishHabitat W estern V olunteer FisheriesLiaisonOf , under Australia’ -size andover s westcoast vie , Lancelin, The Perth -bag-limit -size rock ficers w ficers ge pink ficers W . A . supported by the recreational fishing community, and for children, adults and pensioners. They also attended there were few signs of fishers targeting snapper during the Abrolhos Islands and conducted liaison activities for the closed season. the second year in a row.

Metropolitan Fisheries Officers contacted 14,500 fishers A VFLO initiative resulted in Fisheries Officers and in both a compliance and educational role throughout the VFLOs participating in a Coastcare-funded ‘Feral Peril’ year, detecting 396 offences. A significant number of survey in conjunction with school students and the Water est Coast these were detected in the rock lobster, abalone, crab, and and Rivers Commission. The aim is to determine the W marine finfish fisheries. abundance of exotic fish in the Chapman and Greenough Rivers and the effects of their introduction. In the mid-west several major apprehensions occurred for possession of large numbers of rock lobster and rock lobster tails, possession of large quantities of under-size Regional Research Overview finfish, and exceeding bag limits. Reports also indicate Scientific information to underpin recreational fisheries an increased incidence of recreational fish sales and management in this bioregion is provided by dedicated interference with fishing gear, mainly lobster pots. This research projects on specifically licensed high-value Bioregion – increase may have resulted from the upgraded Fishwatch species (rock lobster and abalone), and research based on system, which facilitates improved regional reporting of commercial fisheries in the finfish sector. alleged offences. In addition, the estuarine and beach species have been the Approximately 400 Fishwatch reports on illegal activity focus of a number of extensive studies, some undertaken were received during the year. Approximately 30% of by Fisheries WA researchers and others in collaboration reports related to marine finfish, while rock lobster, with postgraduate students, mainly of Murdoch netting and crab offences accounted for 15% each, and University. These studies have provided biological data on abalone 8% of reports. The remaining reports were spread herring, whiting (including King George whiting), blue across a range of other recreational fisheries issues. swimmer crabs, prawns, tailor, cobbler, black bream and other minor species. For west coast offshore boat angling The VFLO program involves 77 volunteers in the Perth species – whiting (other than King George whiting), area, 37 in Mandurah, 34 in Geraldton and the mid-west wrasse and groper (various species), Western Australian and 29 in Bunbury and Busselton. VFLOs reported dhufish and snapper – some biological data is also 13,500 contacts and 2,500 interviews during the year. available from previous Fisheries WA studies based on the Volunteers continued beachfront education programs, commercial fisheries, and from collaborative postgraduate focusing on correct fishing techniques, ethics, and bag research projects. and size limits; they attended major boat shows (Perth Estimates of abundance for most of these recreational Boat, Dive & Fishing Show, Hillarys Boat Show, species are also provided by statistical information from Mandurah Boat Show, Ascot Marina Boat Festival and commercial fishing recorded in the long-run CAES others), and distributed educational material to tackle database. To estimate total recreational catch and shops throughout the metropolitan area. recreational/commercial catch shares in order to assess Fishing workshops for people with disabilities were also the overall status of these stocks, recreational creel given priority, and the project received the ‘Action On survey data is required. Historically, there have been two Access – Making A Difference To Everyday Life 2000’ surveys, one targeting herring in the 1970s (Lenanton and award from the Disability Services Commission. Hall 1976) and another which assessed beach angling for the lower west coast (Perth to Cape Leeuwin) (Ayvazian The ‘Fishers with Disabilities’ program was also extended et al. 1997). to Rottnest Island when Neville Thomas, VFLO Disabilities Development Coordinator, and other A 12-month survey of recreational boat-based fishing metropolitan VFLOs raised $11,000 to purchase the from Augusta to Kalbarri was completed in 1997 ‘Marine Machine’. The ‘Marine Machine’ is a Triton van (Sumner and Williamson 1999). This survey estimated equipped to carry 10 passengers with disabilities, the recreational catch and fishing effort for the region. including four passengers in wheelchairs. It is used The main marine species caught by boat-based fishers are around Rottnest Island to transport fishers with a (in order of number caught) whiting species (other than disability to popular fishing locations. This could not have King George whiting) (564,000), Australian herring been achieved without partnerships from United Way, the (425,000), blue swimmer crabs (255,000), skipjack Rottnest Island Authority, Stirling Marine and Boat trevally (123,000), King George whiting (94,000), Torque Cruises. squid (88,000), southern sea garfish (79,000), various species of wrasse and groper (66,000) and Western In Mandurah a locally sponsored van assisted volunteers Australian dhufish (29,000). The size of the recreational with longer-range patrols, and a declining trend in the catch for many of these species was of a similar number of recreational crabbing infringements was noted magnitude to the commercial catch. These findings have which can largely be attributed to the presence and highlighted the importance of proper management for educational role of the VFLOs. recreational fisheries.

In Geraldton, Jurien and Dongara, three teams of VFLOs A survey of recreational fishing in the Leschenault attended all major agricultural and community shows and Estuary was completed in 1998 (Malseed et al. 2000). festivals, gave school talks and conducted fishing clinics Similar surveys of the Swan-Canning and Peel-Harvey

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 127 Bioregion – West Coast 128 release methods. educate fishers,bothrecreationalandcommercial,onfish the regulationsrelatingtodeep-waterspeciesand > 40m). dhufish caughtfromthreedepths(<20m,25–35mand and ‘shotline’ from theirswimbladders,andthe‘simple’ testing theef funding fromFRDC. under A 2000). swimmer crabswerecompletedin1999(Sumneretal. estuaries focusingmainlyontherecreationalcatchofblue Recreational Fisheries Pots anddiving. Main fishingmethod than 20mbetweenNorth western rocklobstersininshoreregionsdepthsofless lobster species;however statewide basisandencompassesthetakeofallrock The recreationalrocklobsterfisheryoperatesona Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Fisher Licensed RecreationalRoc catch andtoproducethefollowingstatusreport. survey ofparticipantsisusedtoestimatetherecreational For therecreationalcomponentofthisfishery and reportedinthatsection. undertaken throughtheCommercialFisheriesProgram General researchformanagingtherocklobsterstockis RESEARCH SUMMAR stocks infuture. management ofthemostimportantrecreationalfish database, willprovidethecoreinformationnecessaryfor with thelong-rundatasetsfromcommercialCAES W followed bythefinfishspeciesreportedSumnerand commonly takenrecreationalspeciesinthisbioregion, blue swimmercrabsandrocklobstersarethemost Anderton (2000). are alsoundertaken,asreportedbyMelville-Smithand greatest fishingactivity Perth metropolitanregionandGeraldtonexperiencethe between 15Marchand30June. closed todivingforrocklobsters, butopenforpotting, except atthe operated between15Novemberand30Juneinclusive, season 36,906licencesweresold. licence isrequiredtotakelobsters,andinthe1999/2000 Recreational Roc illiamson (1999). new researchprojectonmaximisingthesurvivalof epar FISHERIES -size westcoastreeffishbeganin Annual surveysofrecreationalrocklobsterfishers ed byR.Melville-Smithand Y DESCRIPTION y StatusRepor This workwillultimatelybeusedtoreview fects ofhooktypes,ventingfishtoreleaseair Abrolhos Islandswherethewaters were methods ofrelease,onthesurvival WESTERN These combinedsurveysindicatethat These survey-baseddata,integrated Short-term cagingexperimentsare . , fishingisconcentratedon A W A recreational rocklobster k LobsterFisher USTRALIA est Capeand Y t The 1999/2000season A. Thomson k Lobster – ST August 2000,with Augusta. A TE OF , anannual The THE FISHERIES REPOR y Commer day respectively divers caught1.4and1.8lobstersperpersonfishing fishing season. lobsters perpersonfishingdayinthe1999/2000 The averagepotanddivingcatcheswere1.72.5 Catch r 16 daysrespectivelyinthe1998/99fishingseason. season. 34 and1 held alicencebutfailedtouseit)usedtheirlicenceson average potanddivingfishers(excludingallthosewho only anestimated29,420utilisedtheirlicence. 36,906 peoplepurchasedlicencestofishforlobsters,but Fishing eff 169 tonnesbydiving. estimates for1998/99were457tonnesbypottingand by pottingand186tonnesdiving. 1999/2000 wasestimatedat747tonnes,with561tonnes The recreationalcatchofwesternrocklobsterfor Recreational catc RET results inthoseyearsproducinga higheroverall in yearsofgoodrecruitmentinto thefishery sales andassociatedusagefigures aresubstantiallyhigher three- tofour to thefisheryisdependentonpuerulus settlementwitha to fouryearsearlier settlement indicesrecordedonthe Zone Chasalsobeenshowntobecorrelatedwithpuerulus In additiontolicenceusage,therecreationalcatchin a highlysignificantimpactoncatchovertime. (south of30°S)overtheperiodsurveyedandthishashad contrast, licenceusagehasmorethandoubledinZoneC catch hashoveredataround100tonnesperyear rock lobstergroundsnorthof30°S)andthattheresulting relatively constantinZoneB(thatpartofthewestern estimates suggestthatlicenceusagehasremained mail surveyssincethe1986/87season. The recreationalrocklobstercatchhasbeenestimatedby Pr See thecommercialfisherystatusreport. Breeding stoc See thecommercialfisherystatusreport. Exploitation status: given inthecommercialfisherystatusreport(pp.7-13). western rocklobsterresearchandthisinformationis overall stockassessmentsareanimportantfocusof the commercialcatch(around5%). The recreationalcatchisarelativelysmallproportionof Stoc overall catchofwesternrocklobsteroverthepastseason. The commercialfisheryaccountedforaround95%ofthe ojected catc AINED SPECIES k assessmentcompleted: ate 1 daysrespectivelyduringthe1999/2000fishing Potters anddiversfishedonaverage38 cial share: T 2000/2001 or -year timelag. t k le h ne . In the1998/99fishingseasonpottersand . h (season1999/2000): vels: xt season(2001): The reasonforthisisthatrecruitment As mightbeexpected,licence Alkimos collectorsthree 747 tonnes(estimate) For thisreason Comparative catch Regional 650–750 tonnes Full 95% (appr , whichinturn y e Adequate The . xploited By o Y x.) es recreational rock lobster catch due to a combination of ECONOMIC EFFECTS increased abundance and higher fishing effort. The direct value of the recreational catch in the 1999/2000 season was about $17 million, however this Puerulus settlement indices at Alkimos, which have been represents only a minor proportion of the economic shown to be a reliable predictor of future recruitment in activity generated by this sector through the use of boats, the southern region of the commercial fishery, have been fishing gear etc. used to predict the recreational rock lobster catch in est Coast

2000/2001. Based on declining settlement indices in FISHERY GOVERNANCE W 1996/97 and 1997/98, it is predicted that if the number of There are no direct controls on the annual take by the licences used remains at a similar level to the 1999/2000 recreational sector in this fishery, other than size, bag season, the recreational rock lobster catch will decrease to limit, and seasonal constraints. around 695 tonnes in 2000/2001, and will further decline in 2001/02 to about 600 tonnes before improving in EXTERNAL FACTORS 2002/03 to about 700 tonnes (Recreational Rock Lobster The recreational catch is largely determined by the Figure 1). puerulus settlement in the metropolitan area, which in turn Bioregion – is responding to variations in the Leeuwin Current and NON-RETAINED SPECIES related oceanographic factors. See commercial fishery status report.

ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS See commercial fishery status report.

SOCIAL EFFECTS With approximately 30,000 people taking approximately 1.5 million individual lobsters annually, this fishery represents a major recreational activity and provides a significant social benefit to the Western Australian community.

Puerulus Settlement – Catch Relationship 01/02 00/01 02/03 900 800 30000 99/00+ 700 h (tonnes) e g 98/99+ 25000 600

500 97/98 +

+ 92/93 20000 91/92 + Licence usa

400 93/94+

tal recreational catc + 94/95

+ 12000 96/97 + 95/96 To

300 88/89 +

+ ++ 89/90 86/87 90/91 87/88 + 200 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Puerulus settlement index RECREATIONAL ROCK LOBSTER FIGURE 1 The relationship between puerulus settlement at Alkimos and recreational catch at three different levels of recreational licence usage (see usage figues on the right side of the graph). Along the upper horizontal axis are arrows indicating the level of puerulus settlement corresponding to future seasons. The most likely catch prediction scenarios correspond to licence usage rates similar to those in the 1999/2000 season (i.e. approximately 30,000).

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 129 Bioregion – West Coast 130 5 Novemberto10December The 2000PerthandGreenoughseasonranfrom the sameseasonandtimerestrictionsasPerthfishery the mouthofGreenoughRiver)whichoperatesunder west coastfishery(betweentheFlatRockscarparkand also asmallsectionofreefintheGreenougharea 8.30 a.m.)andalimitedseason(sixSundays). is controlledbyallowablefishingtimes(7.00a.m.to Island. K. Friedman fishery participantsduringthe1997–2000seasons. of headcountsandinterviewdatafromrecreational database. and respondentlocation(postcode)fromthelicensing interviews stratifiedbylicencetype(abaloneorumbrella) species fromthethreefisheryregions,basedon The telephonesurveyestimatesthecatchofallthree these havenowbeenrevisedbasedontheabovesurveys. estimates forthePerthRoe’ State oftheFisheriesonlypreliminarycatchandef surveys forthePerthfisheryonly telephone surveyscoveringallareasoftheState,andfield derived fromtwoindependentmethodsofestimation: Catch andef recreational fisheries). licence oranumbrella(whichcoversalllicensed take outeitheradedicatedabalonerecreationalfishing recreational fishery taken, whereasonlyRoe’ fisheries. Inthelattertwofisheriesallthreespeciesare are thePerth,westcoastandsouthrecreational abalone canbepartitionedintothreemainregions. The recreationalfisheryforgreenlip,brownlipandRoe’ RESEARCH SUMMAR Recreational Fisheries greenlip andbrownlip abalone140mm. recreational fishingofRoe’ licence holderisfishing. boat limitoftwicethelegalbag limit ifmorethanone abalone isenforcedthroughoutthe State. abalone andacombinedlimitof 10greenlipandbrownlip For allthreefisherysectorsadailybaglimitof20Roe’ the SA recreational fisherysectorextendseastfromBlackPointto bioregion boundariesofthewestcoast. (close toCapeBeaufort). areas ofthewestcoastdowntoandincludingBlackPoint The westcoastrecreationalfisherysectorincludesallother The PerthfisheryextendsfromCapeBouvardto Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Status Repor Licensed RecreationalAbaloneFisher open forrecreationalfishingthroughouttheyear Recreational AbaloneFisher epar FISHERIES ed byB.Hancock,T border Access byrecreationalfisherstothePerthfishery Y DESCRIPTION The fieldsurveyresultsarebasedonananalysis fort figuresrepresentedinthisreportare . WESTERN Both thewestandsouthcoastsectorsare t . Recreationalfishersarerequiredto These licencesarenotrestricted. s abalonearefishedinthePerth This delineationreflectsthe The minimumlegalsizefor A s abaloneis60mm,andfor s fisherywerereported,and USTRALIA . Baharthah,N.Sumnerand Y . . Inpreviousvolumesof The southcoast – ST There isadaily A TE OF y There is . W fort These edge THE FISHERIES REPOR y s s . (Recreational Abalone by recreationalabaloneandumbrellalicenceholders 2000) wereestimatedusingtelephonesurveysstratified of thefishery(28.8tonnesin1999and19.5 respectively). EstimatesofRoe’ abalone taken(1 driven byadecreaseof26%inthemeanweight surveys respectively). from 1999(30.9%and34.1%fortelephonefield catch forthePerthfisheryhasdecreasedbyabout33% field surveysrespectively for thePerthfisherywerederivedfromtelephoneand fishery The majorityofRoe’ region (seeRecreational weight figureforeachspeciesinrecreationalcatch Estimating catchintonnesrequirestheuseofamean All catchesareshowninwholeweight. Recreational catc RET compressed air are usuallytakenwhilefreedivingoron or freediving,whereasgreenlipandbrownlipabalone Roe’ Main fishingmethod surveys respectively from the1999estimatesfor telephone andfield survey telephone surveyor19,800fisher daysfromthefield Perth fisherywasestimatedat21,767 fisherdaysfromthe The totalrecreationalfishingef Fishing eff fishing thereeftop). species arenottakenfromwithinthesurfzone(while lower forgreenlipandbrownlipabalonefishingasthese the westandsouthcoastregions,butisassumedtobe conducted in1997. catch fromthePerthrecreationalfisheryinsurveys type ofmortalitywasestimatedat5–20%theretained retained andremaindeadormoribundonthereef. are killedasaresultofrecreationalfishingbutnot Incidental mortalitydescribesthenumberofanimalsthat 41% (Recreational the southcoastby6%anddecreasedonwest T by 39%and14%respectively(Recreational The greenlipcatchhasrisenonthesouthandwestcoasts was predominantlytakenfromthesouthcoastfishery The recreationalcatchofgreenlipandbrownlipabalone T recreational minimumlegalsizes(Recreational assumed onthebasisofcommercialcatchweightsand weights fortheotherregionsandspecieshavebeen recreational fisheryforthe1999and2000seasons. caught abaloneareavailableonlyforthePerthRoe’ Measurements ofthemeanweightrecreationally able 2). able 1and2). AINED SPECIES s abalonecanbefishedbypickingwhilewading . . Estimatesofbetween33.7tonnesand30.2 This representsdecreasesof6.7% and10.3% The brownliprecreationalcatchhasincreasedon T 2000/2001 or t . 19.5 gand91.3for19992000 Abalone h: . This informationisnotavailablefrom s abaloneweretakeninthePerth T This hasbeenpredominantly able Abalone . Basedontheseestimates,the Roe’ Roe’ T 2). able 2). s P s restofState20tonnes fort during2000inthe s catchintheotherareas T er ables 1and2). th fisher Br Greenlip 47tonnes o wnlip 12tonnes Abalone y 32tonnes Abalone This s Mean . Fishing effort for the south coast and west coast fisheries annual variation in settlement, and the strength of cohorts has not been separated by species since it is possible to reaching legal size in subsequent seasons. This projection fish all species on the same day. Effort recorded by fisher requires a sound knowledge of the growth of sub-legal days for the south coast and west coast recreational size classes, which is currently being analysed. fisheries was 12,966 and 9,820 fisher days respectively. This represents decreases of 20% and 4% compared to Penguin Island was opened to fishing for the November est Coast effort recorded in 1999. and December 2000 season. This is the first time that Penguin Island has been opened since 1995. The W Catch rate increasing abalone density at the indicator site, along with an increase in the percentage of abalone above legal size, The catch rate during the Perth season was estimated at supports the view that the abalone population had 17 and 16.7 abalone per fisher day by the telephone and recovered sufficiently to support recreational fishing. field surveys respectively, a decrease of 3.7% over the 1999 figures indicated by the telephone survey and a West and south coast stock assessments are based on decrease of 4% for the field survey. catch and effort data from the commercial fishery (see commercial status report, pp. 93-9). Bioregion – Commercial share: Roe’s 68% (estimate) Greenlip/brownlip 79% (estimate) Exploitation status: Fully exploited The commercial fishers in the Perth Roe’s abalone fishery have caught their quota of 36 tonnes in recent years. This Breeding stock levels: Adequate was about 53% of the combined recreational and Research has shown that abalone size at sexual maturity commercial catch in 2000, an increase from (50% of animals mature) is below the State minimum approximately 45% in 1999 as a result of the decrease in legal size for all species. This is considered to provide estimated recreational catch in 2000. For the State as a adequate protection for the breeding stock. Roe’s abalone whole, the commercial Roe’s abalone catch share was stocks are further protected by the fact that commercial estimated at 68%. fishers in the Perth and eastern south coast fisheries fish to minimum legal size limits of 70 mm and 75 mm For greenlip and brownlip abalone the commercial respectively, higher than the normal legal minimum size catches were 189.8 tonnes and 33.5 tonnes respectively. for Roe’s abalone of 60 mm. These catches represent 79% of the estimated total take of these two species statewide. The densities measured at all of the stock assessment sites surveyed in the Perth fishery were considered to be high Stock assessment completed: Yes enough to allow an adequate flow of abalone to the For the Perth fishery, size distributions and densities were breeding stock, and the level of recruitment of juveniles to measured from each of six reef platforms between the reef remains strong. Penguin Island and Burns Beach. Reef areas surveyed were Burns Beach, Beaumaris, Waterman’s reserve, Projected catch next season (2001): Mettams Pool, Bailey Street and Penguin Island. Surveys Roe’s Perth fishery 34–46 tonnes were conducted using quadrats placed at repeated Roe’s rest of State 20–29 tonnes positions along fixed transects oriented perpendicular to Greenlip 36–47 tonnes the shore across the reef platform. All abalone seen within Brownlip abalone12–15 tonnes a quadrat were counted and measured. These surveys Based on the recent history of the Perth fishery were conducted in January and February 2001 (post- (1997–2000), the catch for the 2001 season would be season) to assess the effects of fishing and to get an expected to lie within the range 323,200–383,600 abalone. indication of the stock levels available for subsequent This estimate is taken from the range of field survey seasons (Recreational Abalone Table 3). estimates (1997–1999, Recreational Abalone Figure 1). Assuming a catch weight intermediate between the mean Preliminary estimates of post-season densities after the abalone weights measured for the 1999 and 2000 seasons, 2000 recreational season were highest at Burns Beach these catches in number of abalone would describe a with 155 abalone/m2, with the other locations ranging catch range of 34–46 tonnes. from 87 to 97 abalone/m2. At sites north of Penguin Island, these figures have remained fairly stable during Estimates for the other recreational fisheries are taken the last three years, with fluctuations in total densities from the range of results originating from the telephone being influenced by the strength of post-settlement survey (1999 and 2000, Recreational Abalone Table 2). recruitment. These densities can be compared to an average figure of 95 abalone/m2 in Waterman’s reserve, an NON-RETAINED SPECIES unfished site, however the variation between transects See commercial fishery status report, pp. 93-9. indicates that the changes over time at a site are more informative. The mean densities of legal-sized abalone at ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS the end of the fishing season vary among sites Habitat effects: Low (Recreational Abalone Table 3) but most sites had good See commercial fishery status report, pp. 93-9. abundance of legal-sized abalone during the 2001 survey compared to previous years. SOCIAL EFFECTS Examination of the density of different year classes of Over 18,000 licences were issued that would have Roe’s abalone in the future may permit the assessment of allowed fishers to participate in the recreational abalone

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 131 Bioregion – West Coast 132 field sur Perth abalonefisheryisanine-hour W whole w whole w restrictions. and baglimits,aswellseasonfishingtime Recreational catchofabaloneiscontrolledthroughsize FISHER Not applicable. ECONOMIC EFFECTS mainly inthePerthfishery licence holdersactivelyfishedduringthe2000season, fishery Recreational Fisheries 4. 3. 2. 1. Summar RECREA Summar RECREA appreciate theabaloneasafood. social benefittothesectorsofcommunitywho South Coast 1999 2000 1999 2000 Y 2000 1999 1998 1997 Y est Coast Mean wholeweightforbrownlipisassumedtobe0.675kgthewest coastand0.650kgforthesouthcoast. Mean wholeweightforgreenlipisassumedtobe0.661kgthewest coast and0.467kgforthesouthcoast. Mean wholeweightforRoe’ Ef FISHERIES ear ear fort isestimatedforallspeciescombined. . Y GO The telephonesurveyestimated6,200ofthese v eight) f eight) andmeanwholew y ofeff y ofeff Eff (da e 10,273 12,966 16,289 ys TIONAL AB TIONAL AB 9,820 21,767 23,323 (da Under presentmanagementarrangementsthe or Eff ys) . VERNANCE WESTERN t or 1 ys) or thew or or t t (fisherda t (fisherda Catc T Catc rate 12.4 12.7 1 elephone Sur 7.3 est andsouthcoastrecreationalabalonefisher 17.0 17.6 r 1.0 ALONE ALONE . A ate s abaloneisassumedtobe0.091kg(meanweightmeasuredfromthePerth fisheryfor2000). USTRALIA This fisheryprovidesamajor h Roe’ h ys), catchr ys), catchr (n 186,800 128,700 123,500 Catc 90,900 s abalone umber) (n T T eight (kg)f 369,000 410,000 Catc ABLE 2 ABLE 1 umber) – ST h ve h , operatingfor ate (abaloneperfisherda ate (abaloneperfisherda y A (tonnes) TE OF Catc 17.0 1 1 8.3 or theP 1.2 1.8 (tonnes) Catc h 33.7 48.8 THE FISHERIES REPOR 2 h er th recreationalRoe’ Catc rate 3.0 1.9 5.0 2.3 Greenlip abalone 20,815 16,986 19,800 22,066 (da Eff h fisheries arenotnegativelyimpacted. be advisedtoensuretherecreationalandcommercial changes intheoperationofrecreationalfisherywould a trendalongwithincreasingparticipationrate,then indicating afallinaverageweightofabalonedevelopinto outside theaggregations. spawning sizeandfishersdonottar size (60mm)isgreaterthantheaverageminimum Roe’ There isnobiologicalsustainabilityissueforthePerth Figure 2). been steadilyincreasingsince1995(Recreational The numberoflicencesavailableisnotlimitedandhas 1.5 hoursamorningforsixmorningsduringtheseason. or ys) (n t Catc 48,400 20,400 67,500 23,400 s stocks,giventhatthelegalrecreationalminimum umber) y) andcatch(n y), catch(n h Catc ies 17.5 18.9 16.7 17.4 r T 2000/2001 ate Field Sur , fromtelephonesur (tonnes) s abalonefisher h Catc 22.6 13.5 31.5 15.5 umber ofabaloneandtonnes h (n umber ofabaloneandtonnes 369,905 323,188 330,288 383,631 3 Catc umber) ve However y h Catc rate 0.7 1.2 0.8 0.6 Br y (tonnes) , fromtelephoneand h Catc o , ifpreliminarydata 30.2 45.8 get significantstocks wnlip abalone v (n e Catc 10,930 1 1 ys umber) 6,900 1,400 h 1,900 . h w eight (kg) (tonnes) 0.0913 0.1 Mean Catc Abalone 7.4 7.1 8.1 4.6 195 h 4 the reefplatf are fromquadr Assumption 2: Assumption 1: projections throughtimebasedontw Catch estimatesf RECREA (> 60mm)fromthesixreefplatf Preliminar RECREA 2001 2000 1999 Y ear T otal y meantotaldensitiesofabaloneg 87 86 88 TIONAL AB TIONAL AB Baile Street or estimated usingthefieldsurveytechnique(Recreational 1999 and2000. mean weightofabalonetakenduring1992to1996isequaltheaverage ofthetwomeanweightvaluesmeasuredfor that thecatchrateforyears1992to1996isaverageofannual catchratesfortheyears1997to2000;andthatth measured for1999and2000(i.e.105.4g,averagedfrom1 assumes thatef assumes thatthemeanweightofabalonetakenduring1997and1998is equaltotheaverageoftwomeanweight

Catch estimate (tonnes) m. ats placedatrepeatedpositionsalongfix 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 60+ y 0 or theP 1992 28 21 25 ALONE FIGURE1 ALONE fort from1992to1996istheaveragepercentageofpotentialef er T th recreationalabalonefisher otal 90 88 90 Mettams Perth RecreationalAbaloneCatchEstimates P FISHERIES ool or T m monitor ABLE 3 60+ 25 27 35 1994 o assumptions WESTERN T Beaumaris otal ing sitesintheP 88 86 92 reater than5mmandmeandensitiesoflegal-siz . 60+ 50 47 45 A Year 1996 USTRALIA ed tr y f Abalone or theper Burns Beac 19.5 gin1999and91.32000). ansects or er T 155 137 127 otal th fisher – ST T able 1). iod 1992to2000,includingbac A 60+ TE OF Assumption 1 Assumption 2 Telephone F 56 46 45 iented per y ield 1998 , measuredasabalone/m h THE FISHERIES REPOR W T 106 fort utilisedfortheyears199 otal 95 84 aterman’ pendicular totheshoreacross 60+ 45 45 36 s 2000 Numbers caughtare ed abalone T 2 otal 97 96 80 . T 2000/2001 P kw Densities Island enguin 7 to2000; ards 60+ 29 30 26 values e 133

Bioregion – West Coast Recreational Fisheries

Perth Recreational Abalone Licences 20000

18000 All licences

est Coast Abalone recreational licences 16000 Umbrella recreational licences W 14000

12000

10000

8000

Bioregion – 6000

4000

2000 Numbers of recreational licences 0 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year

RECREATIONAL ABALONE FIGURE 2 The number of licences issued in the Perth recreational abalone fishery, by licence type, for the period 1992 to 2000. Note that the recreational season totalled 16 days in 1993, 12 days in 1992 and 1994, 5 days in 1996 and 6 days in 1995 and 1997–2000. Since 1995 permissible fishing hours per season day have been 1.5 (7.00 to 8.30 a.m., Sundays only). In 1992–1994 fishing was permitted for two hours per season day (7.00 to 9.00 a.m., Saturdays and Sundays).

134 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Gascoyne Coast Bioregion Regional Compliance and Community Education Overview Regional Management Overview Compliance and education programs for the Gascoyne Recreational fishing activity in the Gascoyne has are delivered through Fisheries WA offices in Denham, increased significantly since the early 1980s. The estimate Carnarvon and Exmouth. yne Coast of recreational fishing participation in the region is 6% of Regional Services staff undertook 7,469 hours of the State’s fishers or 40,000 fishers a year (Baharthah and activities in the Gascoyne bioregion during 2000/2001. Sumner 2001). These hours were divided between rock lobster, net Fishing activity tends to peak between April and August fishing, marine boat- and shore-based angling, and each year. Most fishers stay an average of less than two support for Recreational Fishing Advisory Committees weeks and intend to fish every day (Sumner and Steckis and the Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officer program. 1999). A recent survey conducted between April 1998 Indicators of compliance levels include data collected and March 1999 (Sumner et al., in press) has confirmed during research creel surveys, data from VFLO observations, that the Gascoyne is a major focus of recreational fishing, patrol contact sheets and reports completed by Fisheries with 243,000 fisher days being recorded over the survey Officers, and reports from members of the public. period. The majority of fishers came from Perth (44%) Bioregion – Gasco or rural WA (34%), with 13% being based locally and As a result of Fisheries patrols, a total of 21 prosecutions, the remainder (9%) from the Eastern States. Detailed 13 infringement notices and 20 infringement warnings catch results from this survey will be found in the were given out in 2000/2001 for a variety of recreational following pages. fishing offences relating to under-size fish, illegal gear and catches in excess of bag limits. Charter activity, although not covered in the 1998/99 survey, is also significant, with 35 aquatic tour licence Areas considered at highest risk of non-compliance applications received for the Gascoyne coast bioregion, included new regulations for pink snapper in Shark Bay, plus a further 71 ‘multi-zone’ applications from operators the take of under-size spangled emperor, and illegal netting. seeking access to the Gascoyne and one or more other regions. A logbook system is being introduced which will Anecdotal information and reports from Fisheries Officers provide catch data from this sector, and is expected to also indicated increased illegal activity in the recreational show that significant catches are taken. net fishery. This resembles patterns of non-compliance from the previous year. As a result of excessive fishing pressure on the inner Fishwatch reports indicated that the major area of public Shark Bay snapper stocks, a series of modifications have concern was illegal netting in Bush Bay just south of been made to the management arrangements in the area. Carnarvon. In 1997 a bag limit of two pink snapper per person, a minimum size limit of 500 mm, and a maximum size of The 1998/1999 Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Survey 700 mm were introduced for the eastern gulf. The eastern (Sumner et al., in press) indicated a high level of gulf was then closed to pink snapper fishing on 9 June compliance in the region, with very few (< 4%) of anglers 1998 to enable this stock to recover from several years of keeping under-size fish or exceeding bag limits. intensive recreational fishing effort leading to recruitment over-fishing. For the western gulf, a minimum size of The highest levels of non-compliance with fishing 450 mm, a bag limit of four and a limit of two fish over regulations occurred in the Carnarvon and Point Quobba 700 mm per person were introduced during 1998. Due to areas of the region (17% and 13% of those interviewed ongoing concerns for pink snapper stocks in the western respectively). gulf, revised regulations were introduced from 25 August 2000. These included a minimum size limit of 500 mm, Other areas including Exmouth, Coral Bay and Denham bag limit of two and a limit of one fish over 700 mm per all recorded low levels of non-compliance with the fishing person. A closure in Freycinet Estuary (south of Goulet regulations (between 3% and 4%). Bluff) between 15 August and 30 September, during the The VFLO program was launched in Exmouth and spawning period, was also introduced. The latest Carnarvon in 1994, with the combined centres fielding a revisions have been more effective in protecting pink total of 10 volunteers in 2000/2001. VFLOs reported 373 snapper stocks, and have reduced the recreational catch contacts and 161 interviews during the year. Recruitment in the western gulf. and training is ongoing, with the volunteer program to be launched in Denham by the end of 2001. A review of recreational fisheries management arrangements for the Gascoyne bioregion is currently Fisheries Officers together with VFLOs have placed a under way. A discussion paper (Fisheries WA 1999a) greater emphasis on community education as a key prepared by a community-based working group was strategy for combating non-compliance in recreational released in May 1999 for public comment. The working fishing. Gascoyne regional staff attend and present group has reviewed public submissions and prepared a information in a variety of forums throughout the year, recreational fishing management strategy which is including school talks, sporting club presentations and currently being considered by the Minister for Fisheries. community expos.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 135 Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 136 Recreational Fisheries Spatial distr GASCO FISHERIES YNE RECREA ib ution ofrecreationalfishingeff WESTERN A TIONAL FISHINGFIGURE 1 USTRALIA – ST A TE OF or t in1998/99. THE FISHERIES REPOR Note: Thedottedlinesseparatethe T 2000/2001 Both Fisheries Officers and VFLOs were involved Recreational Fishing Figure 1). Recreational fishing extensively in the Shark Bay area during 2000/2001 records from charter boats were not included in the to educate the public on the new fishing management survey; however, a logbook has been developed to collect arrangements for the inner bay stocks of pink snapper. catch and fishing effort information from tour operators, Fisheries Officers conducted high-profile sea and and this data will be provided in future years. land patrols to raise awareness of the new management strategies. The total recreational catch of all finfish species for the yne Coast region in 1998/99 was estimated at 350 tonnes, excluding Regional Research Overview charter vessel catches. This was approximately one-third of the commercial catch of 1,082 tonnes at the time. (For Scientific information to underpin management of simplicity, the catch for each species is shown as a point recreationally important fish stocks in this bioregion in estimate rather than an estimated range. Where the past has been provided primarily from historical commercial catches are quoted, the data are from the Fisheries WA biological research conducted on CAES records for the same year.) commercial fisheries. This research has covered pink snapper, emperors (Lethrinid species) and whiting. The important recreational species (in order of weight Biological information is currently being collected on caught), which together comprised 86% of the total catch tailor and on Spanish mackerel. by weight, were as follows. Bioregion – Gasco Owing to the increasing recreational pressure on inner Spangled emperor Shark Bay fish stocks, two dedicated studies are being Spangled emperor is an important species for recreational carried out to provide specific information on the status of and commercial fishers. The estimated recreational catch the inner bay pink snapper and black snapper stocks. An for the region was 30,000 fish kept (79 tonnes). From the individual stock status report has been prepared for each survey results, a further 3,000 fish were estimated to have of these two snapper species. been eaten by sharks. The commercial catch from the Data on recreational catches have been collected region for the same period was 81 tonnes. Spangled previously in the Gascoyne region (Sumner and Steckis emperor was predominantly (95%) caught by boat-based 1999), in Shark Bay (Moran 1983, unpub.) and at fishers. Most of the catch was taken from within the Ningaloo (Moran et al. 1996). The first full recreational Ningaloo Marine Park (76%). Most fish kept were creel survey for the Gascoyne bioregion, of recreational between 410 and 529 mm in length. A small number of boat- and shore-based fishing from Steep Point to fish kept by anglers were below the minimum size limit at Exmouth Gulf, was undertaken in 1998/99 (Sumner et al., the time of 410 mm. in press). The survey estimated the recreational catch and Pink snapper fishing effort for the region (as summarised below), providing extremely useful estimates of the recreational Pink snapper was predominantly (99%) caught by boat- catch of key recreational species from within the inner based fishers. The estimated recreational catch for the gulfs of Shark Bay; the recreational catch of pink snapper region during 1998/99 was 28,000 fish kept (79 tonnes). from the western gulf was estimated at approximately 40 A further 600 fish were estimated to have been eaten by tonnes. A second survey to monitor the recreational catch sharks. Most of the recreational catch was taken from of pink snapper and other species in Shark Bay was Shark Bay (73%). Almost half of the recreational catch conducted from May 2000 to April 2001. from the Gascoyne region (38 tonnes, or 48% by weight) was from the western gulf stock. The eastern gulf was The National Recreational Fishing Survey has collected closed to pink snapper fishing for most of the period further information for this and other regions of the State when the survey was conducted. For this reason, the during 2000/2001. The results from this latter study will recreational catch of pink snapper for previous years become available during 2002. was likely to have been greater than the catch estimated for 1998/99.

Spanish mackerel and other mackerel species Gascoyne Recreational Spanish mackerel (narrow-barred) was predominantly Fishing Survey caught by boat-based fishers (75%). The estimated recreational catch for the region was 8,000 fish kept (47 tonnes). A further 600 fish were estimated to have RESEARCH SUMMARY been eaten by sharks. The commercial catch for the Prepared by N. Sumner combined west coast and Gascoyne regions during 1998 was 67 tonnes (Mackie 2000). This may be compared to A 12-month creel survey of recreational boat-based and a recreational catch of 59 tonnes from the same regions. shore-based fishing in the Gascoyne region of Western The most common size class for fish kept was Australia was conducted between April 1998 and March 950–999 mm. A small number of fish kept by anglers 1999 (Sumner et al., in press). In summary, the total were below the minimum size limit at the time of 750 mm. annual recreational fishing effort for the Gascoyne region Large fish of up to 1,600 mm were caught on occasions. in 1998/99 was 243,000 fisher days. This comprised A stock assessment of the fishery is presently under way. 113,000 fisher days by boats launched from public ramps, 53,000 fisher days by boats launched from beaches and Recreational fishers also caught 8 tonnes of other 77,000 days by shore-based fishers (Gascoyne mackerel species. These were predominantly Queensland

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 137 Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 138 species. Golden trevallyispredominantlyarecreationallycaught Golden tre was takenfromSharkBay(76%). (99%) caughtbyboat-basedfishers. kept (34tonnes). estimated recreationalcatchfortheregionwas33,000fish predominantly arecreationallycaughtspecies. Black snapper Blac period was40tonnes(Mackie2000). (1,900 fishkept). school mackerel(2,000fishkept)andshark Recreational Fisheries from SharkBay (87%). shore-based (50%)fishers. 44 tonnes. exceeded bythecommercialcatch fortheregionof the regionwas7,000fishkept(5 tonnes). commercial fishers. T T Most ofthecatchwastakenfromExmouthGulf(92%). predominantly (99%)caughtbyshore-basedfishers. the regionof10tonnes. (5 tonnes). recreational catchfortheregionwas10,000fishkept recreational andcommercialfishers. W W minimum sizeforthisspeciesatthetimeofsurvey were between281and340mminlength. within theNingalooMarinePark(85%). by boat-basedfishers. 1 tonne. commercial catchfromtheregionforsameperiodwas was 23,000fishkept(10tonnesgilledandgutted). species. Chinaman codispredominantlyarecreationallycaught Chinaman cod occasions. at thetime. kept werejustabovetheminimumsizelimitof280mm from withintheNingalooMarinePark(79%). caught byboat-basedfishers. 14 tonnes. commercial catchfromtheregionforsameperiodwas for theregionwas13,000fishkept(16tonnes). and commercialfishers. Sweetlip emperorisanimportantspeciesforrecreational Sweetlip emper size forthisspeciesatthetimeofsurvey Ningaloo MarinePark(74%). fishers. trevally waspredominantly(63%)caughtbyboat-based from theregionforsameperiodwas1tonne. was 6,000fishkept(20tonnes). up to660mmwerecaughtonoccasions. size classforfishkeptwas300–319mm. ailor ailor isanimportantspeciesfor recreational and estern y estern yellow-finbreamisanimportantspeciesfor FISHERIES k snapper(grassemper Most ofthecatchwastakenfromwithin The estimatedrecreationalcatchfortheregion The estimatedrecreationalcatchfortheregion Chinaman codwaspredominantly(99%)caught ello T Sweetlip emperorwaspredominantly(99%) v This isexceededbythecommercialcatchfor Lar ailor wascaughtbyboat-based(50%) and all , alsoknownasgrassemperor WESTERN w-fin bream y ge fishover450mmwerecaughton or Black snapperwaspredominantly The commercialcatchforthesame The estimatedrecreationalcatch for Most ofthecatchwastakenfrom W The estimatedrecreationalcatch A estern yellow-finbreamwas Most ofthecatchwastaken USTRALIA Most ofthecatchwastaken There wasnominimum or) The commercialcatch The mostcommon Most ofthecatch The estimated – ST Most fishkept Lar There wasno This is , is A . TE OF ge fishof Most fish The The Golden The THE FISHERIES REPOR . size forthisspeciesatthetimeofsurvey taken fromSharkBay(64%). by shore-basedfishers(88%). sustainable. kept (5tonnes). estimated recreationalcatchfortheregionwas34,000fish days. operators whocouldnotbesurveyed) was89,000fisher Bay during1998/99(excludingthe recreationalcharter The estimatedannualrecreational fishingef other species. within SharkBay specific regulationsthatapplytopinksnappercaught Denham SoundorwestofDirkHartogIsland. also fishedoutsidetheparkboundaries,forexamplein vessels whichwerelaunchedwithinthemarineparkbut Marine Park,thesurveyresultsincludesomecatchesfrom activity occurredwithintheboundariesofSharkBay Carnarvon) toGladstone. shore oftheeasterngulffromUendooCreek(south Marine Parkwassurveyed,includingsitesontheeast Survey (Sumneretal.,inpress)theentireSharkBay During the1998/99GascoyneRecreationalFishing April 2001. boat rampsinsideSharkBaybetweenMay2000and of thewholeGascoyneregion,andmorerecentlyatkey undertaken initiallyin1998/99aspartofabroadersurvey Bay havebeenderivedfromresultsofcreelsurveys, Estimates ofrecreationalcatchandef black snapperstocksfromtheinnergulfsofSharkBay this informationtodevelopastockassessmentmodelfor rate andreproductivebiologyofblacksnapper of otolithcarbonate,determinetheagestructure,growth to examinestockdelineationusingstableisotopeanalysis in July1999. species intheinnergulfregionofSharkBay laticaudis) popular blacksnapperorgrassemperor Research tosupportthemanagementofincreasingly in theimportantrecreationalfisherywithinSharkBay snapper stocksformanagementofthiskeytar scientific assessmentsofthestatusinnerbay June 1997. development ofadetailedresearchprojectcommencingin in November1996andFebruary1997,resultedthe and theoutcomeofresearchsurveysforjuvenilesnapper pressure ontheinnergulfstocksduringearly1990s, Bay gulfs.Concernsaboutincreasingrecreationalfishing identified geneticallyseparatestocksineachoftheShark snapper Research tosupportthemanagementofSharkBaypink RESEARCH SUMMAR catch of1 Whiting ispredominantlyacommercialspecieswith Whiting species Recreational Fisher Inner SharkBa This comprised 49,000 fisherdaysbyboats (Pagrus auratus)undertakenduringthe1980s 15 tonnesfromSharkBayduring1998. , thesecondmostcommonlytakenrecreational T 2000/2001 Since thenthisresearchhasprovided Whiting specieswerepredominantlycaught The specificobjectivesofthisresearchare Present catchlevelsareconsideredtobe . Statewide fishingregulationsapply to y While almostallthefishing Y There wasnominimum Most ofthecatchwas y fort insideShark (Lethrinus fort forShark . , commenced get species , anduse There are The . . launched from public ramps at Nanga, Denham and Main fishing method Monkey Mia, 18,000 fisher days by boats launched from Recreational: Rod and line. beaches within the marine park and 22,000 days by shore- Commercial: Handline, beach seine, haul net, gillnet. based fishers. RETAINED SPECIES The most common species kept by all recreational fishers in Shark Bay were (in order of estimated weight kept) Recreational catch (season 2000): yne Coast pink snapper (58 tonnes), black snapper (22 tonnes), Eastern gulf closed Spanish mackerel (15 tonnes), spangled emperor Western gulf 25 tonnes (estimated) (7 tonnes), tailor (4 tonnes), whiting species (3 tonnes), Comprehensive data on recreational catches inside Shark western butterfish (2 tonnes) and mullet species Bay were lacking until recently. (2 tonnes). The catch of pink snapper includes the inner gulf stock (41 tonnes) and oceanic stock (17 tonnes) A survey in 1983 indicated that recreational snapper landed in Shark Bay. catches were relatively low at that time, particularly in the eastern gulf. In 1998, based on results of the Gascoyne The recreational catch of pink snapper landed at Nanga Recreational Fishing Survey (April 1998 – March 1999), and Denham during 2000/2001 was estimated as 8,000 the estimated catch of pink snapper in the eastern gulf fish kept (25 tonnes). A further 100 fish were estimated was approximately 3 tonnes (for the period April to June to have been eaten by sharks. Almost all the recreational only, prior to the fishery closure), and in the western gulf Bioregion – Gasco catch landed at Nanga and Denham was from the western approximately 38 tonnes (Denham Sound approximately gulf stock rather than the oceanic stock. The catch of 12 tonnes, Freycinet Estuary approximately 26 tonnes). oceanic snapper landed at Peron Peninsula and Shelter This survey indicated that 90% of all snapper caught in Bay (South Passage) was not included in the inner bay Denham Sound were released by fishers (assumed under- estimates. The eastern gulf was closed to pink snapper size) compared with 70% in the Freycinet Estuary, fishing for the period when the survey was conducted. possibly indicating greater numbers of smaller/younger fish in the former area compared with the latter. In 2000 The recently introduced management measures in the (May 2000 – April 2001), a second survey estimated the western gulf appear to have been effective in protecting recreational catch of snapper in the western gulf to be pink snapper stocks by reducing the estimated recreational approximately 25 tonnes (Denham Sound approximately catch from 38 tonnes during 1998/99 to 25 tonnes in 9 tonnes, Freycinet Estuary approximately 16 tonnes), 2000/2001. Most of the reduction has occurred in the with no catch in the eastern gulf because of the closure. Freycinet Estuary where the catch was reduced from During this period, 88% of all snapper caught in Denham 26 tonnes in 1998/99 to 16 tonnes during 2000/2001. Sound were released by fishers compared with 76% in the Freycinet Estuary.

Inner Shark Bay Pink Snapper Stocks Fishing effort Status Report Results from the Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Survey indicated that approximately 49,000 fisher days were Prepared by G. Jackson expended in the inner gulfs of Shark Bay in 1998 by boat fishers launching from public ramps (i.e. Nanga, Denham FISHERY DESCRIPTION and Monkey Mia). The survey also indicated that the majority of pink snapper were caught by fishers in boats Boundaries and access launched from the public ramps at Denham and Nanga, Separate stocks of pink snapper have been shown to rather than by shore-based fishers or boats launched from inhabit the sheltered inner gulf waters of Shark Bay. The beaches. Of this effort, approximately 80% was in the eastern stock is found in waters to the east of the Peron western gulf and 20% in the eastern gulf (closed to the Peninsula and to the south of Cape Peron (the eastern take of pink snapper June 1998). A recreational survey in gulf) (Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Figure 2). Two 2000 indicated that 35,000 days were expended by boat subpopulations of snapper are found in the western gulf, fishers launching from public ramps at Nanga, Denham to the north (Denham Sound) and south (Freycinet and Monkey Mia, with approximately 70% of the total Estuary) of a line running west from Goulet Bluff to effort in the western gulf and 30% in the eastern gulf. Heirisson Prong. Although reproductively isolated from each other, these subpopulations are collectively known as Commercial share: Eastern gulf closed the western stock. Research advice (stock assessment, Western gulf 2 tonnes (approx.) recreational catch and effort) is provided on the basis of The total commercial catch of pink snapper taken by the these divisions. Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Managed Fishery appears never to have been large, in more recent years Both inner gulf snapper stocks have primarily become the rising from approximately 5 tonnes in 1993 (eastern gulf target of recreational fisheries since about the 1980s. The 3 tonnes, western gulf 2 tonnes) to approximately eastern gulf snapper fishery is currently closed (since 9 tonnes in 1997 (eastern gulf 3 tonnes, western gulf June 1998) to allow stock rebuilding. Bag/size limits and 6 tonnes). In 2000, there was no catch in the eastern gulf a seasonal spawning closure (Freycinet Estuary only) (fishery closed) and approximately 2 tonnes in the apply in the western gulf. Commercial snapper fishing in western gulf. the inner gulfs is now limited to the 11 licensed fishing units of the Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Stock assessment completed: Yes Managed Fishery, which are also subject to the current eastern gulf closure. In the absence of a long time-series of recreational catch

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 139 Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 140 in bothgulfs. information ontheabundanceof0+agejuvenilesnapper and trapsurveys(1998–2000)havebeenusedtoprovide each gulf. to back-caclulatethetotalbiomassofspawningadultsin on thespawningconditionofadultfemales,hasbeenused across areaofspawning)and,combinedwithinformation follows: biomass ineachyear Using resultsofDEPMsurveys,thesizespawning snapper eggs(usedtoestimate‘average’ method’ stock withinthefishery status ofthespawningbiomassandrecruitmenttoeach assessment methodadoptedhasbeentodirectlyassessthe and ef Recreational Fisheries conducted inthe FreycinetEstuaryandtrapsurveys to In 2000,followingexperimental researchtrawls remains atalevelbelowthesetar stocks respectively 100 tonnesand200forthe easternandwestern spawning biomassofbothstocks wereagreedat closure, managementtar prior totheintroductionofcurrenteasterngulf Following extensivecommunityconsultationin1998 Breeding stoc Exploitation status: 1999–2000. previously presentedinthe estimates arepresentedhereanddif Denham Soundhasbeenre-estimatedfor1998and1999;revised this additionalinformation,spawningbiomassofpinksnapperin spawning areasinthewatersofnorthernDenhamSound. * DEPMsurveysin2000locatedsomepreviouslyunidentified W Eastern gulf 2000: W Eastern gulf 1999: W Eastern gulf 1998: W Eastern gulf 1997: estern gulf estern gulf estern gulf estern gulf FISHERIES Fre fort dataforinnergulfsnapperstocks,the (DEPM) involvesplanktonsurveystosample ycinet Estuar In addition,researchtrawlsurveys(ongoing) Denham Soundinadequateb Eastern gulfinadequateb WESTERN Estuary andDenhamSound) Estuary andDenhamSound) Estuary andDenhamSound) tonnes; noestimateforDenhamSound approximately 94tonnes(Freycinet approximately 36tonnes*(Freycinet approximately 95tonnes*(Freycinet Freycinet Estuaryapproximately97 approximately 78tonnes approximately 45tonnes approximately 14tonnes approximately 4tonnes k le . vels: The spawningbiomassofeachstock , 1997–2000,wasestimatedas Fre . y inadequate(locall gets forrebuildingofthe Denham Soundo State oftheFisheriesReport The ‘dailyeggproduction ycinet Estuar A USTRALIA fer slightlyfromthose gets. Eastern gulfc – ST y o egg production W W ut increasing ut increasing ver ver A TE OF estern gulf: estern gulf: y depleted) -e -e xploited xploited Using losed THE FISHERIES REPOR have occurredinDenhamSound2000. significant recruitmenttothebreedingstockappears depleted, particularlyinFreycinetEstuary continues, whilethewesternstockoverallremains breeding stockremainsdepletedbutthatrebuilding The overallassessmentisthattheeasternsnapper recruitment variabilitywillbeafuturepriority highest year(1997). approximately fourtimesgreaterthanintheprevious indicating asignificantlyhigherlevelofrecruitment, were recordedsincetrawlsurveyscommencedin1996, the FreycinetEstuary still moreabundantthanin1996and1997. less abundantin2000than1999(and1998),although Freycinet Estuary the innergulfscanbehighlyvariable,particularlyin results appeartoindicatethatrecruitmentof0+snapperin Denham Sound). possible forthefirsttime(similardataunavailable juveniles intheeasterngulfandFreycinetEstuarywere both gulfs,estimatesofabsoluteabundance0+ identify habitattypepreferredbyjuvenilesnapperacross ensure long-termsustainabilityinthewesterngulf. limit maybenecessarytoacceleratestockrebuildingand further measuressuchastheintroductionofapossession catch was60%ofthatestimatedin1998. in theFreycinetareawhere2000recreationalsnapper These measureshaveachievedsomesuccess,particularly Freycinet Estuary closure (toprotectspawningaggregations)inthe the individualbaglimittotwofishperdayandaseasonal further protectionoflar including anincreaseinminimumlegalsizeto50cm, management measurestoprotectthewesternstock, sometime between2002and2003. that the100tonnemanagementtar earlier modelestimatesthatindicatedahighprobability biomass estimatessince1998areinagreementwith closure continuestoappearappropriateforrebuilding; The managementoftheeasternstockthroughatotal FISHER trawling onlocal snapperstocks. information onthepotentialsignificance ofprawn structure ofDenhamSoundsnapper reduction technologyforprawn trawlers andstock Research projectscurrentlyunder way consequences fortherecreational fisheryinthisarea. on juvenilesnapperrecruitmentandsubsequent impact oftheseasonalprawntrawlinginDenhamSound some localcommunityconcernregardingthepotential and willbethefocusoffutureresearch. critical toassessingsustainablecatchlevelsforeachstock spawning stockbiomassandjuvenilerecruitmentwillbe Understanding theseef survival ofsnapperlarvaeandpost-settlementjuveniles. likely duetotheef recruitment tothesefisheriesmaybehighlyvariable,very stocks obtainedsince1996suggeststhatannual Comprehensive informationontheinnergulfsnapper EXTERNAL F Y GO T 2000/2001 VERNANCE A CT . , wereintroducedin W fect ofenvironmentalfactorsonthe ORS In theeasterngulf,0+juvenileswere ith datanowavailablesince1996, , thehighestnumbersof0+juveniles Research intofactorscausingthis fects andtherelationshipbetween ger fish(>70cm),areductionof get wouldbereached , willprovide Additional August 2000. , includingbycatch There isalso , although However In contrast,in . , Carnarvon yne Coast

Cape Peron

Denham Pe EASTERN r Bioregion – Gasco Sound on P GULF e n in s u Monkey Mia l WESTERN a GULF Denham

Goulet Bluff

Nanga Freycinet Estuary

GASCOYNE RECREATIONAL FISHING FIGURE 2 The recreational fishing areas of inner Shark Bay.

Inner Shark Bay Black Snapper Stock Beach Seine and Mesh Net Managed Fishery take some Status Report black snapper, it is not a target species for this fishery.

Prepared by S. Ayvazian Main fishing method Recreational: Rod and line. FISHERY DESCRIPTION Commercial: Beach seine, haul net and mesh net. Boundaries and access A stock discrimination study, using stable isotope analysis RETAINED SPECIES of otolith carbonate, is under way to determine the level Recreational catch (season 2000): Not assessed of stock separation of black snapper or grass emperor Recreational catch estimates are not available for the (Lethrinus laticaudis) in the gulfs of Shark Bay. current year. However, the Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Preliminary results indicate that samples of black snapper Survey of 1998/99 estimated a total recreational catch of from waters of different salinity can be distinguished by 30,000–37,000 black snapper retained (approximately their O18 values. Initial results of a recently conducted 34 tonnes) and 40,000–50,000 released. This was the tagging study indicate that movement of the species second most popular species caught (in order of number within Shark Bay is localised (within 10 km of the original tag site). kept) after whiting. Essentially, all of the catch was taken by boat-based fishers, with catches from the Shark Bay Black snapper are taken primarily by recreational fishers Marine Park making up about three-quarters of the total in Shark Bay. Although the fishers in the Shark Bay regional catch (Sumner et al., in press).

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 141 Bioregion – Gascoyne Coast 142 Exploitation status: Stoc Bay BeachSeineandMeshNetManagedFishery quantities bythe1 Commercial catchesofblacksnapperaretakeninsmall Commer Not assessedfor2000. Fishing eff Recreational Fisheries operating fromDenhamalsotar recreational fishingboats;however 2000). Bay oceanicstockduring1999was450tonnes(Moran stock ofpinksnapper Commercial fisherspredominantlytar chinaman cod(2tonnesgilledandgutted). snapper (3tonnes),sweetlipemperor(2tonnes)and (5 tonnes),westernyellowfinbream(4black tonnes), spangledemperor(13goldentrevally kept) pinksnapper(38tonnes),Spanishmackerel(17 in theoceanicsectorwere(inorderofestimatedweight The mostcommonspecieskeptbyallrecreationalfishers 36,000 daysbyshore-basedfishers. boats launchedfrombeacheswithinthemarineparkand Carnarvon, QuobbaandExmouth,9,000fisherdaysby fisher daysbyboatslaunchedfrompublicrampsat 69,000 fisherdays. operators whocouldnotbesurveyed)wasestimatedat sector during1998/99(excludingtherecreationalcharter The totalannualrecreationalfishingef Exmouth Gulf. Park boundary Gnaraloo Station),theareawestofNingalooMarine Ningaloo MarinePark(Carnarvon,QuobbaStationand Park. region otherthanSharkBayandtheNingalooMarine The oceanicsectorcomprisesallareasoftheGascoyne Recreational FishingSurvey(Sumneretal.,inpress). derived fromtheresultsof1998/99Gascoyne the oceanicsectorofGascoyneregionhavebeen Estimates oftherecreationalcatchandfishingef RESEARCH SUMMAR catch inSharkBay eastern gulfswas0.4tonnesorabout1%oftheoverall 2000 commercialcatchreportedfromthewesternand be monitored. the oceanicstockmayincreasein futureyearsandshould of recreationalfishingboatsand charterboatstar be closetofullyexploited(Moran 2000). commercial oceanicstockquota-managed fisherymay Oceanic SectorRecreationalFisher FISHERIES k assessmentcompleted: This includestheareabetweenSharkBayand The oceanicstockisbeyondthereachofmany cial share: or t , theMuironIslandsandmostof WESTERN 1 licensedfishingunitsoftheShark . The recordedef . The commercialcatchofShark A USTRALIA Y get thisstock. , charterboats fort comprised24,000 get theoceanic fort fortheoceanic – ST The number Not assessed Not assessed A 1% (appr TE OF The fort for geting . The THE FISHERIES REPOR o x.) y where fishingispermitted. permitted, andspecificfishingregulationsfortheareas areas withinthemarineparkwherefishingisnot most oftheNingalooReef. Bundegi to (Sumner etal.,inpress). the 1998/99GascoyneRecreationalFishingSurvey the Ningalooareahavebeenderivedfromresultsof Estimates oftherecreationalcatchandfishingef RESEARCH SUMMAR in theregion. review ofrecreationalfishingmanagementarrangements black snapperisbeingconsideredunderthecurrent support foranincreaseintheminimumlegalsize length forcommercialfishersis280mm.Community fish’ recreational dailybaglimitdescribedunderthe‘reef include alegalminimumlengthof280mmand size limit. through adailypossessionlimitandlegalminimum At thistime,controloftheexploitationrateismanaged FISHER Breeding stoc and gutted). snapper (9tonnes)andchinamancod(8tonnesgilled trevally (15tonnes),sweetlipemperor(13black weight kept)spangledemperor(60tonnes),golden in theNingalooMarineParkwere(inorderofestimated The mostcommonspecieskeptbyallrecreationalfishers was estimatedat85,000fisherdays. recreational charteroperatorswhocouldnotbesurveyed) Ningaloo MarineParkduring1998/99(excludingthe The totalannualrecreationalfishingef of coastlinedownthewestcoastNorth The NingalooMarineParkencompasses260kilometres shore-based fishers. beaches withinthemarineparkand19,000daysby Exmouth, 26,000fisherdaysbyboatslaunchedfrom public rampsatCoralBay comprised 40,000fisherdaysbyboatslaunchedfrom Ningaloo RecreationalFisher category asamixedbagof8. Y GO The recreationalcatchlimitsforblacksnapper T 2000/2001 Amherst Point. VERNANCE k le vels: , T The marineparkincludes There areeightsanctuary Y antabiddi, Bundegiand The legalminimum The recordedef fort forthe W Not assessed est Capefrom y fort for fort North Coast Bioregion stationed in Karratha and Broome, with the assistance of Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officers from both centres.

Regional Management Overview A total of 4,829 hours of activity were applied by In recent years the Pilbara and Kimberley regions have Fisheries Officers to coastal boating and land-based experienced significant growth in recreational fishing fishing and to overseeing netting by recreational fishers, th Coast activity, with a booming fishing-based tour and with a total of 6,800 compliance and education contacts ecotourism industry based around the region’s reputation recorded. as remote and pristine. As a result a total of 12 prosecutions, 7 infringement Recreational fishing participation for marine waters notices and 4 infringement warnings were given out in between Onslow and the WA/NT border is estimated at 2000/2001 for a variety of recreational fishing offences, about 6% of the State’s recreational anglers, or some the majority relating to illegal netting activity. 40,000 anglers per year generating 500,000 fishing days (Baharthah and Sumner 2000). Recreational fishing The areas assessed as being at highest risk of non- shows distinct seasonal peaks, with the highest number of compliance with the management arrangements were Bioregion – Nor visitors during the winter months. recreational netting throughout the bioregion and barramundi regulations in the Ord River and West Creek systems, mangroves and rivers, and ocean beaches Kimberley, while a significant amount of public complaint provide shore and small boat fishing for a variety of about the take and landing of large quantities of filleted species including barramundi, tropical emperors, sea fish by anglers in the Onslow area was recorded. perches such as mangrove jack, trevallies, sooty grunter, threadfin, mud crabs, and cods. Anecdotal information and reports from Fisheries Officers and Fishwatch indicated the major areas of public concern Offshore islands, coral reef systems and continental shelf were illegal activities relating to net fishing in the Fitzroy waters provide species of major recreational interest River and other rivers and creeks, the take of under-size including many members of the demersal sea perch fish, and exceeding bag limits for barramundi. family (Lutjanidae) such as scarlet sea perch and red emperor, cods, coral and coronation trout, sharks, trevally, A rationalisation of available resources in the northern tuskfish, tunas, mackerels and billfish. bioregion enabled Fisheries Officers and VFLOs attached to the Broome and Karratha offices to increase service Fishing charters and fishing tournaments are also areas of delivery to both compliance and community awareness growth in the region, and have seen surges in popularity programs across the bioregion. over the past five years or so. The Dampier Classic and Broome Sailfish tournaments are both State and national A program of extended mobile patrols of up to 10 days’ attractions, and Western Australia is gaining an duration was introduced to service the requirements of the international reputation for the quality of its offshore recreational fisheries program, especially in the East and pelagic sport and game fishing. A total of 74 aquatic tour West Kimberley during the dry season. These patrols were licence applications have been received for the north coast carried out to popular fishing destinations, with officers bioregion, with a further 50 ‘multi-zone’ applications from Broome conducting regular patrols to the Fitzroy (operators seeking access to the north coast and one or River catchment area, Derby region and Kununurra. more other regions). Karratha-based officers conducted regular patrols of the The popularity of barramundi fishing and competition for Dampier Archipelago, Port Hedland and Eighty Mile available fish by different user groups places significant Beach areas, plus monthly patrols to the Onslow district. pressure on barramundi stocks. A working group formed While on patrol, officers have also commenced a program in March 2000 has developed a number of of consultation with pastoralists, to assist them in recommendations for both the commercial and recreational exploitation of the species, and legislation is managing the recreational fishing activities of visitors to being drafted to implement new management their properties. arrangements. In addition, a recreational fishing zone has A creel survey of the Pilbara region and Broome been established in the lower Ord River to maintain the conducted between December 1999 and November 2000 high-quality recreational fishing and aquatic ecotourism indicated a high level of compliance in the region, with experience. Special management arrangements in this very few (< 6%) of anglers keeping under-size fish or area include a minimum size limit of 55 cm, a maximum exceeding bag limits. The highest levels of non- size of 80 cm and a possession limit of one barramundi compliance with fishing regulations occurred in the per person. Onslow and Point Samson areas of the region (19% and A review of recreational fishing in the north-west and 12% of those interviewed respectively). Other areas development of a recreational fishing management including Dampier, Karratha, Port Hedland and Broome strategy is expected to commence in 2001/02. all recorded low levels of non-compliance with the fishing regulations (between 2% and 8%). Regional Compliance and The VFLO programs in Broome and the Pilbara, Community Education Overview coordinated by officers from Fisheries WA, involved 17 Recreational fishing compliance and education in the volunteers who reported 35 contacts and 5 interviews northern region was carried out by Fisheries Officers during the year. Volunteers from these groups also

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 143 Recreational Fisheries

provided assistance in several community displays in South Coast Bioregion Karratha and Port Hedland. A small VFLO group has been established at Derby in the West Kimberley which will work closely with Fisheries Officers and other Regional Management Overview VFLOs from Broome. Recreational fishing participation for the south coast of Western Australia, between Augusta and the WA/SA The West and East Kimberley and Pilbara Regional border, is estimated at around 25% of recreational anglers Recreational Fishing Advisory Committees were also (Baharthah and Sumner 2000), or some 160,000 anglers provided with executive support by Fisheries WA staff. per year generating 2 million fishing days. Regional Research Overview At this stage 20 aquatic tour licence applications have been received for the south coast bioregion, with a further Scientific information to support recreationally fished 14 ‘multi-zone’ applications (operators seeking access to stock management in the north coast bioregion has come th Coast/South Coast the south coast and one or more other regions). largely from previous Fisheries WA studies focused on commercial fisheries. This research has provided good Key recreational fishing areas include the major estuaries biological data on the major Lethrinid species (nor-west of Walpole-Nornalup, Wilson Inlet, the Albany harbours, snappers), the red emperor and some related Lutjanid Bremer Bay, Hopetoun, and Stokes Inlet. species, the cods and coral trout, in the North West Shelf sector. A three-year research project on mackerel species, Major target species in estuaries include black bream, now in its second year, will generate more biological data King George whiting and trevally, while shore fishing on these important recreational species. focuses on Western Australian salmon, herring, whiting and trevally. Boat fishing is concentrated near major A major project which began in July 2000 will collect population centres with the major target species being Bioregion – Nor baseline data on the inshore finfish species targeted by pink snapper, queen snapper, blue groper, shark, red recreational anglers across the northern bioregion. In snapper and samson fish. addition, a collaborative project is being undertaken with Murdoch University to provide biological data on the Management issues include resource-sharing conflicts species subject to shore-based fishing by both recreational between the recreational line fishery and the commercial and commercial fishers. estuarine fishery, particularly in Wilson and Stokes Inlets.

To estimate total catch by all sectors for recreational stock Since 1996 a number of commercial fishing licences have management purposes, creel surveys of recreational been bought out in fisheries important to the recreational catches are required. For this purpose, a 12-month survey sector including six herring trap net licences, two salmon of recreational boat- and shore-based fishing from netting licences and eight estuarine fishing licences. Exmouth Gulf to Broome, including the Dampier A review of recreational fishing on the south coast and Archipelago, was undertaken between December 1999 development of a recreational fishing management and November 2000. This survey will estimate the strategy is expected to commence in 2002. recreational catch and fishing effort for this bioregion. The results from this study will become available during 2002, and will be complemented by data from the Regional Compliance and National Recreational Fishing Survey undertaken during Community Education Overview 2000/2001. Regional services staff undertook 2,937 hours of compliance and education activities in the south coast These data, integrated with the long-run commercial bioregion in 2000/2001. These hours were divided CAES databases and the current fishery-independent between abalone, rock lobster, marine boat- and shore- projects, will provide the basis for ongoing management based angling and the estuarine netting fisheries. of the most important recreational stocks in this region. The VFLO program involved 17 volunteers in the Albany and Denmark areas and 7 in Esperance. VFLOs reported 771 contacts and 61 interviews during the year.

Indicators of compliance levels include data collected from VFLO observations, patrol contact sheets and reports completed by Fisheries Officers, and reports from members of the public.

Areas of highest risk of non-compliance with the management arrangements were considered to be abalone, cockles, marine finfish and estuarine netting, while areas of greatest public complaint related to abalone poaching and exceeding bag limits and illegal sale of marine finfish. These corresponded to public concerns reported to Fishwatch.

Public contact exercises were supported by covert surveillance and focused investigations around specific

144 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 illegal activities, in particular illegal catches and sales of Northern Inland Bioregion abalone and marine finfish. As a result 24 letters of warning, 17 infringements and 15 Regional Management, Compliance prosecutions were initiated in the south coast region. and Community Education Overview Community education activities conducted in the The major management and compliance activities in the bioregion included attendance and presentations by northern inland bioregion relate to the fishing of the thern Inland Fisheries Officers and VFLOs at regional shows and freshwater component of the barramundi stock. For festivals, primary and high schools and community simplicity of reporting, these activities are reported under groups, and direct contact with fishers in the field. the north coast bioregion (p. 143), which covers the more significant estuarine breeding component of the Regional Research Overview barramundi stock. An extensive scientific knowledge of key recreational target species in the south coast estuarine sector has been Regional Research Overview developed from research undertaken by Fisheries WA Scientific information for the management of northern since the 1970s (e.g. Lenanton and Hodgkin 1985, freshwater species, particularly barramundi, has been Lenanton and Potter 1987). In addition, a number of provided by historical Fisheries WA research projects. collaborative research projects have been undertaken Some abundance data for the estuarine component of the during the 1980s and 1990s by Fisheries WA with stock can be obtained from the commercial catches Murdoch University postgraduate students, particularly recorded in the CAES system and reported on pp. 68-70. on recreationally important species in Wilson and In addition to barramundi, Lake Argyle catfish and Nornalup-Walpole inlets (e.g. Potter et al. 1993, Potter cherabin (freshwater prawns) are also taken in this inland and Hyndes 1994). bioregion. Catch and abundance data for the catfish

stocks are available via the commercial fishery statistics, Bioregion – South Coas/Nor These studies, supported by and utilising commercial but no data are available for cherabin, which are not fisheries catch information, have provided a good taken commercially. biological knowledge of the key species black bream, cobbler and King George whiting. Relevant abundance Recreational catch information for this region may be information and stock status for these recreational/ provided by the National Recreational Fishing Survey commercial stocks are reported on pp. 100-104. being undertaken in 2000/2001. For the south coast beach fishery the major target species of salmon and herring are similarly known from historical and recent FRDC-funded research projects. These data, combined with long-run commercial fisheries databases for overall measures of abundance, breeding stocks etc, provide a strong basis for recreational fishing management of this key sector. Specific data to assess the impact of recreational fishing on these key stocks was provided by a survey of shore-based fishers to estimate the recreational catch of herring and salmon, completed in 1995 (Ayvazian et al. 1997). Other species targeted by beach fishers included garfish, skipjack, yellowfin whiting, southern school whiting and King George whiting. Further survey work to estimate the impact of recreational fishing on key species on the south coast, originally planned for 2001/02, has been deferred to 2002/03.

The significant gap in biological and fishery data in this region relates to the offshore boat angling species (e.g. trevally, queen and red snapper, blue groper and samson fish), the exception being the more abundant shark species (gummy and dusky whaler) which have been extensively researched under FRDC-funded projects (see p. 113).

Research for managing all three of the south coast bioregion’s recreational sectors (estuarine, beach and boat) will rely heavily on the long-run commercial fisheries databases coupled with recreational creel surveys.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 145 Recreational Fisheries

Southern Inland Bioregion Bunbury, Busselton and Albany with the assistance of Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officers based in major coastal centres. The statistics on Fisheries Officers’ Regional Management Overview compliance work and VFLO contacts do not differentiate The major species fished recreationally in southern between coastal and inland activities. Consequently, inland waters are native marron, trout stocked by their activities in the southern inland bioregion will have Fisheries WA into public dams and rivers, and red-fin been incorporated in the statistics for the south and west perch, an introduced, self-perpetuating exotic stock. coast bioregions. The native freshwater cobbler is also taken in small numbers, as are black bream artificially stocked into In the marron fishery the highest risks of non-compliance some inland impoundments. with the management arrangements were illegal fishing before the season opening in January, use of The recreational fishery for Western Australia’s native illegal fishing gear, use of nets in recently declared freshwater crayfish, the marron (Cherax tenuimanus), ‘snare-only’ waters, illegal fishing in closed Water operates in freshwater dams and rivers throughout the Corporation catchments, and complaints of illegal fishing south of the State. Stocks of marron have been extended on private property. well beyond their original range through translocation, In the trout fishery a number of complaints were received Bioregion – Southern Inland and can now be found as far north as Hutt River near Geraldton and as far east as Esperance. regarding the use of bait in ‘artificial lure only’ waters, exceeding bag limits, and the take of fish prior to the A recreational fishing licence is required to take marron. season opening. Other fishing controls include bag and size limits, gear controls and a closed season. The fishing season is in Regional Research Overview January–February each year. Research for managing and enhancing the State’s southern ‘Snare-only’ waters were first introduced in the 1990 freshwater fisheries for marron and trout has been largely season, and have received widespread support from undertaken by Fisheries WA. In addition, collaborative fishers. A number of areas have now been set aside for university projects have provided data on red-fin perch snaring only, which has had the beneficial effect of and freshwater cobbler and their relationships to the small reducing fishing effort and improving the size of the native freshwater species. marron caught.

Major concerns with the marron fishery relate to its ability to withstand the existing level of fishing pressure, Recreational Marron Fishery particularly in low rainfall periods as has occurred during 2001. RESEARCH SUMMARY Fishing for trout and other freshwater fish species (other Detailed research on the marron stocks in south-west than for crustaceans) in waters south of latitude 29° S rivers and estuaries has been undertaken since the 1970s requires a freshwater angling licence. People under and 1980s. Current research involves the scientific 16 years of age are not required to hold a licence. monitoring of stock levels both before and after the summer fishing season, surveys of catches taken by Management controls include closed seasons and closed recreational licence holders and volunteer logbook waters for trout spawning streams, bag and size limits and holders, and joint sampling with individual catchment gear controls. These controls aim to protect juvenile fish groups. These data enable trends in stock levels to be and ensure the available catch is shared among anglers. The bag limit for trout is four, which is consistent with the monitored and recommendations to be made for community view of trout as a prized fish species, and also adjustments to fishery management when necessary. helps to distribute the stocked public resource to Data are reported in an annual report on the recreational maximise community benefits. marron fishery and a supporting fisheries assessment document. The following status report is based on these A trout stocking committee, established in 1994 to research findings. maximise angler returns on fish available for stocking into public waterways, continued to operate successfully during 2000/2001. The committee consists of agency Licensed Recreational Marron Fishery officers including the manager of the South West Status Report Freshwater Research and Aquaculture Centre (SWFRAC) in Pemberton, and representatives from RFAC, the WA Prepared by B. Molony Trout and Freshwater Angling Association and the general freshwater angling public. FISHERY DESCRIPTION Regional Compliance and Boundaries and access The recreational marron fishery extends from the Hutt Community Education Overview River north of Geraldton to waters near Esperance. There Recreational fishing compliance and education in the is a specific annual licence for the open season during southern inland bioregion was carried out by Fisheries January and February. In 2000 the season was open Officers stationed in Geraldton, Fremantle, Mandurah, between 9 January and 29 February.

146 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Some waters have been declared ‘snare-only’ in order to phone survey data. This number is then multiplied by the reduce the effect of high levels of effort placed on these number of active licence holders. water bodies. These waters are: Warren River National A minimum total weight of landed marron is calculated Park (since 1990); Shannon River (1990); Margaret River (1993); Harvey Weir (1994); Wellington Dam (1996); and using the average weight of a legal-sized marron (76 mm Samson Dam (1996). carapace length – 125 g) to convert the estimated catch in numbers to biomass. As a result, the total catch in weight Main fishing method may be an under-estimate as larger, and therefore heavier, marron are captured during the season. A second estimate One scoop net (preferred for dams), or six drop nets of total catch is generated using the size and weight (rivers), or one bushman’s pole snare (snaring only distributions of marron recorded by logbook holders. applies to some waters). Anglers can only use one gear type at a time. Dimensions and mesh sizes of the scoop The estimated number of trips (effort) to dams and rivers and drop nets are specified in an information brochure is calculated in a similar manner. sent annually to licence holders. All methods involve bait, which is typically chicken layer pellets. The status of the stock is currently assessed by examination of the relationship between catch (numbers) RETAINED SPECIES and fishing effort for dams and rivers separately. This Bioregion – Southern Inland Recreational catch (season 2000): 25 tonnes analysis indicates that although the catches and catch rates An estimated total of 200,000 legal-sized marron were higher at similar levels of effort in earlier decades, (minimum of 25 tonnes) were taken in the 2000 season the stock has been relatively stable during the 1990s. (1999: 158,000 marron, 19.7 tonnes; 1998: 206,000 A good correlation exists between catches (numbers) and marron, 25 tonnes) (Recreational Marron Figure 1). rainfall during the previous winter relative to the long- Fishing effort term rainfall of the south-west (r = 0.63). This preliminary model is used to predict the future season’s total catch. The number of licences issued for the 2000 season was 21,894, with an estimated 11,493 of these (unusually low at 53%) used to make one or more trips, at an estimated Exploitation status: Fully exploited average of 3.6 trips/licence holder. (1999: 21,330 As catch rates and total catch have declined compared to licences, with 13,899 (65%) used to make one or more historical levels, it is likely that most of the marron stocks trips. ) A total of approximately 40,835 trips were made, are fully exploited. comprising an estimated 12,027 trips to dams and 28,808 trips to rivers. (1999: 40,910 total trips, with 12,675 trips Breeding stock levels: Adequate to dams and 26,662 trips to rivers.) Breeding stocks are protected from recruitment over- fishing by the minimum legal size limit, gear escape Catch rate meshes and the tendency for snare-fishers to target larger The average catch rate in 2000 was estimated at 4.89 marron. Most females in dams are capable of breeding at legal-sized marron per licence holder per night (1999: least once prior to attaining legal size, while those in 3.84). The increase in the catch rate over that recorded rivers are capable of breeding at least twice. Small for the 1999 season may be due to the lower overall animals and females carrying eggs and young are fully participation rate, with more marron available for fewer protected. However, some individual stocks (e.g. Harvey fishers. However, information for the 2000 season was Weir stock) do not appear to reproduce below the legal generated using a slightly different telephone survey size and thus may not be protected by the size limits. technique which may have caused a minor bias in Some breeding stocks are also protected in water supply estimated catch rates. Catch per unit effort data continues dams not subject to fishing. to show a long-term decline that appears unlikely to recover to historic levels (Recreational Marron Figure 2). Projected catch next season (2001): Approx. 194,000 marron (24 tonnes) Commercial share: Nil Based on rainfall records during the year 2000, the catch There is no commercial fishery for marron. for the 2001 season is likely to be similar to or slightly lower than the catch in 2000. Bureau of Meteorology Stock assessment completed: Yes data indicate that the rainfall during 2000 was As the marron fishery operates on a series of discrete approximately 95.18% of the long-term average. Based on river and dam stocks where growth and productivity this figure, the expected catch of marron is predicted to be differ, the stock assessment process treats the river and approximately 194,000 animals. However, the relationship dam sectors separately. Further, stock levels are affected between rainfall and marron catches needs further by rainfall patterns, with higher winter rainfall resulting in analysis. Further, modifications to several major dams in larger catches in subsequent marron seasons. Marron the Harvey River catchment have resulted in limited catch and effort data are collected and assessed from access to certain marron stocks (e.g. Stirling Dam, Harvey logbook records from recreational fishers, an end-of- Weir). Thus slightly lower catches are expected during the season telephone survey of licence holders, and pre- and 2001 marron season, from the fishery overall. post-season research sampling.

Total numbers of landed marron are calculated by using NON-RETAINED SPECIES the mean number caught per trip from the logbook and Bycatch species impact: Negligible

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 147 Recreational Fisheries

The marron fishery does capture small quantities of reproduction and growth. Rainfall increases the quality non-target species, principally gilgies (Cherax of areas for marron by transporting leaf-litter into quinquecarinatus and C. crassimanus) and koonacs streams and by maintaining water volume and quality. (C. plejebus and C. glaber). Although little is known It may also affect the ease with which fishers can access about their biology, the impact of the marron fishery on the water bodies. these species is thought to be low, as gilgies and koonacs are smaller than marron and many smaller animals A second major issue in this fishery is access to irrigation are released. dams. The Water Corporation has recently closed access to Stirling Dam (Harvey River catchment) owing to the Protected species interaction: Negligible diversion of this water to the metropolitan water supply, and has limited the access to Harvey Weir. Thus, a This fishery does not interact with protected species. redistribution of fishing effort is likely to occur and extra effort is likely to be applied to other water bodies, ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS especially Logue Brook Dam and Waroona Dam. Food chain effects: Low However, the Water Corporation is likely to refurbish The removal of legal-sized marron from freshwater rivers Waroona Dam in the near future, which would include the is unlikely to have a significant effect, noting that the bulk complete draining of the dam for at least 18 months.

Bioregion – Southern Inland of the marron biomass is below legal size. Similarly, Fisheries WA is working closely to ensure the refurbished marron biomass taken from man-made dams does not dam provides a high-quality marron fishery once the dam significantly impact on the natural freshwater ecosystems. is refilled.

Habitat effects: Negligible Introduced species also impact on the quality of marron fishing. The two major introduced species that impact on The impact of this fishery on the aquatic habitat is the marron fishery are yabbies and red-fin perch. negligible. Yabbies, a direct competitor and potentially serious threat to marron, have been recorded from a number of areas SOCIAL EFFECTS within the marron recreational fishery. Yabbies were The marron fishery in the 2000 season involved introduced from the Eastern States and have escaped from approximately 11,500 licence holders and their families farm dams or have been deliberately released into rivers undertaking about 40,000 fishing trips, and provided a and irrigation dams. Yabbies can also carry diseases such major recreational activity in regional areas of the south- as Thelohania which may be passed on to other west of the State. freshwater crayfish, including marron. Murdoch University is currently examining the marron stocks ECONOMIC EFFECTS co-existing with yabbies in Hutt River (Geraldton) and The ‘commercial’ value of the 2000 season recreational will provide information to the Research Division of marron catch was about $0.5 million (based on a price of Fisheries WA. $20/kg). In addition, the estimated 40,000 trips to regional locations provided a significant boost to regional towns in Red-fin perch, which appear to predate heavily on small the south-west. marron, have been illegally stocked into most rivers and irrigation dams in the south-west. Red-fin may be of FISHERY GOVERNANCE greatest concern in irrigation dams, which generally have all structure (e.g. tree stumps) removed prior to filling and Contemporary catches of marron are much lower than provide little shelter or protection for marron. The those of the 1970s and 1980s (Recreational Marron potential for increasing the marron survivorship rates and Figure 1). However, since the 1991 season the total carrying capacity of water bodies by installing artificial marron catch has fluctuated at a relatively low level structures is currently being investigated by Fisheries WA despite large fluctuations in effort (total number of trips). and should be considered, especially in the context of The reasons for the lower catches after 1990 include irrigation dams. changes in land practices (including clearing and water diversion), a reduction of access to large dams, salinisation of the upper reaches of many rivers, the spread of the competitive yabby and the impact of introduced predatory fishes (including red-fin and trout) – all issues outside the control of the Fisheries legislation. Illegal fishing, including fishing out of season, retention of under-size marron and retention of more marron than permitted by the daily bag limit, may also be having a significant impact. At this stage, the ranking of these fishery-related impacts on the marron stocks is not possible and is likely to vary among different water bodies and catchments.

EXTERNAL FACTORS The fishery currently appears to be capable of producing between 118,000 and 309,000 marron per season. However, winter rainfall plays a major role in marron

148 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Catch peruniteff RECREA T RECREA telephone sur otal ann ual recreationalmarroncatch,1971to2000. TIONAL MARR TIONAL MARR v e

y � . Catch (marron captured x 1000) or CPUE (marron catch per trip per fisher) 1000 t intherecreationalmarronfisher 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 0 71-72 71-72 72-73 ON FIGURE2 ON FIGURE1 72-73 73-74 73-74

FISHERIES 74-75 74-75 75-76 75-76 76-77 76-77 77-78 77-78 78-79 Marron CatchPerUnitEffort 78-79 WESTERN 79-80 79-80 Annual MarronCatch 80-81 80-81 81-82 81-82 82-83 82-83 Season 83-84 83-84 Season y asrecordedfromlogbookholders andfromthe A

USTRALIA 84-85 84-85 85-86 85-86 86-87 86-87 88 88 89 89

– ST 90 90 91 91

A 92 92 TE OF 93 Phone Survey Dams Rivers 93 Phone Survey Logbooks 94 94 95

THE FISHERIES REPOR 95 96 96 97 97 98 98 99 99 2000 2000 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 0 T 2000/2001 149

Bioregion – Southern Inland Bioregion – Southern Inland 150 Fisheries RESEARCH SUMMAR Recreational Fisheries comprising rainbow trout6.8tonnes(22,400fish), brown an estimatedcatchof34.1tonnes (1 The mostrecentsurveydata,for the1998/99season,gave annual datawillbecollectedvia anewtelephonesurvey were beingdesignedandimplemented. the 1999/2000seasonwhileimproved surveymethods No catchoref Recreational catc RET Angling withrodandline. Main fishingmethod fin perchandfreshwatercobbler(butnotmarron). The south-westinlandfishinglicenceincludestrout,red- Boundaries andaccess FISHER Pr Status Repor Recreational FreshwaterAngling status report. the SWFRAChavebeenusedtocompilefollowing these projectsandtheannualreportfrommanagerof use ininlandsalinewaters. Finally strain, anaturalstrainandhybridsofrainbowtrout. under way heat tolerance,fromtheagency’ research intoenhancingthequalityoftrout,particularly thus providingmoreanglingopportunities. water bodiestoreducethepredationrateofstockedfish, versus stockingyearlingsisbeingevaluatedinseveral Further with enhancedgrowthtoprovidesuperioranglingfish. Research isbeingundertakentoproducesteriletrout catch andef the 1998/99seasonandresultsprovidedinformationon A Pemberton (formerlyknownasthehatchery). South of researchprojectsarecurrentlybeingundertakenatthe excess broodstocktopublicwaters. the productionanddistributionoftroutfry recreational fishingopportunities. potential ininlandsalinewatersbutalsoprovidesome trout yearlingsarebeingtrialledfortheiraquaculture owners aspartofput-and-taketroutfisheries. south coastareas,arealsoregularlystockedbyprivate lar long historyoftroutstocking. public riversanddamsthatarestockedthosewitha Government irrigationwatersupplydams. with publicaccessarelimitedtothemajorriversand Recreational FreshwaterAngling limited surveyoflicenceholderswasperformedfor epar ge gullyfarmdamsandwaterloggedsalt-af FISHERIES AINED SPECIES W , rainbowtroutyearlingshavebeenproducedfor , comparisonofthesuccessstockingfry ed byB.Molony Y DESCRIPTION est FreshwaterResearchand W , comparingthetolerancesofSWFRAC A fort withinthefishery Research Divisionprojectsontroutinvolve fort datawererecordedforthefisheryin WESTERN t h (season2000): A USTRALIA Research informationfrom Y Private waters,mainly s hatcheryfacilityisalso , aswellotherdata. 10,100 fish), In addition,anumber Aquaculture Centre, – ST In thefuture, , yearlingsand Not assessed The only Genetic A TE OF Rainbow fected W THE FISHERIES REPOR aters . Not assessed. Catch r Not assessed. Fishing eff (83,800 fish)andnativecatfish0.8tonnes(2,600fish). trout 0.4tonnes(1,300fish),red-finperch26.0 fishery forthe1999/2000season. third yearsoflifewerealsostockedintotherecreational ex-broodstock rainbowtroutenteringtheirsecondand produced andstockedintothepublicfishery year also producedandsoldfromtheSWFRACduring fry weresoldtocommercialproducers. fishing andprivateclub175,000rainbowtrout trout fryweresoldtoprivatedamownersfortourist during 1999. from theSWFRACwerestockedintopublicwaters of 550,000rainbowtroutfryand25,000brown trout insouth-westdamsandriversisnegligible. SWFRAC andstockedintopublicwatersasbreedingby Enhanced rainbowandbrowntroutareproducedatthe Stoc There isnocommercialfisheryforthesespecies. Commer red-fin caught,regardless ofsize. quality occurs athighlevelsandmayresult inadeclineoffishing fin bymembersofthepublic,although notrecommended, with littleornoanglingvalue. most dominantfishinthisregion, leadingtostuntedfish Further trout, nativefishesandcrayfishes(includingmarron). spread oftheintroducedred-finperch.Red-finconsume The majorenvironmentalriskinthisfisheryrelatestothe Food c ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS discussed under‘Foodchainef red-fin perchontheendemicfishesofsouth-westare Society forFishBiology and onespecieslistedas‘vulnerable’ protected, althoughtwospeciesarelistedas‘restricted’ Currently Pr Bycatc NON-RET perch breednaturallyinsouth-westwaters. Native cobblerareself-sustaining. high summertemperaturesandlimitednestingareas. most waters,asthereisverylittlenaturalbreedingdueto T Breeding stoc Exploitation status: rout needstockenhancementbyhatcheryreleasesin otected speciesinteraction: . k assessmentcompleted: Approximately 24,800rainbowtroutyearlingswere . Fisheries , red-finbreedthroughoutthefisheryandare h speciesimpact: hain eff ate , nospeciesofsouth-westnativefishare cial share: AINED SPECIES T 2000/2001 or t In addition,approximately230,000rainbow k le ects: W vels: A encourages anglerstoretainany . The likelyef The releaseofsmallred- fects’ Introduced red-fin below by the fects oftroutand Older fishwere . Not assessed Not assessed , while2,700 Australian Negligib Medium A total Lo No Nil le w Rainbow and brown trout are also introduced species but de-snagging of streams all reduce the quality of the stream have a much broader diet than red-fin. For example, for trout and other aquatic species. Rehabilitation projects rainbow trout consume many species of aquatic insects. in the USA have produced better stream quality and better Further, the reproduction of trout in the wild in Western angling and similar initiatives may be considered in Australia is minimal due to lack of suitable spawning Western Australia, particularly in irrigation dams. sites. Thus, the numbers of trout can be controlled by regulating the quantities of hatchery-produced fish stocked. Currently, trout are stocked in only 27 discrete locations and not throughout the range of fresh waters in the south-west. Thus, although trout are also predatory fishes, the lack of natural reproduction means they are more controllable than red-fin and are more acceptable as a recreational species.

Stocking in future will be influenced by a translocation evaluation of the environmental impact of trout stocking now being finalised. Bioregion – Southern Inland Habitat effects: Negligible

SOCIAL EFFECTS A large number of freshwater angling licences are sold annually. For the 1999/2000 season, a total of 14,209 licences were sold, including umbrella licences. This represents an increase of 20% in the number of valid licences when compared to the 1998/99 season (11,906).

ECONOMIC EFFECTS The fishery operates in the south-west and is reputedly a major tourist attraction for the region, generating valuable income for regional centres. There are also a number of pay-for-fishing operators who target the tourist market. A major angling event is planned for the 2000/2001 season which will give a better indication of the economic effects of this fishery.

FISHERY GOVERNANCE Management of the fishery involves regular stocking of trout, and catches are controlled by bag and size limits and closed seasons.

EXTERNAL FACTORS The extent and success of the freshwater angling fishery in the south-west is dependent mainly upon availability of high-quality fresh waters for stocking. The availability of water is dependent on rainfall and access to irrigation dams. A major issue in this fishery is access to irrigation dams. The Water Corporation has now closed access to Stirling Dam owing to the diversion of this water to the metropolitan water supply. Further, construction of the new Harvey Weir has resulted in limited access to this water by recreational anglers. Thus, a redistribution of fishing effort is likely to occur and extra effort is likely to be applied to other water bodies. Waroona Dam is also scheduled for reconstruction and draining during the 2001/02 season, which may reduce future catches during the refurbishment process. Fisheries WA is working closely with the Water Corporation to reduce the impacts to recreational fishing by enhancing stocks in refurbished dams. The general condition of most rivers makes many areas unsuitable for trout. Stock access, cleared banks and

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 151 152 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 PPearlingearling andand AquacultureAquaculture

General Overview...... 154 West Coast Bioregion...... 156 Gascoyne Coast Bioregion ...... 158 North Coast Bioregion...... 160 South Coast Bioregion ...... 167 Northern Inland Bioregion ...... 168 Southern Inland Bioregion...... 170 Pearling and Aquaculture

mariculture site identification study being undertaken for w General Overview the Aquaculture Development Council is nearing The State’s commercial aquaculture industry is dominated completion. vie by South Sea pearl production in the north, mussels and algae production for beta carotene on the west coast, and Aquaculture Development Initiative freshwater crayfish in the southern inland bioregion. Production of species such as non-maxima pearl oysters, Fisheries WA is responsible for implementation of the edible oysters and abalone continues to increase. Government’s aquaculture development initiative, in consultation with the Aquaculture Development Council Pearling Activities and the Aquaculture Council of WA.

General Over The culture of pearl oysters of the species Pinctada An aquaculture plan for the Recherche Archipelago was maxima has been a major success. Centred on Broome, finalised during 2000/2001, and aquaculture plans for the pearling industry has operated since the 1880s, Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf are being prepared. A large initially as a source of mother-of-pearl and more recently number of licence applications for species such as marron as Australia’s largest and most successful aquaculture and freshwater finfish continued to be assessed for sector, producing quality South Sea pearls. The industry freehold land. Significant resources were directed to the has continued to develop with a sound management base, public consultation and assessment process for coastal with farms operating from Exmouth Gulf through to the water applications under Ministerial Policy Guideline Northern Territory border. no. 8. Work also focused on the preparation of guidelines for the granting of aquaculture leases, drafting of lease Aquaculture Activities documentation and administrative work associated with translocation and shellfish quality assurance. The level of activity and interest in aquaculture ramained high with a diverse range of aquaculture enterprises Aquaculture development in regional areas focused on the operating throughout Western Australia. These included provision of extension services and technical advice to the production of algae for beta carotene, mussels, existing operators and prospective investors. This work yabbies, marron, freshwater finfish and non-maxima pearl was undertaken predominantly by regionally based oysters. Development work and commercial production Development Officers, with additional specialist technical continued for marine finfish, abalone, edible oysters, pearl advice from research staff. Fostering of Aboriginal oysters of the species Pinctada albina and Pinctada aquaculture was also a major activity, particularly with the margaritifera and trochus. Prawn farming is considered to multi-species hatchery under construction in Broome. have significant potential, with two farm sites already licensed and the assessment of one other proceeding. The agency maintained strong linkages with peak industry Better genetic strains, feeds and stock management were bodies and the relevant management advisory committees. developed for yabby farming. The first stage of Twelve projects were supported through the Aquaculture identifying potential sites for land-based abalone Development Fund (ADF) during 2000/2001, utilising aquaculture has been completed, and the large-scale funds in excess of $115,000.

154 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Key Achievements

• A substantial increase in the number of • Commencement of an implementation plan for an

aquaculture licences (438 at 30 June 2001). Expression of Interest process through the vements Department of Land Administration to enable • Continued implementation of the Government aquaculturists to gain access to identified sites for hie aquaculture development strategy. abalone aquaculture. Ac

• Completion of an aquaculture plan for the • Completion of a risk analysis of larval escape Recherche Archipelago. through abalone culture effluent systems. Key

• Expansion of the aquaculture research team, • Refurbishment and expansion of the South West closely linked to industry and external research Freshwater Research and Aquaculture Centre at funding. Pemberton.

• Revision and expansion of the ‘Aquaculture WA’ • Achievement of export status for three shellfish series and other major advisory publications on growing sites in Western Australia. key aquaculture species. • Facilitation of the construction of a $3.2 million • Public release of a report on pearling legislation multi-species hatchery on a site at the Broome under National Competition Policy agreements. Tropical Aquaculture Park.

• Introduction of the Vessel Monitoring System in • Establishment, with the University of WA, of a Zone 1 to enable more accurate monitoring of major marron genetics and aquaculture research wild stock catches in the pearl oyster fishery. facility at Shenton Park (ADF and FRDC project).

• Upgrading of the aquaculture pages on the • Participation in the second annual MusselFest at Fisheries WA website. Rockingham.

• Development of a statewide aquaculture enquiry • Development (with industry) of a broodstock database. conditioning system for greenlip abalone. • Final stages of development of an internet-based input–output model for sea-cage and pond aquaculture (ADF project).

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 155 Pearling and Aquaculture

West Coast Bioregion 100,000 shell in three years. This dramatic increase in production will lead to a higher profile for black pearls produced in Western Australia. Regional Management Overview The principal aquaculture activities in the west coast West Coast Aquaculture Figure 1 shows the major licensed aquaculture sites in this bioregion.

est Coast bioregion are the production of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), and marine algae (Dunaliella salina) for beta W carotene production. Fisheries WA manages mussel Regional Compliance and farming in Cockburn Sound in accordance with an Extension Overview agreement between the Minister for Fisheries and the Compliance activities were focused on ensuring the Fremantle Port Authority. Tenure for the existing farming successful relocation of mussel farms to Southern Flats sites at the Kwinana Grain Terminal expired in December and adherence to licence conditions. In particular, 1999 and Fisheries WA secured an alternative farming site resources were directed at ensuring compliance with at Southern Flats within Cockburn Sound. Production is

Bioregion – navigational marking requirements, boundaries of leases increasing at this site. The pearling industry utilising and correct procedures for translocation of fish species. blacklip pearl oysters (Pinctada margaritifera) has also Resources also continued to be directed to shellfish commenced in the Abrolhos Islands. quality assurance within Cockburn Sound. Extension The WA Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (WASQAP) activities included public enquiries, participation in a monitors and regulates the quality of shellfish harvested second highly successful mussel festival at Rockingham, in Western Australia for domestic and export markets. technical support – particularly for black pearl farmers in The WASQAP is conducted jointly with industry and the the Abrolhos Islands – and site identification work. WA Health Department. The program involves regular sampling of bivalve shellfish-growing areas for toxic Regional Research Overview algae and faecal coliform bacteria in order to monitor Around Perth, activities include joint research with the shellfish quality and the classification of new shellfish WA Maritime Training Centre (WAMTC) on marine growing areas. The two principal areas used for the finfish and abalone aquaculture. A further collaborative production of shellfish in Western Australia, Cockburn project with WAMTC and Agriculture WA, with funding Sound and Oyster Harbour near Albany, have been support from the Grains Research and Development classified in accordance with the procedures outlined in Corporation and Grains Research Council, involves the the WASQAP and have been given approval by the evaluation of local agricultural products such as lupins Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) for and canola in aquaculture feeds. Environmental research export status. on the impact of sea cage farming of snapper and rainbow Activities during 2000/2001 included the completion and trout is being conducted with the University of Stirling, submission to AQIS of triennial reports on the suitability Scotland. Joint work with Curtin University (funded by of the WASQAP for maintaining the quality of harvested the ADF and FRDC) is aimed at rearing rock lobster shellfish in Western Australia, an annual audit of the larvae and assessing the potential for growout of wild- WASQAP by AQIS and the classification of a new caught pre-juveniles (puerulus). Joint research with other growing area in Cockburn Sound. universities is fostering husbandry, disease and nutritional research for marine aquaculture. Collaborative efforts Aquaculture in the Abrolhos Islands is a carefully with industry are aimed at producing a commercial supply managed, sustainable and productive new industry. In the of artemia (brine shrimp) cysts, for marine hatcheries, past year, aquaculture has expanded in line with the from microalgae production units (established for recommendations of the aquaculture plan for the Islands extracting beta carotene). (Fisheries WA 2000b), with licensees primarily engaged in the culture of black pearls. Currently there are over 1,000 ha licensed for the culture of pearl oysters, of which 21% is utilised, carrying over 210,000 shell. Site utilisation in the Abrolhos Islands is set to increase, with average projected growth per licence approximately 45% over the next 12 months.

Trial harvests of pearls from Abrolhos Islands pearl oysters have proven that product of acceptable quality can be produced and is readily sought in the market. The colour of Abrolhos Islands pearls is quite different to that of Pacific black pearls. The distinctive colour is likely to be the result of a combination of genetic differences and site-specific nutritional variation, and may prove to be a useful marketing tool.

As large numbers of young shell are now approaching operable size, the number of seeded shell is likely to increase fourfold in the next two years and to exceed

156 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Map sho WEST CO wing themajorlicensedaquaculturesitesofw AST A Q 27 U o S S A CUL Aquaculture sites Legend TURE FIGURE1 W FISHERIES est Coast WESTERN Kalbarri A USTRALIA est coastbioregion. Geraldton – ST Augusta 11 5 A o TE OF 30' E E 30' THE FISHERIES REPOR Perth Point Black T 2000/2001 157

Bioregion – West Coast Pearling and Aquaculture

Mussel Farming Gascoyne Coast Bioregion Regional Management Overview Mussel Farming Status Report The Gascoyne coast bioregion includes the areas of inner Shark Bay (Denham), outer Shark Bay (Carnarvon), and yne Coast Prepared by G. Maguire Exmouth Gulf. Whilst the production of pearls and pearl oysters remains the primary coastal aquaculture activity, INDUSTRY DESCRIPTION there has been recent development in the production of a Production areas range of aquaculture species. Mussel farms are found in Cockburn Sound and Warnbro Culture of marine invertebrates including prawns and sea Sound (as well as in the Albany harbours and King cucumbers has progressed significantly with the George Sound in the south coast bioregion). Resource- successful production of prawn post-larvae in the sharing issues are a major constraint to securing Exmouth area. Sea cucumber culture has advanced with additional sites in protected and productive areas. the installation of hatchery facilities and the collection of Additional area has been negotiated in the Southern Flats biological data on broodstock. area of Cockburn Sound to give the Cockburn Sound est Coast / Gasco mussel farmers more secure access to productive Research and development of techniques for the W growing areas. aquaculture production of Serranid finfish (e.g. estuary cod) continues in the Gascoyne, with improvements to Production method broodstock handling increasing the yield of gravid Vertical rope and bag culture on longlines. females; however, significant impediments to increased production of this species include synchronous production AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION of ripe males and efficient control of environmental parameters such as salinity. The production of ornamental Production current season (1999/2000): 683 tonnes Bioregion – aquarium fish is an important parallel to food fish culture in the Gascoyne. Number of producers for year 1999/2000: 11 Hatchery production of Pinctada maxima pearl oysters is Production projection next year (2000/2001): of critical importance in this region, where recruitment of 800–1,000 tonnes oysters in the wild is irregular. Two hatcheries, one in Carnarvon and one in Exmouth, are producing significant ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS quantities of spat to supply pearl farms in Exmouth Gulf Low risk because there is no addition of feeds. Faecal and the Montebello Islands. wastes are far less likely to cause high organic loadings on the sea bed in Western Australia than in other mussel Black pearl production through culture of P. margaritifera, industries, as mussel lines are more widely separated in P. albina and P. penguin species has expanded, with farms response to low food levels. increasing carrying capacity and also holding greater numbers of ‘seedable’ shell. Areas that suffered heavy SOCIAL EFFECTS stock and equipment losses during cyclones in recent years have rebuilt farms and stock numbers. Increased Small industry as a direct employer. Few social effects levels of technical skill and commercial experience other than to attract recreational fishers for finfish. among pearl farmers throughout the Gascoyne are being translated into improved growth rates and lower ECONOMIC EFFECTS production costs. The volume and quality of black pearls Estimated annual value (to producers) for year from trial harvests have improved every six months as the 1999/2000: $1.69 million number of suitably sized oysters at these farms accumulates and husbandry skills are gained. Market INDUSTRY GOVERNANCE response to the Western Australian product has been very Licence approvals are required and regular site promising, with premium prices paid for locally mounted inspections are carried out to ensure farmers are operating value-added product. within their site coordinates and that their site is clearly marked for marine safety compliance. Management activities during 2000/2001 included the facilitation of meetings and the development of grower The mussel industry must also meet the requirements of groups in regions with a concentration of aquaculture the WA Shellfish Quality Assurance Program. licensees, and fine tuning and implementation of policy relating to the collection of non-maxima pearl oyster spat. EXTERNAL FACTORS Aquaculture licensing advice, and assessment of Production levels for this species are related to dissolved applications for licences or variations to licences, nutrient levels which provide the basis for phytoplankton, remained important responsibilities of management in the the main food of mussels. Productive areas are therefore Gascoyne region. Liaison with growers and the provision generally protected waters where nutrients from terrestrial to them of information, advice and assistance continued sources raise the food levels above those in coastal waters through field visits and remote communication. dominated by the low-nutrient, tropical Leeuwin Current. Gascoyne Coast Aquaculture Figure 1 shows the major licensed aquaculture sites in this bioregion.

158 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Regional Compliance and Regional Research Overview Extension Overview Collaboration has been initiated on tropical marine Compliance activities were focused primarily on site aquarium fish and sea cucumber research near Exmouth. inspections to ensure compliance with licence conditions. Extension work included assistance in relation to the identification of a site for pearl production in Shark Bay. yne Coast

114o 50' E Bioregion – Gasco A s h b

o n Gascoyne R iv e Coast r

Exmouth

Legend Aquaculture sites

Carnarvon

Denham

27o S

GASCOYNE COAST AQUACULTURE FIGURE 1 Map showing the major licensed aquaculture sites of the Gascoyne coast bioregion.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 159 Pearling and Aquaculture

North Coast Bioregion environmental reporting requirements under the Commonwealth’s Environmental Protection and Biological Diversity Conservation Act 1999, the outcomes Regional Management Overview of the National Competition Policy review of the pearling The north coast bioregion is dominated by the production industry, and the industry’s future business needs. Some th Coast of pearls from the species Pinctada maxima. Activities additional changes to the pearling regulations to facilitate within the industry range from the hatchery production of pearling compliance and industry management practices oysters suitable for the seeding of round pearls to the will be considered in the short term. fishing of wild stock oysters for the culturing of pearls on a large number of pearl leases situated in the waters of Other issues, including budget development and the State. management, operational planning and management of pest incursions, continued to be a focus of attention Pearl oyster farms are predominantly situated in sheltered during 2000/2001. waters and range from the Montebello Islands to the northern waters of the Kimberley. One company generally Other aquaculture management initiatives in the north Bioregion – Nor transports part of its wild stock quota to the Northern coast bioregion were focused on pearl production for Territory for the culturing process, however this company Pinctada margaritifera and reef reseeding for trochus and has begun to develop the necessary pearl farm other reeftop molluscs. Significant resources were also infrastructure in the north Kimberley area to allow directed to a prawn aquaculture proposal for the farming in Western Australia. Pearl farm lease Wyndham area. A licence has been issued for a 650 ha applications are assessed through a public consultation prawn farm on a site near Derby. process in accordance with Ministerial Policy Guideline North Coast Aquaculture Figure 1 shows the major no. 8. The assessment of pearl farm lease applications licensed aquaculture sites in this bioregion. continued to be a major activity in 2000/2001.

The wild stock pearl oyster fishery is managed on a Regional Compliance and system of individual quotas with a total allowable catch. Extension Overview The status of stocks is reviewed each year by Fisheries During 2000/2001, Fisheries Officers based in Broome WA in liaison with the Pearling Industry Advisory and Karratha undertook a compliance monitoring program Committee (PIAC). During 2000/2001, the TAC for the across all zones of the pearl oyster fishery. Companies 2001 fishing season for Zone 2/3 remained at 502,500 have continued to increase production of hatchery-reared shells (one quota unit equals 1,100 shells). shell and the compliance focus shift to the monitoring and The status of stocks in Zone 1 was also reviewed. A TAC control of this product has increased. Major compliance of 40,000 shells for the Exmouth Gulf component of the issues are the verification of shell numbers and size prior Zone 1 fishery was maintained for the 2001 fishing to seeding operations, and the movement of hatchery shell season. A maximum size limit of 160 mm was also within and also between farms. Regular nursery site audits continued for shell taken in Exmouth Gulf to ensure that are conducted to monitor hatchery shell growout and to any residual animals following fishing in a season were verify progress for the conversion of hatchery options to not open to future exploitation and flowed through to the hatchery quota. Approvals to allow the use of hatchery breeding stock. shell for technician training and for mantle tissue in seeding operations have also increased compliance This year all vessels operating in Zone 1 were required requirements in this area. for the first time to be fitted with an automatic location communicator to assist in monitoring compliance with Several companies have now converted their hatchery the TAC. options to quota and there has been an increase in the quantity of hatchery-reared shell being used for seeding The seeding of hatchery-produced oysters was continued operations in lieu of wild stock. by some companies through licensees utilising hatchery options available to industry. Licensees also had the Wild stock quotas continued to be monitored through a option of substituting hatchery production for wild combination of quota tags and a paper audit trail using shell quota. catch, dump, transport and seeding operations logbooks submitted by licensees to the agency. The production and The annual value of production for pearls in 2000 was translocation of hatchery-produced pearl oysters is also estimated at about $220 million for the whole Western monitored by the system of hatchery and transport Australian pearl industry. logbooks combined with a system for disease testing, PIAC met on three occasions, with an extraordinary quarantine and health certificate clearances from the Fish meeting held in January 2001 to consider the report on the Health section of Fisheries WA. Conversion of hatchery National Competition Policy review of pearling options to hatchery quota is monitored by a combination legislation. The reports were released for public comment of operations logbooks, nursery and operations audits, and in May 2001. at-sea compliance presence during operations.

The agency, in consultation with the Pearl Producers’ Field officers based in Karratha and Broome patrolled Association and PIAC, agreed to review the legislative from Exmouth Gulf (Zone 1) to the Kimberley framework for pearling, taking into account the new development zone (Zone 4). Patrols to verify compliance

160 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 with tagging and associated logbook systems utilised disease testing program to monitor pearl oyster ‘health’ diving inspections, aircraft, both large and small agency issues within the industry. patrol vessels and industry boats. The majority of at-sea inspections and patrols were carried out using the joint During 2000/2001, Fisheries WA handed over to the Bardi agency (Fisheries WA and Department of Transport) Community of One Arm Point a pilot-scale trochus ocean-going patrol vessel Walcott, with small agency hatchery to provide stock for assessing the effectiveness th Coast of enhancing reefs near King Sound. The establishment of vessels being used as dive platforms. the hatchery was part of an international project funded Regional Research Overview by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research for managing the pearl oyster stocks utilises Commission (ATSIC) and the ADF. Significant progress detailed diver logbook records (catch and effort), at-sea has been made with the construction of a large, sampling of catches and information gathered during Aboriginal-owned multi-species hatchery at Broome research projects. This information is used to monitor the Aquaculture Park, with research staff providing scientific status of the stocks and to review and set catch quotas and design advice. ATSIC has also assisted Fisheries WA each year. and TAFE at Broome with the development of an Bioregion – Nor Aboriginal aquaculture training initiative. FRDC-assisted research into the mother-of-pearl (MOP) component of the pearl oyster stocks (pearl oysters In a major study of salt field biota, the artemia (brine > 170 mm shell size) is now in its final year. A second shrimp) resources have been characterised in one major FRDC project, which began in July 2000, seeks to salt field. Fisheries WA has helped fund hatchery determine an index of recruitment for the pearl oyster production trials with barramundi at TAFE in Broome. fishery by assessing settlement of spat of Pinctada Research staff based in this region have undertaken maxima on adult oysters (piggyback spat). The Division’s national liaison to assess the opportunities and constraints fish pathology group also provides a comprehensive for indigenous aquaculture in Australia.

114o 50' E

North Coast

Kununurra

Broome

Port Hedland Legend Aquaculture sites Onslow Ashburton River

NORTH COAST AQUACULTURE FIGURE 1 Map showing the major licensed aquaculture sites of the north coast bioregion.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 161 Pearling and Aquaculture

envisaged in the management arrangements, has been Pearl Oyster Fishery caused by decreased availability of wild stock due to cyclone damage to traditionally productive areas, particularly in Exmouth Gulf. Pearl Oyster Fishery Status Report th Coast Fishing effort Prepared by K. Friedman and C. Skepper Total effort for 2000 in all zones was 15,151 dive hours. The total effort for 2000 in Zone 2/3 was 9,258 dive FISHERY DESCRIPTION hours, which represented a 10% decrease on the 1999 Boundaries and access Zone 2/3 effort of 10,300 dive hours. This reduction was mainly due to increased stock abundance and better than The pearl oyster fishery of Western Australia accesses silver-lipped pearl oysters, Pinctada maxima, in shallow average diving conditions. The total effort in Zone 1 coastal waters along Western Australia’s North West during 2000 was 5,893 dive hours, representing a 23% Shelf. There are currently 16 licences operating in the increase on the 1999 total effort of 4,789 dive hours. This fishery, with a total of 12–16 vessels fishing for pearl increase occurred despite there being a decrease in catch Bioregion – Nor oysters in any given year. The fishery is separated into (Pearl Table 2), and may be attributed to three main four zones (Pearl Figure 1), and each licence is allocated factors: firstly, a lower stock abundance, particularly in an individual shell quota as part of an overall total the northern sectors of the fishery; secondly, an increase allowable catch. in speculative diving (searching time) as industry attempted to locate new fishing grounds within the middle The four management zones of the pearl oyster fishery are sector of Zone 1; and thirdly, poor diving conditions as follows: experienced on traditional fishing grounds.

Pearl Oyster Zone 1: NW Cape (including Exmouth Catch rate Gulf) to longitude 119°30' E. 5 licensees. The catch rate for the pearl oyster fishery (all zones) was Pearl Oyster Zone 2: East of Cape Thouin (118°10' E) 37.5 shells per dive hour (shells/hr). This represents a and south of latitude 18°14' S. 9 licensees. slight increase on last season’s overall catch rate Note: full access for Zone 2 licence holders to Zone 3. (36.5 shells/hr). The overall catch rate in the pearl oyster fishery was predominantly influenced by catch rates in Pearl Oyster Zone 3: West of longitude 125°20' E and Zone 2/3 where landings were greatest. north of latitude 18°14' S. 2 licensees. Note: partial access for Zone 3 licence holders to Zone 2. Catch per unit effort in Zone 2/3 in 2000 was the highest ever recorded at 54.2 shells/hr, which represented a Pearl Oyster Zone 4: East of longitude 125°20' E to significant increase on the previous record catch rate of WA/NT border. 1999 (44.5 shells/hr), and a 84% increase on the 10-year Note: although all licensees have access to this zone, exploratory (1988–1997) average of 29.5 shells/hr (see Pearl Table 1). fishing has shown that stocks in this area are not viable. However, pearl farming does occur. This improvement in catch rates was not spread equally between Zones 2 and 3. In Zone 2, the catch rate was Main fishing method 55.5 shells/hr, while the catch rate in Zone 3 alone was 32.4 shells/hr. The increase in catch rate when compared Diving. to historical records is somewhat tempered by the RETAINED SPECIES increased efficiency of industry vessels, which have adopted GPS and ‘plotter’ technology since about 1992. Commercial production (season 2000): 617,500 shell However, the ever more stringent shell size selection and quality grading methods applied by industry may Landings have negated potential gains realised through the use The total allowable catch is controlled by a quota system. of technology. In 2000 the TAC for the pearl oyster fishery of north- western Western Australia was 617,500 shell (including a The Zone 1 catch per unit effort was 11.3 shells/hr in 2,000 shell special allowance for tourism purposes). 2000, which represented a significant decrease of 40% from the 1999 figure of 18.9 shells/hr (Pearl Table 2). The bulk of landings were taken from Zone 2/3 (88% of Effort in 1998 and 1999 shifted across Zone 1, from all shell fished). The Zone 2/3 TAC for 2000 was 10% Exmouth Gulf in the south to the Port Hedland region greater than for 1998 and 1999. This increase in TAC, to (including the buffer zone extension) in the north. In 502,500 shell, was allocated because average catch rates 2000, Exmouth Gulf yielded just 36% of the catch within Zone 2 for the previous season were at least 50% (53% less than the average for 1990–1997), while the Port greater than a pre-defined 10-year average. The 2,000 Hedland region was the source of 52% of the shell shell special ‘tourism’ allowance was not increased. The reported catch for Zone 2/3 for the 2000 season was (11% less than last year but still 64% greater than the 501,419 shell (Pearl Table 1). 1990–1997 average). In 2000, previously under-utilised areas in the middle sectors of the fishery have begun to Zone 1 of the pearl fishery had a TAC of 115,000 shell for show promise again (12% of the Zone 1 catch). Whereas 2000. The reported catch of 66,772 shell (Pearl Table 2) the catch rate in the Port Hedland region has steadily was well below this allocation, as some licensees chose to decreased from 26.4 shells/hr in 1998 to 11.5 shells/hr use hatchery-reared shell in preference to wild stock in in 2000, the catch rate in the middle sector of the fishery the 2000 season. This conversion to hatchery stock, as has steadily increased in the last three years from

162 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 10.8 shells/hr in 1998 to 17.2 shells/hr in 2000. Exmouth in Zone 3 during the past two years. Gulf (the southern sector of the Zone 1 fishery) saw an increased catch rate between 1998 and 1999 (from The distribution of catch and effort in Zone 1 in 2000 was 11 shells/hr in 1998 to 19.3 shells/hr in 1999) but this has similar to that recorded in 1998 and 1999 as a result of again declined to 10.1 shells/hr in 2000. management decisions designed to reduce fishing pressure

in Exmouth Gulf. These decisions involved setting a TAC th Coast Recreational component (2000): Nil of 40,000 shell for Exmouth Gulf, and extending the Zone 1 buffer zone 30 nautical miles east to allow operators Stock assessment completed: Yes access to previously under-utilised grounds in the The primary measure of stock availability is catch per unit southern areas of Zone 2. The overall importance of the effort. In Zone 2/3 the high level of catch rate recorded in northern sector catch decreased for the first time this recent years (1994–1996 and 1999–2000) had previously season as declining catch rates began to impact total only been experienced during the late 1970s and early catch. Although this decline is to be expected due to the 1980s when the pearling fleet was fishing both culture fact that unfished built-up stock was available after 1998, catch monitoring in this northern sector reveals that and mother-of-pearl shell. The increased catch rates in Bioregion – Nor 1999 and 2000 are believed to have resulted from high fishers are still reliant on taking a percentage of catch abundance, favourable diving conditions and the influence from larger, less sought-after shell sizes (150–165 mm of technological efficiencies on industry practices. shell height). In addition, trial ‘piggyback’ spat collection results were low relative to other sectors in the fishery. The state of the fishery is of primary importance when Although the link between spat sampling and future one considers changes in catch per unit effort. The recruitment is preliminary at this stage, the generally low unprecedented high catch rate results indicate that spat collection results are in line with the general recruitment to the Zone 2/3 pearl oyster stock is at a level perception that recruitment in this sector of the fishery is sufficient to maintain or increase stock levels, permitting more sporadic and less regular than in Zone 2/3. The safe and economic fishing operations. As with most indicators presented above suggest that fishing pressure bivalve fisheries, the P. maxima fishery is characterised by on traditionally fished ground in this sector of Zone 1 is large variability in recruitment. The high catch rates too high, despite the wild shell quota not being fully recorded in 1999 and 2000 are undoubtedly partially due fished by licensees. to a large pulse of recruits passing through the size range targeted by the fishery. This increase in recruitment can Catches from under-utilised areas in the middle sectors of be partially attributed the presence of favourable the fishery are again nearing more promising levels (12% environmental conditions for larval and juvenile survival. of the Zone 1 catch). The steadily increasing catch and In addition to environmental effects on larval catch rate recorded from pearl grounds in the middle development, settlement, juvenile growth and survival, the sector of the Zone 1 fishery, which show signs of recent weather conditions were unusually settled during the main recruitment (based on length frequency sampling), fishing periods in 2000 which assisted divers through provide a welcome relief for the more heavily fished good water visibility. This was despite the occurrence of northern and southern sectors of the fishery. Catch rates Cyclone Rosita in April 2000 which caused wide-scale in Exmouth Gulf (southern sector) returned to 1998 levels damage to pearling facilities located near the cyclone’s despite management changes (1998) reducing fishing path just south of Broome. pressure in this sector. It seems the destructive effects of Cyclone Vance on the eastern side of the Gulf, and Increases in catch rates have occurred in Zone 2/3 as the generally poor diving conditions in 2000, have negatively fleet decreases the effective search and fishing area. affected catches despite 40% of the Exmouth Gulf TAC Catches in 2000 were made in less than half the area (as not being fished. In addition to the loss of productive reported in 10 x 10 mile grid squares) that was utilised at ground through cyclone activity, some traditional fishing the beginning of the 1990s. Fishers have concentrated areas in the south of the Gulf are not being fished because fishing effort on productive pearling grounds in shallower they are positioned within pearl farm lease boundaries. water (< 12 m on average). In the last five years the Management controls in Exmouth Gulf will be retained average depth fished has fallen every year. Assessment of during the 2001 season to limit effort and encourage the the sizes of oysters fished in Zone 2/3 show that around rebuilding of pearl oyster stocks in that area. If there is a 60% of the catch comes from the 120–140 mm shell decline in abundance indicators in 2001, further controls height size classes, which are the smaller, newly recruited in this fishery will be needed. oysters preferred for pearl culture. These results reveal that the wider range of pearl oyster grounds off the Eighty Exploitation status: Fully exploited Mile Beach are subjected to low levels of fishing The pearl oyster stocks are considered to be fully pressure, while yearly recruitment is supporting the exploited within the management parameters of diver fishery within its most productive locations. Within safety and maximisation of the value of the pearl crop. Zone 2/3 there is, however, a history of differential catch rates between major fishing areas. For example, although Breeding stock levels: Adequate catch rates in Zone 3 were higher than those recorded in As P. maxima are protandrous hermaphrodites, oyster Zone 2 during 1994–1996 (peaking at 50.2 shells/hr in stocks do not have a full complement of females until 1995), catch rates were lower in Zone 3 than in Zone 2 in shell sizes reach approximately 180 mm shell height. 1999 and 2000, suggesting that the factors responsible for Pearl oyster fishers prefer to harvest oysters between the increased catch rates in Zone 2 were not as apparent 120 and 165 mm shell height, hence oysters larger than

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 163 Pearling and Aquaculture

165–170 mm usually remain in the fishery as breeding 10–14 crew involved with the fishing of oysters between stock. The fishery focus has also moved away from the January and July each year. These vessels also support a deep-water pearling grounds, that now remain unfished or number of other pearl farm functions throughout the year. only lightly fished. Stocks remaining on these deep-water Fleet managers are employed by pearling companies to pearl grounds are likely to contribute to overall coordinate and support vessel operation. th Coast broodstock abundance and recruitment in both shallow and deep-water areas. ECONOMIC EFFECTS Estimated annual value (to fishers) for year (2000): The current annual quota for the fishery is less than the $220 million annual recruitment of oysters, therefore the breeding stock The value of cultured pearls and by-products is is being maintained or in some areas increased. This is considered to be approximately $220 million for the year especially true for Zone 2/3, which has seen excellent 2000. However, a precise estimate of the value of product recruitment in recent years. Current management is difficult to achieve owing to the variable time lags arrangements for Exmouth Gulf in the southern sector of which occur between harvesting and sale to offshore Zone 1 (160 mm maximum size) are designed to ensure Bioregion – Nor buyers, and the costs incurred in marketing before sales that breeding stocks in that sector are improved in the take place. longer term. In contrast, heavy fishing pressure on some pearling patches in the northern sector of Zone 1 could FISHERY GOVERNANCE have a negative effect on broodstock populations if flow- Acceptable effort range: 15,331–22,599 dive hours through of recruits to broodstock sizes was limited by high fishing effort. Catch figures in Zone 2/3 showed significantly elevated catch rate in the last two seasons, above the agreed NON-RETAINED SPECIES threshold that triggers quota considerations. Owing to Bycatch species impact: Negligible this indication of increased stock abundance, the 2000 and 2001 quota for Zone 2/3 was increased from its traditional Divers have the ability to target pearl oysters of choice level by 10% to 502,500 shell. It is expected that (species, sizes and quality of P. maxima) and do not Zone 2/3 of the pearl oyster fishery should achieve its inadvertently harvest any bycatch in their normal fishing 2001 quota within or below the five-year range activities. Pearl oysters brought to the vessel after hand (1994–1998) of 12,003–16,576 dive hours, given the collection are young and have relatively little epiphytic higher catch rates expected. If the elevated catches in growth (fouling organisms). Any such organisms are removed from the oyster and put back in the water prior 2000 were taken into account, one would expect from to the oysters being placed in mesh panels. A small experience (1994–1996) that the 2001 catch rate will number of over-sized or under-sized oysters are returned continue to be elevated (though not as high as 2000), to the substrate. reflecting the protracted time period that an elevated pulse of recruits takes to pass through the targeted size classes Protected species interaction: Negligible of the fishery. There is no interaction between the pearl oyster fishing In Zone 1, approximately 70,000 shell (of the 115,000 operation and protected species. shell TAC) is expected to be caught from wild shell stocks in 2001, with the remainder of the quota to be filled from ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS hatchery production. The acceptable effort range for Food chain effects: Negligible Zone 1 to achieve a catch of 70,000 shell is 3,328–6,023 The fishery removes only a small proportion of the dive hours (based on a pro rata effort estimation for biomass of pearl oysters on the fishing grounds, and is 70,000 shell for the five-year period 1994–1998). If Zone considered to have negligible impact on the food chain 1 is not able to achieve this catch within this acceptable in the fishing area. effort range then additional management controls are recommended for 2002 to ensure adequate numbers of Habitat effects: Negligible oysters flow through to the breeding stock in all sections The pearl divers have minimal contact with the habitat of Zone 1. This will mean that pearling companies will during fishing operations. The more significant habitat need to rely on greater quantities of hatchery-produced contact is by pearl oysters held in mesh panels on holding shell from the facilities established for that purpose, and sites following capture. These sites, however, cover a work on a reduced wild stock catch quota under ever- very small proportion of the habitat, and the activity stricter spatial controls. concerned is unlikely to cause any lasting effect. EXTERNAL FACTORS Similarly, the pearl farming operation, which uses The pearl oyster stocks underpinning the fishery in longline systems to culture pearls, has limited impact on Zone 2 (88% of total pearl oyster catch in 2000) continue the environment. Physical effects are limited to static to provide an elevated level of production to support this anchoring systems in typically sand/mud habitats. major Western Australian industry. The new FRDC- funded project, which seeks to determine the SOCIAL EFFECTS predictability of the relationship between numbers of spat Pearl oyster fishing vessels operate from the Lacepedes of P. maxima on adult oysters (piggyback spat) and future north of Broome down to Exmouth Gulf in the south. catch rates, will potentially give the fishery data on The 12–16 fishing vessels presently operating each have abundance of upcoming stock. This information would

164 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 greatly assist managers in determining quota allocations, GPS/plotter technology, and the seasonal variance in as there is currently a heavy reliance on retrospective diving conditions such as visibility, to assess how catch catch data to determine future management controls. rate is affected by factors other than shell abundance. In a fishery that targets pearl oysters for approximately Documentation of the adoption and operation of GPS and three years once they reach legal size, projections based plotter technology will be prepared in 2001. Methods for on retrospective catch data can under-estimate and over- assessing and documenting diving conditions within the th Coast estimate available stock. framework of catch reporting will be discussed at industry research meetings in October 2001. There is a recognised need to document the uptake of Bioregion – Nor

Zone 4 Zone 3

Lacepede Is. Buffer Zone Broome

Zone 2 NT Border Zone 1 80 Mile Beach

Port Hedland Main fishing areas Zone 1: NW Cape - 119o30' E Zone 2: Cape Thouin - Sandy Point (18o14' S) Zone 3: Sandy Point - 125o20' E Exmouth Gulf Zone 4: 125o20' - NT Border

PEARL FIGURE 1 Distribution of pearl oyster stocks and fishing zones in Western Australia.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 165 Pearling and Aquaculture

PEARL TABLE 1 Pearl shell catch and effort – Broome area (Zone 2/3).

Year Quota No. of No. of Total Dive Culture MOP Total culture MOP shells hours shells/hr shells/hr shells/hr th Coast shells shells 1978 404,952 146,692 551,644 10,583 38.3 13.9 52.1 1979 371,806 355,599 727,405 16,068 23.1 22.1 45.3 1980 364,502 260,714 625,216 18,568 19.6 14.0 33.7 1981 481,193 210,649 691,842 23,320 20.6 9.0 29.7 1982 460,000 439,092 132,931 572,023 15,710 27.9 8.5 36.4 1983 520,000 365,381 87,049 452,430 19,019 19.2 4.6 23.8 1984 375,000 242,828 47,230 290,058 11,615 20.9 4.1 25.0 Bioregion – Nor 1985 342,000 272,869 53,831 326,700 12,423 21.0 4.3 26.3 1986 360,000 337,566 10,929 348,495 16,478 20.5 0.7 21.2 1987 380,000 365,397 0 365,397 17,476 20.9 0 20.9 1988 445,000 379,657 0 379,657 14,600 26.0 0 26.0 1989 445,000 445,364 0 445,364 18,625 23.9 0 23.9 1990 457,000 453,705 0 453,705 23,263 19.5 0 19.5 1991 457,000 460,608 0 460,608 21,657 21.3 0 21.3 1992 457,000 461,599 0 461,599 19,455 23.7 0 23.7 1993 457,000 457,186 0 457,186 14,733 31.0 0 31.0 1994 457,000 456,832 0 456,832 12,384 36.9 0 36.9 1995 512,000 511,633 0 511,633 12,217 41.9 0 41.9 1996 512,000 511,756 0 511,756 12,774 40.1 0 40.1 1997 512,000 512,314 0 512,314 16,893 30.3 0 30.3 1998 457,000 457,266 0 457,266 14,499 31.5 0 31.5 1999 457,000 457,842 0 457,842 10,300 44.4 0 44.4 2000 502,500 501,419 0 501,419 9,258 54.2 0 54.2

PEARL TABLE 2 Pearl shell catch and effort in Zone 1 since the 1993 quota increase.

Year Quota No. of No. of Total Dive Culture MOP Total culture MOP shells hours shells/hr shells/hr shells/hr shells shells 1993 115,000 79,465 0 79,465 2,395 33.2 0 33.2 1994 115,000 132,316 0 132,316 6,291 21.0 0 21.0 1995 115,000 121,312 0 121,312 6,247 19.4 0 19.4 1996 115,000 80,163 0 80,163 5,013 16.0 0 16.0 1997 115,000 110,348 0 110,348 9,494 11.6 0 11.6 1998 115,000 108,056 0 108,056 6,094 17.7 0 17.7 1999 115,000 90,414 0 90,414 4,789 18.9 0 18.9 2000 115,000 66,772 0 66,772 5,893 11.3 0 11.3

166 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 South Coast Bioregion Regional Compliance and Extension Overview Regional Management Overview Regional officers conducted site inspections to ensure The south coast bioregion encompasses the major centres compliance with licence conditions and, in particular, of Albany and Esperance. Aquaculture activity in the site marking requirements. Officers were also involved region is focused at Albany and includes commercial in supervising the sampling of waters and shellfish and mussel and edible oyster production and trial abalone monitoring harvesting closures as part of the WA Shellfish production. Management activities were directed at Quality Assurance Program. Extension activities were management of the Albany Aquaculture Park in which focused principally on public enquiries and three sites are leased for abalone and edible oysters. planning in relation to aquaculture development, Additional applications for mussel farming in King particularly abalone. George Sound were assessed through the public consultation process (Ministerial Policy Guideline no. 8). Regional Research Overview Administrative oversight of the WA Shellfish Quality

A major research activity has been the evaluation of Bioregion – South Coast Assurance Program was continued. Activity in the greenlip and Roe’s abalone fed various diets in a project Esperance area related to the aquaculture plan for the managed jointly by Fisheries WA and industry, with Recherche Archipelago and interest in abalone financial support from the ADF. Major progress has been aquaculture. made with conditioning greenlip abalone broodstock out South Coast Aquaculture Figure 1 shows the major of season and using these for commercial production of licensed aquaculture sites in this bioregion. juvenile abalone. Performance of greenlip abalone in sea- based culture near Albany continues to be extremely encouraging. Assessment of the potential environmental impact of mussel farming on benthic habitats, supported by Fisheries WA, FRDC and ADF, is nearing completion near Albany.

Legend Eucla Aquaculture sites Perth

Esperance Augusta Black Bremer Bay Point Albany 115o 30' E South Coast

SOUTH COAST AQUACULTURE FIGURE 1 Map showing the major licensed aquaculture sites of the south coast bioregion.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 167 Pearling and Aquaculture

Northern Inland Bioregion Regional Compliance and Extension Overview Regional Management Overview Aquaculture Development Officers were stationed in Small-scale cage farming of barramundi on Lake Argyle Broome and Kununurra. One of their major roles is to facilitate the necessary approvals to commence major has been successfully developed by a local fishing aquaculture ventures in the Kimberley. Special efforts are company over recent years. In an effort to expand thern Inland focused on assisting Aboriginal communities to meet their production more rapidly to create economies of scale, an aquaculture development objectives. In addition, the expression of interest process to select a developer for officers were directly involved in the production of large-scale barramundi farming was undertaken by juvenile barramundi in liaison with the Broome TAFE, Fisheries WA, and completed in June 2001. The outcome inspection of properties for their suitability for the of the process was that the Selection Board preferred not production of redclaw crayfish, and the establishment of to grant preference to any of the applicants. While not aquaculture research facilities at the Frank Wise Institute creating an incentive for rapid growth in aquaculture of Tropical Research at Kununurra. development on Lake Argyle, this decision should clear the way for smaller developers, who have already shown Extension work included the provision of assistance to the Bioregion – Nor some interest, to make application for additional Gascoyne Inland Aquaculture Group which is looking at aquaculture licences. Fisheries WA will continue to work the production of ornamental fish in artesian waters. Ongoing technical advice was also provided in response with interested proponents to encourage smaller-scale to public enquiries. aquaculture projects at Lake Argyle, and is confident that there will be some significant development over the next one to two years. Regional Research Overview Research staff have contributed to efforts to develop a risk Other management activities in the bioregion included the assessment of barramundi farming in Lake Argyle and provision of technical advice in relation to the production assisted a barramundi hatchery nearby. Barramundi is of redclaw crayfish, aquarium fish, sooty grunter and one of the species included in an ADF project, on barramundi by landholders on the Ord irrigation system modelling nutrient outputs from farming systems for key around Kununurra. aquaculture species, undertaken by research staff in collaboration with Israeli scientists. Interaction with Northern Inland Aquaculture Figure 1 shows the major Aboriginal communities has included establishing a pilot licensed aquaculture sites in this bioregion. farming trial with sooty grunter.

114o 50' E

Kununurra

Lake Argyle Derby Broome

Anna Plains Legend Aquaculture sites Port Hedland Karratha

Onslow

A s hb Northern Inland Exmouth ur ton Ri ver

Carnarvon

Denham

27o S 27o S

NORTHERN INLAND AQUACULTURE FIGURE 1 Map showing the major licensed aquaculture sites in the northern inland bioregion.

168 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Barramundi Farming Barramundi farming is considered to present a medium risk to the environment. Cages within protected coastal Barramundi Farming Status Report areas and lakes can be operated with low environmental impact if appropriately located in deeper water with good Prepared by G. Maguire current flow and if modern feeding practices and feed design are used which minimise uneaten food and soluble thern Inland INDUSTRY DESCRIPTION nutrient release. Land-based farms producing more than Production areas 1 tonne of fish require discharge licensing, which includes monitoring of water quality. Fisheries WA Intensive production in cages in Lake Argyle or in recommends use of swirl separators and/or recirculating systems in the southern half of the State. settlement/reed ponds to improve the quality of this Interest in producing barramundi is growing strongly, with discharge prior to release or reuse. 35 licences issued as at 30 June 2001. Production from these farms is expected to increase in 2000/2001. SOCIAL EFFECTS

Production methods Not a major employer of staff so far. Visual impact is

relatively minor. Bioregion – Nor Barramundi can be farmed in cages in Lake Argyle or coastal areas, in inland saline ponds, or in intensive ECONOMIC EFFECTS recirculating culture systems using fresh water, inland saline water or sea water. Estimated annual value (to producers) for year 1999/2000: Not reportable AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION INDUSTRY GOVERNANCE Production current season (1999/2000): Not reportable A Fisheries WA licence must be issued and a water quality monitoring program that is to the satisfaction of the Where fewer than five producers are involved in a Department of Environmental Protection is a condition of particular industry, the data are subject to the the licence. confidentiality provisions of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 and are not reported. However, the EXTERNAL FACTORS barramundi production forms a significant part of a statewide freshwater finfish farming industry of 55 tonnes. This industry has the potential to grow significantly, particularly in Lake Argyle. Number of producers for year 1999/2000: 3

Production projection next year (2000/2001): 40–50 tonnes The increased number of new producers allows a projection to be made.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 169 Pearling and Aquaculture

Southern Inland Bioregion yabbies, with extensive resources being directed to providing development and extension assistance to farmers.

Regional Management Overview The south-west freshwater aquaculture industries are The southern inland bioregion is dominated by production monitored by Fisheries Officers based in Esperance, of yabbies, marron and freshwater finfish. Management Albany, Bunbury, Mandurah and Fremantle to ensure and licensing arrangements have not changed significantly continuation of a high level of awareness of, and over the past year. compliance with, management rules. Officers conducted site inspections to ensure compliance with licence Trout ova and fry from the South West Freshwater conditions and site marking requirements. They were also Research and Aquaculture Centre (SWFRAC) at involved in supervising the sampling of waters and Pemberton were sold to freshwater trout farmers, and shellfish and the monitoring of harvesting closures as part yearlings were sold to growers using inland saline waters. of the WA Shellfish Quality Assurance Program. One prosecution brief was submitted for the sale of yabbies The production of freshwater and marine ornamental fish without an aquaculture licence. species is a small but rapidly growing sector of the aquaculture industry in Western Australia. Improved Regional Research Overview Bioregion – Southern Inland extension material highlighting the opportunity for these species as candidates for aquaculture is available. Research activities have focused on work to assist marron, yabby and rainbow trout farming industries and to Southern Inland Aquaculture Figure 1 shows the extent of produce yearling trout at the SWFRAC for inland saline sites in this bioregion. farming trials throughout the region. Research staff based at Perth and Pemberton provided advice to many farmers, Regional Compliance/ particularly through workshops. Research staff in these Extension Overview locations also taught a five-month full-time course for potential marron and trout farm managers. Aquaculture Development Officers stationed at Albany and Narrogin provide an extension service to farmers Research facilities have been greatly expanded to help as well as providing displays and information at country improve the profitability of marron farming through shows and workshops. For 2000/2001 there was a genetic and pond management and by treating discharge particular focus on the production of trout, marron and water for reuse, particularly in summer. Model ponds and

27o S 27o S Kalbarri SouthernSouthern Inland Geraldton

Eucla Perth

Esperance Augusta Black Point Albany Approximate extent o 115 30' E of aquaculture sites

SOUTHERN INLAND AQUACULTURE FIGURE 1 Map showing the major licensed aquaculture sites in the southern inland bioregion.

170 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 aquaria have been established at a joint facility with the Yabby research supported by the FRDC and the ADF has University of WA at Shenton Park (with additional shown that hybrid Australian yabbies grew twice as fast funding from ADF, FRDC and industry), while a pond as existing commercial yabbies under pond conditions. complex has been built at the SWFRAC (with additional Very cost-effective procedures for providing feed and funding from the Commonwealth Regional Assistance managing competition for food in dams were developed. program, South West Development Commission and the About 20 yabby farmers participated in a logbook Department of Training). program which demonstrated substantial regional variation in production. Analysis of harvest data from 40 commercial marron ponds was progressed. Quantitative analysis of the factors Upgrading of production facilities at the SWFRAC influencing production strongly supported agency allowed production of about 50,000 yearling rainbow extension advice on increasing feed rates and providing trout for farmer assessment of production in saline ponds paddle-wheel aeration, refuges and bird protection. The or dams. Dry conditions have depressed demand in 2001, quality of the water supply was less influential. A major but trials, including marketing initiatives, are being feed trial with industry has indicated that feed quality is continued with assistance from the Development and not the limiting factor even during the second year of the Better Interest Fund. Research trials in sea cages growout phase. A summer harvesting trial with industry confirmed that selective breeding at SWFRAC over was very encouraging for improving continuity of supply many years has produced a very fast-growing strain of Bioregion – Southern Inland for live export markets. rainbow trout.

Marron Farming Number of producers for year 1999/2000: 139 Production projection next year (2000/2001): Marron Farming Status Report 50–60 tonnes

Prepared by G. Maguire ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Low risk because there is relatively little water discharged INDUSTRY DESCRIPTION from marron farms. Fisheries WA recommends use of settlement and reed ponds to improve the quality of this Production areas discharge for reuse on the farm. A demonstration facility Licensed purpose-built farms extend from Esperance to including settlement and reed ponds has been constructed Hutt River north of Geraldton, though the bulk of farms at the SWFRAC. are concentrated in the higher-rainfall south-west coastal areas. SOCIAL EFFECTS Two types of marron licence are available: Diversification of farm usage away from other, sometimes unprofitable, agricultural uses. The industry involves a • An Aquaculture Licence (Marron) allows the holder to large number of family-based farms. sell marron of any size to any person. Applicants must demonstrate that they own or occupy private ECONOMIC EFFECTS property with a minimum of 2,500 m2 of impounded Estimated annual value (to producers) for year water available for marron aquaculture purposes. 1999/2000: Nearly $1 million

• An Aquaculture Licence (Marron Limited) allows the INDUSTRY GOVERNANCE licence holder to sell marron of 76 mm or greater to Licence approvals are required. the holder of a Fish Processor’s Licence or an Aquaculture Licence (Marron). EXTERNAL FACTORS

Production methods A significant number of new purpose-built marron farms have been developed during 1999/2000, and other existing Semi-intensive farming in purpose-built earthen ponds; farms have constructed more ponds. This should extensive farming in gully dams. progressively contribute to expansion in State production. Development of a new farm to full production usually AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION requires around three years and for most farms production Production current season (1999/2000): 42 tonnes is influenced by rainfall.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 171 Pearling and Aquaculture

SOCIAL EFFECTS Yabby Farming Yabby farming is a female-dominated industry which provides direct income to a large number of families in Yabby Farming Status Report the wheatbelt.

Prepared by G. Maguire ECONOMIC EFFECTS Estimated annual value (to producers) for year INDUSTRY DESCRIPTION 1999/2000: $2.78 million Production areas The value has increased in part because of the reporting, Yabbies are an introduced species and so for translocation for the first time, of wholesale value rather than farm gate reasons, the licensed commercial yabby farming industry value. Other factors are higher production, particularly is restricted to the drier inland developed agricultural area with more winter harvesting, and emphasis on producing of the south-west, to the north of Perth and to the east of larger, more valuable yabbies. Albany. Agricultural farms may sell yabbies without a licence to licensed farmers/processors. INDUSTRY GOVERNANCE Licence approvals are required. Commercial yabby

Bioregion – Southern Inland Production method farming is only permitted to the east of the ‘yabby Harvesting of farm dams by baited traps. boundary’ and north of Perth.

AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION EXTERNAL FACTORS Production current season (1999/2000): 211 tonnes Stocks recovered, from drought-induced low yields, after the above-average rainfall of 1996. The strategic Number of producers for year 1999/2000: 27 plan for development aims at increasing farmer (This number refers to licensed farmers or processors. participation and increasing the low or inconsistent Note most farmers do not require licences.) production of many dams. The discovery of the parasite Thelohania in a variety of Production projection next year (2000/2001): farms was a major setback in 1998/99 although it posed 180–220 tonnes no threat to consumers. Production data for the first six months of 2000/2001 indicate that the industry has ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS recovered well from this setback. Prospects for the Low risk because negligible amounts of water are industry are very good as research results (e.g. monosex discharged from farm dams, whose primary purpose is the growout, improved feeding regimes and regular, more provision of water for stock. As the yabby farming effective trapping) are adopted by industry, although industry is located away from the marron zone, it poses production depends greatly on rainfall. little threat to marron fisheries, which are more at risk from landholders within the marron zone stocking yabbies in dams on a non-commercial basis.

Production methods Trout Farming Highly intensive pond culture for food and extensive farming in large gully dams stocked for pay fishing. Low- Trout Farming Status Report intensity purpose-built ponds are being constructed by inland saline farmers. Prepared by G. Maguire AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION INDUSTRY DESCRIPTION Production current season (1999/2000): Production areas Not reportable Intensive trout culture is confined to the lower south-west Where fewer than five producers are involved in a by summer water temperatures and limited by the need particular industry, the data are subject to the for a large through-put volume of water. Potential exists confidentiality provisions of the Fish Resources to expand production by the utilisation of irrigation dam Management Act 1994 and are not reported. However, the water in transit to agricultural farms on the south-west trout production forms a significant part of a statewide coastal plain. In addition, farmers with saline underground freshwater finfish farming industry of 55 tonnes. water are evaluating the performance of rainbow trout, stocked as yearlings and grown out in dams during Number of producers for year 1999/2000: 4 cooler months.

172 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Production projection next year (2000/2001): ECONOMIC EFFECTS Not reportable Estimated annual value (to producers) for year 1999/2000: Not reportable ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Trout farming is considered to present a low to medium INDUSTRY GOVERNANCE risk to the environment. Farms producing more than one A licence must be issued. Translocation approval can also tonne require discharge licensing including monitoring of be a requirement. water quality. Fisheries WA recommends use of swirl separators to improve the quality of this discharge prior to EXTERNAL FACTORS release or reuse. A demonstration facility, including a The SWFRAC trout hatchery provides support for the swirl separator, settlement pond and reed pond for commercial trout farming industry as a by-product of stripping nutrients, has been constructed at the SWFRAC. producing trout fry for recreational stocking programs. Inland saline trials usually involve little discharge and Fry are also supplied to private buyers who stock private farms developed in the future to utilise high flow rates of dams within tourist complexes. Trout sold via tourist pumped underground saline water can use swirl separators fishing ventures do not appear within the commercial to improve water quality prior to enacting current production records, although they add significant discharge patterns. commercial benefits to that sector and the regional Bioregion – Southern Inland A translocation review is largely completed, particularly economy. There is a trend for major trout producers to for direct stocking of trout into public fisheries. Trout move towards tourist fishing ventures, effectively ‘adding farms pose a low risk to public waterways as inadvertent value’ to the trout grown in these systems. While there is release from land-based farms is low and there are no reliable method of estimating the value of this sector, few localities in Western Australia where escapees its tourism value within the south-west may be similar to could reproduce. that of the trout grown for the general fish market trade. Inland saline farming trials based on growing yearling SOCIAL EFFECTS rainbow trout to table size have been promising and may help the industry recover to earlier production peaks Recreational trout fishing is a significant contributor to (more than 40 tonnes per year), but production still is the tourism industry in the south-west region. Inland rainfall-dependent. saline trout production may have potential for improving returns from salt-affected land, but production is still highly dependent on rainfall.

ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS Ornamental Fish Farming Low environmental risk because there is relatively little water discharged from ornamental fish farms. Operators Ornamental Fish Farming Status Report are required to ensure that stock does not escape into natural waterways. Prepared by G. Maguire ECONOMIC EFFECTS INDUSTRY DESCRIPTION Estimated annual value (to producers) for year 1999/2000: Production areas $170,000 Statewide. INDUSTRY GOVERNANCE Production methods Licence approvals need to be obtained. Dedicated small ponds and aquaria; breeding and rearing of juveniles for live sales. EXTERNAL FACTORS Commercial production recorded for 1999/2000 indicated AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION considerable volatility in production for major aquarium Production current season (1999/2000): 126,000 fish fish groups.

Number of producers for year 1999/2000: 32

Production projection next year (2000/2001): 200,000–300,000 fish

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 173 174 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 FishFish andand FishFish HabitatHabitat PrProtectionotection

General Overview...... 176 West Coast Bioregion...... 177 Gascoyne Coast Bioregion ...... 180 North Coast Bioregion...... 182 South Coast Bioregion ...... 184 Northern Inland Bioregion ...... 185 Southern Inland Bioregion...... 185 Fish and Fish Habitat Protection

the Fisheries reports and used in the annual Fisheries WA w General Overview performance assessment. The aquatic environment of Western Australia supports a vie range of outstanding recreational fishing, commercial To ensure that this reporting and assessment process is fishing, pearling and aquaculture industries. These viewed by stakeholders as transparent, objective and activities all depend upon a healthy environment for their robust, an appropriate third-party audit is needed for all continuing success. The Western Australian Government fisheries (not only export fisheries). While the current is committed to the conservation of the aquatic fisheries assessments are subject to OAG audit, the environment so that it may be used and enjoyed for possible extension of independent auditing to cover these generations to come. new ESD criteria and their associated assumptions is currently being negotiated between Fisheries WA, the General Over The Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program coordinates EPA and the OAG. the agency’s role in the protection of the marine estuarine and riverine environments as required by the Fishcare WA Government’s fisheries policy. To facilitate these activities on behalf of the wider community, a reference Community groups and organisations are encouraged to group of stakeholders was set up in the year 2000. This play an active role in the management and conservation of group incorporates representatives of the commercial the State’s fish and fish habitats through the State program fishing industry, recreational fishers, the aquaculture Fishcare WA and the national Fisheries Action Program. industry, the Aboriginal sector, the Conservation Council of WA, the Department of Conservation and Land A review of the success of the national Fisheries Action Management (CALM), the Environmental Protection Program and the State’s Fishcare WA program has been Authority (EPA) and the Office of the Auditor General completed. A total of 13 Fishcare projects valued at (OAG). The reference group provides input on fish $33,000, and five Fisheries Action Program projects habitat protection, ecologically sustainable development valued at $151,000, were approved for Western Australia (ESD) and related activities of Fisheries WA. in 2000/2001. This brings the total value of all projects funded in Western Australia under both programs to Activities relevant at a bioregional level are discussed in $1,182,000 since 1996. the appropriate sections which follow. Progress towards statewide initiatives is reported below. Two of the 13 new Fishcare WA projects provide benefits across more than one bioregion. These are:

ESD Assessment of WA Fisheries • Aquaculture and farming (CBC Fremantle). Fisheries WA staff have taken a lead role in the development of a national framework for reporting on • Comparisons in habitats, age composition, growth and fisheries within the context of ESD. The development of biology of tarwhine – Shark Bay and Perth waters the ESD framework has been prepared at the direction of (Murdoch University). the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture. Other projects were regionally based and are described Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program staff are liaising below in the relevant bioregion section. with other State fisheries and environmental agencies to develop a framework which can address the issues of concern to all stakeholder groups. Marine Reserves and Marine Planning During 2000/2001, a draft ESD policy document was developed to outline how ESD reporting and assessment Fisheries WA continued working with CALM to will be implemented in relation to the Fish Resources implement the Government’s marine reserves program. Management Act 1994 and associated legislation. In Both the Minister for Fisheries and Fisheries WA have a addition, the ESD framework has been further refined by vital role in these processes. Fisheries WA manages the incorporation of a formal risk assessment analysis to fishing, pearling and aquaculture in all marine reserves. determine the appropriate level of management response It also works with Environment Australia in the planning to issues raised by stakeholders. For medium- or high- of marine protected areas in Commonwealth waters. risk issues that require specific management, a detailed Areas of the waters of Western Australia may be reserved report that specifies explicit objectives and performance as fish habit protection areas (FHPAs) pursuant to Section measures must now be completed. 115 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994. These These ESD reporting methods are currently being used to areas are vested in the Minister for Fisheries and may be complete the applications to Environment Australia on the established for a number of purposes including the sustainability of commercial fisheries to enable continued protection of the aquatic environment, protection of fish, export of products past 2003. Draft assessment reports and education. Before an FHPA can be established a draft have been produced which relate to the major export plan of management must be prepared and a public fisheries including western rock lobster, Shark Bay prawn, consultation process undertaken. Under this process, the Shark Bay scallop, Exmouth Gulf prawn, Shark Bay Minister has wide powers to control or prohibit fishing snapper and abalone. activity, and may also make regulations to prohibit other human activities which may harm or alter the The development of these ESD reports has relied heavily environment. The waters of the Abrolhos Islands, which upon the information presented previously in the State of have special significance for the rock lobster fishery and

176 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 conservation purposes, are reserved as an FHPA. During West Coast Bioregion the year, the Lancelin Island Lagoon was set aside as an FHPA and the Minister released the draft plan of management for the proposed Cottesloe Reef FHPA. In Environmental Management addition, the draft plan for the proposed Miaboolya Beach Overview FHPA was completed. A number of projects which will give greater protection to est Coast

Fisheries regulations may also be used to limit or prohibit fish and their habitats were advanced in the west coast W fishing in specific locations to enable people to observe a bioregion during 2000/2001. This included further part of the marine environment which is not affected by progress on marine protected areas, including planning for fishing. These areas are often established at the request of the proposed Jurien Bay Marine Park and the local communities and are described as reef protected management of the Abrolhos system. areas (RPAs). Reef protected areas exist at a number of In April 2001, the Minister established the Lancelin locations around Western Australia including Cowaramup Lagoon FHPA. Fisheries WA worked with the Marine

Bay, Esperance Jetty and Yallingup Reef. In July 2000, Bioregion – Conservation Society of WA to set aside this marine the Kunmunya and Samson II wreck sites near Point protected area. In addition, in June 2001, the Minister Samson were closed to all fishing and set aside as an RPA. released the draft plan of management for the proposed Cottesloe FHPA. Fisheries WA is working with the Marine Environments Cottesloe Reef Protection Society on this project. Both of Successful collaborations between Fisheries WA and these areas were identified by community groups who industry, community and other stakeholder groups considered them important for educational purposes and continued throughout the year to ensure the protection of expressed a willingness to take a lead role in their fish and fish habitat. Major achievements were as follows: stewardship.

• Fisheries WA has been contributing to the Management of the Abrolhos Islands continued to be implementation of the Report of the National progressed with the assistance of the Abrolhos Islands Taskforce on Introduced Marine Pests through Management Advisory Committee in accordance with the membership of the National Introduced Marine Pests approved management plan released in December 1998. Coordinating Council. This work has included the Significant progress towards the management plan development of an interim protocol for the strategies was made in the following areas: management of introduced marine pests associated with vessels entering Australian waters illegally. This • Fisheries WA conducted a public workshop to assist in is a growing issue and Fisheries WA has worked developing a research project to study the health of closely with AQIS and other relevant Commonwealth the Abrolhos reef system and the impacts of human agencies in the development of the policy. activities on the reef. • A major reef health baseline data project has been • During the year, Fish and Fish Habitat Protection developed to provide a strategic approach to the Program staff consulted with all stakeholders to conduct of reef health science initiatives at the develop a comprehensive set of guidelines for the Islands. This project is an important precursor to the establishment of FHPAs. The guidelines outline a sustainable use and development of the Islands and process which enables community groups to surrounding waters. initiate the establishment of FHPAs and other protected areas. • With the assistance of funding provided under the Natural Heritage Trust, environmentally sensitive • A Fisheries Management Paper on fish protection public moorings were installed at the Abrolhos measures was completed (Bunting 2001). This report Islands. These facilities will enable the general public outlines the breadth of legislative and administrative to access dive sites without damaging arrangements that Fisheries WA uses to protect fish the environment. and their habitats. • With the assistance of Fisheries WA, the WA Maritime • The Minister introduced an order to protect coral from Museum completed an extensive survey of the recreational collectors in Western Australian waters. historical sites on Beacon Island. • A plan for sustainable tourism at the Abrolhos Islands was released. The aim of the plan is to improve public access to the islands while protecting the environment. • A review of the land conservation values of the Abrolhos Islands was completed. • A full registry of fishing industry moorings was completed. • Work has commenced on the draft bycatch action plan for the Abrolhos Islands and Mid West Trawl Managed Fishery.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 177 Fish and Fish Habitat Protection

Four new Fishcare WA projects were funded in the west significantly affect the sea floor. Essentially, all seagrass coast bioregion. These were: habitats are protected, with trawling limited to sand areas inhabited by target species such as scallops (West Coast • Geographe Bay marine environment (West Busselton Habitat Protection Figure 1). Primary School). In addition, habitat protection is provided by specific

est Coast • Jurien Bay snorkel trail (Jurien District High School). FHPAs, RPAs and marine parks in sensitive areas W • Bunbury Back Beach reef survey (Reef Diving (West Coast Habitat Protection Figure 2). Association). During 2000/2001, the establishment of a dedicated two- • Impact of humans on bottlenose dolphins in Cockburn man field operations team in the Abrolhos Islands Sound (Murdoch University). enhanced service delivery and public awareness of important environmental issues in this remote location. Fish Habitat Protection Overview Patrols of the RPAs continued with an educative focus,

Bioregion – On the west coast, marine habitats are largely protected but with some apprehensions for illegal fishing activities. from any physical impact of fishing by extensive closures Island schools were visited to present talks to the children, to trawling, the only permitted fishing method which can and a newsletter was commenced to provide an update on

27o S

Kalbarri

Abrolhos Islands Geraldton

West Coast

Perth

Legend Extended seasonal trawl closure Permanently closed to trawling Augusta 200 m contour Black Point 115o 30' E

WEST COAST HABITAT PROTECTION FIGURE 1 Map showing areas of permanent and extended seasonal closures to trawl fishing in the west coast bioregion.

178 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 fisheries issues to Island fishers during the season. Officers completed on-site training with the WA Maritime Advisory and logistical support was also provided to Museum in the duties of a Historic Shipwreck Inspector. a major media visit in April 2001 to help showcase Visits from WA Museum staff were also facilitated, and the Abrolhos. field assistance provided to research projects including studies on seabird diet and nesting patterns, finfish Voluntary air service protocols were implemented, and research, RPA habitat studies and sea-lion and seal study. airstrip maintenance carried out, to ensure visitor and est Coast passenger safety. Camp, jetty and aquaculture lease An outbreak of noxious daisies at East Wallabi airstrip W inspections were conducted to ensure standards were was quickly destroyed to preserve the environmental being maintained. A mooring register was completed, as integrity of this important island. were interim discussions to remove and identify hazardous moorings. The agency itself installed A high level of community consultation continues, with environmentally sensitive moorings in key anchorage input from the various user groups and specialist areas to minimise benthic habitat damage while committees. supporting responsible diving by ecotourism operators. Bioregion – Officers also continued to provide a sea rescue support and emergency management role.

27o S

Kalbarri

Abrolhos FHPA Geraldton

West Coast

Proposed Jurien Bay Jurien Bay Marine Park

Lancelin Lagoon FHPA

Marmion Marine Park Proposed Cottesloe Reef FHPA Perth Swan Estuary Marine Park

Shoalwater Islands Marine Park

The Swan RPA Legend

Fish habitat Yallingup RPA protection areas

Reef protected Cowaramup RPA areas Augusta Black Marine parks Point 115o 30' E

WEST COAST HABITAT PROTECTION FIGURE 2 Map showing current and proposed areas of protected fish habitat in the west coast bioregion.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 179 Fish and Fish Habitat Protection

Gascoyne Coast Bioregion animals like sharks and rays from the catch. In addition, work is progressing on the development of fish escape devices in the trawl nets. Work is continuing on bycatch Environmental Management action plans for the Shark Bay Scallop and Exmouth Gulf Overview Prawn Managed Fisheries.

yne Coast Significant achievements toward environmental The draft plan of management for a proposed FHPA for management of fishing in the Gascoyne coast bioregion during 2000/2001 included Fisheries WA’s input to the Miaboolya Beach at Carnarvon was completed. plans for the Ningaloo Marine Park. The Gascoyne Region Fisheries Environmental A draft bycatch action plan for the Shark Bay Prawn Management Review (FEMR) was released. The review Managed Fishery was completed. The plan contains a describes the fish resources of the region and the variety of management strategies to limit and report upon pressures which may affect them. It also describes how the impacts of trawling in Shark Bay. The program Fisheries WA will work to protect these resources from introduced bycatch reduction devices to eliminate large undesirable change resulting from human activities. This Bioregion – Gasco

114o 50' E

A s h b

o n Gascoyne R iv e Coast r

Exmouth

23o 34'S

Carnarvon

Denham

Legend Permanent trawl closure area

27o S

GASCOYNE COAST HABITAT PROTECTION FIGURE 1 Map showing areas permanently closed to trawl fishing in the Gascoyne coast bioregion.

180 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 strategy is the first of five regional FEMRs which will be • Whale shark conservation through public education prepared by the agency. (Australian Marine Conservation Society).

Two new Fishcare WA projects were funded in the Fish Habitat Protection Overview Gascoyne coast bioregion. These were: In the Gascoyne bioregion, most sensitive habitats in the • Ningaloo Reef environmental sustainability program main embayments are closed to trawling to protect prawn yne Coast (Scout Association of WA). nursery areas. Similarly, the whole sector offshore from Ningaloo Reef has been closed following an evaluation of • Preliminary investigation of the biology of sharks in fish trawling in the area (Gascoyne Coast Habitat intertidal mangroves at Shark Bay (Murdoch Protection Figure 1). University). The bioregion also has significant marine parks (Ningaloo One new Fisheries Action Program project was funded in and Shark Bay) in environmentally significant areas the Gascoyne coast bioregion. This was: (Gascoyne Coast Habitat Protection Figure 2). Bioregion – Gasco

o Legend 114 50' E Fish habitat protection areas A s h b

Reef protected areas r

t Ningaloo o n Marine R Marine parks and iv e marine nature reserves Park r

Exmouth

Point Quobba-Red Bluff RPA

Proposed Miaboolya Beach FHPA

Shark Bay Marine Park Carnarvon (including Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve)

Denham Gascoyne Coast

27o S

GASCOYNE COAST HABITAT PROTECTION FIGURE 2 Map showing current and proposed areas of protected fish habitat in the Gascoyne coast bioregion.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 181 Fish and Fish Habitat Protection

North Coast Bioregion During the year, Fisheries WA staff worked with the Port Walcott Dive Club to establish a protected area around the Kunmunya and Samson II wreck sites (north of Point Environmental Management Samson). The protected area is expected to be declared in Overview July 2001. th Coast During 2000/2001, Fisheries WA has worked with CALM Work has commenced on a draft bycatch action plan for in the further development of the management plan for the Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery. the Rowley Shoals Marine Park. In addition, advice has been provided as part of the planning process for the The agency also participated in the preparation of a major Dampier Archipelago and Montebello marine park environmental study of the North West Shelf which is proposals. The agency has also been working with the being coordinated by the Department of Environmental Commonwealth in the preparation of a draft plan for the Protection. proposed Cartier Island Marine Park. Bioregion – Nor

114o 50' E North Coast

Kununurra

Broome

Port Hedland Legend Permanent fish trawl closure area

Onslow Ashburton River

NORTH COAST HABITAT PROTECTION FIGURE 1 Map showing areas permanently closed to trawling for finfish in the north coast bioregion.

182 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 In 1999 there was an infestation of black-striped mussels Fish Habitat Protection Overview in Darwin Harbour and there was concern that they may have translocated to the Kimberley region. Fisheries WA The north coast bioregion has extensive closures to fish has been working with the WA Museum to monitor the trawling in all coastal waters west of longitude 120° E to ports of Broome, Derby and Wyndham in an attempt to protect inshore fish nurseries. Similarly, the coastal area identify possible infestations of this pest at an early off Eighty Mile Beach and north to King Sound, apart th Coast stage. In December 2000, a seized illegal entry vessel from a suitable prawn trawling habitat area, has been was brought in to Broome, and on inspection was found permanently closed to trawling to protect important pearl to be infested with black-striped mussels. Fisheries WA oyster habitats from exploratory trawling (North Coast worked with AQIS and other Commonwealth agencies Habitat Protection Figure 1). to move the vessel out of Australian waters and have The region also has RPAs at sensitive coastal locations, it destroyed. marine parks at the Rowley Shoals and proposed marine parks in the Dampier Archipelago, Montebello Islands and Cartier Island (North Coast Habitat Protection Figure 2). Bioregion – Nor

Proposed Cartier Island Marine Park

North Coast 114o 50' E

Rowley Shoals Kununurra Marine Parks Gantheaume Point RPA Proposed Montebello Broome Islands Marine Park Kunmunya and Samson II RPA Legend

Port Hedland Reef protected areas

Proposed Dampier Marine parks and Archipelago Marine Park marine nature reserves Onslow

Ashburton River

NORTH COAST HABITAT PROTECTION FIGURE 2 Map showing current and proposed areas of protected fish habitat in the north coast bioregion.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 183 Fish and Fish Habitat Protection

South Coast Bioregion Fish Habitat Protection Overview Along the south coast, fishing activities which can impact Environmental Management on marine habitats are limited to a small amount of scallop trawling off Esperance. There is a coastal trawling Overview closure of State waters along the western Great Australian One new Fisheries Action Program project was funded in Bight sector, enacted under Commonwealth fisheries this region. This was: legislation, to ensure deep-sea trawlers do not venture into sensitive coastal areas (South Coast Habitat Protection • Community evaluation of fish stock health in coastal Figure 1). habitats of Albany (Edith Cowan University). In addition, RPAs are in place to protect specific marine habitats of interest to the community (South Coast Habitat Protection Figure 1). Bioregion – South Coast

Legend Eucla Perth Permanent trawl closure area

00' E

o Esperance 125 Augusta Black Sanko Harvest Point Albany Esperance Jetty RPA RPA 115o 30' E South Coast

SOUTH COAST HABITAT PROTECTION FIGURE 1 Map showing areas permanently closed to trawl fishing and areas of protected fish habitat in the south coast bioregion.

184 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Northern Inland Bioregion Southern Inland Bioregion

Environmental Management Environmental Management Overview Overview During 2000/2001, work commenced on a survey of The conservation of the 13 species of freshwater native northern inland streams to help develop our understanding fish which exist in Western Australia is a growing issue of the freshwater native fish in the region. This work is for Fisheries WA. Some of these species are endemic to being undertaken by staff and students from Murdoch Western Australia, and therefore their survival depends on

University, and supported by funds from the Fisheries us. Most of these fish are under pressure because of Southern Inland Action Program. deteriorating environmental conditions. Therefore / Fisheries WA is working with other agencies and Two new Fisheries Action Program projects were funded institutions to undertake research on the distribution and in the northern inland bioregion. These were: life history of these animals to obtain the information required to protect them. • Freshwater native fish surveys of the Fitzroy River (Kimberley Land Council). In addition, a number of public education projects are under way to inform people about native fish and their • Biology and distribution of fish in the inland waters of thern Inland protection. The agency has provided funds to assist the North West Pilbara (Murdoch University). Murdoch University to prepare a series of posters about native fish. Further, the agency has an approval process in place for assessing proposals to translocate fish into and within Western Australia, to minimise the risks associated with movement of fish which may impact on endemic species.

In recognition of the threat from environmental changes to the long-term survival of the Margaret River marron strain, the agency has collected a stock of these animals. Bioregion – Nor These marron are now breeding successfully in captivity at the SWFRAC, and will be available for restocking should the need arise in the future.

Five new Fishcare WA projects were funded in the southern inland bioregion. These were:

• The tilapia – its impact on the Greenough and Chapman Rivers ecosystems (Geraldton Secondary College).

• Habitat rehabilitation and freshwater native fish research (Busselton Senior High School).

• Investigation and revegetation of fish ladders (Bennett Brook Catchment Group).

• Publishing of brochure/posters on freshwater fishes of south-western Australia (Murdoch University).

• Riverwatch – riverbank care (Kelmscott Primary School).

One new Fisheries Action Program project was funded in the bioregion. This was:

• Artificial habitats for marron enhancement and biodiversity protection in south-western Australia (Fisheries WA).

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 185 References

Ayvazian, S.G., Lenanton, R., Wise, B., Steckis, R. and Laurenson, L.J.B., Neira, F.J. and Potter, I.C. 1993b. Nowara, G. 1997. Western Australian salmon and Reproductive biology and larval morphology of the Australian herring creel survey. Final report to marine plotosid Cnidoglanis macrocephalus Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on (Teleostei) in a seasonally closed Australian estuary. project 93/79. Hydrobiologia 268: 179-192. erences

Baharthah, T. and Sumner, N.R. 2000. Community Laurenson, L.J.B., Unsworth, P., Penn, J.W. and Ref survey 2000. Fisheries WA. Lenanton, R.C.J. 1993a. The impact of trawling for saucer scallops and western king prawns on the Baharthah, T. and Sumner, N.R. 2001. Community benthic communities in coastal waters off south- survey 2001. Fisheries WA. western Australia. Fisheries Research Report no. 100, Fisheries WA. Bunting, J. 2001. Fish protection measures to ensure fish for the future. Fisheries Management Paper no. Lenanton, R.C.J. 1970. The biology of the 141, Fisheries WA. commercially fished whiting (Sillago spp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia. MSc thesis, University of Crowe, F., Lehre, W. and Lenanton, R. 1999. A study Western Australia. into Western Australia’s open access and wetline fisheries. Fisheries Research Report no. 118, Lenanton, R.C.J. and Hall, N.G. 1976. The Western Fisheries WA. Australian amateur fishery for Australian herring (Arripis georgianus): Results of the 1973 creel census. Fisheries WA. 1998. Future management of the aquatic Report no. 25, Department of Fisheries & Wildlife. tour industry in Western Australia. Final report of the Tour Operators Working Group. Fisheries Lenanton, R.C.J. and Hodgkin, E.P. 1985. ‘Life Management Paper no. 116. history strategies of fish in some temperate Australian estuaries’, in Fish Community Ecology in Estuaries Fisheries WA. 1999a. A quality future for recreational and Coastal Lagoons: Towards an Ecosystem fishing in the Gascoyne: Proposals for community Integration, ed. A. Yanez-Arancibia, UNAM Press, discussion: A five-year management strategy prepared Mexico. by the Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Working Group. Fisheries Management Paper no. 124. Lenanton, R.C.J. and Potter, I.C. 1987. Contribution of estuaries to commercial fisheries in temperate Fisheries WA. 1999b. Management directions for Western Australia and the concept of estuarine Western Australia’s estuarine and embayment dependence. Estuaries 10/1: 28-35. fisheries: A strategic approach to management. Fisheries Management Paper no. 131. Mackie, M. 2000. Spanish mackerel stock status report, in State of the Fisheries Report 1999/2000, ed. J.W. Fisheries WA. 2000a. Protecting and sharing Western Penn, Fisheries WA, pp. 71-73. Australia’s coastal fish resources: The path to integrated management. Fisheries Management Paper Malseed, B.E. and Sumner, N.R. 2001. A 12-month no. 135. survey of recreational fishing in the Swan-Canning Estuary Basin of Western Australia during 1998-99. Fisheries WA. 2000b. Aquaculture plan for the Fisheries Research Report no. 126, Fisheries WA. Houtman Abrolhos Islands. Fisheries Management Paper no. 137. Malseed, B.E. and Sumner, N.R. In press. A 12-month survey of recreational fishing in the Peel-Harvey Fisheries WA. 2000c. A quality future for recreational Estuary of Western Australia during 1998-99. fishing on the West Coast: A five-year management Fisheries Research Report no. 127, Department of strategy for recreational fishing prepared by the West Fisheries, Western Australia. Coast Recreational Fishing Working Group. Fisheries Management Paper no. 139. Malseed, B.E., Sumner, N.R. and Williamson, P.C. 2000. A 12-month survey of recreational fishing in Hesp, S.A. and Potter, I.C. 2000. Determination of the Leschenault Estuary of Western Australia during biological parameters required for managing the 1998. Fisheries Research Report no. 120, Fisheries fishery for West Australian dhufish, Glaucosoma WA. hebraicum. Final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on project 96/103. Melville-Smith, R. and Anderton, S.M. 2000. Western rock lobster mail surveys of licensed recreational Hyndes, G.A., Platell, M.E., Potter, I.C. and Lenanton, fishers 1986/87 to 1998/99. Fisheries Research R.C.J. 1998. Age composition, growth, reproductive Report no. 122, Fisheries WA. biology, and recruitment of King George whiting, Sillaginodes punctata, in coastal waters of south- Moran, M. 2000. Shark Bay snapper managed fishery western Australia. Fishery Bulletin 96: 258-270. status report, in State of the Fisheries Report 1999/2000, ed. J.W. Penn, Fisheries WA, pp. 44-45.

186 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Moran, M.J., Jenke, J., Cassells, G. and Nowara, G. Sumner, N.R., Malseed, B.E. and Williamson, P.C. 1996. Research for allocation of north-west marine 2000. Estimating the recreational catch of blue finfish resources among diverse user groups. Final swimmer crabs in the south-west of Western Australia. report to Fisheries Research and Development Final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on project 91/28. Corporation on project 98/199. erences

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Potter, I.C. and Hyndes, G.A. 1994. Composition of the fish fauna of a permanently open estuary on the southern coast of Australia, and comparisons with a nearby seasonally closed estuary. Marine Biology 121: 199-209.

Potter, I.C., Hyndes, G.A. and Baronie, F.M. 1993. The fish fauna of a seasonally closed Australian estuary: Is the prevalence of estuarine-spawning species high? Marine Biology 116: 19-30.

Potter, I.C., Platell, M.E. and Lenanton, R.C.J. 1997. Biological data for the management of competing commercial and recreational fisheries for King George whiting and black bream. Final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on project 93/82.

Quinn, T.J. and Deriso, R.B. 1999. Quantitative Fish Dynamics, Oxford University Press.

Sarre, G. 1999. Age composition, growth rates, reproductive biology and diets of the black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri in four estuaries and a coastal saline lake in south-western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University.

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FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 187 188 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 AppendicesAppendices

Appendix 1: Stock Exploitation Status and Catch Ranges for Major Commercial Fisheries ...... 190 Appendix 2: Fisheries Research Division Staff Publications...... 192 Appendix 3: Table of Catches from Fisher’s Statutory Monthly Production Returns of 1999/2000 .... 197 Appendices

APPENDIX 1 Stock Exploitation Status and Catch Ranges for Major Commercial Fisheries (Appendix 8 from Annual Report 2000/2001)

Fishery Stock Exploitation Breeding Previous *Catch Year Future Year Comments current Appendix 1 assessment status stock acceptable (tonnes) acceptable season catch complete assessment catch or current catch or effort range season effort range (tonnes/days) (tonnes/days)

WEST COAST BIOREGION

Western rock Yes Fully Adequate 13,500-14,500 14,523 99/2000 8,166-14,523 2000/01 Above forecast catch due to lobster exploited exceptional puerulus settlement 3-4 years previously.

Roe’s abalone Yes Fully Adequate 116 (Q) 107.7 2000 107.9 2001 New management plan now exploited (740-990 (755 days) (725-929 treats Roe’s abalone as a days) days) single fishery.

South-West trawl NA NA NA Not available Prawns 32 2000 Not available 2001 Prawn catch is mainly king Scallops 23 prawns.

Abrolhos Islands NA Fully Adequate 250-400 429 2000 50-600 2001 Recruitment is dependent on & Mid-West exploited environmental conditions trawl each year.

Cockburn Sound NA NA Not appropriate 40-95 56 2000 40-95 2001 Finfish only (excludes bait fish).

West coast Yes Fully Depleted 260 14 2000 NA 2001 Reduced catch due to mortality purse seine exploited effect and limited availability of pilchard stock.

Estuarine Yes** Fully NA Not available 305 2000 Not available 2001 Includes fish and crustaceans. fisheries exploited** (west coast)

GASCOYNE COAST BIOREGION

Shark Bay Yes Fully Adequate 1,611-2,183 2,250 2000 1,501-2,330 2001 Higher than average king prawn prawn exploited catch due to high catchability linked to sea temperature.

Exmouth prawn Yes Fully Adequate 771-1,276 565 2000 771-1,276 2001 Tiger prawn recruitment levels exploited reduced due to negative cumulative cyclone effects. King and endeavour prawn catches reduced by closures.

Shark Bay Yes Fully Adequate 1,500-2,750 1,345 2000 1,250-3,000 2001 Catches remain at low end of scallop exploited range due to continuing negative environmental impacts on recruitment.

Shark Bay Yes Fully Adequate 450-550 (Q) 488 2000 550 (Q) 2001 Reduced catch due to low effort. snapper exploited (820-950 Snapper catch only. standard days)

Shark Bay Yes** Fully Adequate** 95-140 127 2000 95-140 2001 Whiting catch only. beach seine & exploited** (whiting) (whiting) (whiting) mesh net

NORTH COAST BIOREGION

Onslow prawn NA NA NA 61-132 87 2000 60-130 2001 Higher summer rainfall gave improved banana prawn catches.

Nickol Bay NA NA NA Banana Banana 2000 All prawns 2001 Unusually high summer rainfall prawn prawn prawn 467 90-300 provided exceptionally high 300-500 banana prawn catches

Broome prawn Yes Under- Adequate King prawn King prawn 2000 King prawn 2001 Fishing season matched to lunar- exploited 36-164 76 35-170 phase-driven recruitment patterns in order to achieve higher exploitation rates.

Kimberley NA NA NA 301-645 236 2000 240-500 2001 Banana prawn catch showed prawn limited response to higher rainfall.

Pearl oyster Yes Fully Adequate 617,700 568,191 2000 572,500 2001 Quota in Zone 1 was not fully exploited oysters1 (Q) oysters oysters1 (Q) utilised owing to substitution of (15,331-22,599 (15,151 (15,331-22,599 hatchery produced stock. dive hours) dive hours) dive hours)

190 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Fishery Stock Exploitation Breeding Previous *Catch Year Future Year Comments current assessment status stock acceptable (tonnes) acceptable season catch complete assessment catch or current catch or effort range season effort range (tonnes/days) (tonnes/days)

NORTH COAST BIOREGION (CONT.)

Pilbara trawl Yes** Fully Adequate 2,100-2,400 2,075 2000 1,900-2,200 2001 Assessment only includes Appendix 1 exploited major species.

Pilbara demersal NA Fully Limited data 300-400 316 2000 150-300 2001 Range for trap only as line is trap & line exploited not restricted.

Northern NA Fully Declining** 600-1,000 470 2000 600-1,000 2001 Low catch due to low effort. demersal exploited**

Kimberley Yes** Fully Adequate** 25-40 45 99/2000 25-40 2000/01 Higher barramundi catch gillnet & exploited** (barramundi) (barramundi) (barramundi) obtained although effort barramundi trending lower.

North coast NA NA NA NA 103 99/2000 NA 2000/01 Developing fishery. Lower catch shark due to redirection of effort.

Spanish NA NA NA 260-390 305 2000 249-358 2001 Commercial catch of Spanish mackerel mackerel only. Range is preliminary estimateonly, fishery yet to stabilise.

SOUTH COAST BIOREGION

Esperance Yes Fully Adequate 50-80 69 99/2000 50-80 2000/01 Catch figures and projections rock lobster exploited include the fishery's three management zones: Esperance, GAB and Albany.

Abalone Yes Fully Adequate 235.63 (Q) 223.37 2000 229.54 (Q) 2001 Two zones previously managed (greenlip/ exploited (1,110-1,520 (1,173 days) (1,110-1,520 separately now amalgamated brownlip) days) days) into one fishery since 1999.

WA salmon Yes Fully Adequate 1,300-3,600 2,283 2000 1,300-3,600 2001 Environmental factors (Leeuwin exploited Current) influence recruitmentand catch levels in subsequent years.

Australian Yes Fully Adequate 450-1,200 818 2000 450-1,200 2001 South coast catch only. herring trap exploited

Southern & Yes** Fully Adequate** 875-1,075** 785 99/2000 725-975** 2000/01 Key species only reported. west coast exploited** Breeding stocks of two major demersal gillnet species are adequate; whiskery & longline shark catches have increased in two sectors which has reduced breeding stocks.

Estuarine Yes** Fully NA 200-500 252 2000 200-500 2001 Includes fish, molluscs and fisheries exploited** crustaceans. (south coast)

Albany/King Yes Not Severely 0 Not 2000 50-100 2001 Fishery closed as a result of George Sound applicable depleted applicable mortality. Research quota set purse seine for 2001.

Bremer Bay Yes Not Severely 0 Not 2000 100-200 2001 Fishery closed as a result of purse seine applicable depleted applicable mortality. Research quota set for 2001.

Esperance Yes Fully Depleted 1060 983 2000 1,000-1,200 2001 Quota set allowing for disease purse seine exploited (453 but recognising good boat days) recruitment. (Effort cannot be projected.)

NORTHERN INLAND BIOREGION

Lake Argyle Yes Over-exploited Decreasing 100-140 231 99/2000 100-140 2000/01 Catch well above historic levels catfish due to activation of latent effort.

* Catch figures supplied for latest year available. ** For key species only. NA No assessment. Q Quota management 1 Pearl catch quota is in individual oysters.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 191 Appendices

APPENDIX 2 Fisheries Research Division Staff Publications

REPORTS Malseed, B.E. and Sumner, N.R. 2001. A 12-month Appendix 2 survey of recreational fishing in the Swan-Canning Baharthah, T. and Sumner, N.R. 2000. Community Estuary Basin of Western Australia during 1998-99. survey 2000. Fisheries WA, 76 pp. Fisheries Research Report no. 126, Fisheries WA, Dibden, C.J., Jenkins, G., Sarre, G.A., Lenanton, 46 pp. R.C.J. and Ayvazian, S.G. 2000. The evaluation of Murray, A.G., O’Callaghan, M. and Jones, B. 2000. a recreational fishing stock enhancement trial of black The development of a model of the spread of the bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) in the Swan River, pilchard fish kill events in southern Australian waters. Western Australia. Fisheries Research Report no. Final report to Fisheries Research and Development 124, Fisheries WA, 26 pp. Corporation on project 99/225, 112 pp.

Freeman, K.A. 2001. Aquaculture and related Newman, S.J., Evans, D. and Ashworth, R. 2000. biological attributes of abalone species in Australia: Assessment of the outer-shelf fishery resources off the Areview. Fisheries Research Report no. 128, Pilbara coast of tropical Western Australia. Final Fisheries WA, 52 pp. report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on project 97/138, 165 pp. Gaughan, D.J., Baudains, G.A., Mitchell, R.W.D. and Leary, T.I. 2001. Pilchard (Sardinops sagax) Newman, S.J., Steckis, R.A., Edmonds, J.S. and Lloyd, nursery areas and recruitment process assessment J. 2000. Analysis of the stable isotopic composition between different regions in southern Western of the otoliths of goldband snapper, Pristipomoides Australia. Final report to Fisheries Research and multidens, as an aid to the determination of stock Development Corporation on project 1999/150, 36 pp. structure. Final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on project 98/154, 31 pp. Griffin, D., Wilkin, J.L., Chubb, C.F., Pearce, A., and Caputi, N. 2001. Mesoscale oceanographic data Nowara, G.B. and Newman, S.J. 2001. A history of analysis and data assimilative modelling with foreign fishing activities and fishery-independent application to Western Australian fisheries. Final surveys of demersal finfish resources in the Kimberley report to Fisheries Research and Development region of Western Australia. Fisheries Research Corporation on project 1997/139. CSIRO Marine Report no. 125, Fisheries WA, 88 pp. Research, Hobart. Potter, I.C., de Lestang, S. and Melville-Smith, R. Hine, P.M., Jones, J.B. and Diggles, B.K. 2000. A 2001. The collection of biological data required for checklist of parasites of New Zealand fishes, including management of the blue swimmer crab fishery in the previously unpublished records. NIWA Technical central and lower west coasts of Australia. Final Report no. 75, 95 pp. report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on project 97/137, 53 pp. Lawrence, C.S. 2000. Yabby hybrid growout experiment. Final report to Fisheries Research and Sumner, N.R. and Malseed B.E. 2001. A 12-month Development Corporation on project 97/319.02, survey of recreational fishing in Shark Bay during 99 pp. 2000-01. Final report on World Heritage project, 32 pp.

Lawrence, C.S., Brown J.I. and Bellanger, J.E. 2000. Sumner, N.R., Malseed, B.E. and Williamson, P.C. Morphology and incidence of yabby (Cherax albidus) 2000. Estimating the recreational catch of blue burrows in Western Australia. Final report to swimmer crabs in the south west of Western Australia. Aquaculture Development Fund, 27 pp. Final report to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on project 98/119. Lee, C.L. and Nel, S. 2001. A national aquaculture development strategy for indigenous communities in Williams, I.H., Vercoe, P.E. and Lawrence, C.S. 2001. Australia. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Freshwater aquaculture ponds for collaborative Australia, Canberra, 120 pp. research between industry, university and government. Final report to Aquaculture Development Fund, 16 pp. Lloyd, J., Ovenden, J., Newman, S.J. and Keenan, C. 2000. Stock structure of Pristipomoides multidens resources across Northern Australia. Final report to SCIENTIFIC PAPERS Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on Cappo, M., Eden, P., Newman, S.J. and Robertson, S. project 96/131. Fishery Report no. 49, Northern 2000. A new approach to validation of periodicity Territory Department of Primary Industry and and timing of opaque zone formation in the otoliths of Fisheries, 100 pp. eleven species of Lutjanus from the central Great Barrier Reef. Fishery Bulletin (US) 98(3): 474-488.

192 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 Cappo, M., Walters, C.F. and Lenanton, R.C. 2000. Glencross, B.D. and Smith, D.M. 2001. A study of the Estimation of rates of migration, exploitation and arachidonic acid requirements of the giant tiger survival using tag recovery data for western prawn, Penaeus monodon. Aquaculture Nutrition Australian ‘salmon’ (Arripis truttaceus: Arripidae: 7(1): 59-70. Percoidei). Fisheries Research 44: 207-217. Glencross, B.D. and Smith, D.M. 2001. Optimising the Caputi, N., Chubb, C.F., Hall, N.G. and Brown, R.S. essential fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and 2000. Measurement of catch and fishing effort in the docosahexaenoic acid in the diet of the prawn, Appendix 2 western rock lobster fishery, in Spiny Lobsters: Penaeus monodon. Aquaculture Nutrition 7(2): Fisheries and Culture, eds B.F. Phillips and J. Kittaka, 101-112. Fishing News Books, Oxford, pp. 334-356. Glencross, B.D., Curnow, J.C., Smith, M.B., Smith, Cheah, M.S.H. and Lee, C.L. 2000. Induced ovulation D.M. and Williams, K.C. 2001. The protein and of the Australian eel-tailed catfish Neosilurus ater lipid requirements of post-puerulus western rock (Perugia) with Ovaprim. Asian Fisheries Science 13: lobster (Panulirus cygnus). Aquaculture 199: 87-96. 121-131.

Chubb, C.F. 2000. Reproductive biology: Issues for Groom, P.K., Lamont, B.B. and Wright, I.W. 2001. management, in Spiny Lobsters: Fisheries and Lottery (stochastic) and non-lottery (biological) Culture, eds B.F. Phillips and J. Kittaka, Fishing processes explain recruitment patterns among eight News Books, Oxford, pp. 245-275. congeneric shrub species in southwestern Australia. Journal of Mediterranean Ecology 2: 1-14. Coote, T.A., Hone, P.W., Van Barneveld, R. and Maguire, G.B. 2000. Optimal protein level in a Hyndes, G.A., Platell, M.E., Potter, I.C. and Lenanton, semi-purified diet for juvenile greenlip abalone R.C.J. 1999. Does the composition of the demersal (Haliotis laevigata). Aquaculture Nutrition 6(4): fish assemblages in temperate coastal waters change 213-220. with depth and undergo consistent seasonal changes? Marine Biology 134: 335-352. Crowe, T.P., Dobson, G. and Lee, C.L. 2001. A novel Izquierdo, M.S., Tandler, A., Salhi, M. and Kolkovski, method for tagging and recapturing animals in S. 2001. Influence of dietary polar lipids’ quantity complex habitats and its use in research into stock and quality on ingestion and assimilation of labelled enhancement of Trochus niloticus. Aquaculture 194: fatty acids by larval gilthead seabream. Aquaculture 383-391. Nutrition 7: 153-160. Dabrowski, K., Czesny, S., Kolkovski, S., Lynch, W.E. Jackson, G. and Cheng, Y.W. 2001. Parameter Jr, Bajer, P. and Culver, D.A. 2000. Intensive estimation with egg production surveys to estimate culture of walleye larvae produced out of season and snapper, Pagrus auratus, biomass in Shark Bay, during regular season spawning. North American Western Australia. Journal of Agricultural, Biological Journal of Aquaculture 62: 219-224. and Environmental Statistics 6(2): 243-257. Evans, L.H., Jones, J.B. and Brock, J.A. 2000. Diseases of spiny lobsters, in Spiny Lobsters: Jones, J.B. 2001. Baitfish and quantitative risk Fisheries and Culture, eds B.F. Phillips and J. Kittaka, assessment issues. Proceedings of the OIE Fishing News Books, Oxford, pp. 586-600. International Conference on Risk Analysis in Aquatic Animal Health, Paris, France, 8-10 February 2000, Gaughan, D.J., Mitchell, R.W. and Blight, S.J. 2000. ed. C.J. Rodgers, Office International des Epizooties Impact of mortality, possibly due to Herpesvirus sp., (OIE), 360 pp. on pilchard, Sardinops sagax, stocks along the south coast of Western Australia 1998-1999. Marine and Jones, J.B. and Lawrence, C.S. 2001. Diseases of Freshwater Research 51: 601-612. yabbies (Cherax albidus) in Western Australia. Aquaculture 194: 221-232. Gaughan, D.J., White K.V. and Fletcher, W.J. 2001. Links between functionally distinct adult assemblages Kolkovski, S. 2001. Digestive enzymes in fish larvae of Sardinops sagax: Larval advection across and juveniles: Implications and applications to management boundaries. ICES Journal of Marine formulated diets. Aquaculture 200: 181-201. Science 58(3): 597-606. Kolkovski, S. and Tandler, A. 2000. The use of squid Gauldie, R.W. and Jones, B.J. 2000. Stocks or protein hydrolysate as a protein source in microdiets geographically separated populations of the New for gilthead seabream Sparus aurata larvae. Zealand orange roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus, in Aquaculture Nutrition 6: 11-17. relation to parasite infestation, growth rate, and otolith shape. Bulletin of Marine Science 67(3): 949-971. Kolkovski, S., Czesny, S. and Dabrowski, K. 2000. Use of krill hydrolysate as feed attractant for fish Glencross, B.D. 2000. Essential fatty acid and lipid larvae and juveniles. Journal of the World requirements in farmed fish: Sourcing the good oils. Aquaculture Society 31: 81-88. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of Australia 24: 216-224.

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 193 Appendices

Kolkovski, S., Czesny, S., Yackey, C., Moreau, R., Newman, S.J., Cappo, M. and Williams, D.McB. 2000. Cihla, F., Mahan, D. and Dabrowski, K. 2000. The Age, growth and mortality of the stripey, Lutjanus effect of vitamins C and E in (n-3) highly unsaturated carponotatus (Richardson) and the brown-stripe fatty acids-enriched Artemia nauplii on growth, snapper, L. vitta (Quoy and Gaimard) from the central Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Fisheries Research survival and stress resistance of fresh water walleye 48(3): 263-275. Stizostedion vitreum larvae. Aquaculture Nutrition 6:

Appendix 2 199-206. Newman, S.J., Cappo, M. and Williams, D.McB. 2000. Age, growth, mortality rates and corresponding yield Kolkovski, S., Jenkins, G.I. and Lee, C.L. 2000. Cage estimates using otoliths of the tropical red snappers, culture in Western Australia: Current status and future Lutjanus erythropterus, L. malabaricus and L. sebae, plans. Proceedings of the First International from the central Great Barrier Reef. Fisheries Symposium on Cage Aquaculture in Asia, 2-6 Research 48(1): 1-14. November 1999, Tungkang, Taiwan, eds I. Chiu Liao and C. Kwei Lin, Asian Fisheries Society and World Newman, S.J., Steckis, R.A., Edmonds, J.S. and Lloyd, Aquaculture Society, pp. 39-47. J. 2000. Stock structure of the goldband snapper, Pristipomoides multidens (Pisces: Lutjanidae) from Kolkovski, S., Yackey, C., Czesny, S. and Dabrowski, the waters of northern and western Australia by stable K. 2000. The effect of microdiet supplementation of isotope ratio analysis of sagittal otolith carbonate. dietary digestive enzymes and a hormone on growth Marine Ecology Progress Series 198: 239-247. and enzyme activity in yellow perch juveniles. North American Journal of Aquaculture 62: 130-134. Penn, J.W., Caputi, N. and Melville-Smith, R. 2001. Crustacean fisheries, in Encyclopedia of Ocean Koven, W., Kolkovski, S., Hadas, E., Gamsiz, K. and Sciences, eds J. Steele, S.Thorpe and K. Turekian, Tandler, A. 2001. Advances in the development of Academic Press, London, pp. 570-578. microdiets for gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata: A review. Aquaculture 194(1-2): 107-121. Phillips, B.F., Chubb, C.F. and Melville-Smith, R. 2000. The status of Australia’s rock lobster fisheries, Lawrence, C.S. and Jones, C. 2001. Cherax, in Biology in Spiny Lobsters: Fisheries and Culture, eds B.F. of Freshwater Crayfish, ed. D.M. Holdich, Blackwell Phillips and J. Kittaka, Fishing News Books, Oxford, Science, Oxford. pp. 45-77.

Lawrence, C.S., Morrissy, N.M, Vercoe, P.E. and Phillips, B. F., Cruz, R., Caputi, N. and Brown, R. S. Williams I.H. 2000. Hybridisation in freshwater (2000). Predicting the catch of spiny lobster fisheries, crayfish: Production of all male progeny. Journal of in Spiny Lobsters: Fisheries and Culture, eds B.F. the World Aquaculture Society 31: 651-658. Phillips and J. Kittaka, Fishing News Books, Oxford, pp. 357-375. MacArthur, L.D. and Hyndes, G.A. 2001. Differential use of seagrass assemblages by a suite of odacid Pironet, F.N. and Jones, J.B. 2000. Treatments for species. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 52(1): ectoparasites and diseases in captive Western 79-90. Australian dhufish. Aquaculture International 8(4): 349-361. Maguire, G.M. and Lawrence, C.S. 2001. Marron farming turning the corner. Land Management 1(3): Potter, I.C., Chalmer, P.N., Tiivel, D.J., Steckis, R.A., 30-31. Platell, M.E. and Lenanton, R.C.J. 2000. The fish and fishery of the Leschenault Estuary in south- Melville-Smith, R., Phillips, B. and Penn, J. 2000. western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Recreational spiny lobster fisheries: Research and Western Australia 83(4): 259-280. management, in Spiny Lobsters: Fisheries and Culture, eds B.F. Phillips and J. Kittaka, Fishing Purcell, S.W. 2000. Association of epilithic algae with News Books, Oxford, pp. 447-461. sediment distribution on a windward reef in the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Bulletin of Molony, B.W. and Sheaves, M. 2001. Challenges of Marine Science 66: 199-214. external insemination in a tropical sparid fish, Acanthopagrus berda. Environmental Biology of Risbey, D.A., Calver, M.C., Short, J., Bradley, J.S. and Fishes 61: 65-71. Wright, I.W. 2000. The impact of cats and foxes on the small vertebrate fauna of Heirisson Prong, Murray, A.G., O’Callaghan, M. and Jones, B. 2001. A Western Australia. II. A field experiment. Wildlife model of transmission of a viral epidemic among Research 27: 223-235. schools within a shoal of pilchards. Ecological Modelling 144: 245-251. Sheaves, M.J. and Molony, B.W. 2000. Short-circuit in the mangrove food chain. Marine Ecology Progress Murray, A.G., O’Callaghan, M. and Jones, B. 2001. Series 199: 97–109. Simple models of massive epidemics of herpes virus in Australian (and New Zealand) pilchards. Simpfendorfer, C.A., Goodried, A.B. and McAuley, R.B. 2001. Size, sex and geographic variation in the Environment International 27: 243-248. diet of the tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, from Western Australian waters. Environmental Biology of Fishes 61: 37-46.

194 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 St John, J. 2001. Temporal variation in the diet of a Melville-Smith, R., Anderton, S. and Caputi, N. 2001. coral reef piscivore (Pisces: Serranidae) was not Predicting the recreational western rock lobster seasonal. Coral Reefs 20(2): 163-170. (Panulirus cygnus) catch in Western Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 52. St John, J., Russ, G.R., Brown, I.W. and Squire, L.C. 2001. The diet of a large coral reef serranid, Mitchell, R.W.D., Blight, S.J., Gaughan, D.J. and Plectropomus leopardus , in two fishing zones on the Wright, I.W. Does the mortality of released

on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Fishery Bulletin Sardinops sagax increase if rolled over the headline of Appendix 2 99: 180-192. a purse seine net? Fisheries Research.

Stephenson, P.C., Edmonds, J.S., Moran, M.J. and Molony, B.W., Morrissy, N. and Bird, C. The West Caputi, N. 2001. Analysis of stable isotope ratios to Australian recreational marron fishery (Cherax investigate stock structure of red emperor and Rankin tenuimanus) (Smith 1912): History and future cod in northern Western Australia. Journal of Fish challenges of a recreational fishery. Freshwater Biology 58: 126-144. Crayfish 13.

Ward, T.M., Hoedt, F., McLeay, L., Dimmlich, W.F., Phillips, B.F., Melville-Smith, R., Cheng, Y.W. and Jackson, G., Rogers, P.J. and Jones, K. 2001. Rossbach, M. 2001. Testing collector designs for Have the recent mass mortalities of the sardine commercial harvesting of western rock lobster Sardinops sagax facilitated an expansion in the (Panulirus cygnus) puerulus. Marine and Freshwater distribution and abundance of anchovy, Engraulis Research 52. australis in South Australia? Marine Ecology Progress Series 220: 241-251. Stephens, F.J., Cleary, J.J., Jenkins, G., Jones, B., Raidal, S.R. and Thomas, J.B. 2001. Pathogenesis Ward, T.M., Hoedt, F., McLeay, L., Dimmlich, W.F., and epidemiology of spontaneous exophthalmos in the Kinloch, M., Jackson, G., McGarvey, R., Rogers, Western Australian dhufish Glaucosoma hebraicum P.J. and Jones, K. 2001. Effects of the 1995 and Richardson. Journal of Fish Diseases 24. 1998 mass mortality events on the spawning biomass of sardine, Sardinops sagax, in South Australian waters. ICES Journal of Marine Science 58(4):865-876. NON-REFEREED CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP PAPERS Caputi, N., Penn, J., Kangas, M. and Sporer, E. 2001. IN PRESS Research and management of prawn fisheries in Western Australia. Aménagement de la pêche Caputi, N., Chubb, C.F. and Pearce, A. 2001. crevettière à Madagascar: Actes de l’atelier, 12-14 Environmental effects on recruitment of the western December 2000, Antananarivo, Madagascar, eds E. rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus. Marine and Ranaivoson and Z. Kasprzyk, pp. 388-393. Freshwater Research 52. Glencross, B.D. 2001. Putting a value on lupin use in Cheng, Y.W. and Kuk, A.Y.C. Determination of the the aquaculture industry: A fishy business? Crop unknown at first capture of western rock lobsters Updates 2001, Department of Agriculture, Western (Panulirus cygnus) by random effects model. Australia. Online: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/ Biometrics. cropupdates/2001/lupins/Glencross.htm. Cheng, Y.W., Lawrence, C.S., Morrissy, N.M. and Kolkovski, S. 2000. Artemia: Past, present and future Bellanger, J. The statistical correlations and implied status, in Hatchery Feeds: Research and Development causal relationships between physical, chemical and Plan 2000-2005, ed. M.J. Littmann. Prepared for the biological parameters and yabby (Cherax albidus) Fisheries Research and Development Corporation in production of Western Australian farm dams. conjunction with the Hatchery Feeds Workshop, 9-10 Freshwater Crayfish 13. March 2000, Cairns. Online: http://www.aims.gov.au/ Gaughan, D.J., Fletcher, W.J. and White, K.V. Growth pages/research/hatchery-feeds/hfa-01.html. rate of larval Sardinops sagax from ecosystems with Lawrence, C.S. 2000. Recent developments in yabby different levels of productivity. Marine Biology. research. Proceedings of the Australian Crayfish Griffin, D., Wilkin, J.L., Chubb, C.F., Pearce, A. and Aquaculture Workshop, Perth, 5 August 2000, eds Caputi, N. 2001. Ocean currents and the larval C.S. Lawrence and G. Whisson, International phase of Australian western rock lobster, Panulirus Association of Astacology, pp. 26-33. cygnus. Marine and Freshwater Research 52. Lawrence, C.S. 2001. From the farm dam to market: Lawrence, C.S., Brown, J.I. and Bellanger, J. Trapping, holding and purging yabbies. Proceedings Morphology and incidence of yabby burrows in Western of the Aqua 2001 Conference, Dubbo, NSW, 16-19 Australian farm dams. Freshwater Crayfish 13. February 2001, NSW Fisheries, pp. 21-22.

Lenanton, R.C., Bastow, T., Edmonds, J., Valesini, F., Lawrence, C.S. 2001. The WA yabby experience. Nowara, G. and Connard, M.N. The use of stable Proceedings of the Aqua 2001 Conference, Dubbo, isotope ratios in whitebait carbonate to identify the NSW, 16-19 February 2001, NSW Fisheries, pp. 7-8. source of prey for Western Australian penguins. Marine Ecology Progress Series.

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Lawrence, C.S. 2001. WA Fisheries research results. IN PRESS Proceedings of the Aqua 2001 Conference, Dubbo, Jackson, G. Evaluation of hatchery-based restocking of NSW, 16-19 February 2001, NSW Fisheries, Shark Bay snapper as a potential management tool – pp. 31-36. the need for good science and a cautious approach in Lawrence, C.S. 2001. The gap between research and a World Heritage context. Proceedings of the industry application: The WA yabby experience. Australian Society of Fish Biology 2000 Workshop, Appendix 2 Proceedings of AQUATECH 2001: National ‘Stock Enhancement of Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture Technical Training Conference, Fisheries’, Albury, NSW, 7-13 August 2000. Fremantle, 17-18 January 2001, pp. 22-23. Lenanton, R.C. and Norris, J. Sound policy and rules – McKinlay, J.P. and Millington, P.J. 2000. Fisher central to any stock enhancement decision process. obligations in co-managed fisheries: The case for Proceedings of the Australian Society of Fish Biology enforcement. Use of Property Rights in Fisheries 2000 Workshop, ‘Stock Enhancement of Marine and Management: Proceedings of the FishRights99 Freshwater Fisheries’, Albury, NSW, 7-13 August Conference, 11-19 November 1999, Fremantle, 2000. Western Australia, ed. R. Shotton. Fisheries Technical Molony, B.W. Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) production Paper 404/2, FAO, Rome, pp. 405-414. and stocking in Western Australia: An examination of Melville-Smith, R. and Phillips, B.F. 2001. Testing the fishery and evaluation of the stocking program. collector designs for commercial harvesting of Proceedings of the Australian Society of Fish Biology western rock lobster puerulus. Developments in Rock 2000 Workshop, ‘Stock Enhancement of Marine and Lobster Enhancement and Aquaculture III: Freshwater Fisheries’, Albury, NSW, 7-13 August Proceedings of the Third Annual Rock Lobster 2000. Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram Workshop, Wellington, New Zealand, 2001, ed. R. van POPULAR ARTICLES AND CLIENT INFORMATION Barneveld, RLEAS Publication no. 6, p. 53. Commercial Fisheries Production Bulletin: Western Rock Phillips, B.F. and Melville-Smith, R. 2001. Potential Lobster Fishery no. 21, 18 August 2000. Fisheries impacts of puerulus collection on the biological WA Research Division, 4 pp. neutrality of the West Australian rock lobster fishery and the relevance to other fisheries. Developments in Commercial Fisheries Production Bulletin: Western Rock Rock Lobster Enhancement and Aquaculture III: Lobster Fishery no. 22, 15 January 2001. Fisheries Proceedings of the Third Annual Rock Lobster WA Research Division, 2 pp. Enhancement and Aquaculture Subprogram Workshop, Wellington, New Zealand, 2001, ed. R. van Commercial Fisheries Production Bulletin: Western Rock Barneveld, RLEAS Publication no. 6, pp. 47-52. Lobster Fishery no. 23, 30 May 2001. Fisheries WA Research Division, 4 pp. Rogers, P.P. and Penn, J.W. 2000. Shark Bay Prawn Fishery: A synoptic history and the importance of Lawrence, C.S and Bellanger J. 2001. How to grow ‘property rights’ in its management. Use of Property bigger yabbies and improve farm income. Aquainfo Rights in Fisheries Management: Proceedings of the no. 25, Fisheries WA, 7 pp. FishRights99 Conference, 15-19 November 1999, Lee, C. L. (ed.) 2001. Secretariat of the Pacific Fremantle, Western Australia, ed. R. Shotton. Community Trochus Information Bulletin no. 7, 35 pp. Fisheries Technical Paper 404/2, FAO, Rome, pp. 297-303. Lee, C. L. 2001. Pictorial view of the ACIAR trochus reseeding research project. Secretariat of the Pacific Southgate, P. and Kolkovski, S. 2000. Development of Community Trochus Information Bulletin no. 7, pp. artificial diets for fish larvae. Hatchery Feeds: 30-32. Proceedings of a Workshop held in Cairns, 9-10 March 2000, ed M.J. Littmann. Report to the Purcell S.W. and Lee, C.L. 2001. Testing the efficacy Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. of restocking trochus using broodstock transplantation Online: http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/ and juvenile seeding: an ACIAR funded project. research/hatchery-feeds/hfa-01.html. Secretariat of the Pacific Community Trochus Information Bulletin no. 7, pp. 3-8. Southgate, P. and Kolkovski, S. 2000. Formulated diets: development of formulated diets for fish larvae, Rossbach, M., Phillips, B.F. and Melville-Smith, R. in Hatchery Feeds: Research and Development Plan 2001. The sandwich collector, developed for 2000-2005, ed. M.J. Littmann. Prepared for the commercial-scale harvesting of western rock lobster Fisheries Research and Development Corporation in (Panulirus cygnus) pueruli. The Lobster Newsletter conjunction with the Hatchery Feeds Workshop, 14(1): 7-9. 9-10 March 2000, Cairns. Online: http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/hatchery� feeds/hfa-01.html.

196 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 APPENDIX 3 Table of Catches from Fishers’ Statutory Monthly Production Returns of 1999/2000

This table contains the landed and estimated live weight of species recorded in the compulsory catch and fishing effort

returns provided by fishermen each month. These data include the catch taken as by-product as well as the targeted catch. Appendix 3 These catch data may differ slightly from some of the catch estimates presented for specific fisheries as the latter may include additional data from other sources, such as research logbooks and processors. The figures may also differ slightly from previously reported figures as additional data may have been received by the agency. The table represents the latest year for which a complete set of data is available.

Catch category Landed weight Live weight Catch category Landed weight Live weight (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)

Fish Fish (continued) Anchovy 9,457 9,457 Javelin fish 25,638 25,638 Barracuda (northern pike) 1,058 1,064 Jewfish, Westralian (dhufish) 195,898 210,879 Barramundi (giant perch) 30,111 47,650 Jobfish 67,505 67,566 Bigeye (not tuna) 22,289 22,289 Jobfish (goldband snapper) 136,353 136,530 Boarfish 4,703 5,281 Jobfish, rosy 171,010 171,031 Bonefish (Pacific bonefish) 194 194 John Dory 91 98 Bonito 1,446 1,482 Kingfish, black (cobia) 25,176 25,620 Bream, Argyle 10 13 Kingfish, yellowtail 1,288 1,428 Bream, black 28,145 28,145 Knifejaw 798 951 Bream, buffalo 180 180 Leather jacket 30,479 48,552 Bream, mixed 107 107 Ling, pink (rock ling) 38 38 Bream, monocle 14,404 14,404 Long tom 85 85 Bream, Robinson’s 37,246 37,690 Mackerel, blue 13,855 13,855 Bream, sea 1,219 1,219 Mackerel, grey 4,213 4,800 Bream, silver (tarwhine) 15,744 15,744 Mackerel, other 67,525 72,676 Bream, western yellowfin 10,841 10,841 Mackerel, scaly 2,800,045 2,800,045 Catfish, sea (golden cobbler) 42,142 42,388 Mackerel, shark 318 343 Chinaman fish (not cod) 14,710 15,835 Mackerel, Spanish 262,626 337,347 Cobbler 52,613 73,980 Mangrove jack 10,548 10,665 Cobbler, silver 85,357 230,526 Maray 10,885 10,885 Cod 103,007 106,851 Morwong 288 294 Cod, bar (grey-banded, 8-bar) 6,474 6,586 Mullet, bluetail 20 20 Cod, Chinaman 5,220 5,837 Mullet, diamond scale 99 130 Cod, Maori 20 20 Mullet, other 2,168 2,168 Cod, Rankin 111,451 119,608 Mullet, red 62,091 62,091 Cod, spotted 49,996 50,029 Mullet, sea 386,285 386,285 Dart 185 185 Mullet, yellow-eye 82,774 82,774 Dolphinfish 475 540 Mulloway 48,016 49,721 Emperor, blue-lined Parrot fish 9,310 9,327 (grass, black) 1,305 1,335 Perch, Moses 54,552 54,601 Emperor, blue-spot 15,725 15,725 Perch, other 18,736 19,258 Emperor, spangled 3,752 4,333 Perch, pearl 36,814 37,008 Emperor, sweetlip 49,980 52,199 Perch, red (maroon sea perch) 14,880 14,979 Flagfish (Spanish flag) 174,166 174,210 Perch, scarlet sea (saddletail) 96,574 96,687 Flathead, other 10,780 10,785 Perch, yellowtail 1,260 1,260 Flathead, rock 92 92 Pike, sea 4,735 4,735 Flounder 2,518 2,630 Pilchard 1,463,750 1,463,750 Footballer (footballer sweep, Queenfish 828 2,017 banded sweep) 331 344 Red emperor 257,877 259,464 Foxfish (hogfish, pigfish) 538 538 Redfish 46,920 48,755 Garfish, sea 45,285 45,285 Redfish, Bight 9,038 9,596 Groper 153 204 Roach 13 13 Groper, baldchin 43,027 45,991 Salmon, Western Australian 2,597,744 2,597,744 Groper, blue 27,053 33,801 Samson fish (sea kingfish) 93,838 102,110 Gurnard 279 282 Scad, yellowtail 7,757 7,757 Hapuku 13,590 13,855 Shark, blacktip 36,537 64,971 Herring, Australian 841,385 841,387 Shark, bronze whaler 220,520 348,232 Herring, hairback 21 21 Shark, creek whaler 1,710 2,720 Herring, Perth 12,328 12,328 Shark, eastern school 4,342 6,906

FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001 197 Appendices

Catch category Landed weight Live weight Catch category Landed weight Live weight (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)

Fish (continued) Fish (continued) Shark, ‘golden’ (copper whaler) 1,381 2,196 Whiting, King George 45,351 45,377 Shark, grey nurse 737 1,135 Whiting, other 3,674 3,674 Shark, gummy 154,622 244,956 Whiting, western sand 206,245 206,286 Appendix 3 Shark, hammerhead 33,867 53,772 Other fish varieties 157,219 168,037 Shark, lemon 1,362 2,168 Total fish 15,359,282 16,311,855 Shark, mako (shortfin) 861 1,222 Shark, other 126,365 199,644 Shark, pencil 1,433 2,285 Crabs Shark, pigeye 450 716 Crab, coral 480 480 Shark, silvertip 240 382 Crab, king 8,019 8,019 Shark, spot tail 400 636 Crab, mud 3,171 3,171 Shark, spurdog 1,470 2,332 Crab, sand (blue manna) 673,089 673,089 Shark, tawny nurse 211 335 Crab, snow (Australian) 57,930 57,930 Shark, thickskin (sandbar) 146,488 232,469 Crab, spider 2 2 Shark, tiger 25,689 33,768 Crab, spiny 49,127 49,127 Shark, whiskery 140,909 210,092 Crab, three-spot surf 655 655 Shark, wobbegong 32,287 51,092 Total crabs 792,473 792,473 Skates and rays, other 13,051 23,874 Snapper, bullnose (variegated emperor) 1,132 1,132 Prawns Snapper, golden Prawn, banana 533,776 533,776 (fingermark sea perch) 343 394 Prawn, brown tiger 1,046,266 1,046,266 Snapper, frypan 53,316 53,316 Prawn, coral 286,972 286,972 Snapper, Lenko (deep sea) 42 42 Prawn, endeavour 385,255 385,255 Snapper, long nose 27,628 29,175 Prawn, leader (black tiger) 1,686 1,686 Snapper, north-west (large) 90,802 91,751 Prawn, western king 2,260,696 2,260,696 Snapper, north-west (small) 480,581 480,623 Other prawns 21,826 21,826 Snapper, north-west 150,439 166,825 Total prawns 4,536,477 4,536,477 Snapper, pink 728,590 738,732 Snapper, Queen 45,930 53,856 Snapper, red-spot emperor 44,126 44,126 Rock lobsters Snapper, red (swallowtail) 251,586 251,590 Bugs 20,020 20,020 Snapper, ruby 104 106 Rock lobster, southern 70,039 70,039 Snapper, Tang’s 6 6 Rock lobster, tropical, painted 336 336 Sole 2,145 2,145 Rock lobster, western 14,531,974 14,532,039 Sprat, blue 22,406 22,406 Total rock lobsters 14,622,369 14,622,434 Sweep 1,437 1,653 Sweetlip 100,532 102,793 Tailor 55,800 55,800 Molluscs Threadfin bream (butterfish) 194,703 194,703 Abalone, brownlip 15,682 39,227 Threadfin salmon 11,450 13,584 Abalone, greenlip 66,306 182,324 Threadfin salmon, giant (king) 137,889 149,656 Abalone, Roe's 100,512 110,801 Trevalla, deepsea 4,714 4,718 Cockle 3,095 3,095 Trevally, golden 26,768 26,821 Cuttlefish 32,155 32,155 Trevally, other (skippy) 219,257 221,602 Mussel 1,936 1,936 Trevally, skipjack 7,998 8,033 Octopus 82,508 155,096 Trout, coral 27,738 28,535 Oyster, western rock 7 49 Trout, spotted Scallop, saucer 717,791 3,454,343 (duskytail groper) 754 754 Squid 62,837 62,837 Tuna, bigeye 3 3 Other molluscs 80 80 Tuna, mackerel 236 236 Total molluscs 1,082,909 4,041,943 Tuna, northern bluefin 1,994 1,994 Tuna, other 26,560 26,786 Tuna, skipjack (striped) 1,135 1,297 Other classes Tuna, southern bluefin 6 7 Beche de mer 21,239 62,597 Tuna, yellowfin 3,600 3,896 Sea urchin 5 5 Turrum 226 226 Total other classes 21,244 62,602 Tuskfish, bluebone 17,468 17,626 Whitebait 243,999 243,999 Whiting, golden-lined 6,565 6,565 Grand Total 36,414,754 40,367,784

198 FISHERIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA – STATE OF THE FISHERIES REPORT 2000/2001