Victorian King George Whiting and Inlet Stock Assessment 2010

Kemp J, Ryan KL, Brown L, Bruce TK, MacDonald M & Conron S

May 2012

Fisheries Victoria Assessment Report Series No. 65

King George Whiting 2010

If you would like to receive this Author Contact Details: Dr. Jodie Kemp information/publication in an Research Branch accessible format (such as large PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Victoria 3223 print or audio) please call the Authorised by the Victorian Government, Customer Service Centre on: 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 136 186, TTY: 1800 122 969, Printed by the Fisheries Research Branch, or email Victoria [email protected] Published by the Department of Primary Industries © The State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, 2012. Copies are available from the website: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance General disclaimer with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not Preferred way to cite this publication: guarantee that the publication is without flaw of Kemp J, Ryan KL, Brown L, Bruce TK, any kind or is wholly appropriate for your MacDonald, M Conron S (2012). Victorian King particular purposes and therefore disclaims all George Whiting Bay and Inlet Stock Assessment liability for any error, loss or other consequence 2010. Fisheries Victoria Assessment Report Series which may arise from you relying on any No. 65. information in this publication. ISSN 1329‐7287 ISBN 978‐1‐74326‐174‐3 (print)

King George Whiting 2010 ii Executive Summary

low. This suggests that catches are likely Trends in the fisheries to remain consistently average for at least the Fluctuations in commercial catch rate data next year or two. available up until June 2009 for Port Phillip Bay, Corner Inlet and Western Port (until the closure Research and assessment needs of commercial netting in December 2007) suggests variable recruitment of King George include: whiting to these fisheries. • Determine where the spawning areas are that supply Victoria’s whiting fishery. The

Commercial catch rates of King George whiting spawning location of Victorian whiting show an eight to ten year cyclic trend, with stocks has implications for the short‐term peaks observed in 1989/90, 1997/98 and 2007/08. dynamics of King George whiting fisheries.

The next peak season for King George whiting is It is not known whether Victorian King expected to occur between 2015/16 and 2017/18. George whiting are coming from South Commercial catch rates have exhibited a long‐ Australian spawning stocks, and what the term increasing trend from a low of 2.5 kg/day contribution of Victorian is to these taken in 1984/85 to 23 kg/day taken in 2007/08 spawning stocks

(all Victorian waters, all gear types combined). • Estimate the post‐release mortality of King Variable recruitment to Victorian bays and inlets George whiting is influenced by the survival of the larval stages • Investigate the potential effects of climate of King George whiting; survival is influenced change on whiting spawning and the by variation in the oceanic environment which delivery of larvae to Victorian bays and has implications for the short‐term dynamics of inlets King George whiting fisheries. • Investigate the relationship between

Between 1998/99 and 2008/09, total commercial climatic/environmental variables and fishing effort targeting King George whiting has variation in commercial and recreational declined. This decline coincides with a reduction catch rates. For example, explore if, and in the number of licensed fishers in Victorian how, changes in abundance affect waters by a third between 1986/87 and 2008/09. King George whiting production.

Commercial netting was closed in Western Port • Investigate patterns of movement of in December 2007 in accordance with a immature whiting between Victorian bays

Government policy decision to create a and inlets and whether juvenile migration recreational fishing haven. There was a marked is the source of recruitment to Corner Inlet increase in the use of Western Port by recreational fishers between 2000/01 and • Determine the impact of fishing in 2006/07. Victorian bay, inlet and coastal waters on the sustainability of adult populations. It is estimated that ~155 tonnes of King George whiting are harvested from Victorian waters by • Develop a method to validate the size and recreational fishers annually. age composition taken by recreational research anglers. This would allow for

A peak in recreational catch rates of King comparisons to be made between research

George whiting in Port Phillip Bay was observed angler indicators and fishery independent in 2007/08 (4.1 fish/angler hour). This peak was pre‐recruit and commercial fishery also observed in commercial haul seine and indicators mesh net catches in Port Phillip Bay. A peak in recreational catch rates of King George whiting • Assess the selectivity of haul seines and in Western Port was observed in 2008/09 (2.9 mesh nets for King George whiting fish/angler hour). • Develop appropriate performance The abundance of post‐larval King George measures and reference points to track the whiting from 2006 to 2009 has been relatively status of the whiting fishery. Also identify

King George Whiting 2010

i trigger points that determine when action is required • Evaluate the potential for adapting the stock assessment model developed for King George whiting in South to the Victorian fishery

King George Whiting 2010 ii Table of Contents

Executive Summary...... i Trends in the fisheries ...... i Research and assessment needs include: ...... i

Introduction...... 1 Management ...... 1 Stock assessments...... 1 Current objectives...... 2

Stock structure, biology and life‐history ...... 3 Distribution ...... 3 Biology...... 3 Influence of predicted climate change on King George whiting...... 4 Uncertainities ...... 4

Description of King George whiting fisheries...... 5 Commercial fisheries ...... 5 Recreational fishery...... 6

Previous assessments...... 7 King George whiting stock assessment 2006...... 7

Data and methods...... 9 Commercial fishery ...... 9 Recreational fishery...... 9 Fishery‐independent surveys ...... 9 Length and age monitoring...... 9

Trends in the fisheries...... 11 Total catch, effort and catch rates...... 11

Management implications ...... 16

Research needs and priorities ...... 17 Research...... 17 Assessment...... 17

King George Whiting 2010

iii Acknowledgements ...... 18

References ...... 19

Appendix I – Industry perspectives 2006...... 21 2006 King George whiting stock assessment ...... 21

Appendix II – Data and methods ...... 23 Commercial fishery...... 23 Recreational fishery...... 23 Age/length monitoring...... 24

Appendix III – Data Figures and Tables...... 25

Appendix IV – Industry perspectives 2010 ...... 53 2010 King George whiting stock assessment ...... 53

King George Whiting 2010 iv List of Figures Figure 1: Commercial catch, effort and catch rate of King George whiting for (i) all Victorian waters, all gear types (ii) Port Phillip Bay haul seine and (iii) Port Phillip Bay mesh nets from 1978/79 to 2008/09, presented by financial year...... 26 Figure 2: Commercial catch, effort and catch rate of King George whiting for Western Port (i) haul seine, and (ii) mesh nets from 1978/79 to 2008/09, presented by financial year...... 27 Figure 3: Commercial catch, effort and catch rate of King George whiting for Corner Inlet (i) haul seine, and (ii) mesh nets from 1978/79 to 2008/09, presented by financial year...... 28 Figure 4: Catch rates of King George whiting from Corner Inlet, Port Phillip Bay and Western Port for commercial haul seines from 1978/79 to 2008/09, presented by financial year...... 29 Figure 5: Commercial catch, effort and catch rate of King George whiting for (i) Victorian coastal waters haul seine, (ii) Victorian coastal waters mesh nets, and iii) Victorian coastal waters inshore trawl from 1978/79–2008/09, presented by financial year...... 30 Figure 6: Average annual recreational catch rates by avid anglers, targeting King George whiting in Port Phillip Bay in summer/autumn from 1995/96 to 2009/10 from onsite surveys. No data available from 1997/98 to 2001/02. Sample days: n = 488; Interviews: 3745...... 31 Figure 7: Average annual recreational catch rates of King George whiting targeted by angler diarists that are caught and kept during summer/autumn in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Victorian coastal waters west of Wilson’s Promontory from 1998/99 to 2008/09. No data available for Victorian coastal waters west of Wilson’s Promontory from 2007/08 to 2008/09...... 31 Figure 8: Average annual recreational catch rates by avid anglers, targeting King George whiting in Western Port in summer/autumn from 1998/99 to 2009/10 from onsite surveys. No data available from 1995/96 to 1997/98. Sample days: n = 430; Interviews = 4686...... 32 Figure 9: Fisheries independent survey average annual abundance of King George whiting post larvae in Port Phillip Bay from 1996 to 2009...... 32 Figure 10: Catch rates of King George whiting from Port Phillip Bay for commercial haul seines, fishery‐independent surveys (FIS), and recreational angler onsite access point surveys and angler diary surveys from 1995/96 to 2001/011, presented by financial year...... 33 Figure 11: Catch rates of King George whiting from Western Port for commercial haul seines, fishery‐independent surveys (FIS), and recreational angler onsite access point surveys and angler diary surveys from 1995/96 to 2001/011, presented by financial year...... 33 Figure 12: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by haul seine in Port Phillip Bay from 1994/95 to 2008/09, presented by financial year...... 34 Figure 13: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Port Phillip Bay from 1994/95 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available for 2001/02 and 2004/05...... 35 Figure 14: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by haul seine in Port Phillip Bay from 1994/95 to 2008/09. No data available from 2004/05 to 2007/08...... 36 Figure 15: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Port Phillip Bay from 1994/95 to 2008/09. No data available for 2001/02 and 2004/05 to 2007/08...... 37 Figure 16: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Western Port from 1997/98 to 2004/05, presented by financial year. No data available from 2005/06 to present...... 38 Figure 17: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Western Port bay from 1997/98 to 2004/05...... 39 Figure 18: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by haul seine in Corner Inlet from 1994/95 to 2008/09, presented by financial year...... 40

King George Whiting 2010

v Figure 19: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Corner Inlet from 1994/95 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 1999/00 to 2006/07...... 41 Figure 20: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by haul seine in Corner Inlet from 1994/95 to 2008/09. No data available from 1995/96 to 1997/98 and from 2005/06 to 2007/08...... 42 Figure 21: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Corner Inlet in 1994/95, 1998/99 and 2008/09...... 43 Figure 22: Length frequency distributions for King George whiting caught and retained by boat and shore‐based anglers in Port Phillip Bay from 1996/97 to 2009/10, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red. No data available from 1997/98 to 2001/02...... 44 Figure 23: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in Port Phillip Bay from 1997/98 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red...... 45 Figure 24: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by boat‐ and shore‐based anglers in Port Phillip Bay from 1996/97 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 1997/98 to 2001/02 and 2004/05 to 2007/08...... 46 Figure 25: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in Port Phillip Bay from 1997/98 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 2004/05 to 2007/08...... 47 Figure 26: Length frequency distributions for King George whiting caught and retained by boat and shore‐based anglers in Western Port from 1998/99 to 2009/10, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red...... 48 Figure 27: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in Western Port from 1998/99 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red...... 49 Figure 28: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by boat‐ and shore‐based anglers in Western Port from 1998/99 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 2005/06 to 2007/08...... 50 Figure 29: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in Western Port from 1998/99 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 2005/06 to 2007/08...... 51 Figure 30: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in the coastal waters of Victoria west of Wilson’s Promontory from 1997/98 to 2004/05, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red. No data available from 2005/06 to present...... 52

King George Whiting 2010 vi Introduction

A formal assessment of King George whiting for production or maintenance of key fish stocks in Victoria was conducted at the stocks Department of Primary Industries in Queenscliff, • Governance: To achieve maximum Victoria in April 2010. community participation, understanding and The workshop was attended by commercial and support for the management of fishing in recreational fishing sector representatives, Victorian waters. Fisheries Victoria fishery managers, fisheries scientists, and experienced anglers. Stock assessments Stock assessments are designed primarily to Management provide information on the status of fish stocks Fisheries Victoria, a Division of the Department in Victoria’s bays and inlets to help address the of Primary Industries, is responsible for biological sustainability and governance managing fisheries and fish resources under the objectives. provisions of the Fisheries Act 1995 and the Fish protection and recreational fishing Fisheries Regulations 2009. enhancement objectives require different types of National guidelines for ecologically sustainable information (e.g. ecological, environmental, development (ESD) of fisheries are used to economic and social data) and will be addressed identify environmental, biological, economic, in different processes. social and governance dimensions for individual Fisheries Victoria has developed a process to fisheries. conduct periodic formal assessments of the status These ESD principles underpin the three key of key marine and estuarine finfish stocks and strategic goals of Fisheries Victoria: the fisheries they support. This process involves: • ‘Securing’ fisheries resources • The synthesis of all relevant fisheries data • ‘Sharing’ fisheries resources • Evaluation of fisheries‐independent monitoring and research data, where • ‘Growing’ or developing the value of the available resource for the benefit of the community. • Convening of a workshop involving Management goals scientists, resource users and resource managers to assess the status of the In accordance with ESD principles and in a stock/fishery in question manner that is sustainable and which provides • Production of an assessment report which optimum social and economic benefits to all provides scientific information and advice to Victorians, the overarching goal of fisheries facilitate fishery management decision management is: making. • To manage King George whiting stocks in Victoria and the fisheries they support The assessment process: • To identify and promote protection of • Provides unbiased scientific evidence of the important fish that supports the status of the fish stocks and the production of King George whiting. environmental factors and harvest pressures that influence stock abundance Management objectives • Underpins evidence‐based decisions in an • Social: To maintain and where possible ESD management context enhance recreational fishing opportunities • Complements Victorian fisheries management planning processes • Biological: To conserve and ensure sustainable use of key fish stocks • Improves stakeholder understanding and acceptance of assessment outcomes • Environmental: To promote protection of the • Ensures the fishery assessment process is habitats and environments which are essential accountable and transparent.

King George Whiting 2010

1 Current objectives This report provides a review of the status of King George whiting stocks in Victorian waters in 2010. It also includes a record of previously unpublished findings of a King George whiting workshop conducted in June 2006.

King George Whiting 2010

2 Stock structure, biology and life‐history

The age and size of King George whiting have Distribution been shown to increase in a westerly direction King George whiting, Sillaginodes punctatus along the Victorian coastline (Hamer and Jenkins occurs along the southern coastline of mainland 2004). Coupled with the absence of spawning Australia and the north of Tasmania activity in Victorian waters, this suggests that the (Kailola et al. 1993). The supports an species gradually migrates to the west towards important commercial and recreational fishery. South Australian waters to (Hamer and Unlike most fisheries, the King George whiting Jenkins 2004). However, the spawning sources fishery in Victoria is primarily based in bays and that supply larval stages to Victoria’s bay and inlets on sub‐adult fish of two to four years of inlet fisheries are yet to be confirmed by age (Jenkins 2005). definitive techniques. Biology Spawning grounds Life‐span The only known significant spawning areas for the species are in South Australian waters King George whiting have an estimated (Fowler et al. 2000). longevity of 15 years and reach sexual maturity at 3 to 5 years at a size of 30 to 35 cm (Scott 1954; Larval dispersal Jones et al. 1990; Potter et al. 1996; Fowler and Spawning in coastal waters is followed by a McGarvey 2000; Jenkins 2005). protracted larval phase of three to five months Spawning (Jenkins and May 1994; Fowler and Short 1996; Jenkins et al. 2000; Jenkins and King 2006). South Australia King George whiting eggs are buoyant and hatch King George whiting spawning in South after a few days at a size of 2 to 3 mm (Bruce Australian waters has been observed occurring 1995). In laboratory experiments, six days after when seawater temperatures are between 17°C hatching at 19˚C, larvae (3.5 mm in length) and 19°C (Fowler et al. 1999). King George absorb the yolk sac and their mouth and eyes whiting are multiple batch spawners that spawn open (Partridge 2001). at least 20 times during the spawning season The length of time King George whiting larvae (Fowler et al. 1999; Fowler and McGarvey 2000). spend in the water column has been shown to In South Australian waters, individuals have increase from west to east for post‐larvae been estimated to produce as many as 40,000 to entering Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and 60,000 eggs per spawning event (Fowler et al. Corner Inlet (Jenkins et al. 2000), suggesting that 1999), with an estimated annual fecundity larvae are derived from a similar spawning ranging from 112,000 to 6,000,000 eggs (Scott location to the west of central Victorian bays and 1954; Fowler and McGarvey 2000). inlets. In South Australia, spawning is known to occur Post larvae, juvenile and adult near coastal reefs in autumn/early winter (Fowler et al. 2000). Post‐larvae enter Victorian bays and inlets in spring (Jenkins and May 1994; Jenkins et al. 2000). Victoria Post‐larvae at this stage are approximately 16 to King George whiting in spawning condition have 20 mm in length (Jenkins and May 1994; Jenkins rarely been recorded in Victorian waters (Hamer et al. 2000) and settle in shallow seagrass and and Jenkins 2004). Of 1600 fish frames collected algal habitats (Jenkins et al. 1997b; Jenkins and from Victorian waters, only one was confirmed Wheatley 1998). as a fish in spawning condition (taken off As King George whiting approach maturity at 3 Flinders, was a size of 60 cm TL, 1.8 kg, and 11 to 5 years of age they permanently leave the bays years of age), though some of the fish taken were and inlets and take up residence in open coastal showing signs of early reproductive waters (Jenkins 2005). development (Hamer and Jenkins 2004).

King George Whiting 2010

3 Critical Habitats coast of Victoria (Jenkins et al. 2000), but there is evidence for slight deviations for each bay and Seagrass appears crucial to newly settled larvae inlet (Jenkins et al. 2000). Port Phillip Bay recruits through protection from predators (Hindell et al. are predicted to be derived from spawning in 2000) and the provision of food (Jenkins and western Victoria and south‐eastern South Hamer 2001). Young juvenile King George Australia with a very low level of spawning whiting feed on , and larger benthic predicted from the western boundary of Bass organisms (including ) Strait (south of Cape Otway in Victoria) (Jenkins dominate the diet of older fish. et al. 2000). Post‐larvae that enter Western Port From five to six months old, most fish are found show a similar pattern to Port Phillip Bay on amongst vegetated habitats (Jenkins and recruits, although there is a greater level of Wheatley 1998). In Port Phillip Bay, seagrass in spawning predicted to occur along the western the southern and western areas of the bay have boundary of Bass Strait (Jenkins et al. 2000). The been identified as critical habitat for King George simulation for Corner Inlet recruits gives a whiting (Morris and Ball 2006). Shallow bare markedly different pattern, with predicted areas on fine sediment in the northern part of the spawning not extending as far west along the bay as well as areas along the north eastern coast, but showing high levels along the western shores of the bay have also been identified as boundary of Bass Strait and low levels in central critical habitat for this species (Morris and Ball and eastern Bass Strait (Jenkins et al. 2000). It has 2006). been suggested that the Corner Inlet fishery may be replenished from a different spawning source Influence of predicted climate than Port Phillip Bay and Western Port (Jenkins et al. 2000; Jenkins 2005). change on King George whiting A significant relationship has previously been Uncertainities found between the abundance of post‐larvae in The link between spawning in South Australia Port Phillip Bay and the strength of zonal and recruitment to fisheries in Victorian bays still westerly winds in south‐eastern Australia requires confirmation by more definitive (Jenkins 2005). The winter circulation along the methods. The spawning source responsible for Victorian coastline is also characterised by a west recruitment into the Corner Inlet fishery also to east coastal current (Cirano and Middleton remains unclear, and while small post‐larvae 2004). Environmental variables and occur commonly in both Port Phillip Bay and hydrodynamics are important in larval advection Western Port, they are apparently rare in Corner and subsequent recruitment into bays and inlets Inlet. This may suggest that recruitment of older of central Victoria, given the long duration of the juveniles to the Corner Inlet fishery may be larval stage in this species (Jenkins and May derived from immigration of fish from other 1994; Jenkins et al. 2000; Jenkins 2005; Jenkins and bay/inlet nursery areas or even coastal waters. King 2006). It is unclear whether juvenile and sub‐adult King The zonal westerly wind index has shown a long‐ George whiting move between bay fisheries term downward trend since about 1970, before taking up residence in waters as suggesting that the strength of the westerly wind adults. flow over Victoria has decreased over the past 40 years; it is possible that this could negatively Uncertainties over spawning sources that supply influence the long‐term catch of King George the Victorian bay and inlet fisheries are a major whiting (G. Jenkins pers. comm.). The decline in impediment to ensuring that key adult spawning zonal westerly winds is consistent with the aggregations in coastal waters, potentially prediction that westerly winds will weaken in outside of the Victorian State waters, are afforded southern Australia under climate change due to a adequate protection from fishing. Understanding southward migration of the high‐latitude the level of movement between bays is important westerly wind belt south of Australia (Cai et al. for predicting how recruitment fluctuations, 2005). fishing and environmental impacts in one bay might influence the dynamics of fisheries in other Reverse modelling based on larval distributions bays. suggests that most post‐larvae that enter Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Corner Inlet are derived from a spawning area along the west

King George Whiting 2010

4 Description of King George whiting fisheries

By‐product catches of King George whiting are Commercial fisheries taken by Commonwealth fishery licence holders The main commercial fishery for King George in coastal waters adjacent to Victoria, mainly whiting is in South Australia, from Gulf St using Danish methods. Vincent to Ceduna, with smaller fisheries in central Victoria and south‐western Western Catch Australia (Kailola et al. 1993). In South Australia, Composition 329 tonnes of King George whiting were taken in 2007/08 with an estimated value of $4,704,000 The majority of fishing effort targets two to seven (ABARE 2009). year old fish, with larger individuals caught by hand line (Kailola et al. 1993). Main fisheries Bycatch Port Phillip Bay and Corner Inlet are the major areas in Victoria with ~60 and In Victoria’s bays and inlets, commercial haul ~35% of the total Victorian commercial catch seine operations take a number of by‐catch coming from these areas, respectively. species, including flounder (Ammotretis spp.), garfish (Hyporhamphus melanochir), rock flathead Commercial netting of King George whiting (Platycephalus laevigatus), and particularly small ceased in Western Port in December 2007, in snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in Port Phillip Bay. accordance with a Government policy decision to create a recreational fishing haven. Commercial Management arrangements line fishing is still permitted in Western Port. The commercial fishery is currently managed

Prior to 2007, ~5% of the total Victorian primarily by: commercial King George whiting catch came from Western Port. • Input (effort) controls (including limited entry licensing, restrictions on fishing

Less than 1% of the total Victorian commercial equipment and methods, and closed catch comes from Lakes Entrance, while ~5% areas/seasons) comes from coastal waters. • Indirect catch controls such as a legal Value minimum lengths (LML). A LML of 27 cm In Victoria, King George whiting is the most total length (TL) remains in force for both the valuable commercial finfishery. In 2007/08, 215 commercial and recreational fisheries. tonnes of King George whiting were taken by The number of licensed commercial fishers in commercial fisheries with an estimated value of Victorian waters was reduced by a third between $3,027,000 (ABARE 2009). 1986/87 and 2008/09. The majority of the licence removals occurred as a result of voluntary licence Fishing methods buy‐back schemes conducted in 1999/00 and Commercial catches of King George whiting in 2005/06. Victorian waters are primarily taken by haul In 2009 there were: seine nets (78%), and mesh nets (22%), though some hooking also occurs. • 42 commercial licence holders in Port Phillip Bay In the multi‐species, multi‐gear Victorian ocean fishery, whiting is a minor target species taken • 18 licence holders in Corner Inlet. using haul seine, mesh nets and hand lines. Western Port was closed to commercial haul Incidental catches of whiting are also taken in the seine and mesh net fishing in December 2007. Victorian inshore trawl fishery and in the ocean purse seine fishery.

King George Whiting 2010

5 Recreational fishery Gear restrictions King George whiting is a popular species The use of recreational fishing gear remained targeted by recreational fishers. unrestricted until 1992, when regulations specified a maximum of four lines per person

Recreational angler catches account for and two hooks per line when fishing in marine approximately half of the total catch of ~400 waters, and a maximum of two lines with two tonnes of King George whiting in Victorian hooks per line in inland waters (MacDonald waters (Department of Primary Industries 2008). 1997). This regulation was modified in 2009 to Main fisheries include two hooks per line or one bait jig when fishing in both marine and inland waters. Port Phillip Bay and Western Port are the major recreational fishing areas for King George Bag limit whiting in Victoria. Approximately 43% of the A daily bag and possession limit of 20 King Victorian recreational catch is taken from Port George whiting landed whole or as a carcass per Phillip Bay, while 30% is harvested from Western person applies to recreational fishing in all Port. Victorian waters. This species is also targeted in Corner Inlet and Size limits the Gippsland Lakes. A LML of 27 cm total length (TL) remains in Victoria’s smaller inlets/ (e.g. Anderson force for both the commercial and recreational Inlet, Shallow Inlet, Mallacoota Inlet) are fisheries. recreational‐only fisheries. There is limited or no monitoring/assessment information for many of these smaller fisheries. Catch Recreational anglers target immature fish (Henry and Lyle 2003).

Fishing methods Recreational fishing for King George whiting is mostly through boat‐based (Henry and Lyle 2003; Ryan et al. 2009). Pipis, , pilchard and mussels are generally used as bait, and number 6 long shank hooks are often used followed by 4 or 8 to catch King George whiting. Management arrangements Recreational fishing licence Since 15 July 1999, recreational fishers have been required to hold a recreational fishing licence (RFL) to fish in marine and inland waters. Recreational fishers under 18 years of age or over 70 years of age, or those holding one of a range of concession cards are not required to hold a licence.

King George Whiting 2010

6 Previous assessments

Previous stock assessments for King George rates reached their lowest levels on record in whiting were conducted in: 2001/02 but rose sharply in 2003/04. • March 1996 (Smith and MacDonald 1997) The haul seine fishery is larger and fishing effort • June Corner Inlet fisheries assessment 2006. has remained above 2500 km‐lifts since 1995/96. Haul seine catches and catch rates had been King George whiting was also a component of variable and had improved since 2001/02, with a previous fishery assessments for: peak observed in 2003/04. • Port Phillip Bay in 1998 (Coutin 2000) and 2010 (Kemp et al. in prep.) Commercial catch composition • Western Port in 1998 (Kemp et al. in prep.) Commercial catches in Port Phillip Bay, Western and 2009 (Kemp et al. in prep.) Port and Corner Inlet were dominated by 2+ and • Corner Inlet in 1994 (MacDonald 1997), 2000 3+ year old fish, along with a smaller number of (Morison 2009) and 2008 (Kemp et al. 2012.). 1+ and 4+ year old fish. This section reviews the information presented It was highlighted that given the small number at the most recent King George whiting stock of whiting year classes that are susceptible to assessment (2006). fishing at any one time, fishery catches and catch rates are likely to vary substantially from year to King George whiting stock year, and that recruitment of a single strong year assessment 2006 class would only have a short‐term (2 to 3 years)

Commercial fisheries impact for fisheries. Port Phillip Bay Recreational fishery Commercial fishing effort in Port Phillip Bay Catch rates with mesh nets and haul seines had declined Onsite access point surveys revealed that substantially since 1997/98. Commercial whiting retained catch rates of King George whiting in catches had remained below 85 tonnes from Port Phillip Bay and Western Port had been

1999/00 to 2004/05. This was after three years of between 0.4 and 0.6 fish/angler hour from higher catches from 1997/98 to 1999/00 that 2002/03 to 2004/05. exceeded 100 tonnes. From 2003/04 to 2004/05, whiting catches increased from 49 to 69 tonnes, From 2001/02 to 2004/05, angler diary catch rates which was attributed to improved haul seine in Port Philip Bay, Western Port and Corner catch rates. The mesh net fishery in Port Phillip Inlet were reported as being relatively low. Bay was reported to be significantly smaller than during the 1980s and 1990s following a Catch composition decline in fishing effort, catch rates and catches. The size and age composition of catches taken Western Port by angler diarists showed that the lower catch rates observed between 2001/02 and 2004/05 Commercial haul seine catches in Western Port were the product of low recruitment over had remained low (<5 tonnes) since 2000/01, but successive years. an increase was observed in 2004/05 to 8 tonnes. Haul seine catch rates were variable with peaks Like the commercial fisheries, recreational occurring in 1999/00 and 2004/05. Mesh net catch catches were dominated by 2+ and 3+ year old rates had improved considerably since 1995/96 fish, along with a smaller number of 1+ and 4+ and were at a 20 year high. year old fish. Corner Inlet Post larval recruitment Between 1993/1994 and 2002/2003 fishing effort in Corner Inlet mesh net fishery fell by half from Monitoring the annual entry of post‐larval 1000 to 500 km‐lifts. Mesh net catches and catch whiting to the bays was providing a good predictor of catches two to three years later.

King George Whiting 2010

7 Settlement of King George whiting post‐larvae in Victorian bays in 2005 was the strongest recorded, suggesting that a major upturn in the fishery could be predicted from 2008. Conclusion The 2006 King George whiting stock assessment concluded that Victorias whiting stock had been highly variable in the short term but was stable over the long term. There was no evidence of persistent declines in fisheries catch or catch rates in Victorian bays and inlets that could be attributed to the impacts of fishing on whiting stocks. The main concerns highlighted for the future of Victorian whiting fisheries were: • The potential impacts of climate change on spawning success and the delivery of whiting larvae to bays and inlets • The potential impacts of climate change and/or local human development activities on seagrass beds in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Corner Inlet, which may negatively impact successful settlement, survival and growth of juvenile whiting. The perspectives of the commercial and recreational fishing sectors for the 2006 King George whiting stock assessment workshop are outlined in Appendix I.

King George Whiting 2010

8 Data and methods

This section describes relevant research and • Establishment of a voluntary angler diary monitoring used to provide information for the program in 1997 to provide a time series of 2010 King George whiting stock assessment. For data on catch rates, and catch size/age more detail on the data and methods used, see composition for diarists targeting King Appendix II. This report focuses on describing George whiting and other species the following indicators of stock status: • Catch rates from the commercial and Fishery‐independent surveys recreational fisheries Sampling for post‐larval King George whiting • Length and age distributions from the has been conducted in shallow (approximately commercial and recreational fisheries 0.5 m depth) sub‐tidal seagrass beds • Fishery‐independent pre‐recruit surveys (Heterozostera nigricaulis) at eight sites around Port Phillip Bay from 1998 to present. Two sites are located in the southern part of the bay Commercial fishery (Blairgowrie and Rosebud), three sites are located Victorian commercial fishers are required as a in the north of the Bay (Ricketts Point, Altona condition of their licence to record their fishing and Kirk Point) and three sites are located in the activities in a logbook and to submit this western part of the Bay (Eastern , Grand information to the Department. Commercial Scenic and Grassy Point). fishers provide the following information: Post‐larval Sillaginodes punctata are collected • Area/s fished approximately monthly between August and • Port of landing November. Sampling is conducted over a 5 h • Gear period on either side of a day‐time low . • Number of shots Sampling is usually conducted over three consecutive days. Samples are gathered using a • Fishing Time seine net of 10 m in length, a 2 m drop, and a • Weight of King George whiting caught and mesh of approximately 1 mm2. Four replicate not returned live to the water hauls, haphazardly placed and non‐overlapping, are made at each site. The sampling method is Recreational fishery described in detail by Jenkins et al. (1997a). There have been three programs monitoring recreational King George whiting fishing in Length and age monitoring Victorian bays and inlets: Since the 1990s there has been routine sampling • Off‐site telephone diary surveys of of length and age distributions of King George recreational fishing in 2000/01 (Henry and whiting landed by Victorian bay and inlet Lyle 2003) and 2006/07 (Ryan et al. 2009) to commercial fishers. provide regional and state‐wide estimates of Age distributions are estimated by applying age‐ total recreational catches of King George length keys to length‐frequency distributions. A whiting and other key target species nominal birth date of 1 July is assigned when • On‐site (shore‐based) access point surveys of ageing King George whiting. Age‐frequency recreational fishing have occurred annually in information is presented by spawning year so Victorian waters since 1995 to provide a time abundant year‐classes can be identified and series of information on catch rates and size tracked across multiple sampling years. Ages structure for King George whiting and other referred to in this report represent the age of a species. For Port Phillip Bay, onsite surveys particular year‐class of whiting as of 1 July. were conducted in 1995/96 and 1996/97, and ongoing annual surveys have been carried out Most King George whiting samples for ageing from 2002/03 to present. For Western Port, have been taken from research fishing surveys annual onsite surveys have been carried out and from recreational and commercial catches. from 1998/99 to present. Research fishing surveys increase the number of fish below the LML. The relative strength of year

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9 classes is used as a measure of relative abundance.

King George Whiting 2010

10 Trends in the fisheries

The figures and tables that show the data kg/day to a high of 23 kg/day in 2007/08 (Figure discussed in this section are presented in 1). Appendix III. King George whiting commercial catch and The perspectives of the commercial and catch rates show an eight to ten year cyclic recreational fishing sectors for the 2010 King trend, with peaks observed in 1989/99, 1997/98 George whiting stock assessment workshop are and 2007/08. The decrease in catch and catch outlined in Appendix IV. rates from 2007/08 to 2008/09 appears to be the beginning of the downward trend in this eight Total catch, effort and catch rates to ten year cycle (Figure 1). All Victorian waters Recreational fishery Commercial fishery The National Recreational Fishing Survey carried out in 2000/01 estimated that Victoria’s Trends in catch, effort and catch rates recreational fishery for King George whiting Catch took an annual catch of 215 tonnes (Henry and Lyle 2003). Using a similar phone‐diary method In 2008/09, 147 tonnes of King George whiting in 2006/07, the Department of Primary were taken by commercial fisheries in Victorian Industries produced what is considered to be a waters; 5% of the total Victorian finfish catch, more precise estimate of 155 tonnes (Ryan et al. with an estimated wholesale market value of 2009). The commercial catch of King George $2.7 million, equating to 27% of the total whiting in 2006/07 was 166 tonnes. Victorian finfish value. Fifty seven percent of the commercial catch taken in Victorian waters Between the National Recreational Fishing came from Port Phillip Bay and 38% came from Survey carried out in 2000/01 (Henry and Lyle Corner Inlet. 2003), and the recreational fishing survey in 2006/07 (Ryan et al. 2009), there was a marked Since the late 1970s King George whiting catches increase in the use of Western Port by from Victorian waters have fluctuated; the recreational anglers. In 2000/01: highest catch was 274 tonnes taken in 1989/90 • and the lowest was 58 tonnes taken in 1984/85 43% of the catch came from Port Phillip Bay (Figure 1). • 30% from Western Port • Effort 20% from Victorian coastal waters west of Wilson’s Promontory From 1978/79 to 1998/99, total commercial • 4% from Corner Inlet fishing effort targeting King George whiting and • other species in Victorian waters fluctuated 3% from the Gippsland Lakes. between 24,506 days in 1979/80 and 19,137 days In 2006/07: in 1986/87 (Figure 1). Between 1998/99 and • 30% of the catch came from Port Phillip Bay 2008/09, total commercial fishing effort declined • to a 30 year low of 8,548 days in 2008/09 (Figure 50% from Western Port 1). This coincided with a reduction in the • 9% from Victorian coastal waters west of number of licensed fishers in Victorian waters Wilson’s Promontory by a third between 1986/87 to 2008/09. The • 2% from Victorian coastal waters east of majority of the licence removals occurred as a Wilson’s Promontory result of voluntary licence buy‐back schemes • 4% from Corner Inlet conducted in 1999/00 and 2005/06. • 5% from the Gippsland Lakes. Catch Rates The 2006/07 recreational fishing survey results Since 1978/79, the annual catch and catch rates show that King George whiting catch was for King George whiting have been variable. mainly taken by angling from boats, during Catch rates have exhibited a long‐term summer/autumn, and 27% of the whiting caught increasing trend from a low in 1984/85 of 2.5 was released (Ryan et al. 2009).

King George Whiting 2010

11 Port Phillip Bay Size/age composition Commercial fishery Length frequency distributions of King George whiting taken by haul seines ranged from 22 to Fishing method 41 cm FL (Figure 12). The length frequency In 2008/09, 76% of the King George whiting distributions of King George whiting taken by catch taken in Port Phillip Bay was by haul mesh nets ranged from 24 to 51 cm FL (Figure seines and 24% was by mesh nets. 13). A higher proportion of large fish (>35 cm FL) were taken by mesh nets compared to haul Trends in catch, effort and catch rates seine commercial catches (Figure 12 and 13). The Catch proportion of large fish (>35 cm FL) in mesh net commercial catches has increased in recent Since the late 1970s, King George whiting years. Between 1994/95 and 2000/01, there were catches from Port Phillip Bay have fluctuated; few whiting taken >35 cm FL, whereas from the highest annual catch for haul seines was 97 2002/03 to 2008/09, a significant proportion of tonnes taken in 1989/90 and the lowest was 21 the catch was >35 cm FL (Figure 13). This trend tonnes taken in 1978/79 (Figure 1). For mesh was not observed in haul seine catches of nets, a high of 35 tonnes was taken in 1999/00 (Figure 12). and a low of 6.5 tonnes was taken in 2004/05 (Figure 1). Synchronised fluctuations in The age frequency distributions of whiting commercial catches for hauls seines and mesh sampled by haul seines and mesh nets show that nets suggest variable recruitment of King the Port Phillip Bay commercial fishery is based George whiting to the Port Phillip Bay fishery. on fish that are 1+ to 5+ years of age; most of the catches are made up of 2+ and 3+ year old fish Effort (Figure 14 and 15). From 1978/79 to 2008/09, total commercial haul Recreational fishery seine fishing effort targeting King George whiting and other species in Port Phillip Bay Catch Rates fluctuated, with a long‐term decreasing trend; a Mean annual recreational catch rates of King high of 4,386 shots was observed in 1978/79 and George whiting retained and released by shore‐ a low of 2,140 shots was observed in 2006/07 and boat‐based anglers in Port Phillip Bay have (Figure 1). Total commercial mesh net fishing been estimated from onsite access point surveys effort fluctuated, with no clear trends; a high of since 1995/96 (Figure 6). A peak in Port Phillip 2,493 km‐lifts was observed in 1998/99 and a low Bay recreational angler catch rates was observed of 799 km‐lifts was observed in 2005/06 (Figure in 2007/08. This peak was also observed in 1). From 2005/06 to present, mesh net effort has commercial haul seine and mesh net catches in been increasing. Port Phillip Bay. Catch Rates From 1998/99 to 2008/09, mean annual catch Despite a general decline in effort for haul seines rates reported by angler diarists targeting King since 1978/79, catch rates have fluctuated, George whiting in Port Phillip Bay fluctuated showing a long‐term increasing trend. From between a high of 4.1 fish/angler hour in 2007/08 1978/79 to 2008/09, catch rates were at their and a low of 1.4 fish/angler hour in 2002/03 lowest in 1978/79 at 4.7 kg/shot and highest in (Figure 7). From 2001/02 to 2004/05, catch rates 2007/08 at 35 kg/shot (Figure 1). Catch rates for declined to <2.0 fish/angler hour, but have since mesh nets since 1978/79 have been variable with recovered, and have been relatively high since no clear trends; a high of 20 kg/km‐lift was 2006/07 (Figure 7). observed in 1999/00 and a low of 4 kg/km‐lift Size/age composition was observed in 1983/84 (Figure 1). Length frequency distributions of King George Peaks in haul seine and mesh net catch rates whiting caught and kept by Port Phillip Bay were observed in 1989/90, 1999/00 and 2007/08, boat and shore based anglers have been consistent with an eight to ten year cyclic trend. measured as part of annual access point surveys This trend suggests that the next peak season for since 1996/97 and ranged in size from 20 to 50 King George whiting in Port Phillip Bay may cm TL (Figure 22). occur between 2015/16 and 2017/18. Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by Port Phillip Bay angler

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12 diarists have a higher proportion of undersize been variable with a long‐term increasing trend; fish because of the prescribed fishing methods a high of 14 kg/km‐lift was observed in 2004/05 used and because all fish caught are measured and a low of 1.5 kg/km‐lift was observed in (Figure 23). The length frequency distributions 1994/95 (Figure 2). of King George whiting caught by angler Peaks in haul seine catch rates were observed in diarists ranged from 21 to 50 cm TL (Figure 23). 1989/90, 1999/00, 2004/05 and 2006/07. Peaks in Ageing of whiting sampled from Port Phillip mesh net catch rates were observed in 1989/90, Bay recreational catches during access point 2001/02, 2004/05 and 2007/08. surveys show that boat‐ and shore‐based angler Size/age composition catches are dominated by 2+ year old fish (Figure 24). Angler diarist whiting catches are There is no length data available for King also dominated by 2+ year old fish (Figure 25) George whiting taken by haul seines in Western Port. Western Port Length frequency distributions of King George Commercial fishery whiting taken by mesh nets ranged from 24 to 48 Fishing method cm FL (Figure 16). From 2003/04 to December 2007, Western Port mesh net catches of whiting Prior to the closure of the haul seine and mesh contained a lower proportion of fish >40 cm FL net commercial fisheries in Western Port in 2007, than catches from Port Phillip Bay (Figure 13 67% of the King George whiting catch was taken and 16). by haul seines and 33% was taken by mesh nets. Age frequency distributions of whiting sampled Trends in catch, effort and catch rates by mesh nets show that the Western Port Catch commercial fishery was based on fish that are 1+ to 6+ years of age; most of the catches were Since the late 1970s King George whiting catches made up of 2+ and 3+ year old fish (Figure 17). from Western Port have fluctuated; the highest annual catch for haul seines was 11 tonnes taken Recreational fishery in 1990/91 and the lowest was 1 tonne taken in Catch Rates 2003/04 (Figure 2). For mesh nets, a high of 9 tonnes was taken in 1989/90 and a low of 2 Mean annual recreational catch rates of King tonnes was taken in 2007/08 (Figure 2). George whiting retained and released by shore‐ Synchronised fluctuations in commercial catches and boat‐based anglers in Western Port have for hauls seines and mesh nets suggest variable been estimated from onsite access point surveys recruitment of King George whiting to the since 1998/99 (Figure 8). A peak in Western Port Western Port fishery. recreational angler catch rates was observed in 2009/10. Effort From 1998/99 to 2008/09, mean annual catch From 1978/79 to 2008/09, total commercial haul rates reported by angler diarists targeting King seine fishing effort targeting King George George whiting in Western Port fluctuated whiting and other species in Western Port between a high of 3.8 fish/angler hour in 1999/00 fluctuated, with a long‐term decreasing trend; a and a low of 1.0 fish/angler hour in 2003/04 high of 1,692 shots observed in 1990/91 and a (Figure 7). From 2001/02 to 2004/05, catch rates low of 124 shots observed in 2003/04 (Figure 2). declined to <2.0 fish/angler hour, as was also Mesh net fishing effort fluctuated, with a long‐ observed in Port Phillip Bay but have since term decreasing trend; a high of 2,281 km‐lifts recovered. Catch rates were relatively high in was observed in 1978/79 and a low of 189 km‐ 2008/09 at 2.9 fish/angler hour (Figure 7). A peak lifts was observed in 2007/08 (Figure 2). in catch rates was observed in Western Port in Catch Rates 2005/06 that was not observed in Port Phillip Bay; the reasons for the peak in Western Port are Despite the general decline in effort for haul unknown. seines since 1978/79, catch rates have fluctuated showing a long‐term increasing trend; a high of Size/age composition 18 kg/shot was observed in 2004/05 and a low of Length frequency distributions of King George 3 kg/shot was observed in 1984/85 (Figure 2). whiting caught and kept by Western Port boat‐ Catch rates for mesh nets since 1978/79 have also and shore‐based anglers have been measured as

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13 part of annual access point surveys since 1998/99 of 390 km‐lifts was observed in 2002/03 (Figure and ranged in size from 21 to 67 cm TL (Figure 3). 26). Catch rates The length frequency distributions of whiting Haul seine catch rates of King George whiting caught by angler diarists ranged from 9 to 50 cm from 1978/79 to 2008/09 fluctuated; a high of 42 TL (Figure 27). Length frequency distributions kg/shot was observed in 1987/88 and a low of 7.5 of King George whiting caught by Western Port kg/shot was observed in 1979/80 (Figure 3). angler diarists have a lower proportion of Catch rates for mesh nets since 1978/79 have also undersized fish than that observed for Port been variable; a high of 32 kg/km‐lift was Phillip Bay (excluding 2008/09) (Figure 27). In observed in 1989/90 and a low of 1.8 kg/km‐lift 2008/09, no undersized fish were taken by angler was observed in 2001/02 (Figure 3). diarists (Figure 27), suggesting there may be a low abundance of pre‐recruits in Western Port. Peaks in haul seine catch rates were observed in 1987/88, 1992/93, 1996/97, 2003/04 and 2007/08. Ageing of whiting sampled from Western Port Peaks in mesh net catch rates were observed in recreational catches during access point surveys 1986/87, 1989/90, 1996/97 and 2007/08. show that boat‐ and shore‐based angler catches are dominated by 2+ year old fish (Figure 28). Peaks in catch rates of King George whiting Angler diarist whiting catches are also from Corner Inlet show a markedly different dominated by 2+ year old fish (Figure 29). pattern to those observed for Port Phillip Bay and Western Port (Figure 4). Catch rates of Corner Inlet whiting from Corner Inlet tend to peak 2 to 3 Commercial fishery years prior to those of Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. Fishing method Size/age composition In 2008/09, 86% of the King George whiting catch taken in Corner Inlet was by haul seines Length frequency distributions of King George and 14% was taken by mesh nets. whiting taken by haul seines ranged from 20 to 42 cm FL (Figure 18). The length frequency Trends in catch, effort and catch rates distributions of King George whiting taken by Catch mesh nets ranged from 24 to 39 cm FL (Figure 19). A higher proportion of large fish (>35 cm Since the late 1970s King George whiting catches FL) were taken by haul seines compared to mesh from Corner Inlet have fluctuated; the highest nets (Figure 18 and 19). The proportion of large annual catch for haul seines was 105 tonnes fish (>35 cm FL) in mesh net catches has taken in 1996/97 and the lowest was 9 tonnes increased in recent years (Figure 19). taken in 1979/80 (Figure 3). For mesh nets, a high of 21 tonnes was taken in 1989/90 and a low Age frequency distributions of whiting sampled of 0.8 tonnes was taken in 2001/02 (Figure 3). by haul seines and mesh nets show that the Synchronised fluctuations in commercial catches Corner Inlet commercial fishery is based on fish for hauls seines and mesh nets suggest variable that are 1+ to 4+ years of age; most of the catches recruitment of King George whiting to the are made up of 2+ and 3+ year old fish (Figure 20 Corner Inlet fishery. and 21). Effort Victorian Coastal Waters West of From 1978/79 to 2008/09, total commercial haul Wilson’s Promontory seine fishing effort targeting King George Recreational fishery whiting and other species in Corner Inlet fluctuated, with a long‐term increasing trend Catch Rates observed from 1978/79 to 1999/00, and a From 1998/99 to 2006/07, mean annual catch decreasing trend observed from 1999/00 to rates reported by angler diarists targeting King 2008/09. A peak in haul seine effort of 3,991 George whiting in coastal waters of Victoria shots was observed in 1999/00 and a low of 926 west of Wilson’s Promontory fluctuated; a high shots was observed in 1978/79 (Figure 3). Total of 3.6 fish/angler hour was observed in 1998/99 commercial mesh net fishing effort fluctuated, and a low of 0.8 fish/angler hour was observed with a long‐term decreasing trend; a high of in 2004/05 (Figure 7). From 2001/02 to 2006/07, 1,486 km‐lifts was observed in 1979/80 and a low catch rates declined to <2.0 fish/angler hour. A

King George Whiting 2010

14 similar trend to this was observed for both Port fishery catch rates. In 2007/08, commercial haul Phillip Bay and Western Port (excluding the seine, recreational onsite survey and angler 2005/06 peak observed for Western Port). diarist average annual catch rates peaked along with fishery independent catch rates (2005 catch Size/age composition rate with a 2 year lag) (Figure 10). The fishery‐ Length frequency distributions of King George independent surveys of post‐larvae in Port whiting caught by angler diarists in the coastal Phillip Bay have also successfully identified waters of Victoria west of Wilson’s Promontory some stronger year classes several years prior to between 1997/98 and 2004/05 ranged between 24 them appearing in the Western Port fisheries as and 50 cm TL (Figure 30). an increase in fishery catch rates; however, the relationship is not as strong as that observed for Fishery‐independent survey Port Phillip Bay (Figure 11). Inter‐annual variation in the average abundance For both Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, the of King George whiting post‐larvae in Port variation in commercial and recreational catch Phillip Bay is shown in Figure 9. Peaks in post‐ rates that is not predicted by the pre‐recruit larval catch rates were observed in 1997, 2001 surveys suggests that there are factors affecting and 2005. The abundance of post‐larval King post‐larval/juvenile King George whiting before George whiting from 2006 to 2009 has been they enter the fishery that are yet to be relatively low. This suggests that fishery catches determined. Despite this unexplained variation, are likely to remain consistently average for at the pre‐recruit surveys do provide an indication least the next year or two. of future fishery catch rates. The fishery‐independent surveys of post‐larvae in Port Phillip Bay have successfully identified some stronger year classes several years prior to them appearing in the fisheries as an increase in

King George Whiting 2010

15 Management implications

This section describes the findings regarding • Fishery predictions based on: fishery trends and the status of Victorian King o Commercial catch rates showing an eight George whiting stocks, and provides advice to to ten year cyclic trend, with peaks management in relation to current management observed in 1989/90, 1997/98 and 2007/08 objectives. (all Victorian waters, all gear types The following were highlighted at the April 2010 combined) suggest that the next peak King George whiting stock assessment: season for King George whiting may occur between 2015/16 and 2017/18 • The majority of the commercial state‐wide catch is from Port Phillip Bay (57%) and o The abundance of post‐larval King George Corner Inlet (38%) whiting from 2006 to 2009 has been relatively low suggesting that fishery o The Port Philip Bay and Corner Inlet catches are likely to remain consistently commercial fisheries are based on 2+ and average for at least the next year or two. 3+ year old fish • Zonal westerly winds influence production of o Western Port was closed to commercial King George whiting in three to four years haul seine and mesh net fishing in time. This correlation is based on a 60 year‐ December 2007 long time series. There is potential for this • The majority of the recreational state‐wide relationship to be used to forecast future catch is taken from Port Phillip Bay, Western production trends, and as an indicator to Port, and to a lesser extent Victorian coastal make decision rules that reduce exploitation waters west of Wilson’s Promontory during prolonged periods of poor environmental conditions. o Recreational catches of whiting from Victorian bays and inlets are dominated by 2+ year old fish o It is estimated that ~155 tonnes of King George whiting are harvested from Victorian waters by recreational fishers annually o There was a marked increase in the use of Western Port by recreational fishers between 2000/01 and 2006/07 • Catch rates of King George whiting peaked in the late 2000s o Commercial catch rates have exhibited a long‐term increasing trend from a low of 2.5 kg/day taken in 1984/85 to 23 kg/day taken in 2007/08 (all Victorian waters, all gear types combined) o There was a peak in recreational catch rates of King George whiting in Port Phillip Bay in 2007/08 (4.1 fish/angler hour); this peak was also observed in commercial haul seine and mesh net catches in Port Phillip Bay o A peak in recreational catch rates of King George whiting in Western Port was observed in 2008/09 (2.9 fish/angler hour)

King George Whiting 2010

16 Research needs and priorities

The following issues were raised during the the sustainability and replenishment of 2010 King George whiting stock assessment, and adult populations in coastal waters previous assessment workshops, as key research • Examine the relationships between climate and assessment needs for King George whiting change and whiting fishery production, in Victorian bays and inlets. particularly recruitment to Victorian bays

Research and inlets • Determine where the spawning areas are Assessment that supply Victoria’s whiting fishery. The • Assess the selectivity of haul seines and spawning location of Victorian whiting mesh nets for King George whiting stocks has implications for the short‐term dynamics of King George fisheries. It is not • Develop a method to validate the size and known whether Victorian King George age composition taken by recreational whiting are coming from South Australian research anglers. This would allow for spawning stocks, and how important the comparisons to be made between research contribution of Victorian fish is to these angler indicators and fishery independent spawning stocks pre‐recruit and commercial fishery indicators • Estimate the post‐release mortality of King George whiting • Develop appropriate performance measures and reference points to track the • Examine the diet of juvenile whiting (<2 status of the whiting fishery. Also identify years old) trigger points for each performance • Estimate mortality rates of pre‐recruits indicator • Investigate the potential effects of climate • There is a need to establish a decision change on whiting spawning, and the making framework for King George delivery of larvae to Victorian bays and whiting stocks involving: inlets o Scientific evaluation and consultation • Investigate factors causing seagrass loss with stakeholders to identify and possible methods of restoration appropriate performance indicators, reference and trigger points • Investigate factors influencing variability in growth among locations and seasons o Stakeholder agreement to performance indicators, reference and trigger points, • Investigate the relationship between and management responses to be used, climatic/environmental variables and and incorporation of these decision variation in commercial and recreational rules in fishery management plans catch rates. For example, explore if, and how, changes in seagrass abundance affect o Evaluation of alternative management King George whiting production. measures to identify the most cost‐ effective response if and when a trigger • Investigate patterns of movement of point is reached immature whiting between Victorian bays and inlets and whether juvenile migration • Evaluate the potential for adapting the is the source of recruitment to Corner Inlet stock assessment model developed for King George whiting in South Australia to the • Determine the impact of fishing in Victorian fishery Victorian bay/inlet and coastal waters on

King George Whiting 2010

17 Acknowledgements

This report could not have been undertaken without contributions from a number of people. The Catch and Effort Unit processed and summarised the commercial fisheries data: Paula Baker, Ursula Koliba, Monique Nellis. Pete Gason provided ongoing maintenance of the database, and Anne Gason produced programs for routine reporting of data. Commercial catch sampling and research surveys were conducted by David McKeown and Pam Oliveiro. The Central Ageing Facility (CAF) provided age interpretation of otoliths, estimation of growth, and database and support services: Simon Robertson, Corey Green, Kyne Krusic‐Golub, Thérèse Bruce and Joseph Restall. Thankyou to the following field staff for their many hours interviewing anglers during shore‐ based surveys: Di Crookes, G Bills, I Hoffman, L Grassby, L Mueller and P Madden. Thanks to the volunteer angler diarists who generously return records of their fishing. Thanks to Pam Oliveiro, Katrina Halse and Tina Whillock for data editing and entry. Thanks to the people who participated and who provided information at the 2006 King George whiting stock assessment workshop. Thankyou to Jon Presser, James Andrews and Leanne Gunthorpe for comments on this report.

King George Whiting 2010

18 References

Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource (Sillaginodes punctata) in South Australia. Final Economics (ABARE) (2009). ʹAustralian report to FRDC for project 95/008. fisheries statistics 2008.ʹ www.abare.com.au. Fowler, A. J., McLeay, L., and Short, D. A. (1999). Beamish, R., and Fournier, D. A. (1981). A Reproductive mode and spawning method for comparing the precision of a set of information based on gonad analysis for the age determinations. Journal of the Fisheries King George whiting (: ) Research Board of Canada 36, 1395‐1400. from South Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 50, 1‐14. Bruce, B. D. (1995). Larval development of King George whiting, Sillaginodes punctata, school Fowler, A. J., and Short, D. A. (1996). Temporal whiting, bassensis, and yellow fin variation in the early life‐history whiting, Sillago schomburgkii (Percoidei: characteristics of the King George whiting Sillaginidae), from South Australian waters. (Sillaginodes punctata) from analysis of otolith Fishery Bulletin 93, 27‐43. microstructure. Marine and Freshwater Research 47, 809‐818. Cai, W., Shi, G., Cowan, T., Bi, D., and Ribbe, J. (2005). The response of the Southern Annular Hamer, P. A., and Jenkins, G. P. (2004). Mode, the East Australian Current, and the Identifying the spawning locations of King southern mid‐latitude ocean circulation to George whiting in Victorian waters: a global warming. Geophysical Research Letters recreational fishing based study. Research 32, L23706. Report Series No. 21. Fisheries Victoria, Melbourne. Chesson, J., and Staples, D. J. (1994). Quality versus quantity ‐ a case study. In ʹPopulation Henry, G. W., and Lyle, J. M. (2003). The national dynamics for fisheries managementʹ. (Ed. D. recreational and indigenous fishing survey. A. Hancock.) pp. 99‐107. (Australian Society Final Report to FRDC for project 99/158. for Fish Biology: North Beach, Western Hindell, J. S., Jenkins, G. P., and Keough, M. J. Australia). (2000). Variability in abundances of Cirano, M., and Middleton, J. F. (2004). Aspects associated with seagrass habitats in relation to of the mean wintertime circulation along diets of predatory fishes. Marine Biology 136, Australiaʹs southern shelves. Journal of 725‐737. Physical Oceanography 34, 668‐684. Hoyle, S. D., and Cameron, D. S. (2003). Coutin, P. (2000). Port Phillip Bay fin fisheries ‐ Confidence intervals on catch estimates from 1998. Fisheries Victoria, Marine and a recreational fishing survey: a comparison of Freshwater Resources Institute, Assessment bootstrap methods. Fisheries Management and Report No. 22, Queenscliff. Ecology 10, 97‐108. Department of Primary Industries (2008). Fishery Jenkins, G. P. (2005). The influence of climate on Status Report 2008. Fisheries Management the fishery recruitment of a temperate, Report Series No. 63, Melbourne. seagrass associated fish, the King George whiting, Sillaginodes punctata. Marine Ecology‐ Fowler, A. J., Black, K. P., and Jenkins, G. P. Progress Series 288, 263‐271. (2000). Determination of spawning areas and larval advection pathways for King George Jenkins, G. P., Black, K. P., and Hamer, P. A. whiting in southeastern Australia using (2000). Determination of spawning areas and otolith microstructure and hydrodynamic larval advection pathways for King George modelling. II. South Australia. Marine Ecology‐ whiting in southeastern Australia using Progress Series 199, 243‐254. otolith microstructure and hydrodynamic modelling. I. Victoria. Marine Ecology‐Progress Fowler, A. J., and McGarvey, R. (2000). Series 199, 231‐242. Development of an integrated fisheries management model for King George whiting Jenkins, G. P., Black, K. P., Wheatley, M. J., and Hatton, D. N. (1997a). Temporal and spatial

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19 variability in recruitment of a temperate, Kailola, P. J., Williams, M. J., Stuart, P. C., seagrass‐associated fish is largely determined Reichelt, R. E., McNee, A., and Grieve, C. by physical processes in the pre‐ and post‐ (Eds) (1993). ʹAustralian Fisheries Resources.ʹ settlement phases. Marine Ecology‐Progress (Bureau of Rural Resources, Department of Series 148, 23‐35. Primary Industry and Energy, and the Fisheries Research and Development Jenkins, G. P., and Hamer, P. A. (2001). Spatial Corporation: Canberra). variation in the use of seagrass and unvegetated habitats by post‐settlement King MacDonald, C. M. (1997). Corner George whiting (Percoidei: Sillaginidae) in Inlet/Nooramunga fin fisheries‐ 1994. relation to meiofaunal distribution and Fisheries Victoria Assessment Report No. 3., macrophyte structure. Marine Ecology‐Progress Fisheries Victoria, Melbourne. Series 224, 219‐229. Morison, A. K. (2009). Corner Inlet/Nooramunga Jenkins, G. P., and King, D. (2006). Variation in fisheries 2000. The Department of Primary larval growth can predict the recruitment of a Industries, Fisheries Victoria Assessment temperate, seagrass‐associated fish. Oecologia Report No. 33, Queenscliff, Victoria. 147, 641‐649. Morris, L., and Ball, D. (2006) Habitat suitability Jenkins, G. P., and May, H. M. A. (1994). modelling of economically important fish Variation in settlement and larval duration of species with commercial fisheries data. ICES King George whiting, Sillaginodes punctata Journal of Marine Science 63, 1590‐1603. (Sillaginidae), in Swan Bay, Victoria, Partridge, G. (2001). Further development of Australia. Bulletin of Marine Science 54, 281‐ techniques for the culture of King George 296. whiting for commercial or for Jenkins, G. P., May, H. M. A., Wheatley, M. J., enhancement of fish stocks in Western and Holloway, M. G. (1997b). Comparison of Australia ‐ Final Report. Challenger TAFE, fish assemblages associated with seagrass and Fremantle. adjacent unvegetated habitats of Port Phillip Potter, I. C., Hyndes, G. A., Platell, M. E., Sarre, Bay and Corner Inlet, Victoria, Australia, with G. A., Valesini, F. J., Young, G. C., and Tiivel, emphasis on commercial species. Estuarine, D. J. (1996). Biological data for the Coastal and Shelf Science 44, 569‐588. management of competing commercial and Jenkins, G. P., and Wheatley, M. J. (1998). The recreational fisheries for King George whiting influence of habitat structure on nearshore and black bream. Final report to FRDC for fish assemblages in a southern Australian project 93/82. embayment: comparison of shallow seagrass, Ryan, K. L., Morison, A. K., and Conron, S. reef algal, and unvegetated habitats, with (2009). Evaluating methods of obtaining total emphasis on their importance to recruitment. catch estimates for individual Victorian bay Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and and inlet recreational fisheries. Final report to Ecology 221, 147‐172. FRDC for project 2003/047. Jones, C. M., Robson, D. S., Lakkis, H. D., and Scott, T. D. (1954). The life history of the spotted Kressel, J. (1995). Properties of catch rates whiting, Sillaginodes punctatus (Cuv. and Val.) used in analysis of angler surveys. in South Australia. Masters Thesis, Univeristy Transactions of the American Fisheries Society of Adelaide. 124, 911‐928. Smith, D. C., and MacDonald, C. M. (1997). King Jones, G. K., Hall, D. A., Hill, K. L., and George whiting ‐ 1996. Fisheries Victoria Standiford, A. J. (1990). The South Australian Assessment Report No. 15, Melbourne. marine scale fish fishery: stock assessment, economics, management. South Australian Department of Fisheries.

King George Whiting 2010

20 Appendix I – Industry perspectives 2006

This section documents the perspectives of the Recreational perspectives commercial and recreational fishing sectors from a King George whiting workshop conducted in • The number of anglers and effort was June 2006. reported to have increased significantly in Port Phillip Bay. Localized increases in the 2006 King George whiting stock number of anglers, for example, between St. Kilda and Mordialloc had been observed. assessment • The Port Phillip Bay recreational fishery for Commercial perspectives whiting was suggested to have become a • Fish numbers in Port Phillip Bay over the last year round fishery, rather than from 12 months were reported to have increased; November to May, as it had been in the past. with more 20 to 25 cm fish being taken. • Catches of whiting in Port Phillip Bay were • Fish that are 20 to 25 cm appeared to reported as being very good from January to disappear around December/January in Port April, compared with other years. Phillip Bay. • Fishing for whiting was reportedly poor • Lots of large fish ~30 to 40 cm were around Point Cook and Campbell’s Cove, reportedly being taken from Port Phillip Bay. Port Phillip Bay. • Large numbers of northern Pacific sea star • Anglers reported that bag limits were rarely (Asterias amurensi) were reportedly present in reached. Port Phillip Bay from Grassy Point to Swan • King George whiting that were being caught Bay. Clearing the sea star from nets was in Port Phillip Bay were reportedly larger suggested to have significantly slowed than has been in the past. fishing in these areas. • An angler reported that fishing in February • The prevalence of large jelly fish in Port and March resulted in an average of 25 Phillip Bay was reportedly hampering whiting/boat trip. From 1991 to 1997, an fishing. average of 29 whiting/boat trip were being • Increased numbers of seals in Port Phillip taken. From 2000 to 2006, an average of 20 Bay were suggested to be causing some whiting/boat trip were being taken. operators to abandon or shift their fishing • Fishing in Western Port was reportedly away from preferred locations. better than it had been in recent years. • More large fish (>30 cm) were reported to be However, in some areas, like east of present in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Hastings/Warneet, catches were the lowest Corner Inlet. that had been observed in three years. • King George whiting catches in Corner Inlet • Large whiting (>40 cm) were commonly were reported to have been low for the past being caught in Western Port and that there few years. However, 2005/06 had been one of were few fish <35 cm being taken. the best years for whiting ~35 cm. • The number of boats and anglers in Western • Whiting of ~25 to 30 cm in size were being Port was reported to be increasing. taken in November in Corner Inlet; however, • Few whiting were reportedly taken this in the past, fish of this size were generally season in Western Port until October, taken in May. whereas the fishing season for whiting • Losses of seagrass in parts of Corner Inlet usually begins in September. was one of the factors reported to be causing • Poor fishing for whiting was reported in the some commercial operators to switch to northern regions of Western Port. targeting other species such as rock flathead and garfish.

King George Whiting 2010

21 • An abundance of small snapper in Western deterioration of water quality in Western Port was reportedly hindering the ability to Port. catch whiting. • An increase in shoreline mangrove habitats • Fishers reported that they rarely reached the in Western Port in recent times was reported bag limit in Western Port, instead taking ~6 to have helped stabilise shoreline sediments. to 8 whiting. • Water quality in Corner Inlet was reported as • Snapper was being targeted instead of being very good with no reports of algal whiting in Western Port. Off Cowes and blooms. Rhyll, fishers were bagging out snapper in half an hour. • Soft plastics were being used more often to target whiting. Environmental perspectives • Observations of seagrass declines were reported for Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Corner Inlet. Some areas were suggested to be recovering, while others were not. • An abundance of brown had been observed in Port Phillip Bay over the past few months. • Water quality had reportedly improved in eastern Port Phillip Bay, and new seagrass beds were re‐establishing since the end of scallop fishing. • Large numbers of dead northern Pacific sea star were reported at Edwards Point in Port Phillip Bay in May 2006. • The northern Pacific sea star was reportedly present in high abundances from Grassy Point to Swan Bay in Port Phillip Bay; causing a significant impact on commercial fishing practices. • An increase in the number of seals feeding in Port Phillip Bay was reportedly negatively affecting commercial catches. • Seasonal environmental conditions were reported as being ‘unusual’ recently with higher water temperatures and salinities than usual. • The presence of dense brown algae smothering the seabed in certain areas was reported as being common to all embayments. • Severe seagrass declines were reported for areas north of Hastings in Western Port. • Turbidity had been high in the northern parts of Western Port, but water clarity was good in southern regions of the bay. Sediments from sand extraction by local quarries were suggested to have contributed to the

King George Whiting 2010

22 Appendix II – Data and methods

This section further describes relevant research Lyle 2003). Diarists were identified and and monitoring used to provide information for recruited for the survey using a state‐wide the 2010 King George whiting stock assessment. telephone screening method. Commercial fishery State‐wide and regional recreational catches of key Victorian marine and estuarine species were

Recording of commercial catches from bay and estimated again in 2006/07 using a telephone inlet fisheries commenced in 1914. Catch diary survey (Ryan et al. 2009). The 2006/07 information was recorded in this manner by survey used the Recreational Fishing Licence calendar year up to 1963. Fishers provided more database as a sampling frame to identify and detailed monthly catch data to the Victorian recruit diarists. Department of Fisheries and Game between 1964/65 and 1972/73. This catch information was Data from onsite access point surveys provides a forwarded to the Commonwealth Bureau of time series of information on species targeted Census and Statistics for processing and and caught by anglers, discard rates, catch rates reporting. Throughout this period, fishing effort and size/age composition of the retained catch of data were not detailed and have not been key target species. A variable number of summarised. Between 1973/74 and 1977/78, the interviews occur on any sample day and data same of data were recorded and collected outputs are reported in calendar years. Avid but were processed and summarised by the anglers are anglers who recalled fishing at least Victorian Fisheries and Wildlife Division. five days in the previous 12 months. Calculating mean catch rates from these anglers increases

More detailed daily records of fishing method, consistency in the sampling effort and reliability area, catch and effort (and therefore catch rate) of the analyses. have been collected and entered into databases since 1978/79. The access point angler survey covers a large number of anglers with random sampling by

These data have been checked for major errors day type (weekday and weekend). Discard rates by a series of range tests and other validation are potentially subject to recall bias. The routines that are part of the normal data entry precision of the annual and seasonal catch rate procedures of the Catch and Effort Unit at the estimates is influenced by sampling intensity. Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff. Fork length measurements from the shore‐based

A review of logbook data quality has indicated survey are made by trained interviewers. that more than 95% of monthly catch/effort returns have been submitted. There is potential Volunteer angler diarists have been operating in for some errors in catch rate due to unrecorded Victorian waters since 1997. General angler effort and/or errors in coding effort data. diarists have provided data on target preferences, catch effort and gear from their No attempt has been made to independently everyday fishing activities. Research anglers verify the accuracy of catch weight, fishing have provided more detailed data on catch rate location or effort values supplied by fishers. and size/age composition of particular target Effort values are not standardised as no attempt species using prescribed gear. These angler has been made to make any adjustment for diary data are not representative of all anglers, changes in fishing power over the period for but are collected in a consistent manner and are which catch/effort statistics have been collected. therefore comparable from year to year. Recreational fishery Average recreational catch rates were calculated using the mean‐of‐ratios estimator (Jones et al. There have been two large‐scale, telephone‐ 1995). This estimator allows for the fact that diary surveys of recreational fishing in Victoria information obtained from interviews with aimed at estimating total recreational catch. The shore‐based recreational fishers represents National Recreational Fishing Survey in 2000/01 incomplete trips. Confidence limits were provided state‐wide and regional estimates of estimated using bootstrapping methods (Hoyle both retained and discarded catches of key and Cameron 2003). Statistical procedures are target species by recreational fishers (Henry and

King George Whiting 2010

23 constantly being refined to improve output correction of age/length data has been made for quality. potential post‐mortem shrinkage. The index of average percent error (IAPE) was Age/length monitoring used to quantify intra‐reader variability Research fishing surveys and limited on‐board (Beamish and Fournier 1981). Age estimates monitoring have improved the quality of length were consistent between the primary and data, which was prone to bias from sorting of secondary readings. Intra‐reader variability was fish by size prior to sale. There is also potential calculated every year and was <5% in all years, selectivity associated with different gear types, indicating the structure of the otolith was net length, distance from shore and depth. No consistently interpreted.

King George Whiting 2010

24 Appendix III – Data Figures and Tables

King George Whiting 2010

25

i) All - Whiting, King George - All Gear: All Catch (tonnes) Effort (days) Catch rate (kg/day) 300--25000 25

-20000 20

200- ate -15000

15 h R Effort Catch -10000 10 Catc 100-

-5000 5

0

78/79 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09

ii) Port Phillip Bay - Whiting, King George - KGW seine Gear: BS, ES, GS, H3, H4, H5 Catch (tonnes) Effort (shots) Catch rate (kg/shot) 100--5000 40

80--4000 30 ate 60--3000

h R Effort Catch 20 40--2000 Catc

10 20--1000

0

07/08 08/09 78/79 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07

iii) Port Phillip Bay - Whiting, King George - M12 Mesh net Gear: M1, M2 Catch (tonnes) Effort (km-lifts) Catch rate (kg/km-lift) 40--2500 25

-2000 30- 20 ate -1500

15 h R 20- Effort Catch -1000 10 Catc 10- -500 5

0

78/79 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09

Financial year

Prepared by the Fisheries Research Branch, Fisheries Victoria (October 2010)

Figure 1: Commercial catch, effort and catch rate of King George whiting for (i) all Victorian waters, all gear types (ii) Port Phillip Bay haul seine and (iii) Port Phillip Bay mesh nets from 1978/79 to 2008/09, presented by financial year.

King George Whiting 2010

26

i) Western Port - Whiting, King George - Haul seine

Gear: ES, BS, GS, RN, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6

Catch (tonnes) Effort (shots) Catch rate (kg/shot) 15--2000 20

-1500 15 10- ate h R -1000 Effort Catch 10 Catc 5- -500 5

0 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 78/79

ii) Western Port - Whiting, King George - Mesh net

Gear: MM, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6,N1,N2,N3,N4

Catch (tonnes) Effort (km-lifts) Catch rate (kg/km-lift) 10--2500 15 8--2000 ate 6--1500 10 h R Effort Catch 4--1000 Catc 5 2--500

0 07/08 08/09 78/79 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 Financial year Prepared by the Fisheries Research Branch, Fisheries Victoria (October 2010)

Figure 2: Commercial catch, effort and catch rate of King George whiting for Western Port (i) haul seine, and (ii) mesh nets from 1978/79 to 2008/09, presented by financial year.

King George Whiting 2010

27

Corner Inlet - Whiting, King George - Haul seine Gear: ES, BS, GS, RN, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6 i) Catch (tonnes) Effort (shots) Catch rate (kg/shot) 150--4000 50 -3000 40

100- ate

30 h R -2000 Effort Catch 20 Catc 50- -1000 10

0

78/79 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 Corner Inlet - Whiting, King George - Mesh net Gear: MM, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6,N1,N2,N3,N4 ii)Catch (tonnes) Effort (km-lifts) Catch rate (kg/km-lift) 25--1500 40

20- 30 -1000 ate 15-

h R Effort Catch 20 10- Catc -500 10 5-

0

08/09 78/79 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 Financial year

Prepared by the Fisheries Research Branch, Fisheries Victoria (October 2010)

Figure 3: Commercial catch, effort and catch rate of King George whiting for Corner Inlet (i) haul seine, and (ii) mesh nets from 1978/79 to 2008/09, presented by financial year.

King George Whiting 2010

28

45

CornerCorner Inlet Inlet 40 PortPort Phillip Phillip Bay Bay WesternWestern Port Port 35

30

25 (tonne/shot)

Rate 20

15

Catch

10

5

0 7788//7799 83/83/8484 8888//8899 993/3/9494 9988//9999 03/03/0404 0088//0099

Figure 4: Catch rates of King George whiting from Corner Inlet, Port Phillip Bay and Western Port for commercial haul seines from 1978/79 to 2008/09, presented by financial year.

King George Whiting 2010

29 i) Ocean General - Whiting, King George - Haul seine Gear: ES, BS, GS, RN, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6 Catch (tonnes) Effort (shots) Catch rate (kg/shot) 6--1500 40

30

4--1000 ate

h R Effort Catch 20

Catc 2--500 10

0

07/08 08/09 78/79 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 ii) Ocean General - Whiting, King George - Mesh net Gear: MM, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6,N1,N2,N3,N4 Catch (tonnes) Effort (km-lifts) Catch rate (kg/km-lift) 6--1000 25 -800 20

4- ate -600

15 h R Effort Catch -400 10 Catc 2-

-200 5

0

78/79 79/80 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 iii) Trawl (Inshore) - Whiting, King George - All Gear: All Catch (tonnes) Effort (days) Catch rate (kg/day) 8--5000 8

-4000 6- 6 ate -3000 h R 4- Effort Catch 4 -2000 Catc

2- 2 -1000

0

79/80 08/09 78/79 80/81 81/82 82/83 83/84 84/85 85/86 86/87 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 92/93 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/98 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 Financial year

Prepared by the Fisheries Research Branch, Fisheries Victoria (October 2010)

Figure 5: Commercial catch, effort and catch rate of King George whiting for (i) Victorian coastal waters haul seine, (ii) Victorian coastal waters mesh nets, and iii) Victorian coastal waters inshore trawl from 1978/79–2008/09, presented by financial year.

King George Whiting 2010

30

1.4 Retained Released 1.2

1.0

0.8

hour) (fish/angler 0.6

rate 0.4

0.2 Catch 0.0

1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Figure 6: Average annual recreational catch rates by avid anglers, targeting King George whiting in Port Phillip Bay in summer/autumn from 1995/96 to 2009/10 from onsite surveys. No data available from 1997/98 to 2001/02. Sample days: n = 488; Interviews: 3745.

Port Phillip Bay Western Port 6 Victorian Coastal West

5

4

3

hour) (fish/angler 2

Rate

1

0

Catch

1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

Figure 7: Average annual recreational catch rates of King George whiting targeted by angler diarists that are caught and kept during summer/autumn in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and Victorian coastal waters west of Wilson’s Promontory from 1998/99 to 2008/09. No data available for Victorian coastal waters west of Wilson’s Promontory from 2007/08 to 2008/09.

King George Whiting 2010

31

1.6 Retained Released 1.4 hour) 1.2 1.0 0.8 (fish/angler 0.6 rate 0.4 0.2 Catch 0.0

1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Figure 8: Average annual recreational catch rates by avid anglers, targeting King George whiting in Western Port in summer/autumn from 1998/99 to 2009/10 from onsite surveys. No data available from 1995/96 to 1997/98. Sample days: n = 430; Interviews = 4686.

250

200

(number/site)

150

100 Abundance

Whiting 50

1995 2000 2005 2010 Year Figure 9: Fisheries independent survey average annual abundance of King George whiting post larvae in Port Phillip Bay from 1996 to 2009.

King George Whiting 2010

32

PPB Commercial Haul Seine PPB Fisheries Independent Survey (<5 cm FL, 2 year lag) 40 4.5 ‐ PPB Recreational Onsite Surveys FIS PPB Recreational Angler Diar ist s 35 4.0 lift; ‐ hour) km 3.5 ‐ 30 net 3.0 25

mesh

(fish/angler 2.5 20 2.0 Rate kg/shot;

‐ number/shot) 15 Catch 1.5

seine 10 1.0 (haul

5 Recreational

Rate 0.5

0 0.0 Catch

98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11

Figure 10: Catch rates of King George whiting from Port Phillip Bay for commercial haul seines, fishery‐independent surveys (FIS), and recreational angler onsite access point surveys and angler diary surveys from 1995/96 to 2001/011, presented by financial year.

WP Commercial Haul Seine PPB Fisheries Independent Survey (<5 cm FL, 2 year lag) 25 4.5 ‐ WP Recreational Onsite Surveys

FIS WP Recreational Angler Diar ist s 4.0

lift; ‐

20 hour)

km 3.5 ‐ net 3.0 15 mesh

2.5 (fish/angler

2.0 Rate kg/shot;

‐ 10 number/shot) Catch 1.5

seine 1.0

(haul 5

Recreational

Rate 0.5

0 0.0 Catch

98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11

Figure 11: Catch rates of King George whiting from Western Port for commercial haul seines, fishery‐ independent surveys (FIS), and recreational angler onsite access point surveys and angler diary surveys from 1995/96 to 2001/011, presented by financial year.

King George Whiting 2010

33

20 15

15 10 10 1994/95 2002/03

5 5 0 0 2020 2255 3300 3535 4400 4455 5050 2020 2255 3030 3535 4400 4455 5050 20 20

15 1995/96 15 2003/04 10 10 5 5 0 0 2200 2255 3300 3535 4040 4455 5050 2200 2525 3300 3535 4040 4455 5050 40 20 30 1996/97 15 2004/05 20 10 10 5

0 0 2200 2525 3300 3355 4040 4545 5500 2200 2525 3030 3355 4040 4545 5500 25 25 20 20 1997/98 2005/06 15 15 (%) 10 10 5 5 0 0 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

frequency 25 25 20 1998/99 20 2006/07 15 15 10 10 5 5 Weighted 0 0 22220000 22225555 33330000 35353535 40404040 44445555 50505050 2200 2525 3300 3535 4040 4545 5500 202020 40 151515 1999/00 30 2007/08 101010 20 555 10 000 0 222000 252525 333000 333555 404040 454545 555000 22220000 22225555 30303030 35353535 44440000 45454545 50505050 15 20

2000/01 15 10 2008/09 10 5 5 0 0 22220000 25252525 30303030 33335555 40404040 44445555 50505050 2020 2255 3030 3355 4040 4455 5500 15 Fork length (mm) 10 2001/02

5

0 2200 2525 3300 3355 4040 4545 5500 Fork length (mm)

Figure 12: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by haul seine in Port Phillip Bay from 1994/95 to 2008/09, presented by financial year.

King George Whiting 2010

34 25 25 20 20 1994/95 2002/03 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 2200 2255 3030 3535 4040 4545 5500 2020 2255 3300 3355 4040 4545 5050 25 15 20 1995/96 10 2003/04 15 10 5 5 0 0 2200 2255 3030 3535 4400 4545 5500 2200 2255 3030 3535 4040 4455 5500 15 25 20 1996/97 10 2005/06 15 10 5 5

0 0 (%) 2020 2255 3030 3535 4400 4455 5500 2020 2255 3300 3535 4040 4455 5050 30 15 25 1997/98 2006/07 20 10 15 frequency 10 5 5 0 0 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 2020 2255 3030 3355 4400 4545 5050 Weighted 25 20 20 1998/99 15 2007/08 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 2020 2525 3030 3535 4040 4545 5050 40 12 30 1999/00 10 2008/09 8 20 6 10 4 2 0 0 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 2020 2525 3030 3535 4040 4455 5050

40 Fork length (mm) 30 2000/01 20 10 0 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Fork length (mm)

Figure 13: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Port Phillip Bay from 1994/95 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available for 2001/02 and 2004/05.

King George Whiting 2010

35 100 1994/951994/95 100 2000/012000/01 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20

0 0 0 1234 567 8910 0 1234 567 8910

100 1995/961995/96 100 2001/022001/02

80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0 0 1234 567 8910 0 12 34 567 8910 100 100 1996/971996/97 2002/032002/03 80 80 60 60 40 40

(%) 20 20

0 0 0 1234 567 8910 0 1234 567 8910

100 1997/981997/98 100 2003/042003/04 Frequency 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0 0 12 34 567 8910 0 12 34 567 8910

100 1998/991998/99 100 2008/092008/09 80 80 60 60

40 40

20 20 0 0 012345678910 012345678910

100 1999/001999/00 Estimated age (years) 80 60 40 20 0 0 12 34567 8910

Estimated age (years)

Figure 14: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by haul seine in Port Phillip Bay from 1994/95 to 2008/09. No data available from 2004/05 to 2007/08.

King George Whiting 2010

36 80 1994/951994/95 80 1999/001999/00

60 60 40 40 20 20

0 0 0 1 234 5 6 7 8910 0 1 2 3 4 56 7 8 910 80 80 1995/961995/96 2000/012000/01 60 60 40 40

20 20 0 0 012345678910 012345678910

80 1996/97 80 2002/03 (%) 1996/97 2002/03

60 60

40 40 20 20 Frequency 0 0 012345678910 012345678910 80 1997/981997/98 80 2003/042003/04

60 60 40 40 20 20

0 0 012345678910 012345678910

80 Estimated age (years) 1998/991998/99 60 40

20

0 0 1 2 34 5 6 7 8 910 Estimated age (years)

Figure 15: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Port Phillip Bay from 1994/95 to 2008/09. No data available for 2001/02 and 2004/05 to 2007/08.

King George Whiting 2010

37

20 25 20 15 1997/98 15 2001/02 10 10 5 5

0 0 2020 2255 3030 3355 4400 4455 5050 2200 2255 3030 3535 4040 4455 5500 2020 2525 1515 2020 1998/99 1515 2002/03

(%) 1010 1010 55 55 00 00 2200 2255 3300 3535 4040 4455 5050 2200 2255 3030 3535 4040 4455 5500 frequency 25 25 20 1999/00 20 2003/04 15 15 10 10 Weighted 5 5 0 0 2200 2255 3030 3355 4040 4455 5050 2020 2525 3300 3355 4040 4545 5500 25 20 20 2000/01 15 2004/05 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 2200 2525 3300 3535 4040 4455 5500 2200 2525 3300 3355 4040 4545 5500 Fork length (mm)

Figure 16: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Western Port from 1997/98 to 2004/05, presented by financial year. No data available from 2005/06 to present.

King George Whiting 2010

38

100 1997/981997/98 100 2001/022001/02 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0 012345678910 012345678910

100 1998/99 100 2002/03 1998/99 2002/03 80 80 60 60

40 40 (%) 20 20 0 0 0 1234 5678910 0 1234 5678910

100 1999/00 100 2003/04 Frequency 1999/00 2003/04 80 80 60 60

40 40 20 20

0 0 012345678910 012345678910

100 100 2000/012000/01 2004/052004/05 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0 012345678910 012345678910

Estimated age (years)

Figure 17: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Western Port bay from 1997/98 to 2004/05.

King George Whiting 2010

39 40 20

30 1994/95 15 2002/03 20 10 10 5 0 0 2020 2525 3030 3535 4040 4545 5500 2020 2525 3300 3535 4400 4455 5500 20 20 15 1995/96 15 2003/04 10 10 5 5 0 0 2200 2525 3030 3355 4040 4455 5500 2200 2525 3030 3535 4040 4545 5050 40 20

30 1996/97 15 2004/05 20 10 10 5 0 0 2200 2255 3030 3535 4040 4455 5500 2200 2525 3030 3355 4040 4455 5500 25 30

20 25 (%) 15 1997/98 20 2005/06 15 10 10 5 5 0 0

frequency 2020 2525 3030 3355 4040 4455 5050 2020 2255 3300 3535 4040 4545 5500

25 20 20 15 15 1998/99 2006/07 10 Weighted 10 5 5 0 0 2020 2525 3030 3535 4400 4545 5500 2020 2525 3300 3535 4400 4545 5500 25 15 20 15 1999/00 10 2007/08 10 5 5 0 0 2020 2255 3030 3355 4040 4455 5500 2020 2525 3030 3355 4400 4455 5500 20 25 15 20 15 10 2000/01 2008/09 10 5 5 0 0 2200 2255 3300 3355 4040 4545 5050 2020 2255 3030 3535 4400 4545 5500 25 Fork length (mm) 20 15 2001/02 10 5 0 2200 2525 3030 3355 4040 4545 5500 Fork length (mm)

Figure 18: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by haul seine in Corner Inlet from 1994/95 to 2008/09, presented by financial year.

King George Whiting 2010

40 30 1994/95 20 10

0 2020 2525 3030 3355 4400 4455 5050

25 20 1995/96 15 10 5 0 2200 2525 3300 3535 4040 4455 5500 40 30 1996/97

20

10 0

(%) 2020 2525 3030 3535 4400 4455 5500 4040 3030 1997/98 2020

frequency

1010

00 2200 2525 3030 3535 4040 4455 5050

Weighted 2525 2020

1515 1998/99 1010 55 00 2020 2525 3030 3535 4400 4455 5500

40

30 2007/08 20 10 0 2020 2255 3300 3355 4040 4545 5500

40 2008/09 30 20 10 0 2020 2525 3300 3535 4040 4455 5050

Fork length (mm)

Figure 19: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Corner Inlet from 1994/95 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 1999/00 to 2006/07.

King George Whiting 2010

41

100 1994/951994/95 100 2002/032002/03 80 80 60 60

40 40 20 20

0 0 012345678910 012345678910

100 1998/991998/99 100 2003/042003/04 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20

0 0 0 1234 5678910 0 1234 5678910

100 1999/001999/00 100 2004/052004/05 (%) 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 Frequency 0 0 0 1234 5678910 0 1234 5678910

100 2000/012000/01 10 0 2008/092008/09 80 80

60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0 0 1234 5678910 0 12 34 567 8910 Estimated age (years) 10 0 2001/022001/02 80

60 40

20 0 0 12 34567 8910

Estimated age (years)

Figure 20: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by haul seine in Corner Inlet from 1994/95 to 2008/09. No data available from 1995/96 to 1997/98 and from 2005/06 to 2007/08.

King George Whiting 2010

42

100 1994/951994/95 80 60 40 20 0 0 12 34 567 8910

100 1998/991998/99 (%) 80

60 40

20 Frequency 0 0 1234 5678910

100 2008/092008/09 80 60 40 20 0 0 1234 5678 910 Estimated age (years)

Figure 21: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by mesh nets in Corner Inlet in 1994/95, 1998/99 and 2008/09.

King George Whiting 2010

43

30 30 1996/97 (n = 1515) 2006/07 (n = 630) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1155 2020 2255 3300 3535 4040 4545 5500 00 55 1100 1155 2200 2525 3030 3355 4040 4455 5050 30 2002/03 (n = 1224) 30 2007/08 (n = 689) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1100 1515 2020 2255 3300 3355 4040 4545 5500 00 55 1100 1155 2020 2255 3030 3355 4400 4545 5050 (%) 30 2003/04 (n = 687) 30 2008/09 (n = 1284) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5

Frequency 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3535 4040 4545 5500 00 55 1100 1155 2200 2525 3030 3355 4400 4545 5050 30 2004/05 (n = 707) 30 2009/10 (n = 132) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3535 4400 4455 5500 00 55 1010 1515 2200 2255 3300 3535 4040 4455 5500 30 2005/06 (n = 335) 25 Total length (mm) 20 15 10 5 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3030 3355 4400 4455 5050

Total length (mm)

Figure 22: Length frequency distributions for King George whiting caught and retained by boat and shore‐based anglers in Port Phillip Bay from 1996/97 to 2009/10, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red. No data available from 1997/98 to 2001/02.

King George Whiting 2010

44

30 1997/98 (n = 726) 30 2003/04 (n = 781) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3535 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1010 1155 2200 2255 3030 3535 4400 4545 5500 30 1998/99 (n = 1272) 30 2004/05 (n = 613) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3535 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1010 1155 2200 2255 3030 3535 4400 4545 5500

30 1999/00 (n = 764) 30 2005/06 (n = 793) 25 25 20 20 15 15

(%) 10 10

5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3535 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1100 1155 2020 2255 3030 3355 4040 4545 5500 3030 200200/00100 / 1 (n =(n424)42= 4) 3030 2006/07 (n = 758) 2525 2525

Frequency 2020 2020 1515 1515 1010 1010 55 55 00 00 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3535 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1100 1155 2020 2255 3030 3355 4040 4545 5500 30 2001/02 (n = 475) 30 2007/08 (n = 1918) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1100 1515 2020 2525 3300 3535 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1100 1155 2020 2255 3030 3355 4040 4545 5500 30 2002/03 (n = 804) 30 2008/09 (n = 218) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1100 1515 2020 2525 3300 3535 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1100 1155 2020 2255 3030 3355 4040 4545 5500 Total length (mm)

Figure 23: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in Port Phillip Bay from 1997/98 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red.

King George Whiting 2010

45

9090 7575 19199696//9977 6060 4545 3030

1515 00 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 9090 7575 2002002/2/0303 6060 4545

3030

(%) 1515

00 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 90

Frequency 75 2003/04 60 45 30 15

0 0123456789100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 90

75 2008/09 60

45 30 15 0 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99

Estimated age (years)

Figure 24: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by boat‐ and shore‐based anglers in Port Phillip Bay from 1996/97 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 1997/98 to 2001/02 and 2004/05 to 2007/08.

King George Whiting 2010

46

80 80 1997/98 2001/02 60 60

40 40

20 20

0 0 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100

80 80

1998/99 2002/03 60 60

40 40

20 20 (%) 0 0 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 8080 8080 19199999//0000 22003003//0044

Frequency 6060 6060

4040 4040

2020 2020

00 00 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 8080 8080 20200000//0011 22008008/09/09 6060 6060

4040 4040

2020 2020

00 00 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100

Estimated age (years)

Figure 25: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in Port Phillip Bay from 1997/98 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 2004/05 to 2007/08.

King George Whiting 2010

47

30 1998/99 (n = 3144) 30 2004/05 (n = 1912) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1155 2020 2525 3030 3535 4040 4455 5500 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2525 3030 3535 4400 4455 5050 30 1999/00 (n = 2945) 30 2005/06 (n = 580) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1155 2020 2525 3030 3535 4040 4455 5500 00 55 1010 1155 2020 2525 3030 3535 4400 4455 5500

30 2000/01 (n = 1195) 30 2006/07 (n = 841) 25 25 20 20 15 15

(%) 10 10

5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1155 2020 2525 3030 3535 4040 4455 5500 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2525 3300 3355 4400 4455 5050 3030 2001/200021/ (n(n02 = 386)386= ) 3030 22007007//08 (n(n08 = 1753)3)175= 2525 2525

Frequency 2020 2020 1515 1515 1010 1010 55 55 00 00 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3030 3535 4400 4455 5500 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2525 3300 3355 4400 4455 5500 30 2003/04 (n = 1298) 30 2008/09 (n = 959) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2525 3300 3535 4040 4545 5500 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2525 3300 3355 4400 4455 5500 30 2003/04 (n = 1298) 30 2009/10 (n = 108) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2525 3300 3535 4040 4545 5500 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2525 3300 3355 4400 4455 5500 Total length (mm)

Figure 26: Length frequency distributions for King George whiting caught and retained by boat and shore‐based anglers in Western Port from 1998/99 to 2009/10, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red.

King George Whiting 2010

48

30 1998/99 (n = 1976) 30 2004/05 (n = 2330) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3355 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1010 1515 2200 2255 3300 3535 4040 4455 5500

30 1999/00 (n = 2065) 30 2005/06 (n = 1429) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3355 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1010 1515 2200 2255 3300 3535 4040 4545 5500 30 2000/01 (n = 1114) 30 2006/07 (n = 1815) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 (%)

5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3355 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1010 1515 2200 2255 3300 3535 4040 4455 5500 3030 2001/02 (n = 899) 3030 2007/08 (n = 1415) 2525 2525

Frequency 2020 2020 1515 1515 1010 1010 55 55 00 00 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3355 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1010 1515 2200 2255 3300 3535 4400 4545 5500 30 2002/03 (n = 686) 30 2008/09 (n = 798) 25 25 20 20 15 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3355 4400 4545 5050 00 55 1010 1155 2200 2255 3300 3355 4040 4545 5500 30 2003/04 (n = 1150) 25 20 Total length (mm) 15 10 5 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3300 3355 4400 4545 5050 Total length (mm)

Figure 27: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in Western Port from 1998/99 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red.

King George Whiting 2010

49

8080 80 220002/002/033 6060 60 1998/99

4040 40

20 2020

0 00 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100

80 80 1999/00 2003/04 60 60

40 40

20 20 (%)

0 0 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100

80 80 2004/05

Frequency 2000/01 60 60

40 40

20 20

0 0 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100

80 8080 2001/02 22008008//0099 60 6060

40 4040

20 2020

0 00 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100

Estimated age (years)

Figure 28: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by boat‐ and shore‐based anglers in Western Port from 1998/99 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 2005/06 to 2007/08.

King George Whiting 2010

50

80 80 2002/03 60 1998/99 60

40 40

20 20

0 0 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 000 111 222 333 444 555 666 777 888 999 111000

80 80 1999/00 2003/04 60 60

40 40

20 20 (%)

0 0 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100

80 80

Frequency 2004/05 2000/01 60 60

40 40

20 20

0 0 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100

80 80 2001/02 2008/09 60 60

40 40

20 20

0 0 000 111 222 333 444 555 666 777 888 999 111000 00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1100 Estimated age (years)

Figure 29: Estimated age composition of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in Western Port from 1998/99 to 2008/09, presented by financial year. No data available from 2005/06 to 2007/08.

King George Whiting 2010

51 30 1997/98 (n = 85) 25 20 15 10 5 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3030 3355 4400 4545 5050 30 1998/99 (n = 332) 25 20 15 10 5 0 00 55 1010 1515 2200 2525 3030 3355 4040 4545 5050 30 1999/00 (n = 210) 25 20 15 10 5 0 00 55 1010 1155 2020 2525 3030 3355 4400 4545 5050 30 2000/01 (n = 70) 25

(%) 20

15 10 5 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3030 3355 4040 4455 5050 Frequency 3030 2001/02 (n = 220) 2525 2020 1515 1010 55 00 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3030 3355 4400 4545 5050

30 2002/03 (n = 289) 25 20 15 10 5 0 00 55 1100 1515 2020 2525 3300 3355 4040 4545 5500

30 2003/04 (n = 308) 25 20 15 10 5 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3030 3355 4400 4545 5050 30 2004/05 (n = 175) 25 20 15 10 5 0 00 55 1010 1515 2020 2255 3030 3355 4400 4545 5050 Total length (mm)

Figure 30: Length frequency distributions of King George whiting caught by angler diarists in the coastal waters of Victoria west of Wilson’s Promontory from 1997/98 to 2004/05, presented by financial year. The % of fish that were below the legal minimum length is shown in red. No data available from 2005/06 to present.

King George Whiting 2010

52 Appendix IV – Industry perspectives 2010

This section documents the perspectives of the • Large whiting were being taken after dark on commercial and recreational fishing sectors from the sand banks of Safety Beach and the King George whiting workshop held in Dromana, Port Phillip Bay. April 2010. • Circle hooks were being used more often to

2010 King George whiting stock target whiting. • There was more targeted effort for whiting assessment reported off Torquay and Lorne. Large Commercial perspectives whiting (~60 cm) had been taken off Airey’s Inlet in autumn/winter. No commercial perspectives were provided. • Catches of whiting in autumn in Port Phillip Recreational perspectives Bay were reported as being low, whereas in • Large whiting were reportedly feeding on other years catches in autumn had been yabbies at high tide in shallow waters, and good. anglers are often not fishing these shallow • Fishing for whiting was reportedly good off waters. Warrnambool. Fish were up to ~50 cm and • Lots of juveniles were reported on shallow generally 15 fish were being taken/trip. banks in Western Port. • Since January, there were few whiting • A recreational angler reported that last year, reportedly near Point Leo in Western Port on 15 trips between December and July to a whereas in other years whiting were often location near Tortoise Head in Western Port, taken in this location. However, further north 179 whiting were taken. Of the six trips taken there were good sized fish. in July, only 14 whiting were taken. This year • Anglers were catching different species in on 22 trips taken between December and Western Port compared to other seasons e.g. April, 550 whiting were taken. Cowanyoung. • Anglers were been using number 6 shiner • Low numbers of whiting were reported for hooks and pipis and mussels as bait to catch Corner Inlet. whiting. Environmental perspectives • The number of whiting in Western Port was reported to have been lower for the past two • Declines in seagrass in Port Phillip Bay were years compared with years prior. restricted to certain areas. Prolonged drought was thought to be contributing to the • Changes to snapper possession limit declines, along with sediment regulations (no more than three fish may be movement/transport. equal to or exceed 40 cm TL; whereas previously it had been 50 cm TL) were • Water temperatures in Western Port were reportedly resulting in more King George suggested to be warmer than other years. whiting being taken due to smaller snapper • Continued declines in seagrass at the top end on the banks where whiting are. of Corner Inlet were reported. • An abundance of 10 to 20 cm whiting off Ricketts Point was reported. • Large numbers of boats in certain areas were suggested to be leading to local depletions, e.g off Beaumaris in Port Phillip Bay. • Good catches of whiting up to 45 cm at dusk were reported off Clifton Springs, Port Phillip Bay.

King George Whiting 2010

53