10 results

Biological and ecological research needed for the effective management of the bar-cheeked coral trout and the chinaman cod, including an investigation into the factors controlling sex-change in the serranids (cods, groupers and coral trout).

Project number: 1995-025
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $28,550.00
Principal Investigator: Bob Black
Organisation: University of Western Australia (UWA)
Project start/end date: 26 Jun 1995 - 25 May 2000
Contact:
FRDC

Objectives

1. The aim of this research programme is to provide data needed for the effective management of serranids, including: Ecological and biological data on the chinaman cod within the Ningaloo recreational fishery.
2. Experimental simulation of line fishing on chinaman cod populations to determine how the social system of this fish is affected by fishing, and its ability to withstand such pressure.
3. Experimental manipulation of chinaman cod social units to determine the mechanisms controlling sex change and the effects of sustained fishing pressure on these mechanisms.
4. Biological and catch data on the bar-cheeked coral trout caught in the Pilbara trawl fishery. A solution to the present wastage of undersized trout caught in this fishery will also be sought.

Final report

ISBN: 0-86422-915-1
Author: Robert Black
Final Report • 2000-01-10 • 2.84 MB
1995-025-DLD.pdf

Summary

This study provides detailed biological and ecological information on the chinaman cod, Epinephelus rivulatus, and biological information on the bar-cheeked coral trout, Plectropomus maculatus, in West Australian waters. Both of these species are members of a large group of predatory fish known as the epinepheline serranids. Serranids are found throughout the tropical and subtropical marine waters of the world, and are valued catches within numerous fisheries. Although some species in the Caribbean have been well studied, there is generally a lack of detailed biological and ecological data on the serranids. In particular, there is little information on the processes controlling sex change in serranid species. This life history pattern, along with the fact that many are long lived and slow growing, may leave serranids particularly vulnerable to fishing pressure. However, without information on the mechanisms controlling sex-change, specific management options for serranid species remains somewhat speculative. 
 
Various serranid species are targeted or caught as by-catch in Australian tropical waters. Nevertheless, apart from coral trout inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef, the biology and ecology of Australian serranids is poorly understood. The present study focussed on the chinaman cod since it is an important species within the Ningaloo Reef recreational fishery. Because it is abundant and accessible, the chinaman cod was also amenable to the logistically difficult task of determining the mechanisms of sex-change in this species. The study of coral trout biology was commenced in response to the capture of undersized fish within the Pilbara trawl fishery. As the current size limit may not be biologically appropriate, samples obtained from the trawl fishery were used to learn more about the biology of this species. 

Tactical Research Fund: Economic assessment of the impact of recent major changes to fisheries management in the WA West Coast demersal wetline fishery

Project number: 2009-081
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $66,870.00
Principal Investigator: Paul McLeod
Organisation: University of Western Australia (UWA)
Project start/end date: 7 Apr 2010 - 30 May 2011
Contact:
FRDC

Need

The West Coast demersal wetline fish stocks are currently overfished. The best assessment calls for an immediate 50% reduction in the catches of Category 1 “high risk” species.

New management initiatives are being implemented across the commercial, recreational and charter sectors to secure the necessary catch reductions. The success of these initiatives depends upon each sector responding appropriately.

Early assessment of the impact of these changes and the response of each sector is essential. The time for this assessment is now, as the changes begin to take effect, in order that an early understanding of the reactions of fishers and the likely long-term impacts can be formed.

The new restrictions will impact significantly on recreational fishing over the next year, therefore, there is a pressing need to understand how the sector responds in terms of behaviour, catches, and overall satisfaction with the fishing experience. The proposed recreational fisher survey is designed to meet this requirement, so that the early operation of the new regime can be measured, and compared to the pre-change situation captured in a similar survey funded under FRDC 2001/036 undertaken by Nicholls and McLeod. Knowledge about changes in behaviour and satisfaction with the fishing experience are crucial to understanding the impact of the changes.

Department of Fisheries estimates show that the commercial catch has been brought within the desired range. There is now a need to assess how these changes have impacted upon the commercial viability and social dynamics of coastal harbour towns. No pre- and post-change comparisons have been undertaken, a deficiency that the proposed data collection is designed to address.

The role of the Charter sector and its response to management changes is an integral part of the project.

All components of the project are designed to deliver the required information in a timely fashion.

Objectives

1. Determine the change in profitability of commercial wet line vessels operating in the west coast wet line fishery under the new management arrangements for the 3 year period 2004-07 (prior to the new arrangements) and 3 year period (FY 2008-11) after their implementation.
2. Determine the range in responses of a sample of charter boat owners and their clients to the fishery management changes introduced in the west coast wet line fishery in 2009 (interim and additional) and the impact on client satisfaction and on their businesses
3. Determine the range in responses of a sample of recreational fishing boat owners to the fishery management changes introduced in the west coast wet line fishery in 2009-11 (interim and additional) and the impact on the frequency of their fishing activities in the 2008-12 period
4. Conduct a socio-economic impact assessment of the three sectors as a result of fishery management changes introduced and a scenario analysis of the likely impact of the alternative management options on 3-4 West Coast study towns with boat harbours

Final report

ISBN: 978-0-9756020-3-4
Author: Paul McLeod
Blank
PROJECT NUMBER • 2019-011
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Optimising Compliance Outcomes in Recreational Fisheries

This study investigated strategies to enhance compliant participation among recreational fishers, using the Peel-Harvey Blue Swimmer Crab fishery in Western Australia (WA) and the Blue Swimmer Crab fishery in South Australia (SA) as case studies. 
ORGANISATION:
University of Western Australia (UWA)
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2016-260
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Assess causes and implications of anomalous low lobster catch rates in the shallow water areas near the centre of the Western Rock Lobster fishery

Current and former West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (WCRLMF) fishers have anecdotally observed a trend of low catch rates since the 1990’s in the near-shore shallow water areas (<8 m) near the centre of the fishery (Dongara-Leeman). Since the atypically low puerulus counts of...
ORGANISATION:
University of Western Australia (UWA)
Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 1990-006
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Behavioural and physiological studies on phyllosoma larvae of the Western Rock Lobster

The Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus cygnus George) is the most valuable single species fishery in Australia with an annual value in excess of $250 000 000. Consequently, there has been a substantial research effort geared towards gaining a better understanding of the basic biology of this species...
ORGANISATION:
University of Western Australia (UWA)
Environment
Industry
PROJECT NUMBER • 2000-251
PROJECT STATUS:
COMPLETED

Rock Lobster Post Harvest Subprogram: development of a method for alleviating leg loss during post-harvest handling of rock lobsters

A novel brief application of cold-stunning was identified as a practical method for preventing post-harvest leg loss at several points in the post-harvest handling chain. Using this method, there is potential for the western rock lobster industry to save in excess of $2 million per season in lost...
ORGANISATION:
University of Western Australia (UWA)
View Filter

Organisation