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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)
TAGS
Sustainability
Recreational Fishing
Rac Wa
Rac Sa
Human Dimensions Research
SPECIES
Blue Swimmer Crab

An economic assessment of reallocation of salmon and herring fisheries to the recreational sector

Project number: 1993-080
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $96,534.00
Principal Investigator: Bob Lindner
Organisation: University of Western Australia (UWA)
Project start/end date: 13 Oct 1993 - 29 Jun 1996
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Wild Catch
Stock Assessment
Recreational Fishing
Economic
Aquaculture

Objectives

1. To estimate the value of recreational fishing for salmon and herring in WA
2. To estimate the value of commercial fishing for salmon and herring in WA
3. To estimate the costs and benefits of reallocating the fish resource from the commercial to the recreational sector

Final report

Final Report • 1996-04-12 • 288.39 KB
1993-080-DLD.pdf
Industry

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
TAGS
Reproduction
Recreational Fishing
Population Dynamics
Physiology
Fishing Gear

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. 
Industry
Industry
Industry
Adoption

Characterising the fish habitats in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia

Project number: 2001-060
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $609,172.00
Principal Investigator: Gary Kendrick
Organisation: University of Western Australia (UWA)
Project start/end date: 7 Dec 2001 - 5 Dec 2005
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Workforce
Training
Sustainability
Economic
Community

Need

Fisheries WA demonstrated in their Aquaculture Plan for the Recherche Archipelago (Fisheries WA 2000) that one of the major factors slowing development in this region is lack of accurate spatially explicit data on the distributions of benthic habitats and the influence of currents and wind generated waves. This information is required to aid the selection of suitable offshore aquaculture facilities and in the development of multiple use management plans.

This FRDC application, rather than focusing on cultural, economic and social elements of resource planning concentrates on the physical and biological data requirements. Many important cultural, economic and social issues have been identified in community and industry consultation by Fisheries WA during the development of the Aquaculture plan for the recherche Archipelago (Fisheries WA, 2000). The major outcome from these documents was that most other users of the Archipelago (Tourism, Shipping, Recreational and other commercial fishermen) indicated they were not happy with wholesale aquaculture development until accurate assessments of the benthic habitats and oceanography were completed over a wide spatial scale within the Archipelago. The recognition of this need has provided impetus resulting in aquaculture proponents (MG Kailis, Maritime Training Centre of Esperance), other fisheries (Esperance Professional Fishers Association, Esperance Professional Abalone Divers Association, 2 Recreational Angling Clubs), shipping concerns (Esperance Port Authority and industries utilising the port), tourism (Goldfields Esperance Development Commission), government departments (CALM, Fisheries WA, The Esperance Shire) and local concerned citizens (Recherche Action Group, Local Environmental Action Forum) all providing formal support for this application.

These groups see the need for representative broad scale bio-physical information to be used in the integrated planning to ensure the compatibility and sustainability of a diverse range of marine a coastal activities. This will ensure that the quality of the environment and the quality of life experienced by the populace living in Recherche Archipelago region is balanced with the need for new job creation in the region.

The 2.5 year research program we describe in this proposal will fulfil bio-physical data requirements for that planning process. This data will be available for incorporation into existing regional planning documents written in conjunction with cultural economic and social components that have been collected by Fisheries WA. It will also compliment and enhance information collected and developed by the Marine Group of the Department of Conservation and Land Management as part of the community and industry consultation involved in the MPA planning process.

Objectives

1. To identify, classify and map the distribution of, different benthic habitats in the Recherche Archipelago and link their distributions to bottom type and exposure to swells and currents.
2. To provide detailed ecological information to contribute to the responsible management of aquaculture fisheries in the region.
3. To increase community awareness of fish habitats through community involvement in the development of the planned biophysical surveys and through community and stakeholder consultation and presentations.

Final report

ISBN: 1-74052-123-6
Author: Gary Kendrick
Final Report • 2006-02-21 • 31.40 MB
2001-060-DLD.pdf

Summary

This project is a joint Esperance community (through the Recherche Advisory Group - RAG), research scientist and resource management project. The commitment of RAG has allowed the researchers to efficiently transfer scientific information to the general public of Esperance and the South Coast of Western Australia and keep the research focused on management outcomes.

The outcomes of this report are:

  1. The design of a hierarchical classification scheme of benthic habitats in the Recherche Archipelago.
  2. An extensive habitat map of the Western Recherche Archipelago at both broad and functional habitat classifications and less detailed habitat maps of duke of Orleans Bay and Cape Arid to Middle Island.
  3. An oceanographic model of the influence of ocean swells on the Western Recherche Archipelago. This model includes an assessment of swell driven shear at the benthos.
  4. A broad scale fisheries-independent non-destructive survey of the demersal fish of the Recherche from Esperance Bay to Cape Arid. The survey was designed to capture habitat differences in fish assemblages. 
  5. A broad scale (within the Western Archipelago) survey of the infauna found in a range of soft bottom habitats including coarse sands, rhodoliths and sparsely vegetated sands.
  6. Fine scale diversity surveys of reef communities on islands in the archipelago from Figure of Eight to Middle Island. These surveys integrate information from both habitat mapping and physical oceanographic modelling.

Keywords: habitat, classification, mapping, oceanography, benthic, algae, infauna, sessile invertebrate

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