DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES ANNUAL REPORT TO THE ...

DISCLOSURES AND LEgAL COMPLIANCE � DETAILED kEy PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The finfish sector is comprised of a large
number of fisheries and stocks. The annual
production and value in 2009/10 decreased
marginally from that in 2008/09, with a value of
$31 million.
The value of pearl production rose
significantly in 2009/10 and is likely to be a result
of improved marketing returns to the industry,
despite a continuing unfavourable global economic
climate. The production level and value of nonpearl
aquaculture for 2009/10 were essentially
unchanged from the previous year.
In summary, due to the combination of a drop
in the overall tonnage of production in 2009/10
and the lower global economic status of some
commodities, the total value of WA fisheries was
lower at $367 million compared to $394 million
in 2008/09. The WA commercial fishing sector
continues to be affected by a combination of
significant external influences on market values
and from the impacts of natural fluctuations in the
abundances of key species.
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KPI table 1. Western Australian fisheries production
– years 2007/08 to 2009/10
2007/08(e) 2008/09 (e) 2009/10 (f)
tonnes $ m tonnes $ m tonnes $ m
Crustaceans 12,615 250 11,074 224 9,999 219
Molluscs 5,520 41 3,918 37 3,055 21
Fish 10,153 34 10,159 32 9,944 31
Other (a) n/a n/a 160 0.5 171 0.5
Pearling (b, c) n/a 113 n/a 90 n/a 99
Aquaculture (d) 1,013 10 1,017 10 1,107 10
TOTAL PRODUCTION 29,301 448 26,328 394 24,276 380
Footnotes:
(a) Miscellaneous invertebrates, e.g. beche-de-mer and sea
urchins, previously reported under molluscs.
(b) Pearl oyster products other than pearls are included under
molluscs.
(c) Method of estimating the value of pearl production has been
updated.
(d) Excludes hatchery production and algae production for beta
carotene.
(e) Figures have not been adjusted to account for late production
returns and validation of databases, so may differ slightly from
values published elsewhere.
(f) Figures current as at end of financial year.
n/a Not applicable.
Tonnage values are calculated from the Catch and Effort
Statistics (CAES) data supplied by fishers on a monthly/trip
basis, or quota returns supplied on a daily basis. The market
values (except pearls) are obtained from surveys of the main
seafood purchasers/processors.
Sources: Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource
Economics and Sciences (ABARES); Department of
Fisheries, Western Australia.