DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES ANNUAL REPORT TO THE ...

SUMMARy OF THE yEAR � FROM THE CHIEF ExECUTIvE OFFICER
From an industry perspective, fishers were
required to rapidly understand the new management
settings, adjust their fishing gear and the containers
used to transport lobster, and adhere to strict
fishing activity and catch landing, disposal and
receiving reporting requirements. However, the
new management arrangements have provided
western rock lobster fishers with the opportunity to
maximise the prices they receive for their product by
redirecting fishing effort from the high-volume, lowprice
‘white’ lobsters at the start of the season to a
more even fishing spread throughout the year.
The commercial season for western rock
lobster was also extended by two months until 31
August 2011, with fishing permitted seven-daysa-week
during the final months to provide fishers
with ample opportunity to catch their full quota. The
educative and cooperative approach adopted by
fishers and the Department during this transition to
quota has been the key to the successful progress
already made.
Significantly, the Department’s strategies for
increasing the breeding stock and recruitment of
juveniles into the fishery have passed the annual
audit of the independent Marine Stewardship
Council. The Department and the Western
Rock Lobster Council have completed all the
requirements for re-certification of the West Coast
Rock Lobster Managed Fishery as a sustainably
managed fishery for the next five years, subject
to it meeting annual audit requirements. For more
information on the management of this fishery,
please see the ‘Rock Lobster in Focus’ section of
this Annual Report.
Another major achievement during the year
was the commencement of new management
arrangements for the Gascoyne Demersal
Scalefish Fishery to provide an integrated fisheries
management framework for demersal (living at
or near the bottom of the water) scalefish in the
southern Gascoyne. The new fishery incorporates
the pre-existing Shark Bay Snapper Fishery, the
offshore demersal scalefish stocks and 27 nautical
miles of previously open access fishery adjacent to
Coral Bay. In addition to existing pink snapper quota
entitlement, licence holders will also now receive
non-pink snapper demersal scalefish entitlement,
providing increased economic value and flexibility for
operators.
The aquaculture industry has had a number
of exciting developments during the year. After
obtaining the necessary environmental approval,
Marine Produce Australia increased its production
to 1,000 tonnes of barramundi per annum from
its farm in Cone Bay in the Kimberley and is now
seeking approval to gradually expand its production
capability to 5,000 tonnes per annum. The company
produces high-quality barramundi that command a
premium price in Australian markets.
In the Pilbara Region, Aurora Algae has
started a demonstration project culturing marine
micro-algae near Karratha. Aurora selected the
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