DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES ANNUAL REPORT TO THE ...

AgENCy PERFORMANCE � SERvICE 3 – RESEARCH AND MONITORINg
rule framework was used to extend the level of
fishing.
• A Seafood Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)
bio-economic modeling project was initiated to
further examine the maximum economic yield
for the western rock lobster fishery.
• A Seafood CRC-funded greenlip abalone
enhancement study was initiated to determine
the growth and survival of abalone released in
the wild fishery.
• A workshop on the ‘marine heatwave’ that
took place over the summer of 2010/11 was
undertaken to assess the effect of the record
water temperatures off the mid- and lower
west coast of WA on the marine life.
• External reviews of research on stock status of
blue swimmer crab stocks in Cockburn Sound,
Peel-Harvey and Shark Bay, as well as scallop
stocks in Shark Bay, were carried out.
Biodiversity and Biosecurity
• A baseline survey of coral habitats at the
Abrolhos Islands was finished.
• Monitoring for introduced marine pests in
Western Australia’s three highest risk ports
and Christmas Island was finished.
• A review of the marron recreational fishery
was undertaken to ensure its sustainability in
the future.
• A Natural Resource Management-funded
fish ladder was constructed at Pemberton
Freshwater Research Centre for native fish
breeding.
• Two species of native fish (pygmy perch and
western minnows) were successfully bred in
captivity.
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• Commercial production of brine shrimp at Hutt
Lagoon, Port Gregory was achieved as a result
of a collaboration with Cognis Australia and
FRDC. This success led to the project winning
the 2010 Premier’s Award for ‘Developing the
WA Economy’.
• A bioregional bycatch (including threatened,
endangered and protected species) risk
assessment was written and published for the
Gascoyne Coast, West Coast and South Coast
Bioregions.
Stock Assessment and Data Analysis
• A fully-integrated approach to state-wide
surveys of recreational boat-based fishing,
using the Recreational Fishing from Boat
License, was developed and implemented.
• Assessment of recreational catches of the
West Coast demersal scalefish catch showed
that management regulations had achieved
the desired 50 per cent reduction.
• An FRDC project, in collaboration with Murdoch
University, was finished on ecosystem health