Publication Date

2-2002

Series Number

135

Publisher

Department of Fisheries

City

Perth, Western Australia

ISBN

0 7309 8467 2

ISSN

1035 - 4549

Abstract

This report is the latest in a series covering the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery (formerly the West Coast Rock Lobster Limited Entry Fishery), Western Australia’s largest and most valuable fishery. These reports form an historical record of fishery data and information documented season by season for use by industry and research personnel now and in the future. The reports provide information on catch, fishing effort and biology; value of the product and licences; input costs (fuel, bait, etc.); changes in fishing practices, gear, technology and boats and management/legislative changes. By necessity, the information contained herein is summarised from the extensive and detailed data bases maintained by the Department of Fisheries. Commercial Fisheries Production Bulletins issued periodically, summarising the status of the fishery during each season, are included as an appendix to this report.

The 1995/96 and 1996/97 seasons produced below average landings of 9,800 and 9,900 tonnes respectively valued at approximately $234 million and $266 million. These below average catches were landed by 615 vessels in 1995/96 and 611 vessels in 1996/97, with nominal fishing effort of 10.5 million and 10.6 million pot lifts respectively. The fishing effort increased 1% in 1995/96 and 2% in 1996/97 when compared to the stable 10.4 million pot lifts in each of the previous two seasons. Similar catch rates of 0.94 and 0.93 kg of rock lobster per pot lift were recorded for both seasons, reduced slightly from the 1.04 to 1.06 kg per pot lift in the previous two seasons.

Season 1995/96 was significant for it saw the introduction of the new Fish Resources Management Act 1994 and cost recovery (where the fishers were to bear the cost of research, enforcement and management), and produced a record catch of 1900 tonnes for the Abrolhos. Expansion into the European market was attempted in 1996/97. With the stable management regime, the breeding stock continued to rebuild and, despite the below average catches, the fishery consolidated and planned for the forecast increased catches.

Number of Pages

46

Keywords

Panulirus cygnus, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Dongara, Jurien, Lancelin, Fremantle, Abrolhos Islands

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Marine Biology | Natural Resources Management and Policy

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