Publication Date
2025
Series Number
No.1
Publisher
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA
City
Perth
ISBN
978-1-925415-40-7 (Online)
ISSN
3083-5380 (Online)
Abstract
The Mid-West Scallop Resource (Resource) is only accessed by the Abrolhos Islands Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery (AIMWTMF). The AIMWTMF is the second largest scallop fishery in Western Australia. Access is limited to the 10 licences granted to access the Resource, which are managed through a range of, gear controls, catch rates and seasonal closures. They access saucer scallops, Ylistrum balloti (formerly Amusium balloti) using otter trawls fished over predominantly sand. The fishery was certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in 2021, with the fishery entering re-certification in 2026.
In 2024, 95.7 t meat weight (478.5 t whole weight) of saucer scallops was retained, with no retention of other species reported. This highly targeted nature of the fishery is consistent with historical fishing practices, with minimal other species retained. The Resource was valued at ~ $4.3 million and was accessed by four commercial vessels in 2024.
Saucer Scallops
There was a notable decline in fishery-independent indices in 2024, with both approaching their respective limit reference point. Volatility in stock abundance is not uncommon or unexpected for such a fecund, short-lived species. This is particularly the case for scallops which are susceptible to shifts in environmental conditions. The stock of saucer scallops in the Mid-West coast is classified as Sustainable-Adequate, as the index is above the limit reference point. However, based on the risk-matrix (C4 × L3) the risk to this stock is assessed as Severe.
Ecological Components
An updated ecological assessment of the Resource indicated that all components (retained catch, bycatch, ETPs, habitat and ecosystem effects) were low or negligible risk. The basis for most assignment of risk was from an Ecological Risk Assessment conducted in 2019 (Stoklosa 2019 in DPIRD 2020b), augmented with updated data.
Number of Pages
27
Keywords
scallops, mid-west, assessment resource update, dpird, wa
Disciplines
Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Marine Biology
Recommended Citation
How, J.R., Wilkin, S., Chandrapavan, A., Marks, R, 2025. Mid-West Scallop Resource: 2024 Assessment. Resource Assessment Report No. 1, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.
