Publication Date

6-2026

Series Number

7

Publisher

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia

City

Perth

ISBN

978-1-925415-47-6 (Online)

ISSN

3083-5380 (Online)

Abstract

The Shark Bay Invertebrate Resource (Resource) is accessed by three managed commercial fisheries; the Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery (SBPMF), the Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fishery (SBSMF) and the Shark Bay Blue Swimmer Crab Managed Fishery (SBCMF). Additionally, blue swimmer crabs are taken by recreational fishers through a variety of methods, though the overall level of boat-based catch is relatively low (~ 7.8 t). The SBSMF and SBCMF fisheries are quota managed and primarily retain their target species of scallops and crabs, respectively. The SBPMF is an effort-managed fishery that targets brown tiger prawns (BTP; Penaeus esculentus) and western king prawns (WKP; Penaeus latisulcatus) and lesser quantities of blue endeavour (Metapenaeus endeavouri) and coral prawns (Metapenaeopsis sp.). The SBPMF also retains and occasionally targets scallops (Ylistrum balloti; formerly Amusium balloti), and blue swimmer crabs (BSC; Portunus armatus).

All three commercial fisheries are managed under their own management plan and harvest strategies. This includes the mandatory implementation of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs), and a secondary fish escape device (FED) fitted in each net for all trawl fishing. Recreational crab fishing mainly takes place using drop nets or scoop nets and is managed through a combination of input and output controls, including a minimum size limit that is well above the size at sexual maturity, along with bag and boat limits. All three fisheries were assessed under the provisions of the Commonwealth’s EPBC Act in 2015 and have been accredited for export for a period of ten years. They are currently under-going re-assessment. Additionally, the SBPMF fishery received Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification in October 2015 and was successfully recertified in December 2020. It is currently re-entering MSC certification in 2025. This certification has expanded the scope of the certificate to include blue swimmer crab and scallops. Upon passing certification, all target species within the Resource would be MSC certified.

In 2024, the commercial catch from the Resource was 2,709.9 t, worth over $24.4 million and providing a moderate social amenity to its regional base. The majority of this catch by weight (whole weight) were target species of the three fisheries accessing the resource.

Number of Pages

154

Keywords

Shark Bay Prawn Managed Fishery (SBPMF), Shark Bay Scallop Managed Fishery (SBSMF), Shark Bay Blue Swimmer Crab Managed Fishery (SBCMF), commercial fisheries

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries

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