Publication Date

4-2003

Series Number

140

Publisher

Department of Fisheries

City

Perth, Western Australia

ISBN

1 877098 07 8

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.

Season 1998/99 produced a record catch of 13,000 tonnes following an average catch of about 10,500 tonnes in 1997/98. The record season led to the highest ever catches for A and C zones of 1,970 and 6,870 tonnes respectively. The record catch was landed from 596 vessels, seven fewer than fished in 1997/98. Nominal fishing effort increased 1.4% in 1997/98 to 10.77 million pot lifts and remained relatively steady (0.3% down) during 1998/99. Catch rates improved in 1998/99 when 1.21 kg per pot lift was recorded compared to the 0.97 kg per pot lift the previous season.

Season 1997/98 saw adjustments to the maximum size rule to ensure uniformity over C zone. Of significance in the same season was the repeal of the “7 and 10 rule” which removed any constraint in vessel size associated with pot allocation in the fleet and allowed fishers to choose, on an economic basis, appropriate sized vessels for their fishing operations.

Throughout 1997/98 and 1998/99, Asian economies were depressed, stocks of product bought at high prices were high and consumption patterns were changing leading to decreased demand for Western Australian product in favour of cheaper options. During the initial part of 1998/99, buyers waited for price reductions in the wake of very high catches. However, a very successful domestic promotion by WestFish and the Western Rock Lobster Development Association saw the volume of product on offer to the international markets reduced considerably with a consequent increase in selling prices, and beach prices, achieved.

The stability of the management regime remained and the breeding stock continued to rebuild, so with record catches and the prospect of even larger catches in 1999/2000, the fleet maintained very strong support for the voluntary research log book programme, ensuring a continued very sound basis for research advice to the fishery’s managers.

Number of Pages

54

Keywords

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Panulirus cygnus, fishing practice, catches, fishing effort, mean size, rate of exploitation

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Sustainability

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