Publication Date

8-2004

Series Number

145

Publisher

Department of Fisheries

City

Perth, Western Australia

ISBN

1 877098 29 9

ISSN

1035 - 4549

Abstract

Season 1999/2000 produced the highest catch in the history of the fishery of 14,500 tonnes following a high catch of about 13,000 tonnes in 1998/1999. The record season led to the highest ever catch in B & C zones of 4,500 and 8,300 tonnes respectively. The Abrolhos Islands fishery produced a catch of 1,800 tonnes, somewhat down on the previous seasons catch of 2,000 tonnes. The record catch was taken by a total of 594 vessels. Nominal fishing effort in 1999/2000 was 10,724 million pot lifts, slightly down on the previous season, which was 10,745 million pot lifts. The 2000/2001 catch fell to 11,300 million kgs, with a corresponding drop in nominal effort to 10,487 pot lifts.

Commencing in 2000/2001 the Licence Creation and Retirement initiative was introduced. This initiative allowed for a licence holder to vary the pot entitlement associated with the managed fishery licence (MFL) to below the required minimum of 63 pots (to not less than 1 pot) and having done so the MFL and associated fishing boat licence (FBL) would be considered inactive. Alternatively the initiative allowed a “fit and proper person” to accumulate the minimum number of pots from a single zone, and if holding a valid FBL, apply for a new Western Rock Lobster Managed Fishery Licence and enter the fishery in the zone where the pots originated.

In both seasons the price remained stable at an average of around $27 per kg. This was due principally to favourable exchange rates and resulted in the value of the landed catch (ex-vessel) being $392 million in 1999/2000 and $302 million in 2000/2001.

Investment in vessels was substantial in these two seasons resulting from the earlier removal of the 6 year boat replacement rule and the “7 & 10” rule (restriction on number of pots required for given length of vessel) and economic success. A total of 55 new vessels replaced existing vessels in the two seasons.

Egg production still remained high overall, being stable in C zone, however, the level of egg production in the northern coastal fishery started to decline, but was still well above 1992/1993 levels.

Number of Pages

60

Keywords

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Panulirus cygnus, minimum size regulations, egg production, Commercial Fisheries Production Bulletins

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Environmental Monitoring | Environmental Sciences | Natural Resources Management and Policy

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