Fisheries Report No. 37 - An inventory of the marine resources of the Bunbury Marine Area and Geographe Bay

Authors

Michael H. Walker, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Western Australia

Publication Date

1979

Series Number

Fisheries Report no. 37

Publisher

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Western Australia

City

Perth

Abstract

The marine resources of the Geographe Bay/Bunbury marine area were investigated using a variety of fishing gear i.e. set lines, set nets, trawls, ring nets, beach seines, hand lines, trolling lines, traps and light attraction at night. All the ftsh species caught were documented as to breeding state and food habits.

Commercial species encountered as adults during fishing operations were: bronze whaler, whiskery and gummy sharks, Westralian jewfish, Australian herring, skippy, flathead, oriental bonito, blue and sandy sprat, pilchard, mulloway, whiting, yellowtail scad, flounder, and leatherjacket and as juveniles were: skippy, yellowtail scad, tailor, southern sea garfish, pilchard, blue and sandy sprat, whiting, mullet and flathead.

Juveniles both of commercial and non commercial species were abundant in the area and many species were encountered at all sizes throughout their life cycle, suggesting the area to be important in terms of breeding.

Some species were collected in breeding condition. Species assessed to be not fully exploited at present and capable of further exploitation were: oriental bonito, squid, blue mackerel and yellowtail scad.

247 fish species have now been recorded for the area (including W.A. Museum records). Some of these species rare and the fish fauna of the area was considered to be about 211 species. All recorded species were classified according to habitat and depth preferences, behaviour, food habits and interest to man.

Number of Pages

47

Keywords

Marine resources, Bunbury Marine Area, Geographe Bay, Western Australia, Recreational fishing

Disciplines

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

Recommended Citation

Walker, M H. (1979), Fisheries Report No. 37 - An inventory of the marine resources of the Bunbury Marine Area and Geographe Bay. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Western Australia, Perth. Report Fisheries Report no. 37.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/fr_rr/269