Publication Date

1982

Series Number

Report 56

Publisher

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Western Australia

City

Perth

ISBN

0 7244 9087 6

ISSN

0726-0733

Abstract

An account is given of the biological principles involved in decisions concerning duck-shooting seasons in the south-west of Western Australia.

The conditions for waterfowl which prevailed during 1981 are described through the use of rainfall statistics and data obtained from the Department's wetland monitoring programme.

Rainfall was generally average over central and northern areas of the south-west during 1981. Rainfall in southern areas, however, was generally

below to much-below-average, although south coastal areas from Augusta to Albany received average falls.

Unusually heavy falls were recorded in North Coastal, North Central and Central Coastal Districts in May, and average falls were recorded in all Districts except the South Central in June and August. Falls were generally below average in March, April, July, September and October.

Wetlands in central and northern areas of the south-west showed substantial increases in depth from 1979 and 1980 to 1981. Most also exceeded 1978 levels. Many important waterfowl sites which were dry in November 1980 contained 1.00 metres or more in November '81, and some were more than 2.00 m deep.

Wetlands in southern areas also showed some improvement on levels for the preceding 2-3 years however the increases were generally not as great as those of wetlands further north. Water levels of some gauged wetlands were still lower than those recorded in 1978.

Water levels of gauged wetlands of the south coast from Albany to Esperance were similar to or below those of 1980, All were below 1979 levels, some markedly so.

Summarizing, 1981 saw a substantial (and in some cases, dramatic) improvement in the condition of wetlands in central and northern areas of the south-west to pre-1978 levels; a less substantial but significant improvement in the condition of wetlands in southern areas; and a further, slight deterioration in conditions on the south coast From Albany to Esperance.

As a result of the improved conditions for waterfowl during 1981, a Restricted duck-shooting season was declared for the summer of 1981-82.

Number of Pages

41

Keywords

Duck shooting, Rainfall, Wetlands, Western Australia

Disciplines

Animal Sciences | Environmental Monitoring | Fresh Water Studies | Water Resource Management

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