Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
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Implications of big, old, fat, fecund, female fish (BOFFFFs) for the reproductive potential of a demersal teleost stock
No full textThe ‘big old fat fecund female fish’ (BOFFFF) hypothesis suggests that larger, older female fish contribute disproportionately more to the reproductive potential of a stock than smaller, younger female fish. As fishing typically differentially removes larger, mature fish, this can negatively impact reproductive potential and impair the recovery of a depleted stock. In this study, the BOFFFF hypothesis was explored quantitatively for the endemic West Australian dhufish (Glaucosoma hebraicum) by estimating the relationships between total length (TL) of females and spawning season duration, spawning frequency and oocyte size. The impacts of these size effects on estimates of reproductive potential of the G. hebraicum stock were also explored using a per-recruit analysis. Larger (900 mm TL), older mature female G. hebraicum were shown to spawn for a longer duration (six versus two months) and on more occasions (155 versus 60 times) than smaller (350 mm TL), younger mature fish, and thus these larger females have higher annual fecundity. Larger, older mature G. hebraicum also spawn, on average, significantly larger oocytes with greater estimated energy content (474.6 diameter and 0.234 J versus 379.9 and 0.140 J). Due to these size effects, reproductive output of G. hebraicum scales hyperallometrically with fish body mass, rather than isometrically. Not accounting for these size effects in per-recruit analysis resulted in higher estimates of stock reproductive potential and thus stock status. Such overestimates, if used to inform management, have the potential to result in harvest rates being set too high which, in turn, could thus affect stock sustainability
Boom, shake the room: Seismic surveys affect behaviour and survival of western rock lobster
No full textSeismic studies are conducted to investigate subterranean structures for, among other things, indications of petroleum and mineral deposits. Within the marine environment, these studies use sub-surface airguns to create powerful sound waves that penetrate the substrate, with their variable reflection time and strength being used to model seabed densities, structure, and composition. There is a growing body of work examining the effects of seismic surveys on marine fauna, primarily marine mammals and to a lesser extent fishes and invertebrates. Recently published studies on the southern rock lobster have shown these intense sound waves can affect lobster physiology and short-term behaviour.
Little is known, however, on how these impacts affect their medium to longer-term survival in the wild and thus the broader stock-level implications. To investigate this, resident western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) within the centre of the western rock lobster fishery were subjected to a commercial application of seismic airguns. Spaghetti-tagged rock lobsters were deployed in cages along the airgun transects in ∼ 5 m (treatment) water depth, with an equal number of tagged lobsters also being deployed 10 km to the north of the seismic survey area in the same habitat and type of cages (control). Lobsters exposed to the airguns displayed short-term changes in behaviour associated with predator avoidance.
In the medium term, although based on an overall low recapture rate (∼18 %), fewer exposed lobsters were recaught by commercial fishers, with this differential recapture rate persisting over the subsequent two years. This study has shown that the seismic survey conducted in this area would have impacted the catch rates and profitability of commercial fishers operating in this region
Long term sustainable use of demersal gillnet and demersal longline in Western Australia’s Temperate Shark Fisheries - Fisheries Research Report 340
No full textThe Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries (TDGDLF) are one of the main commercial shark fisheries in Australia. Most fishers in the TDGDLF use demersal gillnets to target sharks with scalefish taken in smaller amounts. Demersal longlines are also permitted but are not widely used. Demersal gillnets are size selective, but they do not necessarily discriminate among species, catching target and non-target species.
The Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) received funding as part of the Australian Government’s Our Marine Parks Grants Program to undertake research on the TDGDLF. This project was administered under the direction of a steering group consisting of WAFIC, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and the Southern Seafood Producers WA Association (SSPA).
This project addressed key questions (Is electronic monitoring a viable option for monitoring this fishery? Is the transition from gillnets to manual longlines viable? What are the socio-economic characteristics of this fishery?) relating to the use of demersal gillnets and demersal longlines by TDGDLF fishers. There were three parts to this project, (i) a desktop study, (ii) a 55-day field study using onboard observers and cameras mounted on demersal gillnets and demersal longlines, and (iii) a socio-economic survey
Australian cool-season pulse seed-borne virus research: 1. alfalfa and cucumber mosaic viruses and less important viruses
No full textHere, we review the research undertaken since the 1950s in Australia’s grain cropping regions on seed-borne virus diseases of cool-season pulses caused by alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). We present brief background information about the continent’s pulse industry, virus epidemiology, management principles and future threats to virus disease management. We then take a historical approach towards all past investigations with these two seed-borne pulse viruses in the principal cool-season pulse crops grown: chickpea, faba bean, field pea, lentil, narrow-leafed lupin and white lupin. With each pathosystem, the main focus is on its biology, epidemiology and management, placing particular emphasis on describing field and glasshouse experimentation that enabled the development of effective phytosanitary, cultural and host resistance control strategies. Past Australian cool-season pulse investigations with AMV and CMV in the less commonly grown species (vetches, narbon bean, fenugreek, yellow and pearl lupin, grass pea and other Lathyrus species) and those with the five less important seed-borne pulse viruses also found (broad bean stain virus, broad bean true mosaic virus, broad bean wilt virus, cowpea mild mottle virus and peanut mottle virus) are also summarized. The need for future research is emphasized, and recommendations are made regarding what is required
Packaging Panel - Packaging Unwrapped: Thinking outside of the box
No full textJoin us for a dynamic panel discussion on sustainable packaging, featuring esteemed industry leaders Nerida Kelton from the Australian Institute of Packaging and World Packaging Organisation, Jacqui Kay, Agricultural Produce Commission, and Vikas Ahuja from Tetrapak. Facilitated by Meri Fatin from WA Climate Leaders, this session will explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in sustainable packaging practices. Panellist Nerida Kelton, AIP Jacqui Kay, Agricultural Produce Commission, Communications Officer Vikas Ahuja, TetraPak, Sustainability Director Facilitator Meri Fatin, WA Climate Leaders, Conveno
Puerulus settlement forecasting in a harvest strategy evaluation of the rock lobster fishery in South Australia
No full textHarvest strategies are utilised in the management of fishery resources globally. Critical to their success is harvest strategy evaluation, whereby future performance is assessed through projection modelling. Using the observed relationship between a puerulus settlement index and model-estimated recruitment, we evaluated a southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) harvest strategy in South Australia. Short-to-medium puerulus settlement recruitment forecasting was incorporated into future projections of catch, catch per unit effort, and percent unexploited egg production (%UEP) during 2019–2022. Observed values of indicators that closely aligned with projected outputs indicated that puerulus forecasting underpinned reliable evaluation of future fishery performance. A key objective of the harvest strategy was to increase egg production in the fishery, with a 20% unexploited egg production targeted by 2036. The target was reached under the proposed strategy, but was sensitive to recruitment, thereby highlighting the need to consider climate change impacts in forecasting scenarios
Food Waste - An Industry Perspective
No full textJoin us for an eye-opening session led by Matthew Kronborg from Grainstone, as we explore the issue of food waste from an industry perspective
Innovations in Packaging
No full textWhat will the most sustainable food & beverage packages of the future be? Discover some trends towards the the future of packaging with Vikas. What are the roadblocks and how do we get to high recycling rates in Australia
Wheatbelt Development Commission
No full textWheatbelt Development Commission boundaryhttps://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/gis_maps/1051/thumbnail.jp