❓ Hon Brian Ellis questions the Minister for Fisheries regarding the frequency of recreational creel surveys and the impact of infrequent surveys on monitoring fish stocks. The Minister acknowledges the gaps but highlights a 'rolling' survey approach and a new $5 million research program.
AnsweredQoN 5521Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will you confirm that the most recent creel survey was in 2005/06, and the previous creel survey was almost a decade ago in 1996/97?
(2) Will you confirm that your discussion paper states on page 33 that, ‘…a gap of almost 10 years between surveys does not permit changes in recreational fishing to be monitored or assess the impact of recreational fishing on targeted fish stocks?
(3) Will you confirm that your discussion paper states on page 37 that the ten year gap was due to ‘resourcing constraints’ and ‘…this information needs to be collected much more frequently, ideally on an annual basis’?
(2) Will you confirm that your discussion paper states on page 33 that, ‘…a gap of almost 10 years between surveys does not permit changes in recreational fishing to be monitored or assess the impact of recreational fishing on targeted fish stocks?
(3) Will you confirm that your discussion paper states on page 37 that the ten year gap was due to ‘resourcing constraints’ and ‘…this information needs to be collected much more frequently, ideally on an annual basis’?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 October 2007
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries
Response time
33 days
(1)-(3)
Recreational creel surveys are undertaken on a 'rolling' basis in each of the four bioregions of Western Australia. Comprehensive recreational boat ramp creel surveys take 12 months to complete, and a further 6-12 months is required to compile and analyse the data collected and finalise a report. The first comprehensive recreational creel survey was undertaken off the West Coast in 1996/97, and the roll out across other areas is summarised in the table below.
Year
Creel survey conducted
1996-97
West Coast - Augusta to Kalbarri
1998
Leschenault Estuary
1998-99
Swan Canning Estuary
1998-99
Peel - Harvey Estuary
1998-99
Gascoyne
1999-2000
Pilbara
2001-02 ongoing
Shark Bay
2002-03
Cockburn Sound and Geographe Bay crabs
2002-03
South Coast Estuaries
2005-06
West Coast - August to Kalbarri
2006
Abrolhos Islands
While more detailed data on recreational fishing collected through creel surveys is essential to understand trends in recreational fishing catch and effort, this information on its own would not have shown the status of breeding stocks. Similarly, while commercial catch and effort data from the West Coast Demersal Scalefish fishery were extensively analysed, due to changes in fleet dynamics and fishing efficiency a reliable index of stock abundance could not be generated. Uncertainties over the status of stocks are futher compounded in multi species fisheries such as the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery where the recruitment of different species may fluctuate in response to natural environmental factors. The more detailed biological research that has been carried out over the past four years was necessary in order to determine the stock status of key species.
As you are aware I have announced a $5 million reserch program that incorporates both creel surveys and further biological reserch to continue monitoring the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery ove the next four years, to monitor how they respond to the new management measures.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
Recreational creel surveys are undertaken on a 'rolling' basis in each of the four bioregions of Western Australia. Comprehensive recreational boat ramp creel surveys take 12 months to complete, and a further 6-12 months is required to compile and analyse the data collected and finalise a report. The first comprehensive recreational creel survey was undertaken off the West Coast in 1996/97, and the roll out across other areas is summarised in the table below.
Year
Creel survey conducted
1996-97
West Coast - Augusta to Kalbarri
1998
Leschenault Estuary
1998-99
Swan Canning Estuary
1998-99
Peel - Harvey Estuary
1998-99
Gascoyne
1999-2000
Pilbara
2001-02 ongoing
Shark Bay
2002-03
Cockburn Sound and Geographe Bay crabs
2002-03
South Coast Estuaries
2005-06
West Coast - August to Kalbarri
2006
Abrolhos Islands
While more detailed data on recreational fishing collected through creel surveys is essential to understand trends in recreational fishing catch and effort, this information on its own would not have shown the status of breeding stocks. Similarly, while commercial catch and effort data from the West Coast Demersal Scalefish fishery were extensively analysed, due to changes in fleet dynamics and fishing efficiency a reliable index of stock abundance could not be generated. Uncertainties over the status of stocks are futher compounded in multi species fisheries such as the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery where the recruitment of different species may fluctuate in response to natural environmental factors. The more detailed biological research that has been carried out over the past four years was necessary in order to determine the stock status of key species.
As you are aware I have announced a $5 million reserch program that incorporates both creel surveys and further biological reserch to continue monitoring the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery ove the next four years, to monitor how they respond to the new management measures.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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