❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice seeks data on the South West shark fishery, including sustainable catch levels, catch tonnages for commercial and recreational fishers, uses of shark, fisher numbers, and economic value. The response provides data on research, sustainable catch limits for target species, catch statistics, uses, fisher numbers and economic value.
AnsweredQoN 2057Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What research has been carried out to determine the sustainable annual catch of the South West shark fishery?
(2) Has a sustainable annual catch been determined for the various species which combine to make up this fishery and, if so, what is the figure?
(3) For shark caught by commercial fishers, what has been the average tonnage of shark species catch each year for the past 10 years and what has been the tonnage caught for each of the last five years?
(4) For shark caught by recreational fishers, what has been the average tonnage of shark species catch each year for the past 10 years and what has been the tonnage caught for each of the last five years?
(5) What are the common uses for shark that are sold by the commercial fishers in Western Australia?
(6) What is the estimated number of recreational fishers who target shark each year in Western Australia?
(7) How many commercial fishers are licensed to catch shark and how many of these have been actively catching shark over the past five years?
(8) What has been the average annual value of the total tonnage of shark caught by commercial fishers over the last five years?
(2) Has a sustainable annual catch been determined for the various species which combine to make up this fishery and, if so, what is the figure?
(3) For shark caught by commercial fishers, what has been the average tonnage of shark species catch each year for the past 10 years and what has been the tonnage caught for each of the last five years?
(4) For shark caught by recreational fishers, what has been the average tonnage of shark species catch each year for the past 10 years and what has been the tonnage caught for each of the last five years?
(5) What are the common uses for shark that are sold by the commercial fishers in Western Australia?
(6) What is the estimated number of recreational fishers who target shark each year in Western Australia?
(7) How many commercial fishers are licensed to catch shark and how many of these have been actively catching shark over the past five years?
(8) What has been the average annual value of the total tonnage of shark caught by commercial fishers over the last five years?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 October 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Response time
29 days
Development of a DNA Database for the Compliance and Management of Western Australian Sharks (FRDC project 2003/067). Additionally in 2003, a major review of the historical catch and effort data from the shark fishery was undertaken and the procedures used to validate the data for the stock assessment models were revised. (2). Yes, for the target species. Sustainable annual catches are: Dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus : less than 400 tonnes (dependent on a minimal catch of older sharks outside the target fishery). Sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus : less than 367 tonnes, as follows: <250 tonnes per year in the demersal gillnet and demersal longline fisheries. <117 tonnes per year in the northern shark fisheries. Gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 250 tonnes and 350 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. Whiskery shark, Furgaleus macki : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 175 tonnes and 225 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. (3). Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 10 years: 1,763 tonnes. Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 5 years: 1,720 tonnes. (4). The Department does not collect annual recreational catch data but a 1996/97 survey reported recreational fishers on the west coast (which is between 27 degrees south - north of Kalbarri and 155 degrees 30 minutes near Black Point) caught a total of 5,629 sharks (with 2,888 of these subsequently released. A more recent national survey in 2001/2002, undertaken by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, reported the average annual recreational catch of sharks and rays in all of Western Australia as 24,432. (5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(2). Yes, for the target species. Sustainable annual catches are: Dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus : less than 400 tonnes (dependent on a minimal catch of older sharks outside the target fishery). Sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus : less than 367 tonnes, as follows: <250 tonnes per year in the demersal gillnet and demersal longline fisheries. <117 tonnes per year in the northern shark fisheries. Gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 250 tonnes and 350 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. Whiskery shark, Furgaleus macki : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 175 tonnes and 225 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. (3). Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 10 years: 1,763 tonnes. Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 5 years: 1,720 tonnes. (4). The Department does not collect annual recreational catch data but a 1996/97 survey reported recreational fishers on the west coast (which is between 27 degrees south - north of Kalbarri and 155 degrees 30 minutes near Black Point) caught a total of 5,629 sharks (with 2,888 of these subsequently released. A more recent national survey in 2001/2002, undertaken by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, reported the average annual recreational catch of sharks and rays in all of Western Australia as 24,432. (5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
Gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 250 tonnes and 350 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. Whiskery shark, Furgaleus macki : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 175 tonnes and 225 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. (3). Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 10 years: 1,763 tonnes. Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 5 years: 1,720 tonnes. (4). The Department does not collect annual recreational catch data but a 1996/97 survey reported recreational fishers on the west coast (which is between 27 degrees south - north of Kalbarri and 155 degrees 30 minutes near Black Point) caught a total of 5,629 sharks (with 2,888 of these subsequently released. A more recent national survey in 2001/2002, undertaken by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, reported the average annual recreational catch of sharks and rays in all of Western Australia as 24,432. (5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(3). Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 10 years: 1,763 tonnes. Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 5 years: 1,720 tonnes. (4). The Department does not collect annual recreational catch data but a 1996/97 survey reported recreational fishers on the west coast (which is between 27 degrees south - north of Kalbarri and 155 degrees 30 minutes near Black Point) caught a total of 5,629 sharks (with 2,888 of these subsequently released. A more recent national survey in 2001/2002, undertaken by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, reported the average annual recreational catch of sharks and rays in all of Western Australia as 24,432. (5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(2). Yes, for the target species. Sustainable annual catches are: Dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus : less than 400 tonnes (dependent on a minimal catch of older sharks outside the target fishery). Sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus : less than 367 tonnes, as follows: <250 tonnes per year in the demersal gillnet and demersal longline fisheries. <117 tonnes per year in the northern shark fisheries. Gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 250 tonnes and 350 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. Whiskery shark, Furgaleus macki : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 175 tonnes and 225 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. (3). Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 10 years: 1,763 tonnes. Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 5 years: 1,720 tonnes. (4). The Department does not collect annual recreational catch data but a 1996/97 survey reported recreational fishers on the west coast (which is between 27 degrees south - north of Kalbarri and 155 degrees 30 minutes near Black Point) caught a total of 5,629 sharks (with 2,888 of these subsequently released. A more recent national survey in 2001/2002, undertaken by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, reported the average annual recreational catch of sharks and rays in all of Western Australia as 24,432. (5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
Gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 250 tonnes and 350 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. Whiskery shark, Furgaleus macki : following an 8-year period during which catches varied between 175 tonnes and 225 tonnes, all the available evidence indicates that the biomass is increasing. (3). Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 10 years: 1,763 tonnes. Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 5 years: 1,720 tonnes. (4). The Department does not collect annual recreational catch data but a 1996/97 survey reported recreational fishers on the west coast (which is between 27 degrees south - north of Kalbarri and 155 degrees 30 minutes near Black Point) caught a total of 5,629 sharks (with 2,888 of these subsequently released. A more recent national survey in 2001/2002, undertaken by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, reported the average annual recreational catch of sharks and rays in all of Western Australia as 24,432. (5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(3). Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 10 years: 1,763 tonnes. Average annual shark catch (inc. skates and rays) over the last 5 years: 1,720 tonnes. (4). The Department does not collect annual recreational catch data but a 1996/97 survey reported recreational fishers on the west coast (which is between 27 degrees south - north of Kalbarri and 155 degrees 30 minutes near Black Point) caught a total of 5,629 sharks (with 2,888 of these subsequently released. A more recent national survey in 2001/2002, undertaken by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, reported the average annual recreational catch of sharks and rays in all of Western Australia as 24,432. (5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(5). In addition to fins, which are generally exported for use in shark fin soup, the flesh of the shark is generally sold locally into the ‘fish and chips’ markets and to local fish retailers for domestic consumption. A limited amount of shark flesh is also shipped to the eastern states and exported overseas. (6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(6). Although it is known some south coast recreational beach fishers do target gummy sharks, it is not known how many recreational fishers target sharks each year in Western Australia. However, as evidenced by the large proportion of sharks and returned to the water, it is considered that the majority of sharks and related species caught by recreational fishers are taken as incidental by-catch of line fishing targeting other more preferred recreational species. (7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(7). All Western Australian commercial fishers are licensed to catch sharks however, the target fisheries are limited entry. There are currently 83 licences in the Joint Authority Southern and West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline fisheries, of which, 44 were active in 2001/02. There are 14 licences in the northern shark fisheries, of which, 9 were active during 2001/02 but only 5 fished full-time. (8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
(8). The average value of these fisheries over the last 5 years is estimated at $4.7 million.
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