Public help needed for Fisheries research in the Gascoyne

Department of Fisheries researchers will visit the Gascoyne regularly over the next twelve months to do surveys and take biological samples from two key species, spangled emperor and Spanish mackerel.

Spangled emperor is one of the most frequently caught fish in the region and the research will help assess the sustainability of the stock and how fish resources should be shared among user groups, including recreational and commercial fishers. Spanish mackerel is also a popular catch in the Gascoyne.

Integrated Fisheries Management (IFM) involves gathering information from all fishing sectors about the current status of fish stocks in order to determine, through consultation, how a fish population can be fished in a sustainable way. Department of Fisheries researcher Neil Sumner said he would be doing surveys at boat ramps, campsites and popular shore fishing locations along the Ningaloo Coast from March 2 to March 7, talking to fishers about their catches.

“The Recreational Fishing Survey also presents an opportunity for researchers at filleting areas to ask anglers for donations of spangled emperor and Spanish mackerel carcasses from which data and biological samples can be collected,” Mr Sumner said.

“Needless to say, the success of our research will be dependent on the cooperation and support we get from fishers.” Finfish biologist Dr Ross Marriott will be doing a six-day roving survey between Carnarvon and
Exmouth, from April 11 to April 16, collecting more fish frame samples.

“We examine the samples in our Fisheries laboratories to estimate the age, sex and to assess the reproductive maturity and condition of each specimen,” Dr Marriot said.

“This is important research, that will give us valuable data, so we are hoping the recreational fishers between Shark Bay and Exmouth will get behind us and support it.

“The data we collect will help us establish sustainable harvest levels and understand the effects of recreational fishing on this important part of WA’s coast.

“Our research is also designed to fill gaps in our knowledge about the biology of each species and give us more information about the population structure of the fished stock.”