Management and Monitoring of Fish Spawning Aggregations in the West Coast Bio-Region

This project is a collaboration between the Department of Fisheries, Murdoch University and Curtin University and the University of WA. It will use the latest sonar and video technologies to study spawning aggregations of fish off the west coast, particularly samson fish, WA dhufish and pink snapper. A growing catch-and-release fishery targets large, deep-water spawning aggregations (gatherings) of samson fish near Perth and this may have implications for sustainable management.

Samson fish aggregations will also be used to examine a range of methods for studying and monitoring aggregations that may be applied to other aggregating species.

Past information has been scarce, largely due to the fact that many aggregations are of short duration and occur in remote and deep locations, making them logistically and economically difficult to study. The high catch rates and large size of fish that may arise from aggregation fishing can also provide false indications about the health of the fishery.

The area west of Rottnest Island where the samson fish aggregate appears to be an important aggregating site for other fish including mulloway, grey-banded cod, trevally and snapper. Little is known about the aggregations of these species, although they are increasingly vulnerable to fishing pressure as recreational fishing effort expands offshore.

A current investigation of the biology of trevally and mulloway in the Perth region by Murdoch University will also be enhanced by additional information about the aggregating characteristics of these species in adjacent oceanic waters.

The project will:

* Identify species that aggregate to spawn within the West Coast Bio-region and to describe (e.g. location, size, timing, nature) the aggregations of key demersal species such as snapper and dhufish.
* Investigate the biology, ecology and fishery for samson fish with emphasis on the sports fishery targeting deep water spawning aggregations west of Rottnest Island.
* Establish methods and protocols for monitoring fish aggregations.
* Review relevant information and provide advice on the impact of aggregation fishing and the management of aggregating fish species in WA (with specific advice for key species within the West Coast Bioregion).

Time: Due for completion 2007

这个项目由渔业部、莫道克大学、科廷大学及西澳大利亚大学合作开展。项目将采用最新的声呐与视频技术，研究西海岸外鱼类的产卵集群现象，尤其聚焦沙姆森鱼、西澳鲂鱼（WA dhufish）及粉红笛鲷。珀斯附近针对沙姆森鱼大型深水产卵集群的钓获放流渔业日益兴起，这可能对可持续管理产生影响。

沙姆森鱼集群还将被用于测试一系列集群研究与监测方法，这些方法或可应用于其他集群物种。

过往相关信息较为匮乏，主要原因在于多数集群持续时间短、分布于偏远深水区域，导致其在后勤与经济层面均难以开展研究。此外，集群捕捞可能产生的高渔获率与大型个体捕获量，也可能对渔业健康状况造成误导性指示。

罗特尼斯岛以西的沙姆森鱼集群区域，似乎也是其他鱼类（包括沙鲈、灰带石斑鱼、鲹鱼及笛鲷）的重要集群地。尽管这些物种因近海休闲渔业活动扩张而日益受到捕捞压力影响，但人们对其集群情况知之甚少。

莫道克大学目前正在珀斯区域开展鲹鱼与沙鲈的生物学研究，而这些物种在邻近海域的集群特征补充信息，将进一步完善该研究。

项目将开展以下工作：
* 识别西海岸生物区内产卵集群的鱼类物种，并描述笛鲷、鲂鱼等关键底层鱼类集群的特征（如位置、规模、时间、性质）；
* 研究沙姆森鱼的生物学、生态学及渔业状况，重点关注罗特尼斯岛以西针对其深水产卵集群的休闲渔业；
* 建立鱼类集群监测的方法与规程；
* 综述相关信息，并就集群捕捞的影响及西澳大利亚州集群鱼类物种的管理提供建议（含西海岸生物区内关键物种的专项建议）。

预计完成时间：2007年