Spatial and temporal distribution of Western King Prawns (penaeus latisulcatus), Brown Tiger Prawns (penaeus esculentus), and Saucer Scallops (amusium balloti) in Shark Bay for fisheries management
Document Type
Report
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Place of Publication
Joondalup, Western Australia
School
School of Engineering
Abstract
The spatial distribution of prawn catch and effort data has been analysed for 2001 to 2005 using as temporal scales year, lunar month and lunar week and detailed maps were constructed. Space time models for the catch rate data for king and tiger prawns and percentage tiger prawn catch have been developed. The models were shown to accurately represent the data and to be suitable for the production of smoothed spatial maps. Limited time prediction is also possible using the models. An evaluation of possible extension of the tiger prawn spawning area and an inclusion of an additional boundary for the extended nursery area has been made. The assessment indicated that flexible closure lines compared to fixed lines provide a better management tool. The spatial relationship of the pre-season saucer scallop abundance with the spatial distribution of the subsequent commercial scallop catch has been investigated in detail using the 1999-2004 pre-season survey data and the catch data from both fleets for 2000-2005. An assessment of the impact of pre-season prawn trawling on the subsequent scallop catch in Shark Bay North has been made. It was found that there is no statistically measurable impact of the pre-season prawn trawling on the scallop catch.
Comments
Mueller, U., Kangas, M., Dickson, J., Denham, A., Caputi, N., Bloom, L., & Sporer, E. (2008). Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Western King Prawns (penaeus latisulcatus), Brown Tiger Prawns (penaeus esculentus), and Saucer Scallops (amusium balloti) in Shark Bay for Fisheries Management. Joondalup, Australia: Edith Cowan University.