Fisheries WA appreciates all submissions submitted in response to the content of the Issues Paper. The Issues Paper identified some of the important elements of the inshore crab fishery in the state.
INTRODUCTION
Below is a summary of the responses to each section of the Issues Paper, in order of appearance. The nature of these issues is further explained in the following summary of comments.
BIOLOGY
Readers should be aware that of the 1,300 articles submitted to individuals and groups interested in the Blue Swimmer and Sand Crab fishery, only 36 submissions were received. The responses to the preface address issues of resource sharing between the commercial and recreational sectors and recreational fishing in general.
Blue Swimmer Crabs
Sand Crab
FISHERY OVERVIEW
Regulatory Approach
Licensing Arrangements
Boat Length Provisions
Allowable Gear and Gear Restrictions
Cockburn Sound and Warnbro Sound Crab Managed Fisheries
Estuarine and Beach Seine Fisheries
They also propose that Leschenault Estuarine fishermen with a history of crabbing in Geographe Bay have access to an inshore crab fishery in this area, through access criteria similar to those required by licensees in the Cockburn and Warnbro Sound Crab Managed Fisheries to satisfy It is proposed that the 1997 pot allocation to fishermen should continue, bearing in mind that the number of license holders in the fishery will decrease in subsequent years1.
Catch Information
Catch Information - Recreational Sector
Catch Information - Commercial Sector
Distribution of Commercial Catch
Commercial Activities in Cockburn Sound
It is proposed that the catch figures that emerge from the allocation of 100 tejner per licensee, is the result of dedicated effort from less than half of the licensees in Cockburn Sound, and increased effort in this fishery is the result of fishermen using seines rather than nets. . There is also an allegation that Fisheries WA has awarded too many licenses in the Cockburn Sound Crab Managed Fishery and that the accuracy of catch information from the fishery is lacking. The 1997-98 catch is predicted to flatten out the Cockburn Sound Crab Managed Fishery's catch curve, before another catch increase in 1998-99.
Inshore Water Activities
Contributions from the commercial sector address some of the issues in this area from a different angle. The increase in catches from Geographe Bay in recent years is considered to be a response to market demand, with lower catches between 1991 and 1993 reflecting a decrease in demand. It is claimed that if a special fishery is established in Geographe Bay, the reports may be falsified to obtain fishing history in the area.
A percentage of the submissions criticize Fisheries WA for its management of crab fishing in this area. Another submission supports a trial of crab pots in Comet Bay, with pot allocations per licensee matching the pot allocations in the Cockburn Sound Crab Managed Fishery.
Estuarine Fisheries
Respondents advise that the majority of crabs caught in the Swan River are large males and that the length of the crab fishing season is determined by seasonal factors, such as the amount of winter rainfall and subsequent changes in salinity. It is claimed that recreational crabbing in the Peel-Harvey Estuary is more economically valuable to Mandurah than commercial crabbing in the area. Respondents also address the number of licensees in the Leschenault Estuarine Fishery, suggesting that the existence of only a few licensees in the fishery is due to only a small number of fishermen meeting the criteria for entry.
It is inferred that the ability to meet the entry criteria, which were based on fishing history, was a consequence of market trends that existed during the criteria period. There is concern that the ability to take crab in the southern coastal estuary fishery may be removed from licensees in this multi-species fishery.
MARKETS
Domestic Markets
Overseas Markets
RESEARCH
Research in Australia
Research in Western Australia
There is support for the use of pots as a means of improving the quality of crabs destined for live export to overseas markets. Another respondent expressed concern about the likely restrictions that could be placed on commercial fishermen fishing in a research area.
MANAGEMENT ISSUES
The Management Unit
By-catch Issues
- Management Issues and the Use of Drop Nets
- Management Issues and the Use Of Set Nets
- Management Issues and the Use Of Crab Pots
- Management Issues and the Use Of Trawls
Banning the use of set nets would cover both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors. Conversely, there is support for the continuous use of networks established on the basis of se. Recreational crabbing is also addressed, with a submission calling for tighter controls on the design of spoon nets.
Respondents from the recreational sector do not oppose the use of a crab pot as a permitted type of gear. Again, it is proposed that the use of pots be discussed by a working group, with the results of the working group's discussions presented to industry and the public.
Habitat Related Issues
Comments from the recreational sector mainly concern the visibility of the commercial presence and the intensity of the commercial effort. A reduction in the commercial effort will therefore lead to promotion benefits for the recreational sector. A significant portion of the commercial sector submissions address the effects of recreational fishing on crab stocks.
Proposals for the future management of the coastal crab fishery, as presented in submissions attributable to recreational stakeholders. Key issues to be considered in the future management of coastal crab fisheries.
Access, Displacement of Effort and Allocation Between Various Commercial Participants
Displacement of Effort From Other Fisheries
Regarding commercial licensees and their history of inshore crab fishing, licensees of fishing vessels that are unable to demonstrate a history of targeting inshore crabs, or that have an incidental catch of crabs on shore, should be limited to taking crabs on shore. in the future.
Distortion Of Access Within The Commercial Fishery
Allocation between Commercial Participants
The applications mention published entry criteria and an invitation for 'expressions of interest' from persons interested in obtaining a license to fish for crab in the Shark Bay experimental crab fishery. Cockburn Sound Crab Managed Fishery from applying for a license to fish in this new fishery. With respect to the Shark Bay Beach Seine and Mesh Net Fishery permit holders, one respondent expressed the view that the permit holders' access to crab stocks in this fishery should be non-transferable. One respondent comments on the current fishing effort in the Cockburn Sound Crab Fishery and criticizes Fisheries WA for not allowing Cockburn Sound permit holders to fish in ocean waters adjacent to Mandurah.
Commercial fishermen who are licensed to fish with beach seines and haul nets in the bay and who also have a history of crabbing express a desire to continue to exercise their right to crab. It is believed that the maximum number of pots allocated to the shore crab fishery should not be determined until the pots have been tested in the area5.
Allocation and Resource Sharing Between Commercial and Recreational Participants
- Exmouth
- Shark Bay
- Mandurah
- Bunbury
- Geographe Bay
- Swan Canning Estuary
- Warnbro Sound
Size limits and bag limits are also discussed, with a reduction to the leisure boat limit being proposed, i.e. Responses attributable to the recreational sector express concern about the visibility of commercial fishers on the Swan Canning Estuary, noting that commercial fishers are observed during daytime hours. Again, the comment regarding the introduction of measures to reduce the visibility of commercial fishermen was that "out of sight" does not necessarily mean "out of mind".
In contrast, respondents from the commercial sector believe that current management arrangements work well, and attribute the minimal conflict with recreational fishers to the efforts of fishers who stay clear of fishing grounds where their presence might make recreational fishers feel threatened. There is support for the Warnbrosund fishery to be dedicated to recreational fishing when the exclusive commercial license in this fishery ends.
Cost Recovery
The areas nominated generally fell between Wonnerup and Dunsborough;. vii) develop a deep water crab fishery in Geographe Bay;. viii) allow commercial fishermen to use pots that can be set and pulled at night; and (ix) introduce a recreational crab fishing licence. 6 submissions respondents with recreational interests: 4 respondents with commercial interests: 2. Responses attributable to the recreational sector express concern about the visibility of commercial fishermen on the Swan Canning Estuary, and note that commercial fishermen are observed during daylight hours. Leisure respondents reject the introduction of cost recovery arrangements for the leisure sector stating that:. i) recreational fishermen already contribute to the cost of the fishery by injecting funds into the economy and the general payment of taxes and levies;. ii) cost recovery is an efficient and vexatious rationale which cannot be justified on any grounds; and. iii) licensing will require more money to be spent on inspectors and administrative costs which will be covered by fees collected.
The commercial sector is also concerned about the cost recovery measures, particularly in relation to the likely consequences for their industry and their ability to pay for any new management options introduced. It is proposed that both the commercial and recreational sectors share the costs incurred under the cost recovery regime.
Inter Agency Considerations
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
However, other respondents from the recreational sector commenting on this particular section indicate that they do not view further restrictions on recreational crab fishermen favorably.
Management Options
Suggestions for future management of the inshore crab fishery offered in commercial stakeholder submissions. table extends over the next two pages). Many of these comments do not relate to the specific issues raised in the Issues Paper, but are nonetheless relevant. The content of the submissions successfully identified an issue not addressed in the Issues Paper: the implication of boot length policies and the use of jars.
The identification of this issue, and the distinctly different and similar responses to the specific topics addressed in the Issues Paper, demonstrate the value of public consultation in generating new ideas and ways of addressing specific problems and issues. The comments herein will be used as a basis for discussion in the process of developing policy and management arrangements for the future management of blue swimmer and sand crab fisheries in this State.
- O RIGIN OF SUBMISSIONS
- S TAKEHOLDER GROUPS
- K EY ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF INSHORE CRAB FISHING ACTIVITY
- Need for more research
- The use of particular gear types
- Recreational bag limits and boat limits
- Allocation of dedicated areas for recreational crab fishing
- Recreational crab licence
Comments on these issues were categorized according to respondents' status in the fishery ie. The majority of submissions expressly identified the need for more research on coastal crabs in Western Australia. For the purpose of the analysis, this second group of comments was interpreted as implicit support for more research.
Approximately 72% of submissions commented on the use of particular gear types and/or the future of the continued use of particular gear types.
