Proceedings of the Western Australian Dhufish Workshop 2004
Murdoch University, Western Australia, June 12, 2004

Introduction

The Western Australian Dhufish Workshop 2004 was held on June 12, 2004 at Murdoch University in Western Australia. The Workshop was a Fishcare WA-funded joint project between Recfishwest, the peak body representing recreational fishing interests in Western Australia and the Western Australian Department of Fisheries.

Recfishwest proposed the dhufish workshop following a combination of concerns raised by Recfishwest members, fisheries researchers and managers and many recreational fishers regarding the sustainability of dhufish stocks in Western Australia.

There was a resounding call for people with in-depth knowledge of dhufish, both formal through research and management and practical through many years of targeting dhufish, to collectively discuss what they believe are the risks to this iconic species.

Through information sharing and discussion the workshop presented an opportunity to better understand the fundamental issues that underpin current and future management arrangements for dhufish in Western Australia.

The Workshop was separated into three sessions to examine; the current knowledge base, the issues as seen by those involved in the fishery and future management scenarios as we head toward an integrated approach to fisheries management.

Over one hundred people attended the workshop and were provided the opportunity to discuss their concerns and have meaningful input into potential future management of dhufish through a discussion period at the end of each session.

The first session provided current knowledge of dhufish biology and physiology crucial to the management of dhufish and included presentations from Challenger TAFE and Murdoch University. The current stock assessment and research in progress was presented by the Department of Fisheries.

The second session gave an opportunity for individuals, whose livelihood and or passion has provided them with a unique understanding of dhufish, to provide their personal perspectives. A commercial wetline operator that targets dhufish was sourced through the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council, a metropolitan charter boat operator was found through the Charter Boat Association and the Board of Recfishwest were asked to source an experienced recreational dhufish fisher willing to present his/her views at the workshop.

The point of view presented by the three individual fishers during the issues session of the workshop do not necessarily reflect representative views, but represent the concerns they as individuals have about the future of dhufish in Western Australia.

The final management session provided information regarding historic and current management of the commercial and recreational dhufish take and an opportunity for future management scenarios to be presented. The session included a presentation on the challenges that lay ahead through the Integrated Fishery Management process.

Contents

Section 1 Current Knowledge.

1.1 Biology Of The West Australian Dhufish Glaucosoma Hebraicum, By A. Hesp, I. Potter And N. Hall

1.2 Dhufish Aquaculture By G. Jenkins

1.3 Stock Assessment Of Dhufish (Glaucosoma Herbraicum) By R. Lenanton And J. St John

1.4 Dhufish (Glaucosoma Herbraicum) Research By The Department Of Fisheries By D. Gaughan And J. St John

1.5 Discussion Panel #1

Section 2 The Issues

2.1 Commercial Fisher Perspective By W. Aitchison

2.2 Recreational Fisher Perspective By P. Shinnick

2.3 Charter Operator Perspective By A. Bevan

2.4 Discussion Panel #2

Section 3 Current And Future Management

3.1 Managing The Recreational Catch By A. Cribb

3.2 Managing The Commercial Catch By I. Curnow

3.3 Sustainability And Effective Management- Available Tools By G. Leyland

3.4 Future Management Scenarios For Wa Dhufish By F. Prokop

3.5 Integrated Fisheries Management - Challenges By P. Rogers

3.6 Discussion Panel #3

Concluding Remarks

For the full proceedings, see Proceedings of the Western Australian Dhufish Workshop 2004 (1330 kilobyte PDF file)



This page last updated on 20 May 2007.