Media Release - Recreational crab fishers from Cockburn Sound required.

The Cockburn Sound Crab Fishery will open this year from 15 December 2009 to 31 March 2010 following a three year closure.

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has recently approved a proposal to undertake a research project exploring innovative management arrangements for the Cockburn Sound Crab Fishery.

The aim of the project is to collect catch and effort data for Blue Swimmer Crabs from the Cockburn Sound Crab Fishery, on a daily basis via an online reporting system. The research requires the participation of at least 30 recreational fishers to supply accurate catch data on a 'per trip' basis.

This research project will only succeed through the support and participation of recreational and professional crab fishermen accessing the Cockburn Sound Fishery.

Your involvement, will not only be greatly appreciated but may also help to prevent further closures and ultimately give stakeholders a greater level of responsibility for monitoring and maintaining sustainable catch levels whilst maintaining the social benefits this unique fishery offers.

Neil Macguffie from OceanWatch Australia will be coordinating the project and working closely with Recfishwest, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), recreational and professional fishermen.

All those willing to participate in the project please contact Neil Macguffie on 9492-8816 or 0401 838 436 or via email at neil@oceanwatch.org.au

Issued by:

Neil Macguffie
Oceanwatch Australia
0401 838 436

6 November 2009

Media Release formatted for printing on A4 paper (131 kilobyte PDF file)




                 



This page prepared on 18 November 2009.