Of the eighteen species of Scomberomorus recognized by Collette and Russo (1979), the migratory behavior of only three species S. cavalla (king mackerel), S. maculatus (Spanish mackerel) and S. commerson (the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel) have been studied by tagging programmes. In these instances...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries EcoScience Precinct
Unlike the majority of engineered equipment, the design of fishing gear is tested ultimately in its ability to take or capture live animals which are able to modify their escape responses. For this reason, increases in the efficiency of operation and optimization of hydrodynamic design are not...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries EcoScience Precinct
The fishery for king prawns which occurs between 18°S and 21°S has been investigated over a three year period. The fishery takes place predominantly during winter months. Availability of alternative target stocks as well as recruitment timing is responsible for the fishery's timing.
Annual...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries EcoScience Precinct
Seagrasses are of immense ecological importance in marine ecosystems. Primary production rates for seagrass beds are amongst the highest recorded for marine and terrestrial systems. They have a well documented role as animal habitat, nursery grounds, and as substrate stabilizers.
The proximity of...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries EcoScience Precinct
Based on logbook records the sand crab commercial pot fishery in Moreton Bay is worth in the vicinity of $2 million wholesale annually. Sand crabs are also taken as an incidental by-catch by otter trawlers and in addition Moreton Bay supports a substantial recreational fishery.
Sand crabs are caught...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries EcoScience Precinct
The problem of deterioration of the crab flesh, commonly called 'mushiness', has been widely known, and mostly ignored, for many years. When mushiness occurs, the normally firm and resilient crab muscle loses integrity and becomes soft. A mushy crab is externally indistinguishable from one with firm...
ORGANISATION:
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries EcoScience Precinct