The Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery at a glance

The Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery (WDWTF) is located in deep water off Western Australia, from the 200m isobath to the edge of the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ). Its northern most point is the boundary of the AFZ to longitude 114° E and southern most point at the boundary of the AFZ to longitude 115° 08’E. The Ningaloo Marine Park extends into the area of the Fishery and the northern part of the Fishery is also an area of high oil and gas productivity.

Principally a finfish trawl Fishery, species diversity is considerable. Commercial species are taken on the upper (200-700m) and mid-continental slope, but generally not in large quantities. The community structure in the WDWT Fishery ranges from a temperate/sub-tropical fish community in the south, to a more tropical fish community at the northern range of the Fishery. A wide range of species are caught, ranging from tropical snappers on the shelf edge to orange roughy, oreo dories and bugs in the deeper temperate waters.

At a glance
Principal Species	Mixed species
No. of Fishing Permits as at January 2006	11
Estimated catch	2003-2004 = 109.5 tonnes
Estimated value of production	2003-2004 = $A979,600
Main Market	Domestic
Fishing Methods	Demersal fish trawl
State of the Resource	Although biological information on the stock is limited, effort levels are well below those considered to be sustainable for the Fishery. The lack of a formal stock assessment group and limited research funding has constrained stock assessment activities in this Fishery. An Ecological Risk Assessment is currently underway.
OCS Arrangements	There is a current Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OCS) arrangement between the Commonwealth and Western Australia determining relative management jurisdictions. Under the terms of the OCS, AFMA has management responsibility for all marine species taken by trawl in waters deeper than 200 metres, while Fisheries WA has responsibility for species taken with non-trawl methods in these waters (except tunas) and for all trawling in inshore waters. OCS arrangements are currently under review.
Consultation and Communication	The Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery Management Advisory Committee (WESTMAC) is the principal forum where issues relating to the Fishery are discussed.
Historical background	Participation in this Fishery has varied. Since the inception of management, the following vessel numbers have participated in the Fishery : 102 boats had licences endorsed for 1987-1988; 19 for 1988-1989; 10 for 1990-1991; 4 for 1992; 16 Fishing Permits for 1993-1994; 15 Fishing Permits for 1995-1996; and currently there are 11 Fishing Permits. All of the current permit holders have previously met performance fishing criteria to maintain their entitlement. The criteria consisted of performing a minimum number of fishing days in the Fishery. The fishing permits are issued for five years and are fully transferable.

Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery

At a glance