Management effectiveness

Generating knowledge that informs conservation and fisheries management

Project lead: Timothy Langlois (UWA)

The PMCP fish and shark project research team has generated knowledge on the spatial distribution of fish along with their relationship with habitats. This is informing fisheries management and conservation of the Pilbara region.

The 1896 stereo-BRUV deployments and 1176 stereo-DOV transects conducted by the research team has yielded important abundance and size information for ~550 fish species. Working closely with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Fisheries, the PMCP fish and sharks project is using this data to refine Key Performance Indicators that best assess the condition of fish and shark assemblages.

The research team has also investigated human-induced change by assessing and comparing composition, abundance and size-structure of fishes across gradients in fishing pressure. This included surveys of no-take sanctuary zones at Ningaloo, Muiron Islands and the Montebello Islands.