Commercial fishers to assist with the tagging of herring in Albany region

24/3/97

Commercial fishers on the south coast are playing a direct role in a landmark study of one of the South-West's most popular recreational fish.

Fisheries Minister Monty House said commercial fishers would assist five research and operations staff from the Fisheries Department of WA and Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officers (VFLOs) with the tagging of Australian herring in the Albany region.

The Minister said the collaborative research effort, also involving Murdoch University and the South Australian Research and Development Institute, would aim to unearth further information about the biology of the species and the health of the stock.

"The researchers hope to tag 5000 herring on the lead up to the official opening of the season tomorrow (March 25) and the peak recreational fishing time during easter at House Beach in Bremer Bay," Mr House said.

"A further 5000 herring are hoped to be tagged later this year in the Walpole area.

"This research is being carried out to coincide with migration in an effort to discover more about the species to help make important management decisions."

Commercial herring fishing generates more than $500,000 a year for the State.

The species is also found along the lower west and south coast of Australia, and the west coast of Tasmania.

The researchers hope to map the migratory cycles of the herring along the southern coast of Australia. They also hope to find out more about the growth and life cycle of the species.

This follows a national workshop two years ago into Australian salmon and herring which highlighted a need for dedicated research and data into the prized fish.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell - 481 2044