Trawl impacts and biodiversity management in Shark Bay, Western Australia

A study on Shark Bay, Western Australia, reveals that environmental conditions play a more significant role in shaping faunal assemblages than trawl intensity. The research recorded 241 fish and 360 invertebrate species, with the top 20 most abundant species accounting for over 80% of fish and 88% of invertebrates caught. Depletion experiments showed varying catchability among species, suggesting that long-term trawl impacts can be mitigated by restricting trawling to current areas (20–40% of the fishery) and implementing daily vessel monitoring. This approach aims to ensure adherence to spatial and temporal closures for effective biodiversity management.

Kangas, M., & Morrison, S. (2013). Trawl impacts and biodiversity management in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 64(12), 1135–1155. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf12292