Biology and management of a multi-sector blue swimmer crab fishery in a subtropical embayment – Shark Bay, Western Australia

A significant decline in the abundance of all size classes of blue swimmer crabs in Shark Bay, Western Australia, was observed following extreme environmental conditions linked to a strong La Niña event (2010–2011). Despite historical catch and effort data suggesting stability, this unexpected drop raises concerns about fishery sustainability. The study analyzed long-term commercial catch, trap monitoring, and trawl-survey data, revealing conflicting trends—stable legal catch rates but reduced large crab abundance. Preliminary findings suggest spawning stock levels were within historic ranges, but the causes of recruitment failure remain unclear. Management challenges include balancing latent effort (trap sector at 70–80% capacity) with the need for biological indicators to guide sustainable harvest strategies.

Harris, D., Johnston, D., Sporer, E., Kangas, M., Felipe, N., & Caputi, N. (2012). Biology and management of a multi-sector blue swimmer crab fishery in a subtropical embayment – Shark Bay, Western Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 63(11), 1165–1179. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf12038