FISHERIES Victoria, on behalf of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, is coordinating southern bluefin tuna recreational fishing surveys across South Australia to help determine key targeted recreational SBT regions and associated effort and catch rate.
As well as providing statistical data on southern bluefin tuna as a targeted species, the surveys will also help to develop a framework and methodology for future state surveys.
The creel clerks will be regionally based and will travel to various locations within their region to undertake the surveys. The survey dates are pre-determined to allow for random sampling, and hence are not scheduled to coincide with weather patterns.
The creel clerks will be mostly operating in pairs, with one clerk working alone on Kangaroo Island. The following regions will be covered under the survey project:
2 clerks based in Streaky Bay (Western Eyre Peninsula)
2 clerks based in Port Lincoln (Lower Eyre Peninsula)
2 clerks based in Marion Bay
1 clerk based on Kangaroo Island
2 clerks based in Victor Harbour (South of Adelaide)
2 clerks based in Cape Jaffa (South East of SA)
Creel clerks will intercept returning anglers at the boat ramps, asking questions relating to equipment used, associated effort and catch rate, and will measure any kept SBT as a priority, and other species if time permits.
The SBT boat ramp surveys commenced at the beginning of January 2014, and will run through until 2 August 2014 (sampling roughly one day per week).
I’m part of the two-man team based in Port Lincoln, and so far the response from recreational anglers back at the ramp has been very cooperative and encouraging. If you meet any of the creel clerks at your local ramp during this period, please be cooperative and provide an honest account of your time on the water.
Jamie Crawford is Fishing World’s SA correspondent.
