This collaborative project (with the Murdoch Estuarine
Research Group, the Department of Fisheries, GeoCatch, Department of
Water, City of Busselton) aims to determine the movement patterns and spatial
and temporal distribution of the Black Bream and Sea Mullet within the Vasse
Wonnerup system which has been the subject of regular fish kill events.
Using an acoustic tracking approach that the FFGFHU has recently used to
successfully track the movement patterns of large feral goldfish in the Vasse
River, we will tag and track 30 individual Black Bream and 30 Sea Mullet by
engaging the local recreational fishing community in a rod and line capture
event.
The information gathered will be of direct benefit to
environmental and fisheries managers in helping in the development of
strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of future fish kill events such
as more effective operation of the flood gates to facilitate fish passage
during key migratory periods. The study is funded by the Western Australian
Government through a State NRM Office community grant.