Biological characteristics and mortality of western butterfish (Pentapodus vitta), an abundant bycatch species of prawn trawling and recreational fishing in a large subtropical embayment

J.C. Mant; M.J. Moran; S.J. Newman; S.A. Hesp; N.G. Hall; I.C. Potter

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Biological characteristics and mortality of western butterfish (Pentapodus vitta), an abundant bycatch species of prawn trawling and recreational fishing in a large subtropical embayment

Journal article

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Biological characteristics and mortality of western butterfish (Pentapodus vitta), an abundant bycatch species of prawn trawling and recreational fishing in a large subtropical embayment

J.C. Mant, M.J. Moran, S.J. Newman, S.A. Hesp, N.G. Hall and I.C. Potter

Fishery Bulletin, Vol.104(4), pp.512-520

10/2006

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Abstract

The western butterfish (Pentapodus vitta) is numerous in the bycatch of prawn trawling and recreational fishing in Shark Bay, Western Australia. We have thus determined crucial aspects of its biological characteristics and the potential impact of fishing on its abundance within this large subtropical marine embayment. Although both sexes attained a maximum age of 8 years, males grow more rapidly and to a larger size. Maturity is attained at the end of the first year of life and spawning occurs between October and January. The use of a Bayesian approach to combine independent estimates for total mortality, Z, and natural mortality, M, yielded slightly higher point estimates for Z than M. This result indicates that P. vitta is lightly impacted by fishing. It is relevant that, potentially, the individuals can spawn twice before recruitment into the fishery and that 73% of recreationally caught individuals are returned live to the water.

Details

Title: Biological characteristics and mortality of western butterfish (Pentapodus vitta), an abundant bycatch species of prawn trawling and recreational fishing in a large subtropical embayment
Authors/Creators: J.C. Mant (Author/Creator)
M.J. Moran (Author/Creator)
S.J. Newman (Author/Creator)
S.A. Hesp (Author/Creator)
N.G. Hall (Author/Creator)
I.C. Potter (Author/Creator)
Publication Details: Fishery Bulletin, Vol.104(4), pp.512-520
Publisher: US National Marine Fisheries Services
Identifiers: 991005544719907891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research; School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article
Publisher URL: http://fishbull.noaa.gov/index.html

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