Squid study to lure fishers

Academics researching southern calamari in Cockburn Sound want recreational fishers to get involved in the study.

A collaborative group from Murdoch University, Curtin University and the Department of Fisheries has been formed to investigate this fast-growing, short-lived and highly reproductive species, using funds from the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund, which is supported by Recfishwest and the department.

Peter Coulson, a post-doctoral researcher from Murdoch University, said along with collecting samples themselves, the group is set on getting recreational fishers involved in targeting the calamari.

“The research project is aimed at investigating the biological characteristics (i.e. growth, time and length of spawning) of southern calamari populations in south-western WA,” he said.

“Other research in Australia has demonstrated that the biology of this species is highly flexible and it is likely that the different calamari from the different populations in WA will exhibit different growth rates and spawn during different times of the year and for different lengths of time.

“Getting recreational fishers involved is an important part of the project and I would like to have them involved from the start so that they are involved in the whole process rather than them just getting the results at the end.”

Mr Coulson said recreational fishers also pay for the project through fishing from boat licences.

Cockburn Sound is one of the regions of interest because of its population.

Geographe Bay, Albany and Esperance will also be investigated.

“It is important to understand how a species’ biology varies throughout its distribution and providing sound, local biological data on Western Australian calamari populations, or any other ‘fish’ populations, is crucial if any potential future management plans are drawn up,” Dr Coulson said.

“This project provides recreational fishers with the opportunity to get involved and contribute to the outcomes of the project and to take ownership of a fishing resource.”

Dr Coulson can be contacted by phone on 9360 2695 or by emailing p.coulson@murdoch.edu.au.