The Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research

THE Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research undertakes high quality research, which yields data that are essential for the effective management of many of Western Australia’s fisheries. Since the beginning of 2000, the Centre has attracted funding of over $3.5 million for a wide range of research projects.

Current projects include studies on:

• population biology including validation of ageing techniques, together with growth and reproductive studies of commercially and recreationally important fish and crustacean species
• fish communities and the relationships between fish and their habitat through the different stages of their life history
• stock identification, involving the use of genetic techniques to identify the different stocks for selected species
• fish health
• interactions between seabirds and fish
• population and ecosystem dynamics, involving the use of complex dynamic models
• socio-economics of fisheries
• larval fish biology.

Researchers advise resource managers and the community on the crucial aspects of the fish species that are required for developing integrated management plans to ensure the sustainability of the species.

Headed by Professor Ian Potter and based in the Division of Science and Engineering, the Centre collaborates with scientists in Marine Science, Conservation Biology and Veterinary Science. It has collaborative links with all major water research organisations in Western Australia and with many universities around the world.