The distribution, abundance and population dynamics of beachworms (Onuphidae) in Queensland/N.S.W. and the impact of commercial and recreational fishing.
Australonuphis teres
From: Bennett, I "W.J. Dakin's classic study AUSTRALIAN SEASHORES" published by Angus and Robertson ISBN 0 207 15561 5.
The project is being run by the University of Queensland and is funded by the FRDC. I (Matthew O'Brien) am the Ph.D. student running the project and my supervisor is Dr Donald Fielder.
There are four main aims to the project
- To determine where and why beachworms are located on QLD/N.S.W. surf beaches
- To determine how the various onuphid species that make up the beachworm fishery are distributed relative to each other and in time
- To determine if levels of commercial and recreational fishing effort relate to the yield and sustainability of the fishery
- To make recommendations for the management of the fishery based on an evaluation of catch and effort data and research of the biology of the worms
Some of the results obtained through achieving these aims will be:
- Knowledge of the major beachworm sites on the Queensland coast and why they occur there
- Knowledge of how both commercial and recreational fishing impacts on the Queensland beachworm populations and the regenerative capacity of the stock.
- Knowledge of catch magnitude and significance of recreational and commercial fishing pressures
- Knowledge of reproductive cycles of relevant worm species and how, when and where populations are recruited onto Queensland beaches.
- Development of methodology for estimation of populations and the regenerative capacity of the stock.
For any more information on this project, Email me.
This page was last updated on the 6th June, 2000
This site is maintained by me (Matthew)
