Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Dataset 58
East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
Shifting Baselines: INCOFISH WP2 Data Pages
Please include the following citation when quoting from this Dataset:
CITATION
J.H. Nicholls (ed.), ‘East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries’, in D.J. Starkey & J.H.
Nicholls (comp.) Shifting Baselines: INCOFISH WP2 Data Pages
(www.hull.ac.uk/incofish)
Page 1 of 9
Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
1. Summary
Dataset Title:
East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
Large Marine Ecosystem:
41: East Central Australian Shelf
Subject:
Catch and effort statistics, Skate,
Mackerel, John Dory
Data Provider:
John Nicholls
Maritime Historical Studies Centre
University of Hull
Hull HU1 1HA
UK
email: j.nicholls@hull.ac.uk
Data Editor:
David J Starkey, MHSC, University of Hull
d.j.starkey@hull.ac.uk
Extent:
3007 records
Keywords:
Catch and effort statistics; INCOFISH WP2; trawl
fishery; east central Australia
Citation:
(a) The dataset: please cite as follows: J.H. Nicholls, ‘East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries’,
in D.J. Starkey & J.H. Nicholls (comp.) Shifting Baselines: INCOFISH WP2 Data Pages
(www.hull.ac.uk/incofish)
(b) Supporting documentation: please cite as follows: J.H. Nicholls, ‘INCOFISH Dataset 58:
East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries, Supporting Documentation’, D.J. Starkey & J.H.
Nicholls (comp.) Shifting Baselines: INCOFISH WP2 Data Pages (www.hull.ac.uk/incofish)
Acknowledgement:
Neil Klaer (ex-CSIRO, Tasmania) generously provided much of the information from which
this dataset has been derived.
Page 2 of 9
Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
2. Research Context & Objectives
Based primarily on research data compiled by Neil Klaer (ex-CSIRO, Tasmania), the derived
INCOFISH WP2 Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries has been extracted from three
much larger datasets available from the HMAP (History of Marine Animal Populations) project
website, namely:
HMAP Dataset 1: SE Australian Trawl Fishery I - Fish (various) landings and fishing effort, South East
Australia, 1918-1923 1
HMAP Dataset 2: SE Australian Trawl Fishery II - Fish (various) landings and fishing effort, South
East Australia, 1937-1943 2
HMAP Dataset 3: SE Australian Trawl Fishery III - Fish (various) landings and fishing effort, South
East Australia, 1951-1957 3
These three datasets jointly comprise over 100,000 data records, span at least two Large Marine
Environments (LMEs), and cover three separate time periods, 1918-1923, 1937-1943 and 1951-1957.
Furthermore, these datasets include catch data for twelve different species of fish and shark, with
nearly 40% of the recorded catch species listed as “Unknown”. The following table depicts the species
included in these datasets:
SPECIES
Barracouta
Chinaman leatherjacket
Dory
Jackass morwong
Jewfish
John dory
Kingfish
Latchet
Mackerel
Ocean perch
Ray
Redfish
Shark
Skate
Snapper
Thetis fish
Tiger flathead
Unknown
Scientific_name
AUTHOR
Thyrsites atun
Euphrasen, 1791
Nelusetta ayraudi
Quoy & Gaimard, 1824
Zeidae
Nemadactylus macropterus
Forster, 1801
Argyrosomus hololepidotus
Lacepede, 1801
Zeus faber
Linnaeus, 1758
Seriola lalandi
Valenciennes, 1833
Pterygotrigla polyommata
Richardson, 1839
Trachurus declivis
Jenyns, 1841
Helicolenus percoides
Richardson & Solander, 1842
Elasmobranchii
Centroberyx affinis
Gunther, 1859
Elasmobranchii
Elasmobranchii
Chrysophrys auratus
Forster, 1801
Neosebastes thetidis
Waite, 1899
Platycephalus richardsoni
Castelnau, 1872
Animalia
(SQL Query: Union HMAP Datasets 1, 2, 3)
INCOFISH WP2 Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries is effectively a refined and
streamlined collation of specific species data extracted from the three HMAP datasets. It spans the
three periods and generates a collective, single dataset of relevant data.
N. Klaer ed. ‘South East Australian Trawl Records, 1918-1923’ in M.G Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.) HMAP Data Pages
(www.hull.ac.uk/hmap)
2
N. Klaer ed. ‘South East Australian Trawl Records, 1937-1943’ in M.G Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.) HMAP Data Pages
(www.hull.ac.uk/hmap)
3
N. Klaer ed. ‘South East Australian Trawl Records, 1951-1957’ in M.G Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.) HMAP Data Pages
1
Page 3 of 9
Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
Specifically, INCOFISH WP2 Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries includes the following
species:
SPECIES
John dory
Mackerel
Skate
Scientific_name
AUTHOR
Zeus faber
Trachurus declivis
Elasmobranchii
(SQL Query: INCOFISH WP2 Dataset 58)
These specific species were selected as they are well represented with generally complete catch data
information available, including Effort, Catch Numbers, Gears, and derived CPUE values (Catch per
Unit Effort). The anomalous data that derives from “Unknown” species has been eliminated.
Importantly, INCOFISH WP2 Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries concentrates
specifically on LME 41: East Central Australia Shelf. The three HMAP datasets include data from LME
42: South-east Australia Shelf, LME 41: East Central Australian Shelf and includes data where the
LME is unknown. Once again, the unknown and non-related data has been omitted.
It is important to note that INCOFISH WP2 Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries,
while providing relevant and accurate comparison information relating to the three species included,
does not seek to provide a comprehensive model for the entire LME 41: East Central Australia Shelf.
The original three HMAP datasets provide this level of access if required.
The original three HMAP datasets referenced here have been used to inform a number of analyses,
including:
N.L. Klaer, ‘Steam trawl catches from south-eastern Australia from 1918 to 1957: trends in catch rates
and species composition’ Marine and Freshwater Research, 52(4), 399-410.
Abstract: Haul-by-haul steam trawler catch and effort data for 1918–23, 1937–43 and 1952–57,
which cover a large portion of the history of steam trawling in the Australian South East Fishery, were
examined in detail for the first time. There were 64371 haul records in total. The catch-rate for all
retained catch combined shows a strong decline overall, with a brief recovery during World War II,
probably due to increased retention of previously discarded species. The fishing fleet moved to more
distant fishing grounds and deeper waters as the catch-rate declined. The catch-rates of the main
commercial species followed a similar pattern in a number of regions within the fishery. The catch-rate
of the primary target species – tiger flathead (Neoplatycephalus richardsoni) – dropped considerably
from the early, very high, catch-rates. Chinaman leatherjacket (Nelusetta ayraudi) and latchet
(Pterygotrigla polyommata) – species that were apparently abundant in the early years of the fishery,
virtually disappeared from catches in later years. The appearance of greater catches of jackass
morwong (Nemadactylus macropterus), redfish (Centroberyx affinis) and shark/skate during the war
and afterwards was probably due to increased retention of catches of these species. The
disappearance of certain species from the catch may be due to high fishing pressure alone, or to a
combination of fishing pressure, changes in the shelf habitat possibly caused by the trawl gear, and
environmental fluctuations.
Page 4 of 9
Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
3. Primary Source Material
Data:
N. Klaer ed. ‘South East Australian Trawl Records, 1918-1923’ in M.G Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.)
HMAP Data Pages (www.hull.ac.uk/hmap)
N. Klaer ed. ‘South East Australian Trawl Records, 1937-1943’ in M.G Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.)
HMAP Data Pages (www.hull.ac.uk/hmap)
N. Klaer ed. ‘South East Australian Trawl Records, 1951-1957’ in M.G Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.)
HMAP Data Pages (www.hull.ac.uk/hmap)
Supporting Documentation:
N. Klaer, ‘HMAP Dataset 1: SE Australian Trawl Fishery I, Supporting Documentation’, in M.G
Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.) HMAP Data Pages (www.hull.ac.uk/hmap)
N. Klaer, ‘HMAP Dataset 2: SE Australian Trawl Fishery II, Supporting Documentation’, in M.G
Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.) HMAP Data Pages (www.hull.ac.uk/hmap)
N. Klaer, ‘HMAP Dataset 3: SE Australian Trawl Fishery III, Supporting Documentation’, in M.G
Barnard & J.H Nicholls (comp.) HMAP Data Pages (www.hull.ac.uk/hmap)
Page 5 of 9
Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
4. Metadata: Explanation of Data Fields
The entries below are outlined as per the field headings of INCOFISH Dataset 58. An explanation is
offered for each field in general terms, and also in dataset specific terms.
ID
ID is the unique, consecutive serial numbers for the complete INCOFISH database.
InstitutionCode
InstitutionCode is the name given to the overall project of which this Dataset forms a part
(INCOFISH).
CollectionCode
CollectionCode is the specific INCOFISH project Dataset reference code (used for OBIS
referencing purposes).
DateLastModified
This is the date when the data were last modified.
CASE_STUDY
CASE_STUDY is the location identifying description of the Dataset. In this instance:
Southeast Australia.
DATASET
DATASET is the INCOFISH project unique Dataset reference.
PERIOD
The Historical Period covered.
ID_NUMBERS
This field contains the range of record numbers shown in the ID field.
REFERENCE
REFERENCE refers to the source of records employed in the research.
publication_date
This is the date when the Dataset was published.
Citation
Citation is the field where the formal attribution is shown for users of the INCOFISH Datasets
to cite; it credits the researchers and editors of a Dataset together with its database
compilers. This citation must be quoted whenever records are referenced or employed for any
purpose.
Please quote the relevant citation when using extracts or details from this Dataset:

Page 6 of 9
J.H. Nicholls, ‘East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries’, in D.J. Starkey & J.H. Nicholls
(comp.) Shifting Baselines: INCOFISH WP2 Data Pages (www.hull.ac.uk/incofish)
Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
BasisOfRecord
BasisOfRecord is the abbreviation applied that indicates whether the record is based on
observations (O), living organisms (L), specimens (S), germplasm/seeds (G), photos (P), or
from literature with original basis unknown (D); the INCOFISH value is generally 'O'.
OCEAN_REGION
This field indicates the specific Ocean Region where the Dataset research has been carried
out. If this field shows 'None', then the research reflects activities carried out in non-seaward
locations (e.g. in rivers, weir fishing, etc.). In this Dataset, the South Pacific Ocean region
was researched.
LME
This field indicates the name of the Ecosystem where the record event occurred. To find out
more about LMEs (which are confined to continental shelf regions) browse the Large Marine
Ecosystem site (http://www.edc.uri.edu/lme/) where LME GIS data may be downloaded. In
this Dataset, the East Central Australian Shelf region was researched.
LME_NUMBER
This field indicates the number of the LME that is shown in the previous field. In this Dataset,
the LME number is 41.
GROUND
The GROUND is the fishing ground(s) of dataset.
LATITUDE
The LATITUDE refers to a mean value of the species distribution from surveys and should be
cross referenced with the LONGITUDE field for specific location determination.
LAT_PRECISION
This gives the actual precision of the calculated LATITUDE field. The available options are:

Approx
Approximate position

Estimated
Estimated position

Exact
Exact position

Ground Centre
Notional centre of the relevant fishing ground

Unknown
Position not known
LONGITUDE
The LONGITUDE refers to a mean value of the species distribution from surveys and should
be cross referenced with the LATITUDE field for specific location determination.
LON_PRECISION
This gives the actual precision of the calculated LONGITUDE field. The available options are:

Approx
Approximate position

Estimated
Estimated position

Exact
Exact position

Ground Centre
Notional centre of the relevant fishing ground

Unknown
Position not known
ST_DEP
This refers to the initial depth of the trawl.
EN_DEP
This refers to the final depth of the trawl.
Page 7 of 9
Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
ST_YEAR
This field refers to the start year of the beginning of the sampling.
EN_YEAR
This field refers to the end year of the end of the sampling. Unless the sampling spanned an
extensive period, this value is usually the same as the ST_YEAR field entry.
ST_DATE
This field refers to the date observation commenced (YYMMDD).
EN_DATE
This field refers to the date observation concluded (YYMMDD).
ST_TIME
This refers to start time of the fishing operation in hours (24hr clock).
EN_TIME
This refers to finish time of the fishing operation in hours (24hr clock).
SPECIES
This field indicates the common name of the species under investigation which is linked to the
INCOFISH related FISH BASE database containing detailed information about the species
that were sampled.
… SPECIES FIELDS…
The following fields are included to add detail to the Species data:

ScientificName

ScientificNameAuthor
VESSEL_NAME
The name of the vessel involved in the operation.
HOME_PORT
This is the home port of the fleet employed in the sampling.
NATION
The Nationality of the Fishing operation is indicated here.
OPERATOR
The name of the operator is indicated.
EFFORT
This field shows the EFORT taken by the fishery and is measured according to the number of
trips undertaken. The EFFORT is calculated effort based on the specific Effort_Unit
employed.
EFFORT_UNIT
This is the Unit of Effort employed.
POWER
Where known, the type of effort employed is indicated.
Page 8 of 9
Dataset 58: East Central Australia Trawl Fisheries
METHOD
The METHOD is an indicator of the primary gear used in the fishery; it indicates the means by
which samples were extracted. This is typically the actual method of fishing, such as "Bottom
Trawl".
CATCH_MT
This field shows the retained catch weight in metric tonnes.
ObservedWeight
This field indicates the observed mass of the sample in Kilograms. Where this data is not
available, a value of "unknown" is entered.
CONVERSION_FROM
This field describes the Formula used in conversion from original units to Metric tonnes,
litres, and/or kilograms.
GENDER
This field indicates the Gender of the species in the sample. The values available are shown
as follows:

'M'
male

'F'
female

'U'
unknown

'B'
both male and female

'H'
hermaphrodite
PROCESS
This is a description of the process applied to the original unit.
CPUE
The CPUE field (Catch Per Unit Effort) is expressed as: CATCH_MT / EFFORT (number of
fishing units employed).
NOTES
The NOTES field gives detailed information specific to a particular record. The details are
provided to clarify specific entries and where further explanation is required than is generally
provided in this METADATA file. For complete and academically verifiable explanations, refer
to the published research materials that are indicated in the REFERENCE field.
Enquiries regarding the information contained in this document and the accompanying dataset
should be directed to David J Starkey (d.j.starkey@hull.ac.uk) or John Nicholls (j.nicholls@hull.ac.uk).
Shifting Baselines: INCOFISH WP2 Data Pages
(www.hull.ac.uk/incofish)
Page 9 of 9