Tag: otoliths

Fishing for Science – Pilbara anglers powering research

Pilbara fishers played a hands-on role in fisheries science at two of the region’s biggest comps – the Dampier Classic and Mack 10K in Onslow – through our Fishing for Science program.

The idea is simple but powerful – anglers donate their catches at the weigh station, and our team records vital data and samples. At this year’s events, that meant more than 150 Spanish mackerel provided for research – adding to the 1,000-plus fish sampled across Pilbara tournaments over the past five years.

Why it matters

Working alongside DPIRD scientist Paul Lewis and Fisheries Management Officer Liv Rynvis, we collected otoliths (ear bones), genetic samples, and measurements to reveal fish age, growth, feeding habits and stock structure. This information feeds into DPIRD’s next mackerel assessment, giving researchers a clear picture of Pilbara mackerel stocks by comparing recfishers’ catches with commercial samples.

This knowledge is gold for managing our fisheries – helping track recruitment, maturity and age structure to ensure healthy stocks for the future.

Learn more about our Fishing for Science program here.

Check out the video below to see the kind of work that goes into our Fishing for Science program from the recent MACK10K competition!

Fishing for Science program now flourishing

Ashburton Anglers Secretary Suzanne Wilson said the competitors’ willingness to learn more scientific details about Spanish mackerel is gathering steam each year.

“Each competitor receives a team pack that has scientific details of the fish being caught from the previous year and we now have youngsters and adults easily recognising what fish are male or female, so it’s great to see this keen interest in fishers wanting to learn more,” said Suzanne.

“A few years ago around a quarter of fishers would donate their mackies for sampling at the MACK10K, now it’s more than half of them – fishers are happy to give back to a program that works for a species that provides memorable fishing experiences.”

More than just science

Fishing for Science isn’t only about data – it’s also about community. At both events, we ran kids’ fishing clinics and saw the social and cultural value fishing brings to Pilbara towns was once again joyfully highlighted and celebrated.

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “ What stood out this year was the teamwork – anglers, Recfishwest and DPIRD working shoulder-to-shoulder around the sampling table. It’s a genuine example of community, Government and industry pulling together for the future of WA fishing.

“Tight-knit communities, healthy fish stocks, kids fishing clinics and strong partnerships – these all help make fishing in WA so special. With Woodside Energy’s support, Fishing for Science bridges the gap between anglers and researchers for the benefit of everyone.”

Speedy Spanish mackerel shine for science in Pilbara fishing comps

Everything about Spanish mackerel screams aggression, speed and strength. 

These dynamic pelagics can reach speeds of 50kmh chasing down prey, launch many metres into the air hitting lures and can grow up to 40cm in their first year eventually reaching up to a whopping 50kg! 

This combined with their excellent table quality makes it little wonder these amazing fish are such a popular species and were at the forefront of two recent cracking Pilbara fishing events – Munro’s Mack10k run by the Ashburton Anglers Club and King Bay Game Fishing Club’s Dampier Classic. 

Due to their fast growth rates and predator-evading speed, Spaniards remain a relatively abundant species in WA. 

However, it’s important to keep tabs on mackerel stock numbers as they have declined in other parts of the country, such as in Queensland. 

Subsequently, the Recfishwest Fishing for Science team was at both events working with DPIRD research scientist Paul Lewis and fisheries manager Liv Rynvis, collecting biological samples taken from mackerel caught by competitors. In return, the team offered a fileting service for those providing samples from fish they had caught in the competition.

Recfishwest’s Fishing for Science program, supported by Woodside North West, is a community engagement program that enables local communities to better understand scientifically the fish species that underpin prized fishing experiences.

CHECK OUT OUR MACKEREL FACTSHEET BELOW FOR SOME INTERESTNG NUGGETS ABOUT THESE COOL FISH! 

Ageing ear bones  

One of the key parts of the fish for Recfishwest Senior Operations Officer Sam Russell and Operations Officer Levi De Boni were their earbones or their “otoliths” to give them their scientific name. 

The otoliths when examined under a microscope reveal the age of the fish by displaying growth circles like the rings in a tree. Understanding the age of fish in a population is critical information to ensure they are managed sustainably.  

The otoliths and other parts of the fish were provided to DPIRD fisheries scientists to assist in their ongoing stock assessments of Spanish mackerel in WA.  

Between them, Sam, Levi, Paul and Liv took the otoliths from 93 mackerel kindly donated by participants in both competitions over the course of six days’ fishing.  

Operations Officer Levi De Boni carefully removed the ear bones or “otoliths” as seen in this image from 93 Spanish mackerel across both competitions, which will be analysed to determine the age of each fish donated for sampling to the Fishing for Science team.

If that didn’t keep the pair of them busy enough, they also managed to squeeze in running a couple of kids fishing clinics at each competition, which went down brilliantly with the kids who took part and their grateful mums and dads.  

As Sam reflected, all their efforts were greatly appreciated and welcomed at both events by both clubs. 

“It was an absolute pleasure for Levi and I to participate in these events in our Fishing for Science capacity,” said Sam. “They are such well-run events and clearly are a cornerstone of both Dampier and Onslow’s fishing social calendar.  

“It was so heartening to get such an enthusiastic response for the sampling work we were doing. We had many good and interesting conversations with the guys and some fascinated kids around the filleting table. 

“What really stood out to us was just how much people were interested and cared about the fish they caught – and we just have to give a massive thanks to all who contributed and of course, both Ashburton Anglers and King Bay Game Fishing Club for looking after us so well. We can’t wait to come back next year.”