During the 1970s and 1990s the area between Dongara and Leeman, supported large numbers of boats and produced very good catches of lobsters. Currently this region is considered un-productive by Western Rock Lobster fishers. This represents a significant change in the distribution of catch within the fishery. Fishers are concerned that this trend of reduced productivity could be impacting the current stock assessment and has the potential to expand throughout the fishery.

This project will provide increased understanding of the extent and processes responsible for the anomalous low lobster catch rates in the centre of the Western Rock Lobster fishery to better enable the prediction of future trends and management adaptation but will be restricted in field sampling to between Dongara (7 mile) and Leeman.