Customary and recreational fishing pressure: large-bodied fish assemblages in a tropical, intermittent Australian river

摘要: Permanent waterholes in intermittent rivers of northern Australia support a diverse piscifauna and are popular areas for customary recreational fishing. The present preliminary study explored the perception that fishing reduces abundance targeted, large-bodied species become restricted to disconnected during distinct dry season. River sites Fitzroy catchment, Western Australia, could be clearly classified as experiencing either high or low pressure by using metrics human ‘accessibility’. Hephaestus jenkinsi Lates calcarifer, targeted both fishers was highly correlated with accessibility showed negative relationship pressure. Non-target no discernible trend. We estimated 38% river length remains subject relatively These relationships suggest fish harvest can potentially alter structure assemblages habitats. potential impact on sustainability populations is, most likely, greatest non-diadromous will more apparent increasing distance from recolonisation sources. Combining management techniques maintain recruitment traditional fisheries strategies (e.g. bag size limits) presents suitable approach mitigate effects harvesting tropical rivers.