ABSTRACT
During 1973-76, the animals were caught using experimental gillnets of mesh-size ranging 2-9 inches (51-229 mm), in steps of 1 inch (25 mm), and hooks attached to sinking longlines. The animals were captured at 162 sites mainly in BS (126 sites) but also off eastern Tasmania south of latitude 41 o South (20 sites) (grouped with BS samples) and SA (16 sites). During 1986-1987, the animals were caught in experimental gillnets of mesh-size ranging 5-8 inches (127-203 mm), in steps of 1 inch. The animals were captured at 144 sites (60 sites in BS and 84 sites in SA). During 1992-01, the sampling was opportunistic with most animals caught during 1998-01 at 153 fishing sites (91 sites in BS and 62 sites in SA) by gillnets of 6-inch (152 mm) or 6V2-inch (165 mm) mesh-size on board commercial fishing vessels.
