Catch!
Issue #67 April/May 2022
Recreational fishing news
Have your say in demersal survey
Fishers are reminded to have your say on measures and management options to boost the recovery of pink snapper and dhufish stocks in the West Coast recreational fishing community consultation survey.
Peak sector body Recfishwest, is seeking an understanding of preferred potential measures, as well as fishers' ideas about how sustainability targets might be achieved.
The Recfishwest survey, which closes on 29 April, is the first phase of a two phase consultation to provide valuable input into the future management of West Coast demersal scalefish. The need for changes to catch limits has recently been highlighted to boost the recovery of stocks, following recent scientific assessments that show recovery has not been fast enough to meet 2030 sustainability targets.
Fishers are encouraged to the complete the survey before it closes at 11.59pm on 29 April 2022.
Salmon heads needed for research
Salmon are on their way, migrating east to west along the south coast to the lower south-west coast to spawn, and we need your help to monitor the stock status.
We are collecting data on the age composition of WA salmon and our researchers are seeking donations of legal-sized fish heads. With these, we can study the otoliths (or ear bones) to age each fish, plus gather more data from the size of the head.
Please cut the head off the fish behind the pectoral fin as shown in the diagram. Put the head into a plastic bag with a tag that states approximately where the salmon was caught and on which date.
We need samples from a range of south-west locations. Check our drop-off location page for outlets accepting salmon heads, or if you are in the south-west, contact Kim on 0419 192 101 for collection.
Sea Sense during salmon run
The salmon run along the State's south and west coasts from early March until late April is relished by Western Australian fishers but carries with it an increased risk of shark encounter, with ocean users reminded to put safety first.
As the salmon herd and feed on baitfish close to shore, the schools of fish can attract large marine predators, including a range of shark species. Swimmers and surfers are reminded to keep clear of large schools of fish and follow the Sea Sense safety advice on SharkSmart.
The safety advice to fishers is to keep the sand between their toes and fish from beaches to avoid the dangers of rock fishing. If people are fishing along the south coast, particularly in areas they are not familiar with, they are strongly encouraged to fish from one of our many pristine beaches.
Recreational fishers are also urged to bleed their catch well away from the water's edge and discard fish waste responsibly, away from swimmers and other water users. Spear fishers should remove all speared fish from the water quickly and should not carry dead or bleeding fish attached to their person.
Swimmers and surfers are also reminded to Switch on their Sea Sense to stay informed of shark activity by downloading the SharkSmart WA app for near real-time information. If you see a shark, report it to Water Police on 9442 8600 or use the quick call link within the app.
Fish Forever campaign launched
WA’s Fish Forever campaign was recently launched by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) to encourage more WA fisheries to become MSC certified, and to elevate their sustainability practices to the highest standard in the world.
Certification opens doors to sustainable seafood markets, protects fishing stocks, safeguards recreational fishing, and keeps seafood on our menus.
Eleven WA fisheries have now received MSC certification.
You can support the ‘Fish Forever’ movement by choosing seafood with the MSC blue fish tick at your local fishmonger or supermarket.
WA celebrates 10 years of commitment to sustainable fisheries
The Marine Stewardship Council also recently honoured the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council with an award for their 10-year commitment to the MSC program.
MSC’s Matt Watson presented the award to Darryl Hockey (WAFIC CEO) and DPIRD’s Dan Gaughan and Heather Brayford.
Rock lobster fishers reminded to remove or modify fishing gear
Following the end of the peak summer fishing season recreational rock lobster fishers are reminded to remove any unfished pots and ensure any gear remaining in the water is compliant.
Any unfished rock lobster pots risk becoming navigational hazards, marine pollution, or a hazard for humpback whales migrating along the Western Australian coast.
During WA’s peak whale migration period from 1 of April to the 31 of October, ropes on rock lobster pots must be hung vertically in the water to reduce the risk of whale entanglement.
Fishers must ensure the top half of the rope is held vertically in the water when fishing with more than 20 metres of rope, including the float rig, and there’s a maximum two floats allowed, regardless of the amount of rope being used for fishing.
Fisheries and Marine Officers from DPIRD will also be checking rock lobster pots and may remove any that do not have legible gear ID or are not compliant with the whale mitigation rules.
If you see ropes or pots without a float do not attempt to remove it but report it to your local Fisheries office or FishWatch on 1800 815 507. In the report, advise the location of the gear, preferably with a GPS location as well as the colour of the rope and, if possible, a description of the pot.
Details about rock lobster fishing rules for the Whale Migration period from April to October (inclusive) are available at: Changes to recreational rock lobster fishing rules.
Check the guide for more information on recreational rock lobster fishing.
New WA-made device added to shark deterrent rebates
Surfers and divers have more choice when selecting a shark deterrent device with rebates now available for three devices.
The new Rpela v2 surf device, manufactured here in Western Australia, works by generating an electromagnetic field around the surfboard to deter sharks.
Independent testing of the new approved device, reviewed by our scientists, found that it reduced the probability of a shark bite from approximately 75 percent down to 25 percent under baited testing conditions.
The State Government offers rebates of $200 under the personal shark deterrent subsidy scheme, which is added at the point of sale by registered retailers.
For the full list of eligible devices and registered retailers visit the SharkSmart website.
People are also encouraged to download the SharkSmart WA app to keep up-to-date with the latest beach safety information and warnings.
More herring available to WA seafood markets
The recovery of Western Australia’s herring stock has been good news for WA, and both the commercial and recreational fishing sectors will work together with DPIRD to develop a future management strategy to guide the sustainable use of the popular finfish species.
With potential for an increased sustainable catch of herring, Recfishwest has undertaken consultation on a possible change to the herring bag limit which was reduced in 2015 to address sustainability concerns with the stock due to a combination of environmental factors and fishing pressures.
While the fishing is underway, the commercial and recreational fishing sectors will join forces with DPIRD in a herring working group to consider future management measures, to ensure the best and most sustainable use of this much loved species.
Nibbles
Seasonal notes
Fishing for pink snapper will close in the Eastern Gulf from 1 May to 31 July inclusive.
Fishing for abalone in Zone 3 (Southern Zone) will close on 15 May to 30 September inclusive.
West Coast crabbing guide – A handy guide is available now with everything you need to know about crabbing for blue swimmer crabs in the West Coast Region. Now available in eight languages, download the guide in your preferred language.
Out and about in full moon – Our research staff have been out checking our puerulus collectors. What are these you ask? Puerulus are the final larval stage of rock lobsters. They settle onto nearshore seagrass and algal reef platforms during the new moon period of each month. Our researchers visit the collectors and count the puerulus that have settled to calculate a monthly average for each location.
Abalone survey – Edith Cowan University’s survey research centre are contacting fishers by phone and email to participate in a survey on roe’s, greenlip and brownlip abalone. Data from this survey helps us ensure the unique abalone survey remains sustainable.
Our new catch care guide contains tips on how to make the most of the catch you keep and how to maximise the chances of survival of fish that need to be returned to the water.
Catch the facts on tailor in WA – Did you know that tailor is the fifth most targeted nearshore species in the Perth metro area? Data from recreational fishers helped generate the results featured in this catch card. Read our factsheet to find out more.
In the courts – Illegally fishing for marron out of season and in WA’s water catchment areas can attract more than $9000 in fines and penalties as a 52-year-old Jarrahdale man recently found out. In other incidents, four men from Perth, the South West and the Coral Coast also received significant penalties for obstructing Fisheries officers.
FishWatch – If you see something that looks a bit fishy, please report it so we can investigate. Anyone who has information on illegal fishing activities is asked to call FishWatch on 1800 815 507. Illegal fishing could include someone netting in the river, exceeding their bag or possession limits, taking undersize fish, fishing in a closed area, having more fishing gear in the water than they should, or selling or attempting to sell recreationally caught fish. Before you call, make a note of as much detail as possible, such as who, what, when, where and how, including registration numbers. All reports are confidential and many reports made to FishWatch result in successful apprehensions.
Rock fishing safety – Keep the sand between your toes and stay off the rocks – but if you do choose to fish from the rocks, fish with a buddy, always let people know where you are going, and make sure you wear a type 1 life jacket, rock boots and follow the rock fishing safety tips on @Recfishwest's fish and survive website.
Be SharkSmart – Help inform others by switching on your Sea Sense and reporting shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600 or download the SharkSmart WA app for near real time updates of the latest reported sightings.
Help keep our waterways pest free – You can help us protect WA’s aquatic environment by emailing Aquatic.Biosecurity@dpird.wa.gov.au, or calling FishWatch on 1800 815 507 if you see or catch any ornamental or unusual fish or pest species and please, do not return them to the water.
Find us on Social Media – We regularly share information about fishing rules, safety and aquatic biosecurity through social media, as well as information of interest to recfishers. Check us out at Fisheries WA on Facebook and Twitter. Like or follow us to keep us in your news feed.
Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.
Copyright © Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 2022
