Catch!
Issue #69 August 2022
Recreational fishing news
West Coast Demersal consultation open
Fishers invited to have their say on West Coast demersal scalefish recovery
WA fishers are invited to have their say on proposed management options to support the recovery of west coast demersal scalefish stocks, including fishing favourites dhufish and pink snapper.
A four-week public consultation, led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), is underway to seek the views of recreational, charter and commercial fishers on proposed management packages to boost the recovery of the demersal scalefish stocks.
DPIRD has considered feedback and preferred management tools from Recfishwest, the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) and Marine Tourism WA, and developed targeted management packages for the recreational, charter and commercial sectors.
Each proposed management package includes options for primary and supporting measures to meet the reduced total catch limits needed to recover demersal stocks by 2030.
Fishers can have their say by visiting https://yoursay.dpird.wa.gov.au/wcdemersal
Consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 16 September.
For the recreational sector, two limited recreational open season proposals are available for consideration:
1. a 94-day recreational fishing season for demersal scalefish, open from 15 December to 15 January and from 20 March to 20 May; or
2. a 123-day recreational fishing season for demersal scalefish, open from 1 April to 31 May and from 15 August to 15 October.
Proposal one allows recreational fishing for demersal scalefish over the popular summer and autumn seasons and proposal two allows fishing over autumn and spring seasons to avoid the peak spawning periods for key demersal species.
These primary measures will be accompanied by a suite of supporting measures developed with each fishing sector, including enhanced spawning protection, measures to reduce the need to release demersal scalefish and post-release mortality, as well as research and education programs to improve understanding of demersal species to support the recovery.
Details on the proposed management changes for the recreational sector, charter sector and commercial sector are available on the YourSay consultation page.
It is vitally important we continue to work together to ensure the recovery of our demersal fish. The recovery measures will have a significant impact on the fisher experience but it is necessary to act now to ensure there will be fish for future.
Management changes are expected to be implemented over the summer of 2022/23, following an extensive educational campaign.
For more information on the consultation process visit www.fish.wa.gov.au/demersal
Email questions about the consultation to wcdemersal@dpird.wa.gov.au
Blue Media Exmouth captures incredible King Reef
You may recall in the last Catch! there was an article on the remarkable transformation of King Reef near Exmouth following the installation of an artificial reef just four years ago.
We would like to acknowledge Blue Media Exmouth for the use of photographs depicting the thriving marine life and apologise for this omission.
Have your say on recreational fishing experiences
Our Statewide recreational fishing survey, which is now open, is a temperature check to gauge recreational fishers thoughts on current and future management of popular finfish species in all regions.
It is important to review our statewide rules periodically to ensure we achieve the right balance between sustainability and quality recreational fishing experiences.
The survey is also an opportunity to address concerns about upcoming arrangements for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion, and how this could impact fishing experiences by increasing fishing activity and the risk of localised depletion outside of the West Coast.
Proposals outlined in the survey designed to protect the quality of recreational fishing for current and future generations to enjoy include: reviewing bag and boat limits for demersal scalefish; the removal of size limits for species with high post release mortality rates; and a closer look at possession limits.
We want to hear your thoughts on management of our highly valued aquatic resources. Go to our consultation site to have your say.
Herring bag limit boost
Following successful recovery of herring stocks, a request for a herring bag limit boost from 12 to 20 fish has been approved by the Minister for Fisheries and will be implemented on 1 October 2022.
This increase shows the importance of scientifically informed fisheries management and of working together to protect and share our fisheries resources for the future.
Australian herring is the most common finfish taken by our State’s recreational fishers on the lower west and south coast and is especially popular with young fishers. Many West Aussies will have fond memories of catching a herring as their first ever fish.
Increasing the daily bag limit from 12 to 20 is great news for fishers and will improve recreational fishing experiences.
The regulation will need to be updated before the new daily bag limit can be taken by recreational fishers, so until then the current bag limit of 12 still applies.
Redclaw reminder
If you are heading to Karijini or Millstream National Parks you’re in for a treat, but we need your help to stop the spread of the invasive redclaw crayfish which is present in the Pilbara.
Originating in the Northern Territory and Queensland, redclaw crayfish are not native to WA and are having a negative impact on the environment. Not only can they outcompete native species for food, but they also damage fragile ecosystems and reduce water quality.
Redclaw continue to spread and have recently been found at popular river campsites east of Marble Bar and Nullagine.
We need to limit their spread to new areas, and the rules state that you cannot be in possession of live redclaw. If you catch one, do not move it to another location, euthanise immediately and do not release back into the water.
You can also help us track the spread by reporting sightings to FishWatch on 1800 815 507 or aquatic.biosecurity@dpird.wa.gov.au
FLUPSY trial shows potential
A trial of advanced aquaculture technology in Albany has shown great potential for the rapidly growing shellfish industry.
The trial, a collaboration between our aquaculture research and development staff and Harvest Road Group in Albany, was to test one of Australia’s first large scale FLoating UPwelling SYstems, known as FLUPSYs.
These floating, sea-based nurseries for shellfish seed allow for high stocking densities of oysters, where oyster seed can grow inside mesh pots. Sea water is pumped through the mesh, so they can feed on food particles and phytoplankton. FLUPSYs offer a sustainable and efficient nursery environment as the oysters consume naturally occurring food.
Our staff provided input and expertise, and both DPIRD and Harvest Road staff learned a great deal from the Albany trial, which will help improve the design and operations in WA.
It was also an opportunity to work with local suppliers and fabricators to create a system designed for Australian conditions and standards.
Eighty Mile Beach pearl survey
Not all researchers wear lab coats - ours wear wetsuits. Our Mollusc Team is back from Eighty Mile Beach on Karajarri Country where they’ve been completing their annual pearling recruitment survey.
From April to July, our scientists team up with the commercial pearling fleet, diving down to 20-35m to collect large pearl oyster shells. Back onboard the boat, we collect and count the small pearl shells called ‘spat’ which piggy-back on the larger shells. This gives us a spat rate per 1000 shells for pearls in the waters off Eighty Mile Beach.
This science allows us to set evidence-based limits on commercial pearl harvest, ensuring this important commercial fishery remains sustainable for years to come.
Along with this recruitment survey, the team also completes commercial length monitoring, population surveys, and environmental monitoring.
To find out more our pearling surveys, check out the WA pearl oyster industry report.
Metro shore-based survey thank you
We would like to thank all the Perth recreational shore fishers who participated in our 9th annual Perth Metro Shore-Based Survey.
The survey wouldn’t be possible without the fishers who generously donate their time, participate in an interview, and allow us to measure kept catch.
Now that the data collection is finished, our scientists will analyse the data and find out what the community has been catching this year. This survey enables us to estimate effort, total catch, and standardised harvest rate for key nearshore species caught by Perth shore-based recreational fishers.
Stay tuned for the results which will be published later this year. If you have any questions about this survey, please email us at research.survey@dpird.wa.gov.au
Earlier this year, we released eight years of results from this survey, so click the link if you want to find out more:
Seabird safety
Seabirds and other animals like a good feed of fish too, and are often attracted to fishing activity, especially from jetties.
No-one wants to lose their gear, or see wildlife entangled in a line or net or hooked unnecessarily. Cover up your bait and be aware of what is around when you cast a line. Dispose of unwanted fishing gear properly or take it home with you – there are fishing line disposal bins at many popular fishing spots.
At-risk seabirds include albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters, and other animals at-risk of injury or entanglement include turtles and marine mammals such as dolphins.
If you do accidentally catch a wild bird or animal, unhook and disentangle it gently, or if you come across injured wildlife, call the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055.
Photo by Natalee Yzerman, Western Australian Seabird Rescue @wasr.org.au (08) 6102 8464.
Trout stocking cycle begins
The team at our Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre have been stripping and sorting last month, collecting eggs and milt (sperm) from the rainbow and brown trout housed at the hatchery – a process called stripping.
They collect “ripe” fish from the tanks, anaesthetise, and gently squeeze their bellies lengthwise toward the tail.
The process is similar for females and males, with eggs collected in separate bowls, before milt is sprayed on the eggs and combined gently. With the addition of water (to activate the sperm), the eggs are fertilised.
These fertilised eggs soon become embryos and are incubated in batches collected on the same day. After about 3-4 weeks the embryos have developed eyes and the good eggs can then be separated from those that have not developed.
We work with Recfishwest on trout stocking and stock enhancement to support regional fishing tourism and to ensure high quality fishing experiences are maintained for the Western Australian community.
Thinking blue
Future marine scientists - have you seen the Western Australian Marine Science Institution's 'Thinking Blue' video series?
The Thinking Blue outreach program allows Year 12 science students to access top scientists in their field of research. The sessions are recorded and made available to other marine science students and teachers across the state.
DPIRD's Dr Nick Caputi recently presented on ocean warming and marine heatwaves.
By studying the effects of marine heatwaves and tracking species populations,
scientists can make recommendations to help stocks recover.
Snippets
Seasonal notes
- Fishing for abalone in Zone 3 (Southern zone) is closed from 15 May to 30 September inclusive.
- Fishing for pink snapper:
- Closed at Northern Bernier Island from 1 June to 31 August inclusive
- Closed at Freycinet Estuary from 15 August to 30 September inclusive
- Closed at Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds from 1 September to 31 January inclusive.
- Fishing for blue swimmer crabs is closed in the Swan and Canning rivers and from there to Minninup Beach from 1 September to 30 November inclusive. This includes all waters, rivers and estuaries in this area, including the Peel-Harvey Estuary and Warnbro Sound. Cockburn Sound is closed to crabbing until further notice.
Compliance blitz
- DPIRD compliance officers uncovered 30 illegal fishing offences during a recent land and water compliance blitz within the Ningaloo Marine Park. Illegal activity included fishing in a sanctuary zone or fish habitat protection area, fishing from a boat without a current licence, spearfishing in a closed area or for prohibited species, using a net without a licence and possessing totally protected Category 1 finfish. There were also two commercial fishing offences detected where demersal scale fish had illegally been used as bait. For a full list of offences and activities read more about Operation Greyby.
Operation Greyby illegal fishing offences captured by drones with optical zoom
- Sea and shore based patrols recently undertook license, catch and fishing gear checks in the South Coast Fisheries. Fish processing factories, retail outlets and transport companies also received visits as part of our monitoring, surveillance and enforcement activities to protect and ensure the sustainable management of fish stocks.
- A fishing rules activity targeting holiday makers returning from the Coral Coast in July revealed a high level of awareness and compliance. In a joint operation with the Department of Biosecurity, Conservation and Attractions and WA Police, compliance officers stopped more than 500 fishing tourists as they returned from areas such as Shark Bay, Carnarvon, Coral bay and Exmouth. No fines were issued. Read more.
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.
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.
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, and if you see or catch any ornamental or unusual fish or pest species please do not return them to the water.
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 can 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
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, like or follow us at Fisheries WA on Facebook and Twitter.
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
