Recreational fishing news

Demersal stock assessment released

The 2021 stock assessment for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) is now available.

This resource is halfway through a 20-year recovery plan following a period of overfishing in the 1990s and 2000s. The recovery plan focusses on managing each sector’s catches below catch limits and protecting key spawning aggregations to recover the WCDSR by 2030. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) undertakes periodic scientific stock assessments to monitor this recovery. These include measuring catches and catch rate trends over time, as well as sampling fish to gain important biological information such as age.

The 2021 stock assessment is an important ‘health check’ at the halfway point in the recovery plan. The science shows that, while management arrangements have been successful at preventing further stock decline, adjustments to current management arrangements are required to ensure adequate recovery of the WCDSR, including dhufish and pink snapper. Although a few good years of recruitment has enhanced population replenishment, not enough fish from these years are surviving long enough to reproduce and contribute to future stock recovery. This means that not enough older dhufish and pink snapper are present in the population, making it unlikely to recover by 2030.

Further management action is now required to get the recovery back on track.

A stakeholder-based reference group, with membership from DPIRD, Recfishwest and the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), are reviewing the 2021 stock assessment against the Harvest Strategy to determine an appropriate management response for further consultation and consideration by Government.

For more information, read the media release, the Fisheries science update or comprehensive FAQ.

Keen on crabbing?

Crabbing survey

Do you fish for blue swimmer crabs in the Peel Harvey? We want to hear from you!

The University of WA is working with blue swimmer management bodies in both Western and South Australia to learn what people think about education and enforcement rules that govern recreational blue swimmer crab fishing in the Peel Harvey and SA recreational fisheries.

Here’s your chance to have your say with our survey  It should only take 15 minutes and is completely voluntary.

Your views will be used to inform fishery managers, peak bodies and academics about ways that the fishery rules might be optimised in the future. This survey is made possible by Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) funding on behalf of the Australian Government.

Alexandrium caution advice

The Swan River to Bunbury crab fishery opened on 1 December - BUT - when you head out to catch a feed, crab fishers are reminded to remove the head, guts (mustard) and gills from crabs caught in the Swan and Canning rivers before freezing, cooking or eating, and not to eat mussels at all.

This caution is due to the toxic algae Alexandrium. Its blooms have occurred in these rivers in recent years and have the potential to reoccur as algal cysts exist in the sediment. Alexandrium can produce a type of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin which bioaccumulates in crustaceans and mussels and for this reason, it is important to take note of any caution signage along the rivers and be aware of health warnings about Alexandrium. Consumption of affected crabs may be dangerous, and in extreme cases can be fatal.

For a step by step guide on how to properly clean your blue swimmer crabs, visit our alerts page. Watch the video, download the flyer or read the FAQs, so you can be prepared for a clean feed of blue swimmers this season.

Please also get to know the rules, including bag and size limits. 

West Coast Zone Abalone sessions 2021/22

The 2021/22 West Coast Zone (WCZ) abalone fishing sessions are scheduled between 7.00 am and 8.00 am on:

• Saturday 11 December 2021
• Saturday 8 January 2022
• Saturday 5 February 2022
• Saturday 19 February 2022

The total allowable WCZ recreational catch range is between 25 and 29 tonnes for the 2021/22 season.

If a fishing session is cancelled, a replacement session may be added to the end of the season if catches will not exceed the total allowable recreational catch. This session is scheduled for 12 March 2022.

Check the rules in the Abalone recreational fishing guide or the online fishing rules website.

Focus on rock lobster

Update to pot rope rules

Lobster pot rope requirements will now be consistent for all fishers, with the weighted rope, required under whale mitigation rules, now no longer mandatory during the peak recreational rock lobster fishing months from November to March.

The new arrangement will align with whale migration patterns and measures that apply to commercial rock lobster fishers.

A joint review between DPIRD and Recfishwest, with the help of Recfishwest’s rock lobster reference group, resulted in finding a balance that will continue to protect the whales during their peak migration periods; simplify fishing rules during the popular fishing months; and reduce the amount of lost fishing gear.

The Rock lobster recreational fishing guide has been updated to reflect these changes.

Look out for our survey team

The seventh annual on-site survey of recreational fishing for Western rock lobster is underway. Our research staff will be interviewing recreational fishers at Perth metropolitan boat ramps from November to January to collect information about their fishing trip, method (potting or diving) and trip duration. They will also measure and weigh the retained catch.

These interviews allow us to obtain an annual index of average weight, used to convert estimates of catch-by-number from off-site telephone interviews to catch-by-weight. This survey is funded by the approximately 55,000 Rock Lobster Licences issued in 2020/21.

If its not your pot, don't pull it

Before you go out to catch a feed of lobster, please remember to check the rules - there are severe penalties for those who get caught doing the wrong thing.

This includes taking undersized rock lobster; having more than your possession limit; selling recreationally caught rock lobsters or interfering with another person’s gear or catch. 

Essentially, if it’s not your pot, don’t touch it. Penalties apply for removing fishing gear from the water that does not belong to you regardless of its condition, or if it is a navigational hazard. Mark the co-ordinates if possible and report the issue to FishWatch on 1800 815 507 or your local DPIRD office directly.

Back of boat sales increase

To support WA’s rock lobster fishery, commercial fishers will be permitted to sell up to 200 ‘back of boat’ lobsters per landing and 400 per landing during the month of December.

Increasing the number of back of boat sales enables fishers to continue to supply the local community with fresh WA lobsters over the festive season.

This increase builds on the initial proposal from @Western Rock Lobster in response to the impact of COVID-19 and now looks to develop new local supply chain opportunities.

For more information about back of boat sales, read our media release. 

Know your zones

DPIRD fisheries officers and Parks and Wildlife Service WA marine park rangers (authorised as fisheries officers) have been conducting patrols of the Sanctuary Zones in the Ngari Capes Marine Park. 

In the last 12 months, at least 30 fishers have been intercepted fishing within the sanctuary zones. 

Recently, a South west fisherman was found with demersal scale fish on his boat inside the Cape Naturaliste Sanctuary Zone. This incurred an infringement fine of $400 for fishing in the Sanctuary Zone, plus a $400 fine for possession of demersal scale fish during the fishery closure. Another fisher was caught out fishing for abalone in the Eagle Bay sanctuary and will also cop a $400 fine.

Sanctuary Zones provide the highest level of protection for marine animals, habitats and biodiversity. These zones are ‘look but don’t take’ areas and are the only zone where all types of fishing and collecting are prohibited.

If you have any information about suspected illegal fishing activity, please call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 and let us know. Calls to FishWatch are treated confidentially.

Trout tagging

A research program to test the effectiveness of releasing fish of different sizes is underway in the South west.

Tagged rainbow trout have been released in Harvey Dam and anglers are being asked to record tagged fish to help our researchers determine whether releasing bigger yearlings improves their ‘catchability’ for anglers. Tag recapture projects such as this provide information about where and how fast fish move, and how fast they grow.

Two sizes or yearling rainbow trout, grown at our Pemberton hatchery, were tagged and released into the dam in October.

Anglers are integral to this research, so you catch a tagged fish in Harvey Dam, you can help by taking photos of the fish lying flat on a measuring board or brag mat; and the tag number, then texting the photos to the mobile number on the tag.

If you release the fish, please do not remove the tag, it may be recaptured and we can learn more about the growth of the fish. You will be contacted after you have submitted the photos to the ‘tag phone’ and all tag returns will receive a small gift and be eligible for a quarterly prize.

Check our media release for more information

BEN sign reminder

Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) signs play an important safety role along our vast coastline – they help to pinpoint specific locations to make it easier for emergency services to find you if needed.

When you head down to the beach to fish, surf, swim or just relax on the sand, take note of the number of any BEN signs in the area (or take a photo), so if you see a beach emergency, or spot a shark, you can quote the number.

BEN sign locations are also found in the SharkSmart WA app, a comprehensive source of information about beaches, weather conditions and shark activity. Switch on your Sea Sense and download the app free from the App Store or Google Play.

New jetty for Broome

Broome’s new fishing jetty at the Town Beach is now open to the public. Built on the site of the former jetty, the new 112 metre jetty completes the Town Beach precinct redevelopment and is set to be a favourite spot to swim or drop in a line for both locals and visitors.

Sending a SUYS thank you

Thanks to all the fishers who have donated fish to our Send us your skeletons program!

In the lead up to the demersal closure, our research staff were busy extracting otoliths, or ‘ear bones’, from fish at Perth metropolitan boat ramps. Inside an otolith are growth rings, which are used to determine the age of a fish. This data helps our scientists detect changes in the age structure of a population.

So far this year, 300 Snapper otoliths have been collected from the Perth metro area, which is a great result as it’s much higher than in previous years. Until January 2022 we will be focusing on collecting Western Australian dhufish, after fishing for demersals reopens in the West Coast Bioregion on 15 December.

If you’re interested in donating your catch and contributing to science, have a chat with our researchers down at your local boat ramp, or visit our website  to see where your nearest drop-off point is. Everyone who donates goes into the draw for great quarterly prizes, courtesy of Recfishwest.

Check out the key results from this year’s Perth Metro Shore-Based Survey!

This year, our researchers interviewed 1,447 recreational shore fishers and measured 1,041 fish along 60km of the Perth metropolitan coast. This survey provides data on fishing effort and catch for key nearshore species, helping us make science-based management decisions.

For more information on this survey, email us at research.survey@dpird.wa.gov.au

Nibbles

Seasonal notes

• Fishing for blue swimmer crabs in all coastal waters, rivers and estuaries from the Swan River down to Minninup Beach opened on 1 December.
• Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds is closed to pink snapper fishing until 31 January.
• Abrolhos Islands Baldchin groper fishing closed on 1 November until 31 January (inclusive).

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 of any vehicles. All reports are confidential, and many reports made to FishWatch result in successful apprehensions.

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 or 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 Facebook

We regularly share information about fishing rules, safety and aquatic biosecurity through our Facebook page, as well as information of interest to recfishers. Check us out at Fisheries WA and give us a ‘like’ 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, 2021