Catch!

Recreational fishing news

Are you a freshwater angler?

Freshwater fishing in Western Australia attracts more than 10,000 licenced anglers and stimulates valuable economic benefits to our regions.

WA’s freshwater fishery makes a substantial contribution to aquaculture, tourism, and the local economy in the South West and north of our State.

We want to hear your thoughts on the freshwater fishery’s contribution to the State economy, particularly in the regions, so we invite all interested anglers to take part in our Recreational Freshwater Fishing Survey.

This survey will help identify:

• The economic value of freshwater ‘put and take’ fisheries in WA 
• The direct value of freshwater angling activities
• The indirect value from tourism and other related industries
• The who, what and where of fishing for trout in the South West or barramundi in the Kimberley
• An angler’s perspective of demographics, fishing effort and satisfaction levels
• How DPIRD can enhance the fish stocking program and provide more opportunities

Survey results will be used to create a report to identify the economic, social and community value of freshwater angling in WA.

This data will also ensure the importance of the fishery is recognised; help optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of our freshwater stocking programs; and ensure a coordinated approach to planning and funding of fish stocking programs in WA.

FishWatch and Crime Stoppers WA join forces

Anyone who spots wrongdoing around WA’s waterways can now provide detailed tip offs including photos and screenshots online to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

By calling out bad fishing behaviour and reporting illegal fishing activities we can ensure WA’s valuable marine resources can be fished responsibly and enjoyed by all for generations to come.

As it has been for nearly 20 years, the FishWatch number (1800 815 507) will remain active 24/7 for those who wish to call in their reports, but you can now log your report via smartphone to Crime Stoppers WA.

Troutfest 2022

Troutfest – the annual celebration of freshwater fishing in WA, was held at Drakesbrook Weir on Saturday 15 October, with more larger yearlings and ex-broodstock trout released and bags of trout fry for the kids to join in the stocking fun.

Staff from our Pemberton Hatchery were joined by our Fisheries Education team at the popular event to provide great information about freshwater fishing in WA.

A selection of the biggest and fastest growing fingerlings is set aside each year and grown out over eight to 12 months in the Pemberton Hatchery so they can be released in the following year as yearlings between 250-300mm in size.

Each year, our freshwater aquaculture research and development team works with Recfishwest’s Freshwater Fish Reference Group to select locations in the South West to ensure high-quality trout fishing destinations, with jumbo ex-broodstock trout also released at various locations.

Trout must be 300mm or larger to be a legal catch for fishers, with a combined daily bag limit of four. Any other freshwater finfish species caught are also counted in the combined limit (except Redfin, where no bag limit applies. It is recommended that they are not returned to the water and are humanely euthanised with dead fish not left on the shore).

...and don’t forget your freshwater fishing licence! 

Seeking comments on ARMA policies

The Aquatic Resources Management Act 2016 (ARMA) will soon replace the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 and Pearling Act 1990.

A draft Allocation Policy and draft Harvest Strategy Policy have been developed to support ARMA and replace the Integrated Fisheries Management Policy and the 2015 Harvest Strategy Policy.

You are invited to comment on the draft Objective Setting and Allocations for Aquatic Resources Under ARMA Policy (Allocation Policy) and draft ARMA-Based Harvest Strategy Policy (Harvest Strategy Policy).

The Allocation Policy addresses allocation of access to aquatic resources. This relates to how the resource is to be shared among users, including assigning priority allocations to customary fishing and public benefit use, and clearly defined, secure allocations for the commercial and recreational sectors.

Harvest strategies are a formal document which support decision making. They set out objectives for a resource, performance indicators, and reference levels to meet those objectives.

Draft policies and instructions, plus how to submit your feedback are available on our website. Submissions close 31 October 2022 

Demersal seasonal closure and next steps

Fishers are reminded the annual seasonal closure for demersal finfish in the West Coast Bioregion started on 15 October.

The closure is part of a recovery plan to safeguard future sustainability of our favourite demersals. While closed, you cannot fish for, take, bring onto land, or be in possession of demersal finfish from a boat or from shore within the West Coast Bioregion.

We are now working on the next steps of the recovery plan, which is to consider the outcomes of the recent West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource and Statewide Recreational fishing consultation, and are currently working with peak sector bodies to finalise management packages to further support recovery of our demersal stocks.

Any management changes required are expected to be implemented over the summer of 2022/23.

Into balloon fishing?

Did you know, that the Environmental Protection (Prohibited Plastics and Balloons) Regulations 2018 state that it is an offence to release a balloon into the air?

This new regulation aims to prevent plastics from entering the environment where they can be ingested by wildlife, break down into microplastics, and pollute our land and waterways.

Although balloon fishing is not illegal, the regulations will apply if the balloon is released either intentionally, by cutting it loose, or otherwise and the balloon tie to the main line breaks.

If you see a potential breach of these regulations or would like further information, contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at plastic-action@dwer.wa.gov.au

WA success at 2022 seafood industry awards

Western Australia had two inductees to the national Hall of Fame at the 2022 Seafood Industry Awards held in Brisbane on 15 September.

Congratulations to Dr George Kailis, who was named Industry Ambassador for Australian seafood and inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dr Kailis was previously honoured at the WA State awards for his leadership and commitment to sustainable fisheries practices.

Brett McCallum was also inducted to the Hall of Fame for his industry involvement over a wide cross-section of areas.

WA seafood industry winners included Women in Seafood Australasia, who took out a national People and Development award; and Shark Bay Prawn Trawler Operators Association, who won the Promotion category with their Australian Wild Prawns project. Reaching more than 9 million Australians, their project helped lift the profile of their role in providing quality, sustainable seafood.

WA’s commercial seafood industry generates a billion dollars for the State’s economy annually and employs about 10,000 through direct and indirect jobs connected with commercial fishing and aquaculture..

Marron stocking takes a leap forward

Work is underway to stock Harvey Dam with 100,000 of the prized freshwater crayfish.

The $140,000 project is funded through the Recreational Fishing COVID Response Project, one of several aimed at improving recreational fishing experiences, particularly in the regions.

Breeding marron from animals captured at Harvey Dam has begun, with restocking expected to start as early as June next year.

As a species, marron suits aquaculture production, and Harvey Dam has ideal conditions for marron – it has permanent water, suitable habitat and food.

Single-cell protein helps feed farmed fish

WA scientists have discovered a way to include bacterial meal converted from waste methane into fish feed for aquaculture.

Researchers at our Fremantle finfish hatchery have found significant potential in using single-cell protein to reduce the use of fishmeal in feeds for farmed yellowtail kingfish.

Single-cell protein is made from a type of bacteria that uses methane as its source of energy.

Around the world every year, approximately 18 million tonnes of wild-caught fish are converted into 5 million tonnes of fishmeal – most of which is used in aquaculture feeds.

This new ingredient will not only provide a valuable use for waste methane gas, it will also improve sustainable use of ocean resources

Getting involved in fisheries education

Did you know that DPIRD runs a fisheries education program for primary and secondary schools?

Our hands-on learning experiences for students from years 1-12 raise awareness of WA’s fantastic marine environment and get our future aquatic users thinking about how we manage its sustainability.

Our programs have been developed to link to the learning areas within the Western Australian Curriculum.

In Perth, we run excursion activities to our Hillarys fisheries research facilities. In the regions, we offer classroom incursions in many areas.

New patrol vessel for the north

A new $11.5 million fisheries patrol vessel will be built to patrol the State’s northern waters. The offshore vessel will replace our ageing Patrol Vessel (PV) Walcott based in Broome.

The new modern patrol vessel will meet the National Standard for Commercial Vessels. It will include a more efficient hull design, low engine emissions, appropriate crew accommodation, improved compliance and research capacity and will be capable of operating over vast distances in challenging conditions,

Our current fleet is utilised across a range of core government roles including compliance patrols, marine park management, shark incident response, marine safety, sea search and rescue, whale disentanglement, and illegal foreign fishing.

The new vessel is proposed to be on the water by the end of 2023-24.

Snippets

Seasonal notes

• West Coast Demersal - season closes 15 October.
• Baldchin Groper Abrolhos Islands - closed 1 November to 31 January inclusive.
• Blue swimmer crabs – all waters – coastal, rivers and estuaries, from the Swan River to Minninup Beach (15km south of Bunbury) are closed to blue swimmer crab fishing from 1 September to 30 November inclusive.
• Pink snapper – Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds are closed to fishing for pink snapper, or being in possession of pink snapper while line fishing from 1 September to 31 January inclusive to allow pink snapper to spawn.

In the courts

• Repeat offender Cam Duy Dao was convicted of abalone offences with fines totalling more than $25,000.
• Illegal marron fishing for two men from North Yunderup and one from Nambeelup has cost them more than $35,000. One offender had removed his number plate and did not stop for fisheries officers. As well as fines of $12,541.50 he forfeited a security bond on his vehicle.
• A Cloverdale man pleaded guilty to the intentional purchase of 44 recreationally caught rock lobster, and was fined almost $30,000. This completes both sides of the case, after guilty pleas were heard in court in June to the illegal sale of rock lobster, using excess pots and interfering with fishing gear, costing a Cooloongup man more than $30,000 in fines and forfeiting his boat and fishing gear.

Heli patrols - Surf Life Saving WA helicopter patrols have begun for the 2022/23 season across the metro area and South West. To find out when and where the helis are flying, visit www.sharksmart.com.au/staying-safe/beach-safety-protection-initiatives

BEN signs - Take note of your nearest BEN sign when heading out on the water. These signs provide important location information in the event of a beach emergency.

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 or report via Crime Stoppers WA. 

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 © State of Western Australia (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), 2022.