Fishing for Roe’s abalone along the Perth coastline will commence this Sunday, November 1, for a one hour fishing period between 7am and 8 am.
Thousands of recreational fishers are expected to take the opportunity of searching for the popular shellfish on the reef platforms at the best spots in the West Coast Zone, which not only includes the metropolitan coast but other abalone fishing areas between Moore River and Busselton Jetty.
Abalone fishing access only occurs on the first Sunday of each month, November to March, but as previously advised, a rolling assessment of the recreational abalone fishing will occur to ensure the season target of 20 tonnes is not breached.
Department of Fisheries research scientist Dr Anthony Hart said Roe’s abalone stocks have been in decline in recent years, primarily as a result of environmental factors affecting growth and the recruitment of juvenile abalone and caution was required in managing the fishery.
“The department relies on fishers sticking to the rules and fishing responsibly to help ensure a sustainable fishery,” Dr Hart said. “Should the in-season monitoring indicate elevated risks, this season may need to be shortened to protect remaining abalone stocks.
“At this stage, we are hoping people will be able to fish on each of the planned five fishing days, provided the catches are tracking well against the overall recreational catch target of 20 tonnes of Roe’s abalone across the West Coast Zone.”
Principal Management Officer for the South West Bioregion Martin Holtz said both the commercial and recreational sectors had taken responsible steps to reduce catch levels and the Department of Fisheries had been working closely with them to ensure the abalone fishery could be maintained for this season and many years to come.”
“The department, in consultation with Recfishwest, will be assessing recreational fishery catches and the abalone stock during the season to see if further action needs to be taken,” Mr Holtz said.
“Fisheries and Marine Officers will patrol abalone fishing spots, to ensure fishers are licensed and aware of the rules and researchers and volunteers will be assessing the impact of the fishing effort that occurs between 7am and 8am on the allotted fishing days.
“Fishers should consider their safety at all times, only take abalone for themselves and not for others and make sure abalone are of legal size before removing them from the reef.”
Information on zones, rules and season times for abalone fishing in WA are outlined in the latest Recreational fishing for abalone guide 2015/16, which is available online at www.fish.wa.gov.au or from departmental offices, or Information Outlets.