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Minister limits recreational lobster take to six
Date: Thursday, 30 October 2008
Fisheries Minister Norman Moore today outlined details of plans to limit the recreational fishing take of western rock lobsters.
Mr Moore’s plans for the recreational fishing sector follows his announcement of tough restrictions on commercial fishers for the next two years, to address the worrying decline in juvenile lobster stocks.
The Minister said that in addition to the 15 per cent reduction in commercial lobster fishing pots for the 2008-09 season and a further 15 per cent pot reduction in 2009-10, he would also impose new restrictions on recreational lobster fishing.
“Taking effect from December 1, or as close as administratively possible, the daily bag limit for lobsters taken by each recreational fisher will be reduced from eight to six," he said.
“There will be a similar reduction in the catch limit per boat from 16 lobsters to 12 and we will impose a ban on the use of power winches on recreational boats to prevent the lifting of commercial pots.”
Mr Moore said he would also place a personal possession limit of 24 lobsters per licence holder. This will replace the existing ‘unrestricted’ number of lobsters allowed per licence holder - subject to daily bag and boat limits - and will apply State-wide.
“This restriction will target hoarding and profiteering and help protect vulnerable lobster stocks,” he said.
“Starting next year, we will delay the current November 15 start of the recreational rock lobster season in zone C (which extends from Jurien Bay to Augusta and is where 80 per cent of recreational lobster fishing occurs) to coincide with the November 25 start of the commercial lobster fishing season.
“The commercial sector is experiencing some considerable financial pain in order to protect our valuable rock lobster fishery.
“I believe it entirely appropriate that recreational fishers shoulder their share of the burden to ensure the long-term, sustainable management and protection of this resource.”
The Minister’s plan to better manage the lobster fishery follows the release of last week’s monthly puerulus (young lobsters) figures which were virtually nil.
“This follows five years of declining puerulus counts and is obviously a matter of serious concern as it means the annual catch of around 11,000 tonnes of western rock lobster is under pressure,” he said.
Minister's Office - 9422 3000
Mr Moore’s plans for the recreational fishing sector follows his announcement of tough restrictions on commercial fishers for the next two years, to address the worrying decline in juvenile lobster stocks.
The Minister said that in addition to the 15 per cent reduction in commercial lobster fishing pots for the 2008-09 season and a further 15 per cent pot reduction in 2009-10, he would also impose new restrictions on recreational lobster fishing.
“Taking effect from December 1, or as close as administratively possible, the daily bag limit for lobsters taken by each recreational fisher will be reduced from eight to six," he said.
“There will be a similar reduction in the catch limit per boat from 16 lobsters to 12 and we will impose a ban on the use of power winches on recreational boats to prevent the lifting of commercial pots.”
Mr Moore said he would also place a personal possession limit of 24 lobsters per licence holder. This will replace the existing ‘unrestricted’ number of lobsters allowed per licence holder - subject to daily bag and boat limits - and will apply State-wide.
“This restriction will target hoarding and profiteering and help protect vulnerable lobster stocks,” he said.
“Starting next year, we will delay the current November 15 start of the recreational rock lobster season in zone C (which extends from Jurien Bay to Augusta and is where 80 per cent of recreational lobster fishing occurs) to coincide with the November 25 start of the commercial lobster fishing season.
“The commercial sector is experiencing some considerable financial pain in order to protect our valuable rock lobster fishery.
“I believe it entirely appropriate that recreational fishers shoulder their share of the burden to ensure the long-term, sustainable management and protection of this resource.”
The Minister’s plan to better manage the lobster fishery follows the release of last week’s monthly puerulus (young lobsters) figures which were virtually nil.
“This follows five years of declining puerulus counts and is obviously a matter of serious concern as it means the annual catch of around 11,000 tonnes of western rock lobster is under pressure,” he said.
Minister's Office - 9422 3000
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