Abrolhos Islands Visitors Guide

Fishing at the Abrolhos

Conserving island fish stocks

Research is shedding increasing light on the importance of the Abrolhos Islands as a marine conservation area. The marine ecology of the islands is unique, thanks to their remoteness and the low level of recreational and commercial fishing pressure. Significant resident reef species include baldchin groper (Choerodon rubescens), coral trout (Plectropomus spp.), and Western Australian dhufish (Glaucosoma hebraicum).

The Abrolhos play a vital role as a major habitat for the spawning stock of western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus).

Eggs and larvae from the Abrolhos and the deepwater refuges further north along Big Bank are thought to be distributed by ocean currents along the west coast, replenishing many areas of reef where the stocks of mature spawning lobsters have been depleted by intensive fishing.

Reef Observation Areas

Within the Abrolhos Islands' Fish Habitat Protection Area, special places have been set aside as Reef Observation Areas (ROAs) for the conservation and observation of marine life and habitats. The four ROAs in the Abrolhos are (see coordinates):

• North Island ROA;
• Beacon Island ROA (Wallabi Group);
• Leo Island ROA (Easter Group); and
• Coral Patches ROA (Pelsaert Group).

Catching fish by line, spear or any other method is not permitted in these areas; however, lobster pots may be used according to licence conditions.

The ROAs are intended to:

• conserve and protect fish, fish breeding areas, fish fossils and the aquatic ecosystems;
• provide sites for the appreciation and observation of fish in their natural habitat; and
• boost populations of reef fish in areas adjacent to the ROAs.

Note that under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994, the definition of “fish” can include a range of organisms such as finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, corals, seagrasses and algae at all stages of their life cycles.

Abrolhos Islands Recreational Fishing Regulations

The daily bag limits, possession limits, minimum legal sizes and other recreational fishing regulations that apply across the West Coast region also apply in Abrolhos Islands waters. Full details are contained in the Recreational Fishing Guide – West Coast Region, available here or from the Department of Fisheries and most fishing tackle and dive shops.

Additionally, specific Abrolhos Islands Fishing Regulations apply. Recreational fishing regulations specific to the Abrolhos Islands are as follows:

• Baldchin groper (Choerodon rubescens): A fishing closure applies from 1 November to 31 January. It coincides with spawning aggregations and is aimed at protecting breeding stock.
• Western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus): They may be taken only by pots - it is not permitted to dive for them at the Abrolhos. The islands' rock lobster fishing season opens on 15 March and closes on 30 June, and a recreational fishing licence is required.
• Samson fish (Seriola hippos) and yellowtail king fish (Seriola lalandi): Visitors are not permitted to take resident samson fish or yellowtail king fish in the anchorage areas of inhabited islands.
• Unauthorised netting is not permitted anywhere in Western Australia.
• All live corals have full protection at the Abrolhos.