New Rules To Protect Blue Swimmer Crab Stocks On The West Coast

The Minister for Fisheries has approved changes to recreational and commercial fishing rules as a precautionary measure to protect blue swimmer crab breeding stocks on the West Coast during a period of low recruitment.

CLOSED SEASON FOR BLUE SWIMMER CRABS

Peel-Harvey Estuary – closed season, 1 September to 31 October
Fishing for blue swimmer crabs is prohibited in the Peel Inlet and the channel entrance, Harvey Estuary and Dawesville Cut from 1 September – 31 October. The spring fishing closure protects crab breeding stocks, and allows female crabs to spawn before the fishery re-opens.

Cockburn Sound – closed season, 1 April to 14 December
Cockburn Sound is closed to all crab fishing during this period.

RECREATIONAL FISHING

New daily bag and boat limits to take effect from 1 November 2007:
Bag limit - 10 crabs per person per day;
Boat limit - 20 crabs per boat with two or more people on board.

Ban on prawn hand trawl (drag) nets – Due to the impact on juvenile crab stocks the use of hand trawl (drag) nets has been banned in all waters of the Leschenault and Peel-Harvey estuaries from 6 July 2007. This ban also applies to the Peel Estuary's tributaries, including the Serpentine and Murray rivers. Hand dip nets for school and king prawns can still be used.

COMMERCIAL FISHING

Commercial fishing for blue swimmer crabs is no longer permitted in Geographe Bay and Leschenault Estuary.

Management plans control commercial crab fishing in the Peel-Harvey Estuary and the Swan River.

Crabbing for Blue Swimmer Crabs in the West Coast Region - English		pdf	[230k]
Crabbing for Blue Swimmer Crabs in the West Coast Region - Vietnamese		pdf	[590k]