Mediaboss Marketing

The West Coast Zone (WCZ) recreational fishing season for abalone will begin this Saturday for licence-holders, with weather and ocean conditions placing a medium risk for fishing between 7am and 8am.

Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) surf prediction modelling recommends the fishing hour should go ahead on 11 December, with appropriate caution. Wave heights between 1 and 1.5 metres are expected, with moderate swell and onshore winds and temperatures around 20 degrees.

SLSWA modelling uses the best available information on these conditions from multiple sources and rates the risks for factors, such as wind speed, swell, tide and swell period.

Licensed abalone fishers who plan to take part in this Saturdays fishing hour in the WCZ between Moore River and the Busselton Jetty will still need to make their own evaluation of the sea and weather conditions on the day to ensure they have water skills to manage them. It is very important that participants also have suitable clothing and gearfor abalone fishing.

Due to an increase in sea surface temperatures in recent years, the sustainable recreational catch target range of 25 to 29 tonnes has been set for the 2021/22 season.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Senior Management Officer Nick Blay said fishers should observe the safety messages and not rush out on to the reefs to collect their abalone.

The healthy abalone stocks off the Perth coast means there will be enough abalone for fishers and they should always keep in mind that no catch is worth risking a life for, Mr Blay said.

Safety is a key priority at all times for the department and we thank the SLSWA volunteers who monitor the abalone fishing hours to focus on the safety of fishers.

Apart from this Saturday, fishing from 7am and 8am can also take place on 8 January, as well as 5 February and 19 February.

It is important recreational fishers comply with the bag and size limits for abalone to ensure this resource continues to be sustainable. DPIRD Compliance officers will be at WCZ abalone fishing locations, to check compliance this Saturday and throughout the rest of the season.

More on abalone fishing rules is available at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au. SLSWA has abalone fishing safety tips at: https://www.mybeach.com.au/safety-rescue-services/coastal-recreation/abalone/

We urge anyone heading to WAs beaches at any time to switch on their Sea Sense check http://www.sharksmart.com.au or download the SharkSmart WA app. The app combines latest shark activity, as well as beach safety features such as Surf Life Saving WA patrolled beaches and weather forecasts, to help people plan their trips to the ocean.

Media contact: Ashley Malone, DPIRD media liaison - mobile 0418 901 767

Read this article:
West Coast Zone abalone fishing season to start this Saturday - Government of Western Australia