- Recreational abalone fishing to reopen between Moore River and Greenough River Mouth
- Four abalone fishing hours set for 2024-25 West Coast Zone season
- Recfishwest campaign to prioritise fisher safety
Fisheries Minister Don Punch has announced that Western Australian recreational fishers will have access to more coastline and opportunities to catch Roe's abalone, with the reopening of the area between Moore River and Greenough River Mouth this summer.
The Cook Government has supported reopening the entire West Coast Zone Roe's abalone fishery in time for the 2024-25 fishing season, which starts in December.
The area north of Moore River to Greenough River Mouth has been closed to fishing since 2011 due to the impacts of marine heatwaves on stocks.
A recent assessment determined that fishing can be supported in this area subject to the strict management controls that apply to the rest of the West Coast Zone.
Licensed fishers can now fish for abalone between Busselton Jetty and Greenough River Mouth on the four allocated one-hour fishing sessions on Saturdays between 7am and 8am on:
- 14 December 2024;
- 11 January 2025;
- 1 February 2025; and
- 15 February 2025.
The bag limit of 15 Roe's abalone per day applies to the entire zone from Busselton Jetty to Greenough River Mouth.
The recreational Northern Zone which extends from Greenough River Mouth to the Northern Territory border remains closed.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development compliance officers will be out at key fishing locations each session, including the newly reopened areas, to ensure fishers adhere to the size and bag limits to protect the sustainability of the fishery.
Recfishwest will roll out community safety awareness messaging to remind fishers to prioritise their safety when abalone fishing, particularly in unpatrolled areas.
The safety messaging will promote what to wear, the right gear for fishing and how to manage ocean conditions by keeping an eye on ocean swells and the waves that wash across the reef tops.
Areas outside of the Perth metro region are not patrolled by Surf Life Saving WA, including the area from Moore River to Greenough River Mouth.
More details on the fishing rules and fishing dates are available from http://rules.fish.wa.gov.au/Species/Index/3
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
"It's really pleasing that we can balance the sustainable management of this popular recreational fishery with providing more opportunities to fish for abalone this season, particularly for those in regional areas between Moore River and Greenough River Mouth.
"With around 16,000 fishers expected to take out a recreational abalone fishing licence, I urge everyone to make their safety a priority by paying attention to ocean conditions and not taking risks in the water.
"Recfishwest will be providing safety tips for fishers, and I encourage everyone to check out this information before heading out so they can enjoy the experience of collecting abalone safely."
As stated by Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"The Geraldton coast is a favourite spot for local fishers, who will welcome the chance to fish for Roe's abalone here again this summer.
"I thank the Cook Government for their responsible management of this fishery, which now means residents and visitors will be able to enjoy this popular recreational activity once again for the first time in more than a decade.
"The abalone fishing areas outside of the Perth metro area are not patrolled by Surf Life Saving WA, so I urge the community to stay safe and not take risks in the water."
