Westcoast FISHING Rules_2008

8/14/2019 Westcoast FISHING Rules_2008

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WEST COAST REgiOn

RECREATiOnAlfiShing gUiDE finfiSh

PUBliShED

DECEMBER 2008

Fish for the future


2/362 CONTENTS Fish for the future

CONTENTS

FISH FOR THE FUTURE ................................................ 3

UNDERSTANDING THE FISHING RULES ......................... 7

Penalties .............................................................................7

Totally protected ish ............................................................8

Mutilation o ish .................................................................8

How to measure a ish .........................................................8

Fishing closures seasons, areas, gear types .......................8

Daily bag limits ....................................................................9Finish possession limits ......................................................9

Labelling your stored ish ...................................................10

Landing illeted or processed ish .......................................10

Extended trips and overnight stays......................................11

Fishing gear ......................................................................11

Protecting ish and their habitats ........................................12

Fishing licences .................................................................13

MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS ................................ 14

BAG AND SIZE LIMITS ............................................... 19

CLOSED SEASONS ..................................................... 23

Pink snapper - Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds .....................23

Baldchin Groper - Abrolhos Islands ......................................24

DEMERSAL SCALEFISH ON THE WEST COAST ............ 25

GO FISHING FOR SCIENCE ......................................... 28

FISH SAFELY THE OCEAN CAN BE TREACHEROUS ... 32

RELEASING FISH ....................................................... 34

Cover photo: WA Tourism Commission

Injidup beach, Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park


3/363INTRODUCTIONFish for the future

Western Australias isheries management strategies

have one primary goal Fish for the future. This means

ensuring our isheries are ecologically sustainable.

These strategies are part o an integrated approach to

management that not only takes into account the impact o

ishing by recreational, commercial and indigenous sectors but also the eect o other human activities on the States

ecosystems.

A major program o scientiic research and monitoring

underpins the management o the States isheries and

marine resources. This provides a growing understanding o

the biological eatures o each population o ish, their limits

o productivity, the natural variations in populations rom year

to year, and their vulnerability to ishing and other humanimpacts. The annual State of the Fisheries report provides

detailed inormation on the current state o WAs isheries and

can be viewed or downloaded at www.ish.wa.gov.au

FISH FOR THE FUTURE

Photo:WATourism

Commission


4/364 INTRODUCTION Fish for the future

Other important areas o research include the eects o

ishing on ecosystems and ood webs, and the occurrence and

spread o ish diseases and exotic organisms.

Fisheries management plans and regulations are requently

adjusted as new knowledge emerges, and the impact ohuman activity changes.

Fishing is a major social and commercial activity in Western

Australia and contributes more than $1 billion per year to the

States economy. Recreational ishing involves more than 30

per cent o the population, and is an important part o WAs

liestyle and culture.

In WA, all marine ishing is managed in our broad biological

regions the North Coast, Gascoyne Coast, West Coast and

South Coast. Management plans control commercial catches

within sustainable limits, while recreational ishing is managed

through a variety o regulations and orders under the Fish

Resources Management Act 1994.

Each region has its own set o recreational ishing regulations to

suit the regional ecology, mix o species, and ishing pressure.

The West Coast Bioregion and its ish populations are primarilytemperate, and are heavily inluenced by the low o Leeuwin

Current which runs most strongly along the west coast during

autumn and winter, bringing warm, low nutrient tropical water

southward rom the Indonesian Archipelago. The Current varies

in strength rom year to year, lowing at speeds o between one

and three knots, in response to El Nino/Southern oscillation

events in the Paciic.Photo:AndrewCribb


5/365INTRODUCTIONFish for the future

The weaker northward lowing Capes Current lows rom Cape

Leeuwin to Shark Bay during summer. Coastal waters in the

region range between 18C and 24C, and are dominated by

the pattern o winter storms and summer cycle o easterly land

breezes in the morning and aternoon south-westerly winds.

These environmental actors have a major inluence on the

distribution, spawning success, liecycle and sustainable

harvest levels o coastal ish stocks in the region.

North Coast(Pilbara/Kimberley)

Gascoyne

Coast

West

Coast

South Coast

AshburtonRiver

Kununurra

Broome

Port HedlandKarratha

OnslowExmouth

Carnarvon

Denham

Kalbarri

Geraldton

Perth

AugustaBlack Point

Albany

Esperance

Eucla

11530' E

114 50' E

27S

2146' S

WESTERN AUSTRALIAS FISHERIES BIOREGIONS


6/366 INTRODUCTION Fish for the future

Extensive seagrass meadows out to 30m depth, an inshore

limestone ree system that orms surace breaks up to 5km

out to sea and exposed sandy beaches are typical o the

west coast. These exposed areas are interspersed with our

signiicant estuary systems, and the protected embayments o

Cockburn Sound and Geographe Bay.

The West Coast is the most heavily used area or recreational

ishing in WA, attracting over 70 per cent o the ishing eort

each year due to its proximity to major population centres.

Popular estuary and shore ishing species include black

bream, tailor, mulloway, Australian herring and salmon, and

whiting, while boat anglers target bottom-dwelling (demersal)

inish species such as WA dhuish, baldchin groper, pinksnapper, and queen snapper or surace-dwelling (pelagic)

ishes such as tuna and marlin.

A healthy uture or recreational ishing depends on anglers

supporting ishing and other regulations. Remember to Fish for

the future while you enjoy the magniicent environment o the

west coast.

Photo:CarinaGemignani


7/367Fish for the future UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

fisheries in Western Australia are managed under the Fish

Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA), its subsidiary Fish

Resources Management Regulations 1995 (FRMR) and orders

as amended rom time to time.

Fishing rules aim to limit the total catch o ish rom a ishery

to an ecologically sustainable level, and share the available

catch between ishing sectors and ishers. They also protect

ish at vulnerable stages in their liecycle, protect vulnerableor rare species, and prevent activities that damage the

environment.

Each o the our biological regions in WA has its own suite

o ishing rules, although some rules such as possession

limits and legal sizes may apply State-wide. I you transport

ish across a regional boundary, the rules that apply are

those which relate to the region in which you are checked by

a Fisheries and Marine Oicer not the region in which youcaught the ish.

This publication provides a guide to the rules that apply to

recreational ishing or inish in the West Coast Bioregion

which runs rom Black Point, east o Augusta, to the Zuytdorp

Clis, north o Kalbarri (all land and water south o 27 South

latitude and west o 115 30' East longitude) but it is a

plain English interpretation o the FRMA and its subsidiary

legislation, and may not be comprehensive.

The legislation is reerenced in this guide and is available in

ull rom the State Law Publisher via the Fisheries website or

direct rom www.slp.wa.gov.au

Penalties(FRMA S52)

Penalties or breaking most ishing rules can range rom

on-the-spot ines up to $400, or ines up to $5,000 plus 10

times the value o the ish or a irst oence.

UNDERSTANDING THE FISHING RULES


8/368 Fish for the futureUNDERSTANDING THE RULES

Totally protected ish(FRMA Part 5, Division 2, S45-49)

Fish may be totally protected by species, size, area or time

they are taken in, or any other actor. I a ish is totally

protected you may not take it, have it in your possession, sellor purchase it, consign it, or bring it into State or WA waters.

Many ish are protected below a speciied minimum size, while

some are protected over a speciied maximum size. Some

species are totally protected at all stages in their liecycle (see

Protected Species).

Mutilation o ish

(FRMA S49, FRMR Regulation 13)Cutting up or damaging a ish to prevent its identiication is

prohibited and may attract a $10,000 ine.

How to measure a ish(FRMR Regulation 151, Schedule 8)

Fish should be measured in a natural position, i.e. tail not

distorted. Most inish are measured rom the point o the

snout to the tip o the tail.

Fishing closures seasons, areas, gear types(FRMA S43)

Fishing activities may be prohibited by type, area, time or

class o person, or example many areas o the State are

permanently closed to netting. Some areas are closed to line

ishing during spawning seasons. Some isheries are closed at

speciied times o the year.



Daily bag limits(FRMA S50)

The maximum number o ish o a species or a group o species

that a person who is actually ishing may take or bring onto

land in any 24 hour period commencing at midnight (except or

marron, prawns and ish caught by netting midday to midday).

These are shown in the Bag and Size Limits section.

Finish possession limits(FRMA S51, FRMR Part 4, Division 3)

The maximum quantity o inish either whole or in pieces

that you may have in your possession (control/ownership) in

WA is:

20 kg o illets o ish; or

10 kg o illets o ish and one days bag limit o wholeish or ish trunks; or

two days bag limit o whole ish or ish trunks.

! NOTE:These limits now apply throughout WA, includingpermanent places of residence. The following baitfish are

not included in the finfish possession limit: hardyheads

(Atherinidae), sardines/pilchards (Clupeidae), whitebait

(Engraulidae), garfish (Hemirhamphidae) and mullet

(Mugilida). Commercially purchased fish are not included,

but you may be asked for proof of purchase.



Special rules apply in the Abrolhos Islands Fish Habitat

Protection Area (see marine conservation areas).

Some species may have a speciic possession limit (See bag

and size limit tables).

Labelling your stored ish(FRMR Part 4, Division 4)

I a quantity o stored ish exceeds the possession limit, the

ish must be labelled with the name o the owner/s.

Labels must be securely attached to each container or

package o ish, and be at least 75 mm long and 25 mm wide.

The ull name o the owner must be legibly written on the label

and be clearly visible or inspection.

Labels are not needed i:

Fish have been taken on a day trip.

The ish are in the possession and under the direct

physical control o the person who took the ish, and

stored only with ish taken by the same person.

! Who owns the fish?In the absence of evidence to thecontrary, a person using or in control of a vessel, vehicle,

refrigerator, freezer, icebox, or other storage device in which

fish are found is taken to be in possession of the fish. A

person who provides payment to a courier business for the

transportation of fish, is to be taken to be in possession of

the fish until the fish are received.

Landing illeted or processed ish(FRMR Part 4, Division 2)

The enorcement o ishing rules such as bag, possession and

size limits relies on the ability o Fisheries and Marine Oicers

to count and measure ish.

In general, boat anglers returning rom a day trip are asked

to land their ish whole so that they are in a orm that can be

measured and counted.

However, or the convenience o anglers, the FisheriesRegulations provide or some processing at sea. The way in



which ish are processed is linked back to compliance with

bag and size limits.

Special Riskspecies must always be landed whole on a day

trip. These are shown in the Bag and Size Limits section.

They may be illeted ater an overnight stay on an island.High Riskand Medium Riskspecies (see Bag and Size

Limits section) may be landed as a trunk (i.e. with head and

tail removed) or as illets, provided that the skin and scales are

attached or identiication purposes, and the piece o ish is:

at least 30 cm in length;

packaged lat;

packaged so that it is easily accessible or measurement

and identiication; and

where the ish is rozen, can be measured and identiied

without being thawed.

Low Riskspecies may be illeted or trunked at sea and the

pieces landed, provided the skin is attached.

! Note: Two fillets are considered to be equal to one

whole fish.

Extended trips and overnight stays(FRMR Part 4, Division 2, 3, Regulation 15)

Anglers returning rom an overnight stay on an island may have

illets o any length. A lawul overnight stay on an island is a

period o at least ive hours, which includes midnight.

Anglers who have been at sea or stayed on any island or

more than one day, may land no more than the possessionlimit o whole (or trunked) ish or illeted ish.

Fishing gear(FRMR Part 4A, Division 2, Regulation 64C, 64E)

Rods, lines and hooks Recreational anglers may have a

maximum o three hooks or three gangs o hooks per line.

Shore-based anglers may use a maximum o two ishing

lines. Rods and lines must be attended.



Fishing for barramundi, brown or rainbow trout,

freshwater cobbler or redfin perch Recreational anglers

may only use a single rod, reel and line or a single line held

in the hand i ishing or these species. (FRMR Part 4,

Division 6, Regulation 44)

Spearfishing is generally permitted in ocean waters, except

in marine conservation reserves where ishing on compressed

air is oten prohibited. All inland waters (rivers, tributaries

and dams) are closed to spearishing. See marine park

guides (available rom the Department o Environment and

Conservation) or details.

Fishing nets Most o the state is closed to set and haul

netting. See the Recreational Net Fishing guide or details.

Protecting ish and their habitats

A number o activities are explicitly prohibited in order to

protect ish and their habitats in key environments.

Legal recreational ishing gear methods are deined in

isheries regulations (see above). Everything else is illegal

(FRMA Notice Numbers 462, 527, 677, Order 11 of 2007.

FRMR Regulations 144, 145)

In particular you may not:

Use ish traps or pots o any kind (except lobster pots).

Use dredges.

Obstruct any bay, inlet, river, creek or any tidal or inland

waters so that ish are enclosed, let stranded, destroyed

or wasted.

Be in possession o explosives or noxious substances(or example, ish poisons) on WA waters.

Jag ish with baitless hooks.

Use commercial ishing gear o any kind.

Attach ish hooks to lobster pots, anchors and anchor

lines or moorings.

Fish or live or dead coral or live rock.

! NOTE:Many fishing tackle stores carry gear that ismanufactured outside Western Australia and may not conform

to WA legal requirements. Check before you make a purchase.



Fishing licences

In WA, licences are required or the ollowing:

Rock Lobster;

Abalone;

Marron;

South-West Freshwater Angling;

Net Fishing (set, haul and throw nets); and

All categories (all o the above).

See separate brochures or details o ishing rules or the

above licensed recreational isheries.

You may apply or a licence at Department o Fisheries oices

or Australia Post. Alternatively, you can purchase or renew yourlicence online, 24-hours a day, seven days a week at

www.ish.wa.gov.au

All revenue rom recreational ishing licences is placed in

a recreational ishing trust und and used to protect and

conserve our vulnerable ish stocks, and help ensure a healthy

uture or recreational ishing throughout the State.

Photo:CathyFoster


14/3614 Fish for the futureMARINE CONSERVATION AREAS

Marine conservation areas play an important part in

conserving our marine ecology and protecting biodiversity.

These include marine nature reserves, marine parks, ish

habitat protection areas and various ishing closures. In

addition to the general ishing rules in this guide, most o

these areas contain sanctuary zones and have special rules

that apply to ishing within them. A brie summary o the main

ishing rules is provided here. For ull details o permitted

activities and zones reer to the relevant visitors guide.Marine Parks guides are available rom the Department o

Environment and Conservation. Fish Habitat Protection Area

inormation is available rom the Department o Fisheries.

WEST COAST MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

West Coast

27 S

Jurien BayMarine Park

ProposedCapes Marine Park

Kalbarri

Geraldton

Perth

AugustaBlackPoint

115 30' E

Lancelin Island

Lagoon FHPA

Cottesloe Reef FHPA

Yallingup ReefROA

Cowaramup BayROA

Fish HabitatProtection Areas

Legend

Reef ObservationAreas

Marine Parks

AbrolhosFHPA

Marmion Marine Park

Shoalwater IslandsMarine Park

Jurien Bay

Swan Estuary Marine Park

Rottnest Island Reserve

Kalbarri Blue Holes FHPA

MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS


15/3615Fish for the future MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS

Kalbarri Blue Holes Fish Habitat Protection Areas(FRMR Part 9A, Division 3)

All ishing is prohibited.

Using a motor boat is prohibited.

Abrolhos Islands Fish Habitat Protection Area(FRMA Notice Numbers 388, 389, 637, 646, 695. FRMR

Regulations Schedule 2, part 2)

The Abrolhos Islands are one o WAs most important and

sensitive marine ecosystems. In addition to the rules that

apply generally to the West Coast region, special ishing rules

apply in this unique area. These include:

Baldchin groper (Choerodon rubescens): A ishing closureapplies rom 1 November to 31 January. It coincides

with spawning aggregations and is aimed at protecting

breeding ish.

Samson ish (Seriola hippos) and yellowtail kingish (Seriola

lalandi) are protected in the anchorage areas o inhabited

islands.

Western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) may only be taken

in pots. At the islands the season opens on 15 Marchand closes on 30 June. Full details in the Fishing or

rock lobsters guide provided with your ishing licence.

Ree Observation Areas - closed to ishing. Lobster

potting is permitted.

A possession limit per person o 10 kilos o illets o

inish or one days bag limit o whole ish or ish trunks.

A ban on the use o gill nets, long lines, drop lines and

set lines.

Live coral is totally protected.

See the Abrolhos Islands Visitors Guide or ull details about

visiting the islands (www.ish.wa.gov.au).

Jurien Bay Marine Park(FRMA Order No. 18 of 2005)

Sanctuary zones - closed to all ishing.

Special purpose and scientiic reerence zones - closed tosome types o ishing


16/3616 Fish for the future

Lancelin Island Fish Habitat Protection Areas(FRMR Part 9A, Division 2)

All ishing is prohibited.

Using jet skis and anchoring boats is prohibited.

Marmion Marine Park(FRMA Order No. 6 of 1999, Order No.3 of 2004)

Sanctuary zones - closed to all ishing. Line ishing only.

No spearishing or gidgies within 1800m o the high water

mark. No compressed-air spearishing seaward o 1800m. You may take abalone, rock lobster, squid, octopus,

cuttleish blue swimmer crabs and sand crabs.

Shellish (molluscs) and sea urchins are totally protected. Watermans Ree Observation Area - line ishing rom the

shore only.

Cottesloe Fish Habitat Protection Areas(FRMR Part 9A, Division 1)

You may ish with a line or inish and take abalone androck lobster. All other ishing is prohibited.

Releasing blood or oal is prohibited. Using jet skis and anchoring boats is prohibited.

Shoalwater Islands Marine Park(FRMA Order No. 3 of 2004)

Shellish (molluscs) are totally protected.

You may take mussels.

Rottnest Island Reserve(FRMA Order No. 3 of 2008)

Rottnest Island and the surrounding marine waters are

contained in a reserve or public recreation and conservation.A marine management strategy has been developed toensure the unique marine environment o this special area is

preserved and enhanced or uture generations.

All molluscs and sea urchins are totally protected within

800m o the high water mark (except abalone, cuttleish,squid and octopus).

Blue groper is totally protected in reserve waters.



17/3617Fish for the future

Protected areas

1 West End Line fshing rom the shore and trolling is permitted. All other

types o fshing are prohibited.

2 Kingston Reef All fshing prohibited.

3 ArmstrongBay Line fshing rom the shore and ree platorm in the

designated area is permitted. All other types o fshing are prohibited.

4 Green Island Line fshing rom the Green Island Jetty is permitted. All other

types o fshing are prohibited.

5 Parker Point All fshing prohibited.

Fishing rules

Closedtonetshingwithin800moftheHWMand200mofDyerIsland.

Closedtospearshingwithin800moftheHWMeastfromPtCluneand

SalmonPoint,andwithin200moftheHWMwestfromSalmonPointand

PointCluneandaroundDyerIsland.

Rottnest IslandMarine Reserve Boundary

Closed to fishing

Closed to spearfishing

Recreation Zone(closed to commercialand amateur net fishing)

ArmstrongBay

East CardinalMarker

Kingston

Reef

Dyer Island

GreenIsland

KitsonPoint

WestEnd

CathedralRocks

ParkerPoint

SalmonPoint

Salmon Bay

1

32

54

Reer to Rottnest Island authority or more details on ishingclosures.

Other ishing closures

Perth metropolitan area (Cape Bouvard Wedge Island):

Gastropods and sea urchins may only be collected during

the abalone season (FRMA Order No. 3 of 2004).

Heirisson Island (Swan River). Lakes on the island

downstream o the causeway are closed to all ishing

(FRMA Order No. 10 of 2007).



18/3618 Fish for the future

Lake Clifton (Mandurah). Closed to all ishing (FRMA Order

No.6 of 1996).

Busselton Jetty Observatory. Closed to all ishing in the

deined area (FRMA Order No. 20 of 2004).

Yallingup Reef Observation Area. All shellish, reetopanimals, crustaceans, seahorses and sea plants are

protected within a 400 metre radius o the mouth o

Yallingup Brook. You may only take squid, cuttleish, rock

lobster and blue swimmer crabs in this area (FRMA Notice

No. 725, 1995).

Cowaramup BayReef Observation Area (Gracetown). You

may catch inish, abalone, rock lobster, blue swimmer

crabs, cuttleish and octopus. All other species are

protected (FRMA Order No. 9 of 1998).

Shannon River. Closed to all ishing upstream o

Springbreak Road (FRMA Order No. 2 of 2007).

HMAS Perth wreck site. Closed to fishing within 250 metres

of the intersection of 35 04.788' south latitude and

11758.068 east longitude. (FRMA Order No. 6 of 2002).

HMAS Swan wreck site. Closed to ishing within 200

metres o the intersection o 3333.06' south latitude and

11505.947' east longitude (FRMA Order No. 4 of 1998).

Lena wreck site. Closed to ishing within 400 metres

o the intersection o 3320.578' south latitude and

11533.895' east longitude (FRMA Order No. 3 of 2007).

Saxon Ranger wreck site. Closed to ishing within the

deined area. (3219.67' south latitude, 11542.37' eastlongitude, 11542.25' east longitude, o 3219.55' south

latitude; 11542.37' east longitude) (FRMA Order No. 23

of 2005).

South Tomi wreck site. Closed to ishing within the deined

area. (28 43.968' south latitude, 114 33.392' east

longitude, 114 33.206' east longitude, 28 43.752'

south latitude, 114 33.392' east longitude) (FRMA Order

No. 22 of 2005).



19/3619BAG AND SIZE LIMITSFish for the future

HIGH RISK SPECIES Mixed daily bag limit 4 per angler

The species in this group are generally long-lived, slow-growing, mature at our-plus

years, orm semi-resident populations, are vulnerable to localised depletion due to their

lie history, or are o low abundance or highly targeted (FRMR Schedules 2 and 3).

SPECIESSCIENTIFICNAME

MINIMUMLEGAL SIZE

BAGLIMIT

Barracuda Sphyraenabarracuda

Not applicable. 2

Billish sailish, spearish,

swordish, marlins combined

Families

Istiophoridaeand Xiphiidae

Not applicable. 1

Cobbler Cnidoglanismacrocephalus

430 mm. Totally protectedin the Swan-Canning riversuntil 2017.

4

Cobia Rachycentroncanadus

750 mm 2

Coral trout and coronationtrout combined

Plectropomus spp.and Variola louti

Coral 450 mm 1

Cods combined.Note: within this bag limityou may not take more thantwo estuary or Rankin codcombined.

Family Serranidae Epinephelus sp. over1,000 mm or 30 kg areprotected.Breaksea 300 mm

4

Estuary 400 mm

Dhuish, Western Australian Glaucosomahebraicum

500 mm 2

Emperors combined("nor west snapper")

Family Lethrinidae Spangled 410 mm.Blue-lined (black snapper) 320 mm. Otheremperors 280 mm

4

Groper, baldchin and tuskish combined

Choerodon spp. Baldchin, blackspot & bluetuskish 400 mm

4

Groper, western blue Achoerodus gouldii 500 mm. Protected in theRottnest Island Reserve

1

Hapuku/bass groper/trevellaand grey banded rock cod combined

Polyprionspp., FamilyCentrolophidaeand Ephinephelusoctofasciatus

Ephinephelus sp. over1,000 mm or 30 kg areprotected

2

BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

New fishing rules.Must be landed whole.


20/3620 BAG AND SIZE LIMITS Fish for the future

HIGH RISK SPECIES Mixed daily bag limit 4 per angler(Cont.)


MINIMUMLEGAL SIZE

BAGLIMIT

Mackerel shark Grammatocynusbicarinatus

500 mm 2

Mackerel broad-barred(grey) and Spanish,narrow-barred combined

S. semifasciatusandScomberomoruscommerson

Narrow-barred 900 mmBroad-barred 750 mm

2

Mackerel wahoo Acanthocybiumsolandri

900 mm 2

Mahi mahi (dolphinish) Coryphaenahippurus

500 mm 2

Mulloway Argyrosomushololepidotus

500 mm 2

Parrot ish combined Family Scaridae Not applicable. 4

Pink snapper Pagrus auratus 410mm450mm(SouthofLancelin)

2Pink snapper Cape Bouvardto Two Rocks

1fishover700mm

Queen snapper (blue morwong) Nemadactylusvalenciennesi

410 mm 4

Red emperor Lutjanus sebae 410 mm 2

Red snapper bight redish,nannygai and swallowtail -combined

Centroberyx spp. 300 mm 4

Salmon, Australian Arripis truttaceus 300 mm 4

Samson ish/amberjack/yellowtail kingish combined

Seriola spp. 600 mm 2

Sharks and rays combined ClassChondrichthyes

2

Trevally, giant and golden combined

Caranx ignobilis,Gnathanodon

speciosus

Not applicable. 2

Tropical snappers andsea perch (mangrove jack,ingermark, job ish, stripeysea perch etc.) combined

Family Lutjanidae Fingermark, mangrove jackand stripey sea perch 300 mm.

2

Trout, brown and rainbow combined

Salmo trutta andOncorhynchusmykiss

Licence required seeseparate brochure orishing rules.

Tuna southern bluein,yellowin, bigeye combined

Thunnus maccoyii,T. albacares and

T. obesus

Not applicable. 2



21/3621BAG AND SIZE LIMITSFish for the future

MEDIUM RISK SPECIES Mixed daily bag limit 16 per angler

Species generally mature at two to three years, are o moderate abundance,

are highly targeted, and oten use estuarine and inshore habitats extensively.


MINIMUM LEGALSIZE

BAGLIMIT

Bonito leaping and oriental,and other tunas combined

Family Scombridae Not applicable. 8

Bream north-west, black andyellowin combined

Acanthopagrus spp. 250 mmYellowfin 300 mm

4Bream black (Swan-Canningrivers)

Only 2 black breamover 400 mm

Flathead and lounder

combined

Family Platycephalidae

and Pseudorhombusspp.

Flathead 300 mm

Flounder 250 mm

8

Goatish Family Mullidae Not applicable. 8

Leatherjacket Family Monacanthidae 250 mm 8

Mackerel, Australian Spotted andMackerel, Queensland School Combined

Scomberomorus munroi& Scomberomorusqueenslandicus

500 mm 4

Snook and pike combined Sphyraena spp. &Dinolestes spp.

300 mm 8

Tailor Pomatomus saltatrix 300 mm (Only 2ish over 600 mm) 8

Tarwhine Rhabdosargus sarba 250 mm 16

Trevally silver (skippy),diamond, etc. combined

Family Carangidae Skipjack 250 mm 8

Whiting King George Sillaginodes punctata 280 mm 8

Whiting yellowin Sillago schomburgkii Not applicable. 16


BOAT LIMITS HIGH RISK SPECIES

A Boat Limit or high risk ish will apply to recreationalboats and licensed ishing tours rom 1 January 2009.

Number o people on a boat Boat limit

2 8

4 8

5 (or more) 10 (2 per person)


22/3622 BAG AND SIZE LIMITS Fish for the future

Species with no bag limit:Baitish (FamiliesAtherinidae, Clupeidaeand Engraulidae -pilchards, scaly mackerel,whitebait, anchovies

and hardyheads) anderal reshwater speciesincluding carp, tilapia,goldish and redin perchhave no bag limit.

PROTECTED SPECIES

These species are totally protected and

may not be taken. (FRMR Schedule 2)

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME

Cobbler Cnidoglanis macrocephalus(protected in the Swan-Canning rivers until 2017)

Coral Order Scleractinia

Great white shark Carcharodon carcharias

Grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus

Groper, western blue Achoerodus gouldii (protectedin the Rottnest Island Reserve)

Humphead Maori wrasse Cheilinus undulatus

Leay seadragon Phycodurus eques

Potato cod Epinephelus tukula

Queensland groper Epinephelus lanceolatus

Sawish all species Family Pristidae

Speartooth shark Glyphis spp.

Whale shark Rhiniodon typus

Prohibitions on the take o totally protected species apply to both commercial and

recreational ishers.

LOWEST RISK SPECIES Mixed daily bag limit 40 per angler

Species generally mature at one to two years, are o high abundance,

distributed widely and generally pelagic. Species not listed have little known

about their biology or abundance and are generally not targeted by anglers.

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME BAG LIMITAustralian herring Arripis georgianus

You can only takea combined maximumo 40 lowest risk ish.No size limits apply.

Dart Trachinotus spp.

Garish Family Hemirhamphidae

Longtom Family Belonidae

Mackerel, blue (common) Scomber australasicus

Milkish Chanos chanos

Mullet sea and yellow-eye Family Mugilidae

Whiting, southern school Sillago spp.All other unlisted species o ish


23/3623Fish for the future CLOSED SEASONS

Pink snapper - Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds

1 October - 31 January

Cockburn Sound is the site o the largest known aggregations

o pink snapper in the West Coast Bioregion and is thought to

be critical to the maintenance o adequate breeding stocks o

these long-lived and slow growing ish.

It is illegal to be in possession o pink snapper while ishing in

the waters o Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds during the closedseason. However pink snapper taken outside o the Sounds

may be transported through, and landed within, Cockburn and

Warnbro Sound during the closed season.

Woodmanpoint

CarnacIsland

GardenIsland

Warnbrosound

Becherpoint

Closedtopinksnapper ishing1October

31Januaryincludingcatchand release

11540.0

'E

CLOSED SEASONS


24/3624 Fish for the futureCLOSED SEASONS

Baldchin Groper - Abrolhos Islands

1 November - 31 January

The take, landing or possession o baldchin groper is prohibited

within the Abrolhos Islands Fish Habitat Protection Area during

the closed season. Baldchin groper is a species unique to WA.These ish aggregate in shallow areas in the Abrolhos system to

spawn, as summer water temperatures rise.

Middle channelMiddle channel

East Wallabi Island

Zeewijk channel

Rat Island

Suomi Island

Gun Island

Wallabi group

Easter group

Little North

Island

Leo Island

Middle Island

Pelsaert group

South channelSouth channel

West Wallabi

Island

Hummock

Island

Pelsaert

Island

North Island

Carnarvon

Kalbarri

GeraldtonAbrolhos

Islands

Perth

FHPA boundary

Ree area

Ree observation

areas


25/36Fish for the future 25DEMERSAL SCALEFISH ON THE WEST COAST

The West Coast Bioregion is home to a variety o ish species

that live on or near the bottom o the continental shel.

These ish are termed demersal species and include dhuish,

pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod, blue morwong

(queen snapper) and red snapper. These species are regarded

by scientists as indicator species or the general health

o the bottom-ish populations that are regularly caught by

anglers and commercial ishers.

Research has revealed that both dhuish and pink snapper

are being seriously overished throughout their geographic

range on the west coast and that baldchin groper are being

overished at the Abrolhos Islands.

If breeding stocks continue to decline, these fish stocks may

be reduced to the extent that there are not enough mature fish

available to take advantage of favourable environmental conditions

for spawning and successful recruitment when they occur.

DEMERSAL SCALEFISH ON THE WEST COAST

Baldchingroper

Pink

snap

per


26/36Fish for the future26 DEMERSAL SCALEFISH ON THE WEST COAST

The West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery

Kalbarri Zone

Mid-west Zone

Metropolitan Zone

South-west Zone

Denham

Kalbarri

Lancelin

PERTH

Mandurah

Bunbury

Busselton

Augusta

26S

27S

28S

29S

30S

31S

32S

33S

34S

35S

110E 116E115E114E113E112E111E

Abrolhos Islands

FishHabitat

ProtectionArea.

Geraldton

Approx 14,000 km2 closed to

commercial line and demersal

gillnet ishing out to

250m depth contour

The total catch by all sectors o these demersal ish in the

West Coast Bioregion (north o Kalbarri to east o Augusta)

must be reduced by at least 50 per cent as soon as possible.

Recent changes to management o the commercial sector,

which takes approximately 50 per cent o the catch o these

species, includes a total closure in the Perth metropolitan

area, a reduction in the number o boats allowed to ish rom

a potential 1200 to about 70, and speciic controls on the

number o days each boat is allowed to ish.


27/36Fish for the future 27DEMERSAL SCALEFISH ON THE WEST COAST

The eectiveness o recreational ishing regulations

Despite changes to bag limits and other ishing rules

recreational catches o most species have continued to

climb over the past decade, with the total recreational catch

o dhuish increasing rom 125 tonnes in 1996/97 to 186tonnes in 2005/06, and catches o pink snapper increasing

rom 25 to 40 tonnes in the same period.

Advanced technology that can be used to locate ish has also

become much cheaper and more widely used and anglers are

now travelling longer distances to catch ish and are ishing

over wider areas and in deeper waters.

Stocks have become depleted and due to the level o ishing

activity are unlikely to recover without urther intervention.

The challenge or these species is to develop

and have accepted a system which can

eectively manage the total catch down

to hal its present level or more i

necessary. Changes to daily bag

and size limits alone will not

achieve this. A new approach

is needed.

What you can do

Supportchangesto

management that put the ish irst.

Handleyourcatchcarefully,andusebest

practice when releasing ish.

Encourageyourfriendsandrelationstofishforthefuture

and minimise their catch o these demersal species until

stocks recover.

Helpwithresearchandeducation.

Further inormation

FisheriesFactSheetNo.3,5and6.

FisheriesBriefNo.1.www.ish.wa.gov.au

WesternAustraliandhufsh


28/362828 Fish for the futureGO FISHING FOR SCIENCE

The Department's inish research team needs 3,500

skeletons ("rames") rom dhuish, pink snapper and

baldchin groper caught by recreational ishers during 2008/09.

The west coast demersal scaleish ishery has been divided

into our zones. (See map page 26)

At least 500 rames rom each species are needed rom

each zone.

The ish rame is the skeleton, rom head to tail with the guts

intact, that is let ater a ish is illeted.

Scientists collect measurements rom ish rames, including

length, and remove the ish's ear bones (otoliths), which are

located in the head. They use the otoliths to work out the age

o individual ish and the structure o a ish population.

This "age structure" is used to estimate the ishing mortality

rate and the status o stocks in each zone o the west coastbioregion. These samples are critical to assess whether these

ish populations are recovering or declining urther.

An otolith has rings

which tell us how old

fish are

Rings

WestAustraliandhushcanreachagesof41years.ThisgraphshowsthedistributionofagesofWestAustraliandhushinthemetrozonein2005and

showsthelownumberofshgreaterthan14yearsofage.

GO FISHING FOR SCIENCE

SEND US YOUR SKELETONS


29/362929Fish for the future GO FISHING FOR SCIENCE

WIN

WIN

WIN

Fish rames (with guts intact)

should be bagged and taggedwith a label that details the

ollowing essential Inormation:

Where the ish was caught

(distance and bearing rom port

and name o port).

When the ish was caught.

Who caught the fish: your name,address and phone number.

For each rame donated with the above details you will receive

a ree pass to the amazing and inormative Naturaliste Marine

Discovery Centre at Hillarys Boat Harbour, and an entry in a

draw or $500 worth o ishing gear and other prizes. Winners

will be notiied by phone.

Entries end either on 30th June 2009 or when we reach ourtarget (500) or each species in each zone.

Check the Fisheries website to see i we've reached our target

or each species in each zone. www.ish.wa.gov.au

Where to drop your rames o

Department o Fisheries oices are open during normal

business hours on weekdays. Most tackle shops and otheroutlets are open on Saturdays. Please call or reeze your

rames i you cannot provide them resh during these times.

Removingotolithsfromthebrain

caseofaWestAustraliandhush.


30/363030 Fish for the futureGO FISHING FOR SCIENCE

Metro - North o River

Dept. of Fisheries, Hillarys

39 Northside Dve, Hillarys. Ph 9203 0111

Bluewater Scarborough

21 Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough. Ph 9245 1313Bluewater Morley

140 Russell Street, Morley. Ph 9375 9800

Bluewater Mindarie

1 Saratosa Pass, Mindarie. Ph 9407 9766

Got One Woodvale

Woodvale Shopping Centre

2/923 Whitords Ave, Woodvale. Ph 9408 0222

Oceanic Boat Builders (Brad Wood)Unit 5b, 14 Cressall Rd, Balcatta. Ph 0409 563 811

Metro - South o River

Bluewater Melville

248 Leach Highway, Myaree. Ph 9330 7766

Dept. of Fisheries Fremantle

14 Capo DOrlando Drive,

South Fremantle. Ph 9335 6800Rockingham Volunteer Sea Rescue (VN6KC)

Adjacent boat launching ramps at Pt Peron. Ph 9527 9988


31/36


32/3632 Fish for the futureFISH SAFELY

All ishers need to exercise care when ishing rom the shore

and be properly prepared when ishing rom a boat.

Boat users are also reminded to ensure the seaworthiness o

their boats and that they are carrying the correct saety gear.

This includes packing lie jackets, a distress beacon (EPIRB),

marine radio transceiver, lares, an eective anchor and line,

bailer or bilge pump, resh water, irst aid kit, rope, tool kit,

torch, signalling mirror, a ire extinguisher and an alternativepower source/spare motor.

Conditions can change quickly. I you are going to an

unamiliar location, treat the ocean with respect. Carry a chart

o the area where you intend to ish, study it, and amiliarise

yoursel with positions o the navigational aids and hazards in

the area concerned.

Check the weather orecast and watch out or unexpected

changes. Being sensible and doing the right thing will help

ensure your ishing trip will be a saer one.

Bureau o Meteorology: www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa

Department or Planning and Inrastructure Coastal Data

Centre website: www.dpi.wa.gov.au/coastal data

WA Coastal Marine Warnings: 1300 659 223

WA Marine Service: 1900 926 150

Volunteer Sea Rescue groups use VHF channels 16 and 67,

27 MHz channel 88 and HF channel 2182.

Beore you leave, tell someone about your boating plans.

Notiy them immediately i these change during the voyage.

Always report in when you return.

FISH SAFELY THE OCEAN CAN BE TREACHEROUS

Photo:AndrewC

ribb


33/3633Fish for the future FISH SAFELY

Saety tips

Check the weather and sea reports beore you leave

home, especially during the cyclone season.

Beware o the tides. Local tides can be very high and

rise switly. Let amily or riends know where you are going, and when

you will return.

Ensure your boat has the correct saety gear and that it is

in good order. A irst aid kit is essential.

I traveling in remote areas, ensure your vehicle is in

good order and that you have the appropriate spares

and recovery equipment.

Always carry plenty o water.

Wear sunscreen, sun smart clothes and hat, and

protective ree shoes.

Carry saety gear such as rope, a torch and a liejacket.

Dont turn your back on the sea.

Stay alert the ocean is a wild environment. Crocodiles,

stoneish, stingrays, blue-ringed octopus, sharks, cone

shells and other marine creatures may be hazardous and

sometimes lie-threatening.

Australianherring

WesternA

ustraliansalmon(juvenile)


34/3634 Fish for the futureRELEASING FISH

RELEASING FISH

if you do not intend to eat your fish fresh, you should consider

returning the fish to the water. Any fish you release may join

breeding stocks and live to be caught again

at a bigger size.

Inormation on releasing ish, caring or ish

and storing your catch, can be ound in the

Catch Care Tips for Recreational Fishers

brochure on the Department o Fisherieswebsite at www.ish.wa.gov.au


35/3635Fish for the future ABOUT THIS GUIDE

The inormation in this guide reers to inish only and is

current at the date o printing, but may change. For the

most up-to-date inormation on isheries and ishing rules in

plain English, check the Department o Fisheries web site at

www.ish.wa.gov.au or contact the Department beore

going ishing.

Separate guides are available or crustaceans and molluscs,

and or licensed isheries.The latest version o each brochure is available or download

in PDF ormat rom the web site. For legislation, a link rom the

web site will take you to the State Law Publisher.

I you are in doubt about the meaning o any rules, please

contact your nearest Fisheries Oice or clariication beore

going ishing.

You should be aware that all ishing activities may besubject to optical surveillance by Fisheries and Marine

Oicers. Breaking recreational ishing rules may result in an

inringement notice or legal action being initiated against

you. Fines or recreational ishing oences may be as high as

$5,000 plus up to 10 times the dollar value o the species.

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Photo:

HenriqueKwong


36/36

FURTHER INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

3rd Floor, The Atrium,

168 St Georges Terrace, Perth 6000Ph (08) 9482 7333 Fax (08) 9482 7389e-mail: [email protected]

www.fsh.wa.gov.auABN: 55 689 794 771

METROPOLITAN REGIONAL OFFICE

(FREMANTLE)

14 Capo DOrlando Drive,South Fremantle 6162

Ph: (08) 9432 8000 Fax: (08) 9432 8060

BUNBURY DISTRICT OFFICE

96 Stirling Street, Bunbury 6230

Ph: (08) 9721 2688 Fax: (08) 9791 1862

BUSSELTON DISTRICT OFFICE

48A Bussell Highway, Busselton 6280Ph: (08) 9752 2152 Fax: (08) 9752 4721

GERALDTON DISTRICT OFFICE

69-75 Connell Road, Geraldton 6530Ph: (08) 9921 6800 Fax: (08) 9921 3617

HILLARYS DISTRICT OFFICE

WA Fisheries and

Marine Research Laboratories,39 Northside Drive, Hillarys 6025Ph: (08) 9203 0111 Fax: (08) 9203 0110

JURIEN DISTRICT OFFICE

Harbour Ofce Complex,Jurien Harbour 6516Ph: (08) 9652 1048 Fax: (08) 9652 1408

MANDURAH DISTRICT OFFICE

15 Leslie Street, Mandurah 6210Ph: (08) 9535 1240 Fax: (08) 9581 5115

ROCKINGHAM DISTRICT OFFICE

Suite 4 Commerce House,3 Benjamin Way, Rockingham 6168Ph: (08) 9527 3699 Fax: (08) 9527 9776

39 Northside Drive Hillarys Boat Harbour

Come along and learn more about WAs

oceans and rivers through vibrant

displays and interactive exhibits.

Itsfshy,fascinatingandfun!

Naturaliste MarineDiscovery Centre

Documents

Westcoast FISHING Rules_2008