More than 15,500 people have already taken out licences to access Western Australia’s unique West Coast Zone abalone fishery in the lead up to the first fishing day this Saturday (December 9).
In October, Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly announced important changes to the unique 2017-18 West Coast Zone recreational abalone fishing season to improve fisher safety, following a significant review of the fishery.
The season now runs over the summer months to reduce the risk of rough weather conditions and fishing days will be on four specified Saturdays to ensure Surf Life Saving WA have the resources to help make the one-hour fishing window safer.
Fishing will be open between 7am and 8am on the following Saturdays:
- December 9, 2017;
- January 13, 2018;
- February 3, 2018; and
- February 17, 2018.
Recreational abalone catches will be closely monitored on all fishing days to ensure the target range of 18-22 tonnes is met, using options to reduce, or extend, the number of fishing days as appropriate. This will ensure the ongoing sustainability of this highly popular but fragile fishery.
More details and season dates are available at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au