The proposed changes would bring in one set of bag and boat limit rules from north of Kalbarri to east of Augusta.
The current closed season from the Swan and Canning rivers to Minninup Beach south of Bunbury (including the waters of all rivers and estuaries in this area) would also be extended by a month to 31 December each year.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries Management Officer Sara Monaghan said changing the season opening date to 1 January is being considered following feedback from recreational crab fishers who reported catching undersize crabs in December.
“Starting the season a month later will allow more crabs to moult to legal size before they are caught, helping to enhance fishing experiences,” Ms Monaghan said.
DPIRD research scientists monitor blue swimmer crab stocks across the region, including in Cockburn Sound and the Peel Harvey Estuary, and the latest science shows stocks remain at sustainable levels
Ms Monaghan said the proposal was to introduce a standardised individual bag limit of 10 crabs and a boat limit of 20 crabs (with two or more licensed fishers on board) across the entire West Coast bioregion making it easier for fishers to understand and stick to the fishing rules.
“Crabbing is a great recreational fishing experience enjoyed by many Western Australians and their families in the Swan River, Cockburn Sound, the Peel Harvey Estuary and Geographe Bay,” she said.
“Simplifying the rules for catching blue swimmer crabs will help to ensure that fishers continue to have enjoyable and sustainable recreational fishing experiences into the future.”
DPIRD community education, policy and compliance officers will be at the Mandurah Crab Fest this weekend to answer any questions on the proposed changes and the consultation process.
Ms Monaghan said all recreational fishers were encouraged to take part in the consultation process and have their say on the future rules for blue swimmer crab fishing in the West Coast bioregion.
The public consultation runs until 15 April and feedback can be made via the Have Your Say platform yoursay.dpird.wa.gov.au/recreational-blue-swimmer-crab-management-review
Feedback received through the consultation will help inform any changes to the recreational crab fishing rules for the West Coast bioregion ahead of the opening of the 2026/27 summer season.
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