Visitors to Crab Fest (Binjareb Djilba) on 16-17 March can enjoy local and national acts and live music, meet celebrities, and taste great regional produce, including local and fresh sustainable seafood.
The Peel Harvey’s three commercial crab fishing families work hard to help supply blue swimmer crabs to the event, which is also being supported by Shark Bay’s commercial crab fishers this year to help meet demand at Mandurah’s premier event.
Commercial blue swimmer crab fishers in the Peel region have achieved the gold standard in sustainability certification through the international Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
MSC sustainability certification also applies for commercial sea mullet catches in the Peel Harvey Estuary.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s fisheries education team and fisheries officers will be on hand at DPIRD’s education stall during Crab Fest, to chat about sustainable fishing and fishing rules.
Our education team will be promoting the new FishCatch WA reporting tool ahead of the next West Coast demersal season, which opens at Easter for four months.
DPIRD’s Education team will also provide advice on proper handling of crabs to minimise damage to small blueys as fishers measure them and in promoting fishing activities that don’t unduly impact the estuary’s flora and fauna, and particularly migratory shorebirds.
Principal Fisheries Management Officer for Nearshore, Estuarine and Inland Resources for DPIRD, Bianca Brooks said the 2023/24 stock assessment for blue swimmer crabs showed stocks were sustainable in the Peel Harvey region, but building stewardship for the resource and the environment was an important role for the department.
“This weekend’s weather looks perfect for Crab Fest and celebrating the rich history of fishing in the Peel Harvey Estuary, which is a diverse and significant wetland of international importance” Ms Brooks said.
“The autumn warmth and coastal breezes will make Mandurah the perfect spot to enjoy what the festival has to offer, including local seafood star – the blue swimmer crab.
“You can tantalise your taste buds with the variety of food options on offer from gourmet kitchens, food trucks, stalls with savoury and sweet offerings, and even see celebrity chefs cooking up some wonderful dishes on the Eastern Foreshore’s Cooking Stage.”
For anyone fishing in Mandurah this weekend, DPIRD’s crabbing guide for blue swimmer crabs is available online in multiple languages.
Check the rules at: Crab, blue swimmer - WA recreational fishing rules.
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