Revised bag and size limits for recreational fishing announced

12/4/95

Fisheries Minister Monty House today announced revised bag and size limits to ensure the sustainability of Western Australia's valuable recreational fish resources.

The modifications are the result of extensive consultation with the recreational fishing community, the State-wide regional recreational liaison committees and the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee.

"The changes will be introduced on July 1, 1995 and relate to fish species considered at risk of overfishing such as some North-West species in need of additional management," Mr House said.

"A new bag limit category called 'key angling and sportfish' has been introduced and a limit of eight fish a day per angler will apply to species in this category.

"These are the prime recreational target species considered at grave risk of overfishing or in need of more appropriate bag and size limits."

Species such as mangrove jack, fingermark bream and threadfin salmon will be placed in the same key angling and sportfish category as tailor and cobbler, which are currently restricted to a bag limit of eight per angler per day.

A possession limit of five barramundi per angler and a minimum legal size of 55cm has also been introduced in line with regulations in the Northern Territory.

"I have also supported the recommendation from the Mandurah and Bunbury recreational fishing advisory committees that a boat limit of 48 blue manna crabs be introduced to prevent excessive catches when the crabs are running," Mr House said.

The individual limit of 24 blue manna crabs per angler per day remains the same.

"I believe that 48 is a generous feed of fresh crabs and the move will help share the blue manna catch among the 80,000 or more fishermen who go crabbing every year."

Other changes that come into effect on July 1 include: 45cm size limit for all mulloway (and the removal of a separate bag limit of one large mulloway over 70cm), a reduction in size limit of Spanish and narrow barred mackerel and wahoo to 75cm, and the introduction of a 50cm legal size for school and shark mackerel.

The size limit for spangled emperor will also increase from 28 cm to 41cm as a result of research which indicated this popular northern reef species takes at least four years to reach spawning size at this length.

The size limit for King George whiting caught east of Point D'Entrecasteaux increases from 25 cm to 28cm.

A trip or possession limit will apply of 20 kg of whole or processed fish plus one day's bag limit per person for all waters except where the Ningaloo bag limit applies.

Mr House said waterproof fish rulers detailing the new bag and size limits were available from Fisheries Department offices.

The Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officers (who wear distinctive yellow shirts) would continue to visit popular fishing spots to offer anglers advice on the current fishing regulations and assistance in measuring catches.

Mr House said from July 1, the following conservation measures would also apply:

·       fishermen would be required to retain all skin and scales on all fillets at landing;

·       billfish would become part of the prize fish category with a mixed bag limit of four;

·       whale sharks would be totally protected;

·       the size limit for queen snapper would be increased to 41cm;

·       trout would be added to the prize fish category with a bag limit of four;

·       the bag limit would be removed for introduced species such as redfin perch, goldfish, carp and tilapia; and -

·       chinaman cod included in the general cod bag limit.

The Minister said the next bag and size limit review for recreational fishermen would be in three years unless urgent action was required on a particular species.

Media contact: Will Henwood (09) 481 2044 or 041 9901500

Fisheries Department Frank Prokop (09) 4827371