Steps to protect spawning pink snapper in metro area

9/7/96

Fisheries Minister Monty House today announced new seasonal conservation measures to protect spawning pink snapper in the Perth metropolitan area.

Mr House said the measures were aimed at protecting the highly vulnerable spawning pink snapper which gathered in Cockburn Sound during spring and summer.

Between September 1 and December 31, anglers would each be able to take a maximum of two pink snapper over 70cm (in length) per day.

A boat limit of four pink snapper over 70cm would also apply during the same period.

These controls would apply between Halls Head and Two Rocks.

The Minister said pink snapper gathered in large groups to spawn every year off the Perth coast, making them an easy target for anglers - as many as 100 boats per night had been reported fishing the snapper 'run'.

Perth metropolitan recreational fishers might still take up to eight pink snapper per day, but only two of these could be over 70cm. At other times of year, the daily bag limit of eight pink snapper of a minimum length of 41cm applied.

A ban on commercial longline fishing in Cockburn Sound during weekends would also be imposed.

"These gatherings of spawning snapper are highly vulnerable and taking large numbers may affect the long-term sustainability of the stock," Mr House said.

"If all recreational anglers adopt a conservation ethic and reduce the amount of fish they take, they will help ensure that Western Australia's famous Cockburn Sound pink snapper will be available for future generations to enjoy.

"Anglers are being asked to take only enough fish for their immediate consumption and remember to 'fish for the future'."

Mr House said research showed the spawning fish could exceed 12 kg and reach an age of up to 15 to 20 years.

Researchers believed that snapper spawning in Cockburn Sound might play a key role in replenishing the west and south coast snapper stock.

Fisheries officers would be carrying out boat checks in the Cockburn Sound area during the spawning season and with the assistance of Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officers, conducting an angler catch survey and education program.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (09) 481 2044