Fisheries officers will be out in force again when abalone fishers take to the water for an additional hour on March 9.
The officers issued 17 fines for exceeding the legal bag limit — 15 per licensed fisher — and 19 bag-limit warnings on February 17, which was meant to close out the four one-hour season from Busselton to Guilderton.
But given the third day on February 3 was cancelled because of rough conditions, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has just scheduled the extra day on March 9, from 7am to 8am.
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Officers also on February 17 issued a shucking fine — abalone fishers are prohibited from shucking their catch within 200m of the high-water mark — and five fines and four warnings for undersized abalone.
The minimum size for Roe’s abalone is 60mm across the widest part of the shell, with fishers urged to measure the abalone before removing them from the reef.
They also fined and warned people for taking shellfish other than abalone, for fishing outside the designated hour-long window and for not having the required $50 fishing licence.
WA surf lifesavers will again be on patrol, having performed 430 preventative actions and six rescues on February 17. They conducted first aid 24 times.
DPIRD Fisheries management officer Druimé Nolan said SLSWA provided an important service.
“The role of SLSWA along with the efforts of their many volunteers so early in the morning is much appreciated and we thank them for their continued commitment to keeping beachgoers as safe as possible,” she said.
“We also thank licence-holders for fishing responsibly and safely, so far in this season.
“Fishers always need to ensure they have sufficient water safety skills to manage the ocean conditions on the day. It is also essential that participants have suitable clothing and correct gear for abalone fishing.
“If unsafe conditions are forecast and where a decision has been made to cancel the March 9 fishing session due to a safety risk, we will notify abalone licence holders on March 6.”
The Fisheries education team will attend some locations along the coast to provide fishers with information.
DPIRD researchers and volunteers will count catches as part of the usual assessment to “ensure the fishery remains sustainable”.