Dozens of recreational fishers have been hit with fines after trying to take more than their fair share during Western Australia's tightly controlled abalone season. The crackdown occurred during the second one-hour session of the year, held on Saturday morning along a popular stretch of the state's coast.
Strict Rules Ignored by Punters
Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development were out in force across the Western Zone. This zone stretches from Busselton Jetty to the Greenough River mouth and includes islands like Rottnest and Carnac. Despite clear regulations, officers issued a total of 38 infringements to individuals caught exceeding the strict bag limit of 15 abalone per licensed fisher.
Some of these fines were also given to people who were fishing without the required $50 recreational abalone licence. Authorities handed out a further 21 official warnings for offences related to excess bag limits and for catching undersized abalone.
Safety a Priority Amid Dangerous Conditions
The unique season, designed to protect precious abalone stocks, consists of just four one-hour sessions. This creates a rush of activity as license holders descend on inshore reefs, which can be a hazardous coastal pursuit. Surf Life Saving WA deployed significant resources to keep participants safe.
More than 180 lifesavers and 35 rescue craft patrolled the coast from Mandurah to Yanchep. Their efforts proved effective, with only four rescues and 13 first aid incidents reported. This was a notable improvement from the first session in December, which saw 11 rescues and 21 first aid cases.
Lifesavers also recorded fewer general safety interactions, with 655 compared to 776 the previous month.
Regulations and Remaining Sessions
The rules for the abalone season are specific and strictly enforced. The minimum legal size for Roe's abalone is 60mm across the widest part of the shell. Fishers are also prohibited from shucking, or removing the meat from the shell, within 200 metres of the beach.
Penalties for breaking these rules can be severe. Fines for bag limit offences range from $50 to $1000, depending on the severity of the breach.
The Department has scheduled two remaining "abalone hours" for the 2026 season, on February 7 and 21. These dates are, as always, subject to favourable weather conditions for the safety of all involved.
