WA's Waters Buzz with Snapper Release and Abalone Fishing This Weekend
Western Australia's coastal waters are poised for a bustling weekend of marine activity, featuring two significant events that highlight community engagement and sustainable fishing practices.
Snapper Guardians Event Returns
The Snapper Guardians program, WA's largest community fish-stocking initiative, is making a comeback on Saturday, February 7. This event invites families, anglers, and community members to participate in releasing thousands of juvenile pink snapper into Cockburn Sound at Jervoise Bay Dog Beach, Woodman Point.
Participants are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 am, with release activities kicking off around 10 am. Attendees should come prepared with bathers, towels, sunscreen, snorkels, and cameras to capture the memorable experience.
The juvenile snapper, measuring approximately 5-7 cm in length, have been carefully hatched and reared at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's aquaculture facility in Fremantle. A total of 5,000 pink snapper juveniles will be released by the community on the day, contributing to a broader stocking effort of 60,000 fish by DPIRD as part of the State Government's West Coast demersal recovery package.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland emphasized the importance of the event, stating, "Snapper Guardians demonstrates the deep value that demersal fish like snapper hold for the fishing community. Our goal is to ensure that Cockburn Sound continues to support the largest known spawning schools of pink snapper between Kalbarri and Augusta."
Managed Abalone Fishing Session
Simultaneously, on the same day, approximately 16,000 licensed abalone fishers will take to the reefs between Busselton Jetty and the Greenough River Mouth for the third fishing session of the season, scheduled from 7 am to 8 am.
Surf Life Saving WA has provided modelling for the day, predicting an average tide of 0.4m and wave heights or swells averaging 1.1m or above. Air temperatures are expected to range from 19 to 35 degrees Celsius, with winds around 20 km/h.
DPIRD management officer Aidan Walsh highlighted the tightly managed nature of the abalone season, designed to offer recreational fishers safe access while ensuring the fishery's long-term sustainability. "It is crucial for all fishers to be aware of the abalone size and bag limits before heading out. This helps maintain sustainable and healthy stocks for future generations," Mr Walsh noted.
Key regulations include a bag limit of 15 Roe's abalone per person and a minimum size limit of 60mm, measured across the widest part of the shell. Fishers are advised to measure abalone while they are still on the reef to avoid taking undersized specimens, as any abalone placed in a catch bag is considered part of the catch and cannot be returned later.
DPIRD fisheries officers will be present at beaches in the Western Zone to ensure compliance with fishing rules, while Surf Life Saving WA patrols will focus on fisher safety, excluding the area north of Yanchep to the Greenough River Mouth.
This weekend's activities underscore a balanced approach to marine conservation and recreational fishing in Western Australia, fostering community involvement and environmental stewardship.
