Public consultation is now open on proposed changes to blue swimmer crab rules in the West Coast bioregion including Mandurah.
The proposed changes would bring in one set of bag and boat limit rules from north of Kalbarri to east of Augusta, making the rules easier to understand.
The current closed season from the Swan and Canning rivers to Minninup Beach south of Bunbury (including the waters of all rivers and estuaries in this area) would also be extended by a month to December 31 each year.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries Management Officer Sara Monaghan said changing the season opening date to January 1 is being considered following feedback from recreational crab fishers who reported catching undersize crabs in December.
“Starting the season a month later will allow more crabs to moult to legal size before they are caught, helping to enhance fishing experiences,” Ms Monaghan said.
DPIRD research scientists monitor blue swimmer crab stocks across the region, including in Cockburn Sound and the Peel Harvey Estuary, and the latest science shows stocks remain at sustainable levels.
Ms Monaghan said the proposal was to introduce a standardised individual bag limit of 10 crabs and a boat limit of 20 crabs (with two or more licensed fishers on board) across the entire West Coast bioregion making it easier for fishers to understand and stick to the fishing rules.
“Crabbing is a great recreational fishing experience enjoyed by many Western Australians and their families in the Swan River, Cockburn Sound, the Peel Harvey Estuary and Geographe Bay,” she said.
“Simplifying the rules for catching blue swimmer crabs will help to ensure that fishers continue to have enjoyable and sustainable recreational fishing experiences into the future.”
DPIRD community education, policy and compliance officers will be at the Mandurah Crab Fest this weekend to answer any questions on the proposed changes and the consultation process.
Ms Monaghan said all recreational fishers were encouraged to take part in the consultation process and have their say on the future rules for blue swimmer crab fishing in the West Coast bioregion.
The public consultation runs until April 15 and feedback can be made via the Have Your Say platform yoursay.dpird.wa.gov.au/recreational-blue-swimmer-crab-management-review
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