Rock Lobster Science Predicts Great Fishing To Come

The 2015-16 western rock lobster season drew to a close at the end of June. Good news for crayfish lovers is we are less than three months from the opening of the 2016-17 season, starting October 15. General consensus among lobster fishers was that the past season was another extremely productive one, highlighting just how well this fishery is managed.

There were plenty of good crays caught, with an excellent early season run of whites. This white migration phase is typically from November to late January where large numbers of pale pink (whites) lobsters, recently moulted from their deep red colour, migrate from inshore reefs to deep water. During this migration, the lobster are highly exposed to fishing and large catches are taken by fishers. Adult and non-migrating lobsters are known as ‘reds’ and form the catch between February through to June. Then again once the season starts in October until when the “whites” start again in November.

Two changes to rules this season also proved popular with recreational fishers. The first was the removal of a maximum size limit for female lobster. The size limit requirement on female lobster was an old management tool before it was managed as a ‘quota managed fishery’ (management that sets out a defined number of lobsters that can be removed from the water each year by rec fishers). It’s also important to note, any female in breeding condition such as in setose, tar spot (see above) or carrying eggs must be promptly returned to the water. The other change, which proved to be very well accepted by recreational fishers, was the ability for two licenced fishers to share a pot. This change to the rules enabled more people than ever to enjoy the experience of catching a feed of our fantastic crayfish.

There will be plenty of recreational fishers counting the days to a great 2016/17 fishing season, as an above average juvenile count forecasts healthy stocks and a great fishing season for all.

Continue Reading

January 30, 2025

Recfishwest pushing to boost freshwater fishing with floating jetty at Big Brook Dam

An innovative idea for a new fishing platform at Pemberton’s Big Brook Dam is being floated by Recfishwest and the local fishing community – quite literally!   The iconic dam provides year-round trout fishing…

Read More

January 30, 2025

Port Hedland community to get a new artificial reef!

Recfishwest is excited to announce plans to install a new artificial reef off the coast of Port Hedland in partnership with BHP. A new addition to the State’s network of seven current artificial reefs, the new Port…

Read More

January 29, 2025

Design plans for Bunbury’s new jetty promise exciting, accessible fishing for everyone!

When last year’s State budget was released, we were excited to see $4 million allocated for a new fishing platform to replace Bunbury’s recently condemned community fishing jetty.  Today, we can share the design…

Read More

January 28, 2025

WA’s marine heatwave demands action to build fisheries’ resilience

Last week, DPIRD issued a marine heatwave alert for the North Coast and Gascoyne regions with the potential for it to reach the southern half of the State over the next couple of months. This follows current sea…

Read More

January 21, 2025

Bluewater Classic sees big species variety and donations to science

A strong turn-out for the 2025 Bluewater Classic run out of Geographe Bay showcased the South-West community’s passion for fishing – with many of the 160-plus participating fishers donating samples to fisheries…

Read More

January 20, 2025

Family fishing fun lures kids to enjoy the great West Aussie outdoors

The great West Aussie summer holidays are seeing thousands of mums, dads and kids making golden memories at family fishing events in the South of our State.   Family-fun-packed events like the ever-popular Mandalay…

Read More