Tag: abalone gear

Enjoy safe and successful abalone fishing this summer

Recfishwest is encouraging all abalone fishers to enjoy safe fishing this summer by being aware of the weather conditions and wearing all the right gear.  

Thousands of abalone fishers are expected to flock to the coastline as this year’s West Coast Zone abalone season kicks off from 7-8am this Saturday, 14 December between 7-8am. 

In exciting news for abalone fishers, the stretch of coast north of Moore River up to Greenough River will reopen for the first time in 13 years, in addition to the rest of the fishery through the metro down to Busselton Jetty.  

NOTE – this extended coastline from north of the Perth metro area will not be patrolled by Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) volunteers, that is why it is paramount you put your safety first if walking or diving the reef this summer.  

Want to become a gun abalone fisher while also maximising your safety? Check out our latest safe abalone fishing video below that covers the best gear to use! 

No abalone is worth your life

Championing the State’s safe fishing program on behalf of the cast of 750,000 West Aussie fishers, Recfishwest is providing key pointers to ensure all abalone fishers enjoy a great fishing experience and come home safe and sound afterwards. 

Recfishwest Safe Fishing Coordinator Levi De Boni said, “We encourage everyone to be across the swell and weather conditions before going out on the reef to gather abalone.  

“We strongly recommend going abalone fishing with at least one buddy, but if you can’t swim then simply don’t fish – no abalone is worth risking your life for.  

“We also advise wearing a long sleeve wetsuit, gloves and reef shoes, carrying a mesh catch-bag, a mask and snorkel and using a flat edge abalone knife to prize the abs off the rocks. 

“We want everyone to enjoy their fishing for abalone and that means staying safe with everyone having a personal responsibility to ensure their own safety.”  

For more information on how to stay safe while abalone fishing, check out Surf Life Saving WA’s abalone fishing page here https://www.mybeach.com.au/coastal-safety/abalone/ 

This season’s abalone fishing sessions are scheduled on the following Saturdays between 7-8am dependent on the swell and weather forecast:

– 14 December, 2024 
– 11 January, 2025 
– 1 February, 2025 
– 15 February, 2025 

Look out for yourself and your mates and enjoy safe abalone fishing wherever you go!

West Coast Zone open for abalone fishing this summer

In great news for West Aussie abalone fishers, the upcoming West Coast abalone season will see the reopening of the stretch of coast north of Moore River up to Greenough River, in addition to the rest of the fishery through the metro down to Busselton Jetty.   

It means around 16,000 licenced WA abalone fishers can enjoy exploring more coastline for Roe’s abalone between Busselton Jetty and Greenough River Mouth this season.   

Upcoming West Coast Zone abalone dates 

This season, abalone fishing sessions have been set for the following Saturdays between 7am and 8am: 

  • 14 December, 2024;  
  • 11 January, 2025; 
  • 1 February, 2025; 
  • 15 February, 2025.  

In case one of these four days is cancelled due to poor conditions, a backup day has been flagged for Saturday, 8 March from 7am-8am.  

There is an extra 336km of coastline for abalone fishers to explore this summer, with Roe’s abalone fishing to be opened from Busselton jetty to Greenough River Mouth!

Welcome news for abalone fishers 

The area north of Moore River to Greenough has been closed for the past 13 years following the impacts of marine heatwaves on abalone stocks.  

Since a recent stock assessment determined fishing can be supported in this area, the green light was given to extend the abalone fishing zone around 336km further north, from Moore River up to Greenough River Mouth.  

“This is a great result for abalone fishers in the Mid-West, allowing families and friends to explore more of the coastline for grabbing a feed of abalone,” said Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland.  

“We are pleased the Minister supported requests to review the management arrangements for this section of the fishery which has led to it reopening this summer.”  

Recfishwest continues to encourage fishers to have personal safety at the front of their minds, if walking or diving the reef this summer.  

Mid-West abalone fishers should note this extended coastline north of the Perth metro area will not be patrolled by Surf Life Saving WA volunteers. 

Stay safe while enjoying your abs fishing 

If you’re wanting to know the best tips and tricks for not only maximising your protection while abalone fishing but also the best gear that improves your odds of a successful day’s fishing, then Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) have you covered.   

SLSWA’s abalone fishing tips below detail the best abalone gear to use which makes it significantly easier and safer when searching the inshore reefs.   

Click here to see Surf Life Saving WA’s great tips on how to fish safely for abalone. 

The bag limit of 15 Roe’s abalone per person with a size limit of 60mm still applies. Make sure you download the Recfishwest app to be across the rules before jumping in the drink! 

Click here to apply for a recreational abalone fishing licence.