This summer’s Metro abalone season dates announced!

***UPDATE*** Saturday 3 February abalone session has been postponed due to forecast unsafe conditions. A replacement session will take place on 9 March (pending the assessment of swell and weather conditions).

The four dates for jumping in the drink to collect a feed of abalone this summer have been announced! 

Nearly 17,000 of WA’s licensed abalone recfishers will be able to gather Roe’s abalone between Guilderton to Busselton on the following four days.  

  1. Saturday, 9 December from 7-8am
  2. Saturday, 13 January from 7-8am 
  3. Saturday, 17 February from 7-8am 
  4. Saturday, 9 March from 7-8am  (replacement session for loss of scheduled 3 February session)

If bad weather causes the cancellation of one of the abalone dates above, a backup day will be made available. 

The best preparation and fishing practices for improving your safety  

Staying safe while collecting a feed of abs always needs to come first and 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 on their website outline the best abalone gear to use which makes it significantly easier and safer when prowling the inshore reefs.  

Nearly 17,000 licensed abalone fishers will start prowling the reefs both above and below the water on the four days listed above for a feed of abs. Make sure you stay safe and follow SLSWA’s safety tips.

Metro abalone season dates announced

The four dates of the upcoming West Coast abalone season have been announced, so get ready to get geared up for abs!  

Over the upcoming summer season, recreational abalone fishing will take place over one-hour sessions on four Saturday mornings between December and February.  

The more than 17,000 licensed abalone fishers will be able to fish between 7am-8am on: 

  • Saturday 10 December 2022 
  • Saturday 14 January 2023 
  • Saturday 4 February 2023 
  • Saturday 18 February 2023 

Enjoy safe abalone fishing by being across safe gear and abalone fishing practices. 

Click here for great abalone fishing and safety tips from SLSWA 

Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) volunteers are on standby each year to provide condition forecasts for the abalone season and keep fishers safe.

 

Abalone fishers either dive or scan shallow reefs on foot searching for them. Rough conditions and wearing the wrong gear (pictured right) often not mixing well.

Assessing the risks to keep fishers safe

Investing in the right gear for abalone fishing is not only safer, but it also increases your odds of catching them while keeping your caught abalone fresh.

 

Make sure you keep an eye on the forecasts and check RLSWA’s tips for abalone fishing to ensure you come home safe with a full bag!

Images: Perth Fishing Safaris