Recreational Fishing Guide: Gascoyne Region

GASCOYNE REGiON

RECREAtiONAl fiShiNG GUiDE

PUBliShED MARCh 2011

YOUR liCENCE fEES At wORk

CONTENTS

Fish for the future

Contents

FISH FOR THE FUTURE ................................................3

BAG AND SIZE LIMITS .................................................4

RELEASE WEIGHTS .....................................................9

FISHING LICENCES ....................................................11

FISHING FOR PINK SNAPPER .....................................13

MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS ................................15

UNDERSTANDING THE FISHING RULES .......................19

FISH SAFELY .............................................................26

ABOUT THIS GUIDE ...................................................27

On the cover

South Passage, Shark Bay. To the

west lie the high limestone cliffs of

Steep Point, with some of the best,

but potentially dangerous, shore-based

game fishing in Australia. To the east

is Dirk Hartog Island. Boating can be

treacherous in South Passage, owing to

strong currents and tidal movements.

Photo: Tourism Western Australia

3INTRODUCTION

Fish for the future

FIsH FoR tHe FUtURe

estern Australia’s fisheries management strategies

have one primary goal – Fish for the future. This means

ensuring our fisheries are ecologically sustainable.

These strategies are part of an integrated approach to

management that not only takes into account the impact of

fishing by recreational, commercial and indigenous sectors

– but also the effect of other human activities on the

State’s ecosystems.

In Western Australia,

all marine fishing is

managed in four broad

biological regions – the

North Coast, Gascoyne

Coast, West Coast and

South Coast.

This publication provides

a guide to the rules that

apply to recreational

fishing in the Gascoyne

Bioregion – which runs

from the Zuytdorp Cliffs,

north of Kalbarri to

the Ashburton River,

south of Onslow

(27° South latitude to

21°46’ South latitude).

North Coast

(Pilbara/Kimberley)

Gascoyne

Coast

West

Coast

South Coast

Kununurra

Broome

Port Hedland

Karratha

Onslow

Exmouth

Carnarvon

Denham

Kalbarri

Geraldton

Perth

Augusta

Black Point

Albany

Esperance

Eucla

115°30' E

114° 50' E

27 °S

21 °46' S

WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S FISHERIES BIOREGIONS

BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

Fish for the future

HIGH RISK SPECIES

Mixed daily bag limit – 7 per angler

The species in this group are generally long-lived, slow-growing, mature at four-plus

years, form semi-resident populations, are vulnerable to localised depletion due to their

life history, or are of low abundance or highly targeted.

(FRMR Schedules 2 and 3)

SPECIES

SCIENTIFIC

NAME

MINIMUM

LEGAL SIZE

BAG

LIMIT

Barracuda Sphyraena

barracuda

Not applicable 4

Barramundi – State-wide Lates calcarifer 550 mm

Billfish (sailfish, swordfish,

and marlins) – combined

Families

Istiophoridae and

Xiphiidae

Not applicable 1

Bonefish Albula spp. Not applicable 2

Cobia Rachycentron

canadus

750 mm 2

Cods – combined (including

Chinaman cod or ‘Charlie Court’)

Note: within this bag limit

you may not take more than

two estuary or Rankin cod

combined.

Family Serranidae Epinephelus sp. over

1,000 mm or 30 kg are

protected. (except grey

banded rock cod)

Breaksea – 300 mm

Estuary – 400 mm

Cod, Estuary – inner gulfs of

Shark Bay

Epinephelus coioides

400 mm.

Maximum size 1,000 mm.

Maximum weight 30 kg

Coral trout and coronation

trout – combined

Plectropomus spp.

and Variola louti

Coral – 450 mm 1

Dhufish, Western Australian

and pearl perch – combined

Glaucosoma spp. Dhufish – 500 mm 2

Emperors and seabream –

combined (including spangled

emperor/nor’ west snapper

and Robinson’s seabream)

Family Lethrinidae Spangled – 410 mm.

Blue-lined (black snapper)

– 320 mm. Other

emperors – 280 mm

Groper, baldchin and tuskfish

– combined

Choerodon spp. Baldchin, blackspot & blue

tuskfish – 400 mm

Groper, baldchin and tuskfish

– combined (inner gulfs of

Shark Bay)

Choerodon spp. Baldchin, blackspot & blue

tuskfish – 400 mm

BAG AnD sIZe LIMIts

Special risk species must be landed whole.

Possession limit – 2 per angler. May only be taken by line.

Note: Special filleting rules apply in Shark Bay - see page 13.

5BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

Fish for the future

Special risk species must be landed whole.

Note: Special filleting rules apply in Shark Bay - see page 13.

HIGH RISK SPECIES (Continued)

Mixed daily bag limit – 7 per angler

SPECIES

SCIENTIFIC

NAME

MINIMUM

LEGAL SIZE

BAG

LIMIT

Mackerel – shark Grammatocynus

bicarinatus

500 mm 4

Mackerel, Spanish –

broad-barred (grey) and

narrow-barred – combined

Scomberomorus

semifasciatus and

S. commerson

Narrow-barred – 900 mm

Broad-barred – 750 mm

Mackerel – wahoo Acanthocybium

solandri

900 mm 2

Mahi mahi (dolphinfish) Coryphaena

hippurus

500 mm 4

Mulloway and

northern mulloway

Argyrosomus

hololepidotus

and Protonibea

diacanthus

Mulloway 500 mm

Northern – 700 mm

Parrot fish – combined Family Scaridae Not applicable 4

Pink snapper Pagrus auratus 410 mm

Pink snapper – inner gulfs of

Shark Bay

Pagrus auratus 500 mm

700 mm maximum size

Queenfish Scomberoides

commersonnianus

Not applicable 4

Red emperor Lutjanus sebae 410 mm

Samson fish/amberjack/

yellowtail kingfish – combined

Seriola spp. 600 mm 2

Sharks and rays – combined Class

Chondrichthyes

Not applicable 2

Trevally, giant and golden –

combined

Caranx ignobilis

and Gnathanodon

speciosus

Not applicable 2

Tropical snappers and

sea perch (mangrove jack,

fingermark, job fish, stripey

sea perch etc.) – combined

Family Lutjanidae Fingermark, mangrove jack

and stripey sea perch –

300 mm

Tuna – southern bluefin,

yellowfin, bigeye – combined

Thunnus maccoyii,

T. albacares and

T. obesus

Not applicable 2

BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

Fish for the future

MEDIUM RISK SPECIES

Mixed daily bag limit – 16 per angler

Species generally mature at two to three years, are of moderate abundance,

are highly targeted, and often use estuarine and inshore habitats extensively.

SPECIES

SCIENTIFIC

NAME

MINIMUM LEGAL

SIZE

BAG

LIMIT

Bonito – leaping and oriental,

and other tunas – combined

Family Scombridae Not applicable 8

Bream – north-west, black and

yellowfin – combined

Acanthopagrus spp. 250 mm.

Yellowfin – 300 mm

Flathead and flounder –

combined

Family Platycephalidae

and Pseudorhombus spp.

Flathead – 300 mm

Flounder – 250 mm

Goatfish Family Mullidae Not applicable 8

Leatherjacket Family Monacanthidae 250 mm 8

Mackerel – Queensland school

and spotted – combined

Scomberomus

queenslandicus and

S. munroi

500 mm 4

Snook and pike – combined Sphyraena spp. and

Dinolestes spp.

300 mm 8

Tailor Pomatomus saltatrix 300 mm 8

Tarwhine Rhabdosargus sarba 250 mm 16

Threadfin salmon – giant,

northern and Gunter’s combined

Polydactylus and

Eleutheronema spp.

Giant – 450 mm 8

Trevally – combined Family Carangidae Skipjack – 250 mm 8

Whiting, yellowfin Sillago schomburgkii Not applicable 16

LOWEST RISK SPECIES

Mixed daily bag limit – 40 per angler

Species generally mature at one to two years, are of high abundance,

distributed widely and generally pelagic. Species not listed have little known

about their biology or abundance and are generally not targeted by anglers.

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME BAG LIMIT

Australian herring Arripis georgianus

You can only take

a combined maximum

of 40 lowest risk fish.

No size limits apply.

Dart Trachinotus spp.

Garfish Family Hemiramphidae

Longtom Family Belonidae

Mackerel, blue (common) Scomber australasicus

Milkfish Chanos chanos

Mullet – sea and yellow-eye Family Mugilidae

Whiting, sand and school Sillago spp.

All other unlisted species of fish

7BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

Fish for the future

CRUSTACEANS AND SHELLFISH

CRUSTACEANS

SCIENTIFIC

NAME

MINIMUM

LEGAL SIZE

BAG

LIMIT

BOAT

LIMIT

Crab, blue swimmer

(manna)

Portunus pelagicus

127 mm (carapace)

20 40

Crab, mud – all species

combined

Scylla spp. Green – 150 mm

Brown – 120 mm

(carapace)

5 10

Crab, Champagne Hypothalassia acerba 92 mm † N/A

Crab, Crystal Chaceon spp. 120 mm † N/A

Crab, Giant

Pseudocarcinnus gigas

140 mm † N/A

Prawns, school and king Family Penaeidae N/A 9 litres N/A

Rock lobster – all

species combined.

Panulirus spp. See separate brochure

All species not specifically

mentioned – combined

†

MOLLUSCS AND

OTHER REEF ANIMALS

SCIENTIFIC

NAME

MINIMUM

LEGAL SIZE

BAG

LIMIT

BOAT

LIMIT

Abalone, Roe’s and

tropical

Haliotis spp See separate brochure

Ark shells, cockles,

pipis, venus clams and

all other species of edible

molluscs not specifically

mentioned – combined

Families Arcidae,

Cardiidae, Donacidae

and Veneridae

Trochus – 65 mm 2 litres

(Shell on)

N/A

Mussels Family Mytilidae N/A

9 litres

(Shell on)

N/A

Oysters Family Ostreidae N/A 20 N/A

Razorshell Family Pinnidae N/A 20 N/A

Scallops Family Pectinidae N/A 20 N/A

Squid, cuttlefish and

octopus – all species

combined

Class Cephalopoda N/A 15 30

Licence required – see separate brochure for details of fishing rules.

# Only applies when two or more fishers aboard.

† Denotes species with a combined bag limit of 40.

N/A – Not applicable.

BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

Fish for the future

Species with no bag limit:

Baitfish (Families Atherinidae, Clupeidae and Engraulidae

– pilchards, scaly mackerel, whitebait, anchovies and

hardyheads) and feral freshwater species including carp,

tilapia, goldfish and redfin perch have no bag limit.

PROTECTED SPECIES

These species are totally protected and may not be taken.

(FRMR Schedule 2, FRMA Section 43)

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME

Coral and live rock Order Scleractinia

See Order No.11 of 2007

Great white shark Carcharodon carcharias

Humphead Maori wrasse Cheilinus undulatus

Leafy seadragon Phycodurus eques

Potato cod Epinephelus tukula

Queensland groper Epinephelus lanceolatus

Sawfish – all species Family Pristidae

Speartooth shark Glyphis spp.

Whale shark Rhiniodon typus

Prohibitions on the take of totally protected species apply to both commercial and recreational

fishers. Some species may also be protected under Commonwealth legislation – visit

www.environment.gov.au for further information.

9RELEASE WEIGHTS

Fish for the future

ReLeAse WeIGHts

oat fishers are encouraged to use an appropriate ‘release

weight’ device when line fishing for demersal scalefish in

the Gascoyne Bioregion. A release weight can help reduce

the effects of barotrauma and maximize the fish’s chance of

survival upon release.

What is barotrauma?

Barotrauma results from the sudden expansion of gases in

the swim bladder and other organs when a fish does not have

time to adjust to the rapid changes in water pressure as it is

pulled to the surface.

Demersal, or ‘bottom-dwelling’, species such as baldchin

groper and cods, are particularly susceptible to pressure

changes when pulled to the surface from depths of around

20 metres or more, and frequently succumb to the effects of

barotrauma.

The most obvious symptoms of barotrauma include a bloated

stomach, bulging or ‘popped’ eyes, the stomach protruding from

the mouth or gills, and distended intestines. Even if released

quickly, fish suffering from barotrauma may not be able to return

to the bottom if their swim bladder remains inflated.

A release weight is designed to assist their return to the

seabed and increase the survival rate of released fish.

What is a release weight?

A commonly used release weight is a weighted barbless hook

attached either to an existing fishing rig, or used on a rod and

reel or handline specifically set aside for releasing deep-water

fish. The release weight is used to return deep-water species

such as cod back to the seabed as quickly as possible,

helping to reverse the effects of barotrauma.

RELEASE WEIGHTS

Fish for the future

How do I use a release weight?

The release weight is

attached to the upper jaw of

the fish and is designed to be

easily detached by tugging the

line once the fish is back on

the seabed.

Single operator – small fish only

• Attach the release weight

through the upper jaw of

the fish.

• Hold the body of the fish in

one hand and in the other

hold the rod or handline (with

the release weight attached) ready for free spool.

• Gently but quickly lower the fish into the water and let the

attached line run free as the fish is released.

• Once the fish reaches the bottom, tug the line to detach the

release weight.

Two operators – recommended for large fish

• Whilst one person supports the body of the fish, the other

attaches the release weight to the upper jaw.

• Gently lower the fish into the water and operate the rod or

handline as the fish is released.

• Additional weights (e.g. dive weights) may be required to

return large cods to the sea bed.

Note: in order to maximise survival rates of released fish, it is

strongly recommended that handling be kept to a minimum

and contact with the fish’s eyes and gills is avoided. More

information on release weight usage and details on proper

fish handling can be found at www.recfishwest.org.au

Where can I buy a release weight?

There are several stockists of release weights in Western

Australia, including boating, fishing and camping stores. For

a full list of retail outlets, go to www.recfishwest.org.au or

phone Recfishwest on (08) 9246 3366.

Photo courtesy of Recﬁshwest

Fish for the future

FISHING LICENCES

FIsHInG LICenCes

In WA, licences are required for the following:

• Recreational Fishing from Boat – NEW 2 March, 2010;

• Rock Lobster;

• Abalone;

• Marron;

• South-West Freshwater Angling; and

• Net Fishing (set, haul and throw nets)

The rules for fishing under a Recreational Fishing from Boat

Licence in the Gascoyne region can be found in this guide.

See separate brochures for details of fishing rules for the

remaining licensed recreational fisheries listed above.

You may apply for a licence at Department of Fisheries’ offices or

Australia Post. Alternatively, you can purchase or renew your licence

online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.fish.wa.gov.au

All revenue from recreational fishing licences is placed in

a recreational fishing trust fund and used to protect and

conserve our vulnerable fish stocks, helping ensure a healthy

future for recreational fishing throughout the state.

Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence

To help improve the management of WA’s recreational fisheries,

a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence will be required from

2 March, 2010 to undertake any general fishing activity carried

out with the use of a powered vessel. A ‘powered vessel’ is any

boat fitted with a propulsion motor, including motorised yachts.

You must produce your licence if fishing from a powered vessel

when requested by a Fisheries and Marine Officer.

The expanded licensing system will provide a database of

boat fishers across WA which will assist in determining who

is fishing, where they are fishing and what they are catching.

Through the new licensing system, recreational fishers will be

making an added contribution to the effective management of

the resource that they so highly value.

Fish for the future

FISHING LICENCES

Examples of where the new licence is required when fishing

from a powered boat include:

• line fishing (handline, rod and line, squid jigging);

• catching crabs;

• spearfishing;

• catching octopus; and

• dip-netting for prawns.

In addition, you will be required to have a licence where fish,

crabs or shellfish are taken by wading or other non-boat based

activities but when you have used a powered boat to reach

your immediate fishing location.

What activities don’t require a Recreational Fishing from

Boat Licence?

A person fishing from a boat without a motor fitted (such as a

kayak or dinghy without a motor) will not need a Recreational

Fishing from Boat Licence.

A Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence will not be required

when an existing licensed fishing activity (such as rock lobster

or abalone fishing) is the only activity undertaken on that trip.

If, however, for example a rock lobster fisher also fishes by line

on the same trip, a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence

would be required to cover the line fishing activity.

Unlicensed fishers can fish in the company of a licensed boat

fisher provided they stay within the licensed fisher’s bag limit.

The take of fish by all persons on a boat must not exceed

the total bag and boat limits of fishers holding Recreational

Fishing from Boat Licences.

It is the licensed boat fishers’ responsibility to ensure that the

total take of fish on a boat does not exceed their bag limit.

Fishing from Charter Boats

Fishers are currently not required to hold a Recreational Fishing

from Boat Licence when fishing from a licensed charter boat.

The charter sector contributes to the cost of managing recreational

fishing through licence fees and charter catch and participation

information is provided through compulsory log book returns.

13FISHING FOR PINK SNAPPER

Fish for the future

FIsHInG FoR PInK snAPPeR

Pink snapper

Pink snapper are tough members of the sea bream family.

These predatory fish can live for over 30 years and reach

more than a metre in length and 10 kilograms in weight. Adult

fish hang around a ‘home’ area, but are known to roam 50

nautical miles or more as they search for food and mates.

In Western Australia, pink snapper are found from the cool waters

of the Great Australian Bight to the warm waters of Shark Bay –

living much of their lives in the mid- to lower water levels.

In Shark Bay, pink snapper gather in large schools or

‘aggregations’ to spawn during winter, when the water

temperature falls. During the spawning period, female pink

snapper release millions of eggs in a series of batches over

several weeks.

Shark Bay inner gulfs

The following rules apply when fishing for pink snapper in the

inner gulfs of Shark Bay.

Daily bag limit:

One, minimum size 500 mm, maximum size

700 mm.

Eastern Gulf:

Closed season 1 May – 31 July.

Denham Sound:

Open each year until the 15 tonne Total

Allowable Catch (TAC) is reached.

Freycinet Estuary:

Closed season 15 August – 30 September.

Anglers must have a pink snapper tag to take pink snapper

in the Freycinet Estuary. A limited number of tags are issued

each year. Contact the Department of Fisheries for details.

Other Species:

Estuary cod, baldchin groper and tuskfish have

been identified as being highly vulnerable to overfishing in the

inner gulfs of Shark Bay. To protect these species, a reduced bag

limit of one estuary cod and two baldchin groper and tuskfish

(combined) applies when landed in the inner gulfs of Shark Bay.

FISHING FOR PINK SNAPPER

Fish for the future

Fishing Oceanic Stocks: Recreational fishers are not allowed

to land more than the Shark Bay inner gulf bag limit and

inner gulf size limits apply when the fish have been caught

in oceanic waters and landed anywhere in the eastern and

western gulfs of Shark Bay. Previous exemptions that allowed

this no longer apply.

No filleting at sea – Shark Bay

Special rules apply to protect Shark Bay’s vulnerable inner

gulf pink snapper stocks. In the inner gulfs of Shark Bay, a

person must not be in possession of, or have in a boat, any

fish other than whole fish. This applies to all species except

mackerel and tuna, which may be filleted at sea provided that

only one fillet is taken from each side of the fish, and the

skin and pectoral fin (‘wings’) are left attached to each fillet.

The only other exception to this rule are fish being prepared

for immediate

consumption or

for use as bait,

however this

exception does

not apply to

pink snapper.

Shark Bay

inner gulfs

Carnarvon

Western

Gulf Zone

FREYCINET

ESTUARY

EASTERN

GULF ZONE

HAMELIN

POOL MARINE

RESERVE -

NO FISHING

DENHAM

SOUND

Monkey

Mia

Denham

Nanga

Faure

Island

Dirk Hartog

Island

Cape

Inscription

Cape St. Cricq

Cape

Peron North

(25°30.2'S, 113°30.6'E)

Cape Ransonnet

(113°12.9'E)

Goulet

Bluff

Withnell Point

(25°35'S,

113°01'E)

25°59'S

25°16.6'S

113°15'E

26°13'S

Fish for the future

MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS

MARIne ConseRVAtIon AReAs

arine conservation areas play an important part

in conserving our marine ecology and protecting

biodiversity. These include marine nature reserves, marine

parks, fish habitat protection areas and various fishing

closures. In addition to the general fishing rules in this guide,

most of these areas contain sanctuary zones and have

special rules that apply to fishing within them. It should be

noted where reference is made to rock lobster and abalone,

seasonal rules apply.

Miaboolya

Beach FHPA

Point Quobba FHPA

Exmouth

Carnarvon

Denham

27 ° S

21 °46' S

Ningaloo

Marine

Park

Shark Bay Marine Park

(including Hamelin Pool

Marine Nature Reserve)

114 ° 50' E

Muiron Islands

Marine Management Area

Ningaloo Marine Park

southern extension

Gudrun Wreck

Fish Habitat

Protection Areas

Legend

Marine Parks

Marine

Management Area

GASCOYNE COAST MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

Fish for the future

MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS

A brief summary of the main fishing rules is provided here.

For full details of permitted activities and zones refer to the

relevant visitor’s guide. Marine Parks guides are available from

the Department of Environment and Conservation. Fish Habitat

Protection Area information is available from the Department

of Fisheries.

Muiron Islands Marine Management Area

(FRMA Order No. 10 of 2008)

• Conservation Areas at Sunday Island, North and South

Murion Islands are closed to all fishing.

• Fishing with rock lobster pots is prohibited throughout the

Muiron Islands Marine Management Area.

Ningaloo

Marine

Park

Muiron Islands

Marine Management Area

Exmouth

Exmouth Gulf

Sunday Island

Muiron

Islands

North

West Cape

Legend

Conservation Area

Marine Management Area

Marine Park

Ningaloo Marine Park

(FRMA Order No. 12 of 2005)

Fishing closures

• All sanctuary areas are closed to fishing.

• Shore fishing using rod and line only is permitted in

designated areas adjoining some sanctuary zones.

Fish for the future

MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS

Spearfishing

• No spearfishing between Tantabiddi and Winderabandi Point.

• Cod and wrasse species may not be taken by spearfishing.

• Compressed air may not be used for spearfishing.

Note: Cods (Family Serranidae) include the coronation

and coral trouts. Wrasses (Family Labridae) include the

tuskfishes and baldchin groper.

Bottom fishing

• ‘Special purpose benthic protection areas’ are closed to

bottom-fishing from a boat. You may troll in these areas.

Protected species

Within the Marine Park you may not fish for:

• Molluscs (except oysters, cuttlefish, octopus and squid).

• Manta ray.

Netting – Licence required

• Closed to set and haul net fishing in most areas.

• Throw nets may be used to take mullet only.

• See the Recreational Net Fishing guide for details.

Rock lobsters

• Special rules apply – see the Fishing for Rock Lobster in WA

guide for details.

A separate guide to zoning and activities in the Ningaloo

Marine Park and the Muiron Islands Marine Management

Area is available from the Department of Environment and

Conservation.

Point Quobba Fish Habitat Protection Area

(FRMR Regulation 113E, FRMA Order 2004)

• Fishing is prohibited within the Point Quobba Restricted

Area, except for taking oysters by hand and squid using an

unbaited jig.

• Using jet skis is prohibited within the Point Quobba

Restricted Area.

• See the Point Quobba FHPA guide for details.

Fish for the future

MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS

Miaboolya Beach Fish Habitat Protection Area

(FRMA Order 2003)

• Net fishing is prohibited in all inland waters and within 400

metres of all creek mouths and within 800 metres of the

Gascoyne River mouth.

• Hand-held scoop nets, dip nets (fish landing nets) and drop

nets (crab nets) may be used.

• See the Miaboolya Beach FHPA guide for details.

Shark Bay Marine Park

(FRMA Order No. 5 of 2004)

Fishing closures

• All sanctuary areas are closed to fishing.

• The Dolphin Interaction Area at Monkey Mia is closed to line

and rock lobster fishing. Crab fishing using a drop net is

also prohibited.

Spearfishing

• Spearfishing on compressed air is prohibited in the

Marine Park.

• Spearfishing of any kind is prohibited in recreation areas

and special purpose areas at Cape Peron, Big Lagoon and

Boorabuggatta.

Netting - Licence required

• Closures to set, haul and throw net fishing apply – see the

Recreational Net Fishing Guide for details.

Crabbing

• Fishing for crabs using a drop net is prohibited in all

recreation areas.

A separate guide to zoning and activities in the Shark Bay

Marine Park is available from the Department of Environment

and Conservation.

Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve

(FRMA Order No. 6 of 2004)

• Closed to all fishing.

Fish for the future

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

UnDeRstAnDInG tHe FIsHInG RULes

ach of the four biological regions (bioregions) in WA has

its own suite of fishing rules, although some rules such

as possession limits and legal sizes may apply Statewide. If

you transport fish across a regional boundary, the rules that

apply are those which relate to the bioregion in which you are

checked by a Fisheries and Marine Officer – not the bioregion

in which you caught the fish.

How to measure a fish

(FRMR Regulation 151, Schedule 8)

Fish should be measured in

a ‘natural’ position, i.e. tail

not distorted (the tail should be laid flat). Most finfish are

measured from the point of the snout to the tip of the tail.

Fishing for crabs

(FRMR Part 4A, Division 2, Reg. 64L)

You may only catch crabs by the following methods:

•

by hand

; or

• by wire hook: A hand-held blunt wire hook may be used to catch

crabs. Hooks must not be capable of piercing the crab; or

•

by drop net:

Drop nets must not exceed 1.5 metres in

diameter. There is a maximum limit of 10 drop nets per

person or 10 drop nets per boat, regardless of how many

people are aboard; or

•

by scoop net:

Hand-held wire or plastic scoop nets must be

hemispherical, constructed of rigid mesh that is not capable

of entangling a crab, have an internal diameter no bigger

than 375 mm, and a depth of no more than 210 mm.

In Western Australia you may not catch crabs by using:

• Crab traps, pots or any dilly nets which trap or entangle the

catch; or

• Fishing or prawning nets.

Fish for the future

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

How to measure a crab

(FRMR Regulation 151, Schedule 8)

Crabs are measured across the widest

part of the shell, from tip to tip of the

carapace spikes.

Totally protected crabs

(FRMR Schedule 2, Part 2, Division 1. Reg. 12)

• Undersize and

‘berried’ (egg-

carrying) crabs are

totally protected.

They must be

returned to the water

within five minutes of

catching them.

• You may not pull

any drop net before

protected crabs

are released to the

waters from which

they were taken.

Deep sea crabs

(FRMR Part 5, Division 5A)

• Deep sea crabs must be landed whole.

• You may not possess any part of a deep sea crab unless

the part is being consumed or being prepared for immediate

consumption.

Fishing for prawns

(FRMR Part 4, Division 6, Reg.39)

You may only catch prawns by the following methods:

• Single hand dip net or single hand scoop net.

• Single prawn hand-trawl (drag) net. Nets must not be more

than four metres long with a mesh of not less than 16 mm,

and must not be attached to a boat or set.

A berried crab displays its clusters of yellow eggs.

Fish for the future

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

Fishing closures – seasons, areas, gear types

(FRMA S43)

Fishing activities may be prohibited by type, area, time or

class of person, for example, many areas of the State are

permanently closed to netting. Some areas are closed to line

fishing during spawning seasons. Some fisheries are closed at

specified times of the year.

Daily bag limits

(FRMA S50)

A daily bag limit is the maximum number of fish of a species,

or a group of species, that a person engaged in fishing may

take or bring on to land in any 24-hour period commencing at

midnight (except for marron, prawns and fish caught by netting

– midday to midday). These are shown in the ‘Bag and Size

Limits’ section.

Finfish possession limits

(FRMA S51, FRMR Part 4, Division 3)

A finfish possession limit is the maximum quantity of finfish

– either whole or in pieces – that you may have in your

possession (control/ownership) in WA. This is:

• 20 kg of fillets of fish; or

• 10 kg of fillets of fish and one day’s bag limit of whole fish

or fish trunks; or

• two days’ bag limit of whole fish or fish trunks.

Note: These limits now apply throughout WA, including

permanent places of residence. The following baitfish are

not included in the finfish possession limit: hardyheads

(Atherinidae), sardines/pilchards (Clupeidae), whitebait

(Engraulidae), garfish (Hemirhamphidae) and mullet

(Mugilida). Commercially purchased fish are not included,

but you may be asked for proof of purchase.

Some species may have a specific possession limit (see bag

and size limit tables).

Fish for the future

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

Labelling your stored fish

(FRMR Part 4, Division 4)

You may not exceed the possession limit for any fish. If the

quantity of fish stored in a single container/freezer exceeds

one person’s possession limit, the fish must be clearly

labelled with the name of the owner/s.

Labels must be securely attached to each container or

package of fish, and be at least 75 mm long and 25 mm wide.

The full name of the owner must be legibly written on the label

and be clearly visible for inspection.

Labels are not needed if:

• Fish have been taken on a day-trip.

• The fish are in the possession and under the direct physical

control of the person who took the fish, and stored only with

fish taken by the same person.

Who ‘owns’ the fish? In the absence of evidence to the

contrary, a person using or in control of a vessel, vehicle,

refrigerator, freezer, icebox, or other storage device in which

fish are found is taken to be in possession of the fish. A

person who provides payment to a courier business for the

transportation of fish, is regarded as being in possession of

the fish until the fish are received.

Landing filleted or processed fish

(FRMR Part 4, Division 2)

The enforcement of fishing rules, such as bag, possession

and size limits, relies on the ability of Fisheries and Marine

Officers to count and measure fish.

In general, boat anglers returning from a day trip are asked

to land their fish whole so that they are in a form that can be

measured and counted.

However, for the convenience of anglers, Fisheries’

regulations provide for some processing at sea. The way in

which fish are processed is linked back to compliance with

bag and size limits.

Fish for the future

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

Special Risk

species must always be landed whole on a day

trip. These are shown in the ‘Bag and Size Limits’ section.

They may be filleted after a lawful overnight stay on an island.

High Risk

and

Medium Risk

species (see ‘Bag and Size Limits’

section) may be landed as a ‘trunk’ (i.e. with head and tail

removed) or as fillets, provided that the skin and scales are

attached for identification purposes, and the piece of fish is:

• at least 30 cm in length;

• packaged flat;

• packaged so that it is easily accessible for measurement

and identification; and

• where frozen, able to be measured and identified without

being thawed.

Low Risk

species may be filleted or trunked at sea and the

pieces landed, provided the skin is attached.

Note: Two fillets are considered to be equal to one whole fish.

Extended trips and overnight stays

(FRMR Part 4, Division 2, 3, Regulation 15)

Following a lawful overnight stay on an island, a person may

bring fillets of any length onto the mainland provided the fish

were brought onto the island and kept there while the person

stayed there overnight. A lawful overnight stay on an island is a

period of at least five hours, up to and past midnight. Persons,

who have been at sea or stayed on any island for more than

one day, may land no more than the possession limit of whole

(or trunked) fish or filleted fish.

NOTE: Overnight stays are not permitted on many islands –

check with local authorities for details.

Landing molluscs

(FRMR Part 4, Division 6, Regulation 42)

All edible molluscs (except oysters) must be landed whole and

kept in the shell until you are more than 200 metres inland

from the high water mark. This does not apply if you are about

to eat the mollusc or use it as bait.

Fish for the future

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

Fishing gear

(FRMR Part 4A, Division 2, Regulation 44, 64C, 64E)

Rods, lines and hooks

– recreational anglers may have a

maximum of three hooks or three gangs of hooks per line.

Shore-based anglers may use a maximum of two fishing lines.

Rods and lines must be attended.

Spearfishing – is generally permitted in ocean waters, except

in marine conservation reserves where fishing on compressed

air is often prohibited. See marine park guides (available from

the Department of Environment and Conservation) for details.

All inland waters (rivers, tributaries and dams) are closed to

spearfishing.

Fishing nets

– most of the State is closed to set and haul netting.

See the ‘Recreational Fishing Guide - Net Fishing’ for details.

Barramundi

– may only be taken by means of a single rod, reel

and line or a single line held in the hand.

Protecting fish and their habitats

A number of activities are explicitly prohibited in order to

protect fish and their habitats in key environments.

Legal recreational fishing gear methods are defined in

fisheries regulations (see above). Everything else is illegal

(FRMA Notice Numbers 462, 527, 677, Order 11 of 2007.

FRMR Regulations 144, 145)

In particular you may not:

• use fish traps or ‘pots’ of any kind (except lobster pots);

• use dredges;

• obstruct any bay, inlet, river, creek or any tidal or inland waters

so that fish are enclosed, left stranded, destroyed or wasted;

• be in possession of explosives or noxious substances (for

example, fish poisons) on WA waters;

• ‘jag’ fish with baitless hooks;

• use commercial fishing gear of any kind;

• attach fish hooks to lobster pots, anchors and anchor lines

or moorings; or

• fish for live or dead coral or ‘live rock’.

Fish for the future

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

Photo: Craig Williams

Note: Many fishing tackle stores carry gear that is

manufactured outside Western Australia and may not

conform to WA legal requirements. In particular the use of

crab traps, ‘witches hats’, collapsible ‘opera house’ traps or

any nets that entangle the catch are illegal in WA waters.

Check before you make a purchase.

Illegal selling of fish (FRMA S75 and S222, FRMR S121(2))

The sale of recreationally-caught fish is illegal. Penalties imposed

on offenders include monetary fines as high as $25,000. In

addition, a penalty of 10 times the prescribed value of the fish

that are the subject of the offence is mandatory.

In some cases, penalties of up to one-year imprisonment may

also apply.

Fish for the future

FISH SAFELY

Photo: Paul Cornish

FIsH sAFeLY – tHe oCeAn CAn Be tReACHeRoUs

ll fishers need to exercise care when fishing from the shore

and be properly prepared when fishing from a boat.

Boat users are also reminded to ensure the seaworthiness of

their boats and that they are carrying the correct safety gear.

This includes packing life jackets, a distress beacon (EPIRB),

marine radio transceiver, flares, an effective anchor and line,

bailer or bilge pump, fresh water, first aid kit, rope, tool kit,

torch, signalling mirror, a fire extinguisher and an alternative

power source/spare motor.

Conditions can change quickly. If you are going to an

unfamiliar location, treat the ocean with respect. Carry a chart

of the area where you intend to fish, study it, and familiarize

yourself with positions of the navigational aids and hazards in

the area concerned.

Check the weather forecast and watch out for unexpected

changes. Being sensible and doing the right thing will help

ensure your fishing trip will be a safer one.

Bureau of Meteorology: www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa

Department of Transport – Marine information website:

www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine

WA Coastal Marine Warnings: 1300 659 223

WA Marine Service: 1900 926 150

Volunteer Sea Rescue groups use VHF channels 16 and 67,

27 MHz channel 88 and HF channel 2182.

Before you leave, tell someone about your boating plans.

Notify them immediately if these change during the voyage.

Always report in when you return.

Fish for the future

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

ABoUt tHIs GUIDe

he information in this guide is current at the date of printing, but

may change. Separate guides are available for licensed fisheries.

For the most up-to-date information on fisheries and fishing rules

in plain English, check the Department of Fisheries’ website at

www.fish.wa.gov.au or contact the Department before going fishing.

For legislation, a link from the website will take you to the State

Law Publisher.

You should be aware that all fishing activities may be subject to optical

surveillance by Fisheries and Marine Officers. Breaking recreational

fishing rules may result in an infringement notice or legal action being

initiated against you. Fines for recreational fishing offences may be as

high as $5,000 plus up to 10 times the dollar value of the species.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Visit the Department’s website at www.ﬁsh.wa.gov.au or contact:

39 Northside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour,

Hillarys, Western Australia 6025

Email: nmdc@ sh.wa.gov.au

Tel: 9203 0339

www.nmdc.com.au

Come along and learn more about WA’s

oceans and rivers through vibrant

displays and interactive exhibits.

’



Naturaliste Marine

Discovery Centre

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

– HEAD OFFICE

3rd Floor, The Atrium,

168 St George’s Terrace, Perth 6000

Ph: (08) 9482 7333 Fax: (08) 9482 7389

e-mail: headofﬁce@ﬁsh.wa.gov.au

ABN: 55 689 794 771

GASCOYNE REGIONAL OFFICE &

CARNARVON DISTRICT OFFICE

59 Olivia Tce, Carnarvon 6701

Ph: (08) 9941 1185 Fax: (08) 9941 1951

DENHAM DISTRICT OFFICE

63 Knight Tce, Denham 6537

Ph: (08) 9948 1210 Fax: (08) 9948 1154

EXMOUTH DISTRICT OFFICE

Payne St, Exmouth 6707

Ph: (08) 9949 2755 Fax: (08) 9949 1558

Recycle – please return unwanted brochures or pass onto a friend.