Archived page, Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest
Issue 49, 16 February 2009

Here is a version formatted for printing on a single page:- CastingAroundIssue49.pdf (33 kilobyte PDF file)

Notes about using the links on this page.

Tough measures to limit commercial rock lobster catch.

Following catches 16 per cent higher than the same time last year, and the lowest puerulus settlement on record, Fisheries Minister has taken further steps to protect and sustain WA's commercial west coast rock lobster fishery, cutting commercial rock lobster fishing from six to four days a week, further pot reductions, changes to legal size limits, and closure of Big Bank area. The aim was to limit the total commercial catch to 7,800 tonnes compared with a predicted catch of 9,200 tonnes. No extra recreational changes are included.

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/ByPortfolio.aspx?ItemId=131322 (link opens in a new window)

New report sees crayfish running low

While commercial crayfishermen reported big catches last winter, recreational fishers say this has left few up to the normal minimum size. A new assessment of the region's crayfish stocks has confirmed what amateur fishers have been saying for years - the resource is being depleted. The commercial crayfishing sector believes the new stock assessment is too pessimistic, based on their catch rates over the past season.

http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/Default.aspx?s=3&s1=2&id=8425 (link opens in a new window)

Rous Head reclamation - the end of the "Kiosk" fishing area at the North Mole.

Fremantle Ports intends to reclaim 27 hectares (67 acres) of sea floor at Rous Head with material dredged from the Inner Harbour, behind 1,000 metres of new sea wall. This will remove a popular fishing area which has plenty of parking and is well protected from those strong afternoon winds common in summer. The new rock wall gives an opportunity for fishermen to ask that their recreation be properly recognized with adequate car parking, properly designed and usable fishing platforms and "fisherman-friendly" and safe rock walls.

http://www.fremantleports.com.au/Planning/4640.asp (link opens in a new window)

Palm Beach Jetty redevelopment

City of Rockingham plans to start reconstruction of the Palm Beach jetty early in 2009 to incorporate improved recreational fishing facilities, low level ramp and 6.5 metre wide head in its increased 125 metre length.

http://www.rockingham.wa.gov.au/img/palm-beach-jetty.jpg (link opens in a new window) and http://www.rockingham.wa.gov.au/pdf/minutes/2008/december-council-mins.pdf (link opens in a new window) (page 102)

Crab and lobster fishing offences

Two Mid West recreational fishers face court and could lose their boat after allegedly hiding illegal rock lobsters on it. There has been 42 prosecutions for serious crab offences at Mandurah (up from 15 for the same period in 2007/08) and 108 infringements (up from 50 last year) with a large number of offenders being caught with undersize crabs, one group with 255 undersize crabs in the boot of their vehicle. 15 infringements issued for crabbing in closed Cockburn Sound, including a catch hidden for collection later.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=607 (link opens in a new window) and http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=608 (link opens in a new window)

Recreational size limit for whaler sharks introduced

Department of Fisheries has finally gazetted the 70cm maximum size limit, (interdorsal length) for whaler sharks. Previous versions of the West and South Coast Recreational Fishing guides had incorrectly included this limit plus diagrams showing how to measure the length. Current versions (Dec 2008 and Jan 2009) of these guides have removed the diagrams, and there is no mention of the limit in the West Coast brochure.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/sec/rec/index.php and http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/gazette/GAZETTE.NSF/gazlist/9800626CEB6AF285C825755B00144D31/$file/gg019.pdf (link opens in a new window)

National Code of Practice for recreational and sport fishing

The code focuses on four key areas which every responsible recreational fisherman should consider: humane treatment of fish; looking after our fisheries; protecting the environment and respecting the rights of others.

http://www.recfish.com.au/docs/Recfish%20Australia%20NCOP%20brochure.pdf (link opens in a new window)

Note about using the links in "Casting Around"

The links to external websites, shown in this page by the symbol are all checked to be correct, valid and working at the time these documents are prepared.

Rearrangements of external websites at some time in the future may remove or change some of these external links. Such changes are outside the control of Recfishwest, and will not be corrected in this page or the PDF version.


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This page last updated on 16 February 2009.