Following the end of the peak summer fishing season recreational rock lobster fishers are reminded to remove any unfished pots and ensure any gear remaining in the water is compliant.
Any unfished rock lobster pots risk becoming navigational hazards, marine pollution, or a hazard for humpback whales migrating along the Western Australian coast.
Weather conditions over autumn provide a good window for fishers to remove or modify their gear before the onset of winter storms, when fishing conditions become more challenging.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Principal Fisheries Management Officer Graeme Baudains said all fishers needed to take personal responsibility for their gear.
“For those recreational fishers continuing to fish rock lobster pots, during WA’s peak whale migration period from 1st of April to the 31st of October, ropes on rock lobster pots must be hung vertically in the water to reduce the risk of whale entanglement,” Mr Baudains said.
“During this period fishers must ensure the top half of the rope is held vertically in the water when fishing with more than 20 metres of rope, including the float rig, and there’s a maximum two floats allowed, regardless of the amount of rope being used for fishing.
“The regulation helps simplify the fishing rules and ensures migrating whales are protected.
“Fisheries and Marine Officers from DPIRD will also be checking rock lobster pots and may remove any that do not have legible gear ID or are not compliant with the whale mitigation rules.
“Fishers can help too if they see ropes or pots without a float. They must not attempt to remove it themselves, but fishers are asked to report it to their local Fisheries office or Fishwatch on 1800 815 507.
“In the details you report, please advise the location of the gear, preferably with a GPS location as well as the colour of the rope and, if possible, a description of the pot.”
Details about rock lobster fishing rules for the Whale Migration period from April to October (inclusive) are available at: Changes to recreational rock lobster fishing rules.
More information on recreational rock lobster fishing is available in a guide, which is online at: rec_licence_rock_lobster.pdf (fish.wa.gov.au)