Rock lobster season set to be a cracker
Recfishwest says the rock lobsters are stacking up for the opening of the seasonThere's good news for WA crayfish lovers ahead of the opening of the 2016-17 season in less than a month on October 15. The general consensus among lobster fishers is that the past season was extremely productive, highlighting just how well this fishery is managed, and leading to another cracking season ahead.
Recfish West reports that there were plenty of good crays caught, with an excellent early season run of 'whites.' This 'white' migration phase is typically from November to late January where large numbers of pale pink ('white') lobsters, recently moulted from their deep red colour, migrate from inshore reefs to deep water.
During this migration the lobster are highly exposed to fishing and large catches are taken by fishers. Adult and non-migrating lobsters are known as ‘reds’ and form the catch between February through to June. Then the season closes until it reopens in October... until when the 'whites' start again in November.
TWO RULES CHANGES
Two changes to rec lobster fishing rules this season also proved popular with recreational fishers.
The first was the removal of a maximum size limit for female lobster. The size limit requirement on female lobster was an old management tool before it was managed as a 'quota-managed fishery' (management that sets out a defined number of lobsters that can be removed from the water each year by rec fishers), explains Recfishwest.
It’s also important to note, any female in breeding condition such as in setose, tar spot or carrying eggs must be promptly returned to the water.
The other change, which proved to be very well accepted by recreational fishers, was the ability for two licenced fishers to share a pot. This change to the rules enabled more people than ever to enjoy the experience of catching a feed of fantastic WA crayfish.
BIG SEASON AHEAD
There will now be plenty of recreational fishers counting the days to a great 2016/17 fishing season, as an above-average juvenile count forecasts healthy stocks and a great fishing for all.
Here's how the dive boys in WA get onto those crays. Some nice 'nests' in there...
More about WA's fishing news at recfishwest.org.au, which created this article for its monthly newsletter.
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