This action was required to address low juvenile recruitment following past marine heatwave events and the closure will remain for the coming Southern Zone recreational abalone fishing season which begins on 1 October.
Commercial fishing for greenlip abalone is also not allowed in the no-take zone.
Recreational abalone fishers will be able to collect up to five brownlip abalone and up to 20 Roe’s abalone per fisher per day throughout the entire Southern Zone during the 2024/25 season between 1 October and 15 May.
Fisheries research scientists at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development undertake annual assessments of greenlip abalone stocks and fishing for this species will not resume in the no-take zone until there’s an appropriate level of stock recovery.
Regional Compliance South Director Noel Chambers said Fisheries and Marine Officers would be doing both land-based and sea patrols to ensure fishers were following the rules.
“The no-take zone is aimed at taking the fishing pressure off greenlip abalone, to help the species recover, and was developed in consultation with Recfishwest,” Mr Chambers said.
“We also urge fishers to check DPIRD’s Recreational fishing guide 2024, not only to be aware of the bag and size limit rules, but also to know the difference between greenlip and brownlip abalone before they head out to fish along the South Coast from 1 October.
“Always be careful not to remove an abalone from its habitat, without knowing what species it is.
“The aim is for all recreational fishers to play their part in the recovery of Southern Zone greenlip stocks and fish with care.”
Recreational fishing for greenlip abalone is permitted from east of Shoal Cape to the WA/SA border, which is outside the no-take zone.
Fishers are reminded the minimum size limit for greenlip and brownlip abalone is 140 millimetres and a combined daily bag limit of five greenlip and/or brownlip abalone applies.
For recreational fishers catching Roe’s abalone across the Southern Zone, the species has a minimum size limit of 60 millimetres and a daily bag limit of 20 per fisher.
