The next scheduled fishing session will be on Saturday 17 February between 7am and 8am and an extra fishing hour on Saturday 9 March will be considered, as a replacement for this weekend.
This Saturday’s conditions have been assessed as high-risk due to forecast swell and wind conditions affecting the safety of fishers, especially those fishers who have little to no swimming experience or self-survival capabilities.
On a scheduled fishing day, recreational abalone fishing normally occurs between 7am and 8am, but people must not fish this Saturday morning, 3 February, as the fishing session is formally closed, and fines are potentially applicable.
In making the decision to cancel this Saturday’s fishing, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has consulted with Surf Life Saving WA SLSWA and Recfishwest, who support the cancellation in the current circumstances, based on the high-risk Hazardous Surf Assessment and expected poor water visibility.
We will be communicating this decision to recreational abalone licence-holders through social media, as well as direct text messaging and email alerts, plus banners and other signage at fishing locations.
DPIRD Management Officer Druimé Nolan has urged fishers to take note of this Saturday’s fishing hour cancellation and to let fellow recreational fishers know.
“As always, WCZ abalone fishing sessions are subject to a safety risk assessment based on predictive weather and ocean conditions in the lead up to scheduled fishing, to determine whether fishing can go ahead or not” Ms Nolan said.
“The next scheduled fishing session for abalone is just a few weeks away on Saturday 17 February and, a replacement fishing hour on Saturday 9 March will be considered depending on the catch taken during the next scheduled fishing session.
“DPIRD compliance officers will be out and about on Saturday at abalone fishing locations, to ensure no abalone fishing is occurring.”
In the meantime, until the next available abalone fishing session, we urge recreational abalone licence holders to ensure they have the safest fishing gear for taking part in the rest of the season. See SLSWA’s safety tips at: https://www.mybeach.com.au/safety-rescue-services/coastal-recreation/abalone/
