Cockburn Sound re-opened to crab fishermen

SARAH QUINTON, The West Australian October 18, 2009, 1:48 pm

Crab fishermen have welcomed a decision by fishing minister Norman Moore to reopen Cockburn Sound to commercial and recreational crab fishing after a three year ban. Mr Moore said researchers at the Department of Fisheries determined that blue swimmer crabs stocks in Cockburn Sound had recovered after a three year ban imposed in 2006, caused by overfishing and poor recruitment. The crab fishery will open from December 15 to March 31, however, with increased size limits and reduced pot numbers. "The commercial sector cannot take crabs smaller than 140mm across the widest part of the shell (up from 130mm)," Mr Moore said. "Professional fishers will also be subject to a 20 per cent reduction in the number of pots they use." Recreational fishers must also comply with the crab fishing rules at all crab fishing areas in the West Coast Bioregion - which included a minimum size limit of 127mm and a bag limit of 10 crabs per fisher per day and a boat limit of 20 crabs. Mr Moore also conceded that the Peel Harvey Estuary had been experiencing pressure from depleted stocks but rejected a suggestion to extend the September and October closure into December. Mr Moore said research between the Department of Fisheries, WA Fishing Industry Council and Recfishwest will monitor crab stock at Peel Harvey Estuary over the next six months to determine if further restrictions will be imposed. Mandurah Licensed Fisherman Association president Damien Bell said he was extremely happy with the minister's announcement, applauding him for waiting until a three year research program in Peel Harvey was completed before making a decision to extend the closure of the season. "The minister has made the right decision in keeping the Peel Harvey Estuary open for a further six week," he said. "Opening Cockburn Sound will also divert a lot of recreational fishers away from Peel Harvey and alleviate pressure on Peel Harvey."