DoF media release on closure in Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds
The annual pink snapper spawning closure in Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds is now in force and recreational fishers are reminded of the importance the fishing break provides to the species.
South West Bioregions Manager Kevin Donohue said it was essential that fishers observed the closure to pink snapper fishing that applied in the Sounds.
“The four month spawning closure, which began on Saturday (1 October), runs until Wednesday 1 February next year (2012),” Mr Donohue said.
“Pink snapper enter the Sounds each year to spawn, when the water temperature starts to rise in spring and these spawning grounds, on the doorstep of the Perth metropolitan area, play a vital role in supporting the species.
“It is important that adequate protection is provided for the breeding fish.”
“Research tagging work has shown pink snapper will travel considerable distances to join the spawning aggregation and Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds are the most important nursery area for pink snapper in the West Coast Bioregion (that extends from near Augusta in the South to north of Kalbarri).
“During the closure period, pink snapper taken outside of the Sounds can be transported through, and landed within, Cockburn and Warnbro Sound.”
Mr Donohue said pink snapper was also one of the species that could not be taken, during the annual demersal fishing closure for the West Coast Bioregion, which would be in place from Saturday 15 October and continue up to and including Thursday 15 December.
“Recreational fishers should be congratulated for abiding by the closure during past years and demonstrating responsibility and stewardship for this very important fishery,” he said.
“It will take time for West Coast demersal scalefish to fully recover, given that species like dhufish and pink snapper are slow-growing and can live to nearly 40 years of age.”
Information about the full list of fish species, which are subject to the demersal closure, is available on the Department of Fisheries website at www.fish.wa.gov.au or from departmental offices. Look for the Recreational Fishing Guide – West Coast Region.
justa_fisho
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 19/07/09
excellent stuff.
lets hope these laws are met by everyone on the water.
aaasnapper
Posts: 218
Date Joined: 15/01/10
With the snapper bans and
With the snapper bans and reduced limits the fish have already begun to bounce back. Give it a few more years and hopefully we can see them being caught from the Rockingham jetties.
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tailor marc
Posts: 2979
Date Joined: 27/09/06
The ban should be brought
The ban should be brought back a month aswell, just my opinion
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aaasnapper
Posts: 218
Date Joined: 15/01/10
I am not too sure about that
I am not too sure about that either tailor marc, as the snapper are not really spawning in September.
And what would be the difference if you caught a snapper which was not in the sound and was caught in its migration to the sound in September.
However, if it got out of hand and boats were killing it then yes I agree it should be bought forward a month to cover September.
What I would like to see happen, is allowing land based snapper being exempt during the bans (within reason- obviuosly the large commercial wharfs would not be included). It would give the young kids a chance to catch a decent pinky without the great expense.
It would probably be too hard to police, which is a shame as even in the bumper times the snapper at the Rocko jetties were not plentiful.
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