WA Undersea – Perth WA

As the weather warms up Blue Manna or Blue Swimmer crabs start emerging from the depths around Perth. You may take 10 per person or 20 per boat if 2 or more persons are on the boat.

However, please note the closures below, outside of these closure zones and times, the taking of crabs is permitted anytime.

Happy hunting

CLOSED SEASON FOR BLUE SWIMMER CRABS

Peel-Harvey Estuary – closed season, 1 September to 31 October

Fishing for blue swimmer crabs is prohibited in the Peel Inlet and the channel entrance, Harvey Estuary and Dawesville Cut from 1 September – 31 October. The spring fishing closure protects crab breeding stocks, and allows female crabs to spawn before the fishery re-opens.

Cockburn Sound – closed season, 1 April to 14 December

Cockburn Sound is closed to all crab fishing during this period.

for further information visit fisheries website:

http://fisheries.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/BlueSwimmerCrabProtection/index.php?0102

A friendly reminder to all spearo’s and fishermen that the West Coast (From Kalbarri to Augusta) demersal scalefish season opening kicks in this Friday 16th December.

For further information, please view the below:

http://fisheries.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/FishingDemersalSpecies/index.php?0102

Crayfish/WA Rock Lobster season opens on the 15th of November 2011 and runs to the 30th of June 2012. You must have a licence to collect crayfish and you are limited to 6 per person or 12 per boat

New size limits are in place this season, namely 76mm

Check the fisheries website for further information:

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/FishingRockLobsters/FishingforRockLobster2011-2012.pdf

We had 18 pairs enter the Glynn Dromey Memorial Spearfishing Competition – 2011 on Saturday morning. The wind was gusting 20 knots from the east and the swell was 1.2 to 1.5 metres, pretty much as forecast. The viz varied from 2 to 15 metres depending on dive location and water was 22-23 degrees. Of the 18, 14 pairs weighed in.

The results:

First Place:
Rob Higgs
Ross Bulluck
7 fish and 1187 points

Second Place:
Darren Gebbetis
Brendan Bright
5 fish and 1144 points

Third Place:
Troy Eggins
Rik Weekes
3 fish and 732 points

Fourth Place:
Graham Gould
Joe Petrovich
3 fish and 660 points

Fifth Place:
Ben Coy
Michael North
3 fish and 586 points

Best Junior: Jack Moss
2 fish and 367 points

Mystery Fish: Nick Extract

Thankyou to all the sponsors.

Prizes included:
Beuchat Dive computer donated by Robbie from Adreno
Rob Allen Gun by Peter Griffiths of All Spark Electrical
Aimrite Gun by David Stickland
Beuchat Carbon Gun by David Whitham of Ocky’s Water World
DiveR Fins by David Whitham of Ocky’s Water World
John Muhling Marine service voucher by James and Mary Muhling
4 wheel alignment, balance and rotation vouchers by Kevin Ackroyd through Beaurepaires and Tyrepower Perth City
Dive mask, wetsuit socks etc., from Aaron at Powerdive
Freediving fins from Wombat at Hookah Dive
3 Rashies and wetsuit booties from Joanne at JAM Products
Cressi Gear Bags and fillet knives from Damo at Dunsborough Sportz
Rob Allen reel and knife from Rennier

People who contributed with their time:

Dagger Dave for his texts co-ordinating buddies and boats
Ben Campbell for the catering and Cam Sudintas, Dane Wilmott, Ross Bullock and Rob Higgs with the cooking
Graham Gould for overseeing
Aleks Ceklic with his web posts
Tania Douthwaite for assisting the scorer
Nathan McMurdo and Ron Pitcher the weighmasters

A good day.

Regards, Joe.

A commercial fisherman caught in possession of more than 1,348 kilograms of pink snapper over his licensed allowable quota was hit with $83,073.90 in fines and costs at Geraldton Magistrates Court.

For further info, click below

http://fisheries.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=748

A reminder that the Cockburn Sound Blue Manna crab season is now closed

PLEASE read up on the newest fisheries rules below

http://fisheries.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/WestLimits/westcoast_rules_2009.pdf

One of the more significant changes to us is the new Dhufish limit. Its 1 Dhufish per diver or 2 per boat (If there are 2 or more persons on the boat).

Also the addition of the “High Risk Demersal” category of 2 fish ONLY .This category includes spearo favourites Baldchin Grouper, Breaksea Cod, Parrot fish, Dhufish and Pink Snapper to name a few. In simple terms you (the Spearfisherman) may only capture 2 high risk demersal species in total, ie 1 Baldchin and 1 Pink Snapper.

It DOES NOT MEAN you can have 2 Baldchin, 2 Pink Snapper, 2 Breaksea Cod and 2 Parrotfish in your possession.

Again, WAUC remind you to be aware of all fisheries restrictions before and during a dive!

Safe Spearing
= )

Western Rock Lobster

Bag limit are 6 per person and 12 per boat.

Lobsters may not be speared whilst diving for them and the middle tail must be clipped soon after capture.

For further info regarding Western Rock lobster visit:
www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/FishingRockLobsters/index.php?0102

Congratulations to Joe on his recent re-election to the RECFISH WA board. Joe’s contribution and effort is greatly appreciated by all WA Spearfisherman and his representation of the Spearfishing minority is invaluable to our sport and its future in WA.

Thank you to all that voted for Joe who secures another 1 year term on the board.

Well done Joe.

Abalone season has opened on 1st November for the West Coast zone and runs untill 6th December.

Best places to try for these guys are shallow reefs where the ocean breaks.

Check www.fish.wa.gov.au for restrictions, bag limits and further details.