RecReational fishing gUiDe - · PDF file3.Ord River Area 2.Broome area. ... h a y Diversion Dam Wall ... R e c r e a t i o n a l F i s h i n g i n t h e P i l b a r a / K i m b e r

Pilbara/Kimberley Region

RecReational fishing gUiDe

Possession liMits

PRocessing YoUR catch at sea

legal fishing geaR

MaRine conseRVation aReas

fReQUentlY asKeD QUestions

Bag anD siZe liMits

PUBLISHEDAPRIL 2006PUBLISHEDAPRIL 2006

the neW bag and size limits contained in this guide are valid from 1 January 2006

R e c r e a t i o n a l F i s h i n g i n t h e P i l b a r a / K i m b e r l e y R e g i o n

PILBARA/KIMBERLEY FISHING RULES

intRoDUctionWestern Australia’s fisheries management strategies have one primary goal – Fish for the future. This means ensuring our fisheries are ecologically sustainable.

These strategies are part of an integrated management framework that aims to manage the impact of all users – commercial, recreational, charter and customary fishers – on fish and their habitats.

Recreational fishing in Western Australia is a major social activity involving 34 per cent of the population and contributing more than $570 million each year to the State’s economy.

In WA, recreational fishing is now managed within four broad biological regions – the West Coast, Gascoyne, South Coast and Pilbara/Kimberley.

Each region has tailor-made fishing rules to suit the regional ecology, mix of species and fishing pressure.

This guide provides a summary of the key fishing rules for the Pilbara/Kimberley region of WA, which runs from the Ashburton River, south of Onslow to the WA/NT Border (all land and water north of 21º 46’ south latitude and east of 114º 50’ east longitude).

Total recreational fishing activity in the Pilbara and Kimberley is estimated at 70,000 anglers and one million fishing days a year. Recreational fishing is concentrated around key population centres, with a peak in activity during the winter months (dry season).

The total catch of all species taken by recreational fishers in the region is about 300 tonnes per year. Key species caught include: trevally, Spanish mackerel, blue-lined emperor, tuskfish and threadfin salmon, mangrove jack and barramundi.

With recreational fishing pressure continuing to increase more than ever before, you need to act responsibly and follow the basic fishing rules to ensure the sustainability and quality of the State’s fisheries.

Possession liMitsThere is a limit on the quantity of finfish recreational fishers may possess in WA. The possession limit is a key conservation measure that prevents excessive catches by individuals on a fishing trip, and sets a clear ceiling for socially acceptable catch levels.

Each person may have a maximum of:

• 20kg of fillets or pieces of fish; or

• 10kg of fillets or pieces of fish plus one day’s bag limit of whole fish; or

• Two days’ bag limit of whole fish.

These limits apply only to finfish. A separate possession limit of two days’ bag limit of rock lobster also applies throughout the Pilbara/Kimberley Region. Possession limits apply throughout WA but do not apply in your permanent place of residence unless you live within the Ningaloo Marine Park Land Zone (this includes Exmouth townsite and Coral Bay). Boats, cars, caravans and tents are not considered permanent places of residence.

Transporting and storing your fishAll recreationally caught fish which are being transported or stored must be labelled under the following circumstances:

• Where more than an individual possession limit is stored in a container;

• Where fish are being commercially consigned or transported; and

• On premises involved in the commercial take, processing, transport, storage, sale or dealing with fish.

The label attached to the package or container must be clearly visible and must show the full name of the owner. Labels must be at least 75mm long and 25mm wide.

Fish commercially consigned for transport on a truck or aircraft will be considered the property of the person who consigned it, until it is in the possession of the recipient.

R e c r e a t i o n a l F i s h i n g i n t h e P i l b a r a / K i m b e r l e y R e g i o n L i m i t y o u r c a t c h - d o n ’ t c a t c h y o u r l i m i t


Bag liMitsThe daily bag limit is the amount of fish of a certain species or group of species that a person who is actually fishing may take in any 24 hour period commencing at midnight (except for marron - midday to midday).

For the purpose of the finfish possession limit (i.e. two days’ bag limit of whole fish), the bag limits apply for the region the fish are physically in, regardless of which region they were taken in. That is, if you are transporting whole fish as a part of your possession limit from one region into another, you must abide by the bag limit that applies to the region you are entering.

This guide contains a comprehensive list of the bag limits that apply in the Pilbara/Kimberley region. Details of the bag limits that apply in other regions can be found in the South Coast, West Coast and Gascoyne Recreational Fishing Guides.

PRocessing YoUR catch at seaCategory one and two fish can be filleted or trunked at sea provided the fillet/trunk length is longer than 30cm and the skin and scales are attached. Fillets must be stored flat in a form that can be measured. The only fish that can’t be filleted at sea are those fish which have a maximum size (eg. estuary cod and Malabar cod).

The 30cm fillet length requirement does not apply to anglers on a trip involving an overnight stay on an island. Anglers that can demonstrate they are returning from an overnight stay on an island may have fillets of any length. A lawful overnight stay on an island means, staying on an island for a period of at least five hours which includes midnight.

Category three fish may be filleted or trunked at sea provided the skin is attached to the fillet/trunk. A minimum fillet length does not apply to Category three fish. An angler who has been at sea, or staying on any island, for more than one day, may accumulate up to the possession limit of whole (or trunked) fish or filleted fish.



sPecial RUles aPPlY to BaRRaMUnDiPossession limits: In Western Australia barramundi are found from Exmouth through to the Northern Territory. A possession limit of two barramundi per person applies in all areas except the Ord River area where a possession limit of one applies. For the purpose of determining the number of barramundi in a person’s possession two fillets or pieces of barramundi are deemed to be one whole barramundi. Fishers are reminded that the possession limit also applies to barramundi caught in Northern Territory waters when transported into WA.

Daily bag limits: You may take and bring onto land a maximum of two barramundi per person per day in all areas except the Ord River area where the bag/possession limit is one and the Broome area where the daily bag limit is one.

Minimum legal size: The minimum legal size for barramundi is 55cm. A maximum size of 80cm applies in the Ord River and King Sound - Fitzroy River areas.

Barramundi conservation As a precautionary measure to ensure that breeding stocks are maintained, special fishing rules are in place for the following areas:

1. Fitzroy River area and King Sound Bag and possession limit – two Maximum size – 80cm

No filleting on water – all barramundi must be landed whole

2. Broome area Bag limit – one Possession limit – two

3. Ord River area Bag and possession limit - one Maximum size – 80cm

No filleting on water – all barramundi must be landed whole

Legal fishing methods You may only fish for barramundi with a single rod and line or handline per person. It is illegal to take barramundi by setlines, nets, spear guns or any other means.

Cunningham Point

Broome•

80 Mile Beach

19°00’S123°08.23’E

Derby

Great Northern Hwy

To Broome

125º50 E17º50 S

123º08.23 E17º27 S

Fitzroy CrossingFitzroy River

itzroy RiverFTo HallsCreek

1.Fitzroy River area

Broome

Pt HedlandRoebourne

OnslowExmouth

DerbyWyndham

1. Fitzroy River

3.

1.2.

2. Broome Area3. Ord River Area

2.Broome area



N

Scott Point

Carlton Hill Station Road

ToW

yndham

Victoria Highway

Diversion Dam Wall

Ivanhoe RoadIvanhoe Crossing

Research Station Road

Dunham River

Kununurra

Carlton Hill Station

AdolphusIsland

Parry Creek/Kununurra Road

3. Ord River area



fishing foR MUD cRaBsMud crabs in Western Australia have traditionally been found in most estuarine environments from Shark Bay through to the Northern Territory.

Fishing rules No licence is needed to fish for mud crabs.

Fishing equipment It is legal to use drop nets, scoop nets and non-piercing metal hooks to catch mud crabs.

• There is a limit of 10 drop nets per person or 10 drop nets per boat, regardless of how many people are aboard.

• Drop nets must not exceed 1.5m in diameter.

• Scoop nets must be constructed of rigid mesh with an internal diameter no bigger than 375mm.

• Metal hooks must not be capable of piercing the crab and are used held in the hand.

It is illegal to use crab traps, pots or any dilly nets which entangle the catch. These are strictly prohibited in WA waters.

Bag limit A combined bag limit of five green/brown mud crabs per person per day.

Boat possession limit A maximum of 10 mud crabs (all species combined) may be carried or held aboard a vessel where there are two or more persons aboard.

A separate boat possession limit of 20 mud crabs applies to the waters of King Sound and its tributaries, south of 16° 44’ south latitude (all waters to the south of the northern point of Goodenough Bay). In these waters the bag limit of five mud crabs per person per day still applies, however a maximum of 20 mud crabs may be carried or held aboard a vessel where there are four or more persons aboard.

Measuring your catch Mud crabs are measured across the widest part of the shell, from tip to tip of the carapace spikes. The size limits in WA vary with each species.

The two species of mud crab fished in WA are the green mud crab and the brown mud crab and the minimum sizes are 150mm (green) and 120mm (brown).

Any female crab carrying eggs (‘berried’) must be released as soon as possible after capture.

Green mud crab (Scylla sp.) This species generally grows larger than the brown and is usually deep green in colour, with paler green mottling on the claws, legs and rear flippers.

The green mud crab also has a pair of double spines situated just behind each claw and another pair on each wrist.

Brown mud crab (Scylla sp.) Generally smaller in size than the green mud crab, with both claws showing characteristic brown colouration, particularly on the underside. This species has only one single spine behind each claw and only one spine on each wrist.



legal fishing geaR Lines and Hooks - State-wide fishing rules limit you to a maximum of three hooks or three gangs of hooks per line.

Shore-based recreational anglers may use a maximum of two fishing lines. Rods and lines must be attended.

Spearfishing - Spearfishing in all rivers, dams and tributaries is prohibited with the exception of estuarine cobbler, which may be taken by hand spears only. Spearfishing on compressed air or free-diving is generally permitted in ocean waters, except in marine parks and reserves where fishing on compressed air is often prohibited. See marine park guides (available from the Department of Conservation and Land Management - CALM) for details.

The following fishing methods are illegal for recreational fishing:

• Unattended lines, either on boat or shore;

• Explosives, firearms, fish poisons or jagging;

• Nets using finer than 6kg (0.35mm diameter) monofilament line;

• Crab and cobbler pots;

• Fish traps and dredges; and

• All ‘commercial’ fishing gear, such as purse-seine nets, trawls, longlines, droplines, etc.

Netting - Recreational set and haul netting is prohibited in all waters of the Pilbara/Kimberley region with the exception of haul netting in the waters of Dampier Archipelago (between Cape Preston and Cape Lambert) with the following restrictions:

• Haul nets must not exceed 30 metres in length.

• Mullet are the only species to be kept.

• All other species must be returned to the water.

Recreational throw netting is permitted in all waters of the Pilbara/Kimberley region with the exception of the waters within 450m of the low water mark between Beadon Point and Third Street (Onlsow) and all creeks whose mouths fall within a 9km radius of Beadon Bay Groyne (Onslow). Throw nets may only be used in rivers and inland waters for the take of cherabin and baitfish of the sardine, bony herring, hardyhead, anchovy, mullet and garfish families (Families Clupeidae, Atherinidae, Engraulidae, Mugilidae and Hemirhamphidae).

Please refer to the Recreational Net Fishing Guide for further information about net fishing rules.

What fishing licences Do i neeD?In WA, licences are required for the following:

• Rock Lobster;

• Abalone;

• Marron;

• South-West Freshwater Angling;

• Net Fishing (set, haul and throw nets); and

• All categories (all of the above).

You may apply for a licence at Department of Fisheries’ offices or Australia Post. Alternatively, you can purchase or renew your licence online 24-hours a day, seven days a week at www.fish.wa.gov.au

All revenue from recreational fishing licences is used to protect and conserve our vulnerable fish stocks and help ensure a healthy future for recreational fishing throughout the State.

MaRine conseRVation aReasMarine conservation areas and marine parks play an important part in conserving our marine ecology.


Within the Pilbara and Kimberley Regions lie the Kunmunya and Samson II Wrecks Reef Protection Areas and the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, which have separate fishing rules or areas closed to fishing.

Within the waters of the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, all cods (Family Serranidae) including coral trout, wrasses (Family Labridae) and molluscs are total protected. Management plans are also currently being developed for the Montebello/Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves, the Dampier Archipelago Marine Park and the Cape Preston Marine Management Area. For further information on fishing in these areas, please contact your local Department of Fisheries office.

For details of marine park boundaries, please contact your local Department of Conservation and Land Management office.

fish safelY – the ocean can Be tReacheRoUsAll fishers need to exercise care when fishing from the shore and be properly prepared when fishing from a boat.

Boat users are also reminded to ensure the seaworthiness of their boats and that they are carrying the correct safety gear. This includes packing life jackets, a distress beacon (EPIRB), marine radio transceiver, flares, an effective anchor and line, bailer or bilge pump, fresh water, first aid kit, rope, tool kit, torch, signalling mirror and an alternative power source/spare motor.

Conditions can change quickly. If you are going to an unfamiliar location, treat the ocean with respect. Carry a chart of the area where you intend to fish, study it and familiarize yourself with positions of the navigational aids and hazards in the area concerned.

Check the weather forecast and watch out for unexpected changes. Being sensible and doing the right thing will help ensure your fishing trip will be a safer one.

The Bureau of Meteorology website: www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa

Department for Planning and Infrastructure – Coastal Data Centre website: www.dpi.wa.gov.au/coastal data

WA Coastal Marine Warnings: 1300 659 223

WA Marine Service: 1900 926 150

Fax information: 1800 061 436

Volunteer Sea Rescue Groups use VHF channels 16 and 67, 27MHz channel 88 and HF channel 2182.

Before you leave, tell someone about your boating plans. Notify them immediately if these change during the voyage. Always report in when you return.

tips for ensuring your safety

• Check the weather and sea reports before you leave home especially during the cyclone season.

• Make sure you are familiar with local tides.

• Let family or friends know where you are going, and when you will return.

• Ensure your boat has the correct safety gear and that is in good order.

• If traveling in remote areas ensure your vehicle is in good order and that you have the appropriate spares and recovery equipment.

• Always carry plenty of water.

• Wear suitable clothes and shoes.

• Always wear a hat or ensure your boat has plenty of shade.

• Carry safety gear such as rope, a torch and a lifejacket.

• Don’t turn your back on the sea.

• Stay alert – especially when fishing in known crocodile waters!



categoRY one - highest RisK MixeD DailY Bag liMit - 7 PeR angleR

Species are generally long-lived, slow-growing, mature at four-plus years, form semi-resident populations, are vulnerable to localised depletion due to their life history, or are of low abundance or highly targeted.

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME MINIMUM LEGAL SIZE BAG LIMIT

Amberjack/yellowtail kingfish/samson fish – combined

Seriola spp. 600mm 2

Barramundi – Note: Statewide possession limit of 2. Ord River possession limit of 1.

Lates calcarifer 550mm (Maximum size 800mm – Ord and Fitzroy River areas)

21 – Ord

River and Broome

area

Billfish (sailfish, swordfish, marlins) Families Istiophoridae and Xiphiidae

N/A 1

Cobia Rachycentron canadus 750mm 2

Cod – combined. Note: within this bag limit you may not have more than two Rankin, estuary or Malabar cod.

Family Serranidae Fish over 1,000mm or 30kg are protected.Estuary - 400mm

4

Coral trout and coronation trout – combined when taken south of the De Grey River

Plectropomus spp. and Variola louti

Coral – 450mm 2

Coral trout and coronation trout – combined when taken north of the De Grey River

Plectropomus spp. and Variola louti

Coral – 450mm 1

Emperors and seabream – combined (including nor’ west snapper and Robinson’s seabream)

Family Lethrinidae Spangled – 410mm Blue-lined (black snapper) – 320mm Other emperors – 280mm

4

Mackerel – shark Grammatocynus bicarinatus

500mm 4

Mackerel – Spanish, broad -barred Scomberomorus semifasciatus

750mm 2

Mackerel – Spanish, narrow-barred Scomberomorus commerson

900mm 2

Mackerel – wahoo Acanthocybium solandri 900mm 2

Mahi mahi (dolphinfish) Coryphaena hippurus 500mm 4

Mangrove jack Lutjanus argentimaculatus

300mm 4

Mangrove jackWhen taken between Cape Lambert and Cape Preston (Dampier Archipelago)

Lutjanus argentimaculatus

300mm 2

Mulloway – northern Protonibea diacanthus 700mm 2

Parrot fish – combined Family Scaridae N/A 4

Pearl perch Glaucosoma spp. N/A 4

MINIMUM SIZE LIMITS AND THE PROHIBITION ON THE TAKE OF PROTECTED SPECIES APPLIES TO BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERS.

PILBARA/KIMBERLEY BAG AND SIZE LIMITSPILBARA/KIMBERLEY BAG AND SIZE LIMITSPILBARA/KIMBERLEY BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

L i m i t y o u r c a t c h - d o n ’ t c a t c h y o u r l i m i t


PILBARA/KIMBERLEY BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

categoRY tWo - MeDiUM RisK MixeD DailY Bag liMit - 16 PeR angleR

Species generally mature at two to three years, are of moderate abundance, are highly targeted and often use estuarine and inshore habitats extensively.

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME MINIMUM LEGAL SIZE BAG LIMIT

Barracuda Sphyraena barracuda N/A 4

Bone fish and giant herring – combined

Albula spp. and Elops hawaiiensis

N/A 4

Bonito and tunas – (other) Family Scombridae N/A 8

Bream – north-west black and yellowfin – combined

Acanthopagrus spp. North-west – 250mmYellowfin – 350mm

8

Catfish – all species – combined Families Ariidae and Plotosidae

N/A 8

Dart Trachinotus spp. N/A 8

Flathead and flounder – combined Family Platycephalidae and Pseudorhombus spp.

Flathead – 300mmFlounder – 250mm

8

Goatfish Family Mullidae N/A 8

Javelinfish and sweetlips – combined

Family Haemulidae 300mm 8

Leatherjacket Family Monacanthidae 250mm 8

Mackerel – Queensland school and spotted – combined

Scomberomus queenslandicus and S. munroi

500mm 4

Queenfish Scomberoides commersonnianus

N/A 4

Snook and pike – combined Sphyraena spp. and Dinolestes spp.

300mm 8

Sooty grunter Hephaestus fuliginasus 250mm 8

categoRY one - highest RisK (continUeD) SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME MINIMUM LEGAL SIZE BAG LIMIT

Pink snapper Pagrus auratus 410mm 4

Red emperor Lutjanus sebae 410mm 2

Sharks and rays – combined Class Chondrichthyes N/A 2

Scarlet (saddle tail) and crimson sea perch – combined

Lutjanus malabaricus and L. erythropterus

N/A 4

Threadfin salmon – giant Polydactylus macrochir 450mm 2

Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis 300mm 1

Tuna – southern & northern bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye and dogtooth

Thunnus maccoyii, T. albacares and T. obesus

N/A 2

Wrasse (including blue bone, baldchin groper and tuskfish)

Family Labridae Baldchin groper, blackspot & blue tuskfish – 400mm

2

PILBARA/KIMBERLEY BAG AND SIZE LIMITSPILBARA/KIMBERLEY BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

categoRY thRee - loW RisK MixeD DailY Bag liMit - 40 PeR angleR

Species generally mature at one to two years, are of high abundance, distributed widely and generally pelagic. Species not listed have little known about their biology or abundance and are generally not targeted by anglers.

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME BAG LIMIT

Garfish Family Hemirhamphidae

YOU CAN ONLY TAKE ACOMBINED MAXIMUM OF

40 CATEGORY THREE FISH.

NO SIZE LIMITS APPLY.

Longtom Family Belonidae

Milkfish Chanos chanos

Mullet, sea and yellow-eye Family Mugilidae

Whiting Sillago spp.

All other unlisted species of fish, crustacean or shellfish (except baitfish and feral freshwater species).

Baitfish: A combined daily bag limit of 9 litres applies to baitfish of the sardine, anchovy and hardyhead families (Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Atherinidae - mulies, whitebait, scaly mackerel, anchovies, hardyheads).

Species with no bag limit: All feral freshwater species including carp, tilapia, goldfish and redfin perch have no bag limit.

categoRY tWo - MeDiUM RisK (continUeD)SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME MINIMUM LEGAL SIZE BAG LIMIT

Tarwhine Rhabdosargus sarba 250mm 16

Threadfin salmon – all species (including bluenose salmon) other than giant threadfin salmon.

Eleutheronema tetradactyum and other Polydactylus spp.

N/A 4

Trevally combined Family Carangidae N/A 4

Tropical sea perch and snappers – other Lutjanus spp. including fingermark, Chinaman fish and job fish – combined

Family Lutjanidae Stripey sea perch (Spanish flag) and fingermark – 300mm

4

cRUstaceans anD shellfishSpecies are often sedentary or resident in nature, but may have pelagic or migratory phases

in their life cycle with larvae or eggs widely distributed by ocean currents. Specific regulations apply to each species, based on biological characteristics. Low catch limits apply to shellfish

due to the high risk of localised depletion.

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME MINIMUM LEGAL SIZE

BAG LIMIT

BOAT LIMIT#

CRUSTACEANSCherabin Macrobrachium spp. N/A 9 litres N/A

Crab, blue swimmer (manna) Portunus pelagicus 127mm (carapace)

20 40

L i m i t y o u r c a t c h - d o n ’ t c a t c h y o u r l i m i t

PILBARA/KIMBERLEY BAG AND SIZE LIMITS

MEASURE TIP TO TIP

MEASURE FISH FROM NOSE TO TIP OF TAIL

Fish should be measured in a ‘natural’ position, i.e. tail not distorted.

^ Cod (Rowley Shoals only), Wrasse (Rowley Shoals only).

PRotecteD sPeciesThese species are totally protected and may not be taken

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME

Cods^ (inc. coral trout) Family Serranidae

Coral Order Scleractinia

Sawfish – all species Family Pristidae

Great white shark Carcharodon carcharias

Grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus

Humphead maori wrasse Cheilinus undulatus

Leafy seadragon Phycodurus eques

Potato cod Epinephelus tukula

Queensland Groper Epinephelus lanceolatus

Speartooth shark Glyphis spp.

Whale shark Rhiniodon typus

Wrasse^ Family Labridae

Molluscs (Rowley Shoals only) Phylum Mollusca

* Licence required – see separate brochure for details of additional fishing rules. # Only applies when two or more fishers aboard. N/A – Not applicable.

cRUstaceans anD shellfish (continUeD)SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME MINIMUM LEGAL

SIZEBAG LIMIT

BOAT LIMIT#

CRUSTACEANS (CONTINUED)Crab, mud - all species combined Scylla spp. Green – 150mm

Brown - 120mm (carapace)

5 10 20 - King Sound

Prawns, school and king Family Penaeidae N/A 9 litres N/A

Redclaw, Queensland Cherax quadricarinatus N/A 40 N/A

Rock lobster* - all species combined. Note: within this bag limit you may not take more than two western or two tropical (ornate) rock lobsters.

Panulirus and Jasus spp. * 4 8

MOLLUSCS AND OTHER REEF ANIMALSCockles Family Cardiidae N/A 2 litres N/A

Mussels Family Mytilidae N/A 9 litres N/A

Oysters Family Ostreidae N/A 9 litres N/A

Razorfish Family Pinnidae N/A 20 N/A

Sea urchins Class Echinoidea N/A 20 N/A

Squid, cuttlefish and octopus - combined

Class Cephalopoda N/A 15 30

All other species of edible mollusc not specifically mentioned (combined)

Trochus – 65mm 2 litres N/A

Releasing tips

Many people are choosing to release some of the fish they catch and retaining only enough to enjoy eating fresh. Here are some simple tips to help successfully release fish:

Crush the barbs of your hooks.

If possible, avoid lifting fish you have caught from the water to unhook them.

Use a knotless landing net to lift any fish from the water.

Always measure fish on a wet, smooth surface.

When handling fish, always wet your hands and support the fish with a hand under the belly – please don’t lift fish by the jaws.

Carry a pair of long-nose pliers for removing hooks.

If the fish has swallowed a hook, cut the line 20 - 30cm from the hook. This reduces the chance of the hook impeding the fish’s ability to feed.

Always return fish as quickly as possible to the water.

Use a ‘release weight’ (weighted barbless hook) when returning demersal fish to depths greater than 20m.

tips for storing your catch

Fish, which are being kept for the table, should be killed quickly (either by iki jimi or another method), bled and iced down quickly. Keep fish well chilled until prepared for consumption. The key is getting the whole fish into an ice slurry as soon

as possible after capture and avoiding temperature fluctuations.

This method ensures the core body temperature of the fish is rapidly reduced, slowing down the bacterial action that starts when the fish is killed and leads to the breakdown of tissue and decomposition. Rapid chilling of a whole fish extends the fish’s shelf life and, when filleted just before consumption, offers the same high eating quality, texture and flavour as freshly caught fish.

In contrast, fish that are filleted begin to deteriorate the moment the flesh is exposed, due to bacterial contamination through the air or other sources. Fillets stored in a bag in ice will not have the same shelf life as whole fish. Fillets exposed to ice and water will absorb moisture and become mushy and unpalatable within a short time.

Some anglers prefer to gill and gut their catch. Some fish, if stored whole and well packed in ice, will keep beautifully fresh for up to 10 days – after which you have an excuse to go fishing again. Filleted fish is at its best if eaten within three to four days.

Crabs can be tied and kept in a moist hessian bag in a cool place until you are ready to cook them.

‘Anaesthetise’ crabs before cooking by putting them in the freezer or an ice slurry in an esky until they stop moving.

RELEASING FISH AND STORING THOSE FISH YOU WANT TO KEEP

What does possession mean?Any fish in your possession or under your control is in your ‘possession’. This includes fish you may have consigned on commercial transport. The skipper of a boat or driver of a vehicle which contains fish may be considered as ‘in possession’, even if they didn’t catch that fish.

Do I need to accompany my fish when it’s being transported?Whenever fish is being transported the owner of the fish needs to be on hand to identify their fish. You do not need to accompany your fish where the fish has been commercially consigned.

What is a fillet or piece of fish?A fillet or piece of fish is any part of a fish other than the head or tail and is included in the weight component of your possession limit.

Is a fish with its head and tail removed considered a piece of fish?No – this is defined as a ‘trunk’ and counts as a whole fish in your possession limit.

Are heads and tails included in the possession limit?No – you can have as many heads or tails as you like.

Are fish frames included in the possession limit?Yes – they are considered to be a ‘piece of fish’.

Is my bait included in the possession limit?If you have purchased your bait (or other fish) and can show proof of purchase, it is not included in the possession limit. If you catch your own bait, specific ‘baitfish’ families and species are excluded. Species excluded are hardyheads (Atherinidae), pilchards and scaly mackerel (‘mulies’) (Clupeidae), anchovies and whitebait (Engraulidae), garfish (Hemirhamphidae) and mullet (Mugilidae). All other fish are included within the possession limit.

How much is 20kg of fish?This sounds like a strange question but anglers often find it hard to visualise how much 20kg of fillets is until they measure it. 20kg of fillets is approximately 60kg of whole, bottom-dwelling fish and will provide enough fish for 100 large individual serves.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why have a 30cm minimum fillet/trunk length requirement for Category one and two fish?Fisheries and Marine Officers have limited capacity to enforce bag and size limits where unrestricted processing of fish at sea is permitted. The 30cm minimum fillet/trunk length requirement for high-risk vulnerable species ensures that each fillet/trunk was taken from a fish greater than 50cm.

Can I fillet at sea regardless of the length of the trip, providing I meet the 30cm minimum fillet/trunk length requirement? Yes – the 30cm minimum fillet/trunk length requirement applies to both day trips and extended trips at sea. However, to enable bag limits to be enforced on day trips only, two fillets or pieces of fish will be considered as one whole fish.

How long is an extended trip?An extended trip is one which goes beyond midnight. For example, if you departed at 6pm and returned to the mainland at 6am the next morning, you would have conducted an extended trip. You are entitled to land up to your individual possession limit of whole or filleted fish on an extended trip.

Does the 30cm minimum fillet/trunk length requirement apply if you are staying overnight on an island?No – if your trip involves an overnight stay on an island then the 30cm minimum fillet/trunk length requirement does not apply. For a trip to be deemed an overnight stay on an island, the fish must be landed on the island. An overnight stay at anchor or on a mooring is not deemed as an overnight stay on an island.

If I am on an extended trip and have less than 20kg of fillets, does the number of fillets or pieces of fish matter?No – provided that you have less than 20kg of fillets on an extended trip there is no restriction on the number of fillets. Two fillets or pieces of fish are considered as one whole fish on day trips only to enforce bag limits. However, daily bag limits still apply to each day’s fishing.

The information in this guide is current at the time of the date of printing, but may change. For the most up-to-date information on fisheries and fishing rules in plain English, check the Department of Fisheries’ web site at www.fish.wa.gov.au or contact the Department before going fishing. All fish illustrations in this guide are ©R.A.Swainston/anima.net.au

The latest version of each brochure is available for download in PDF format from the web site. For legislation, a link from the web site will take you to the State Law Publisher.

If you are in doubt about the meaning of any rules, please contact your nearest Fisheries Office for clarification before going fishing.

You should be aware that all fishing activities may be subject to optical surveillance by Fisheries and Marine Officers. Breaking recreational fishing rules may result in an infringement notice or legal action being initiated against you. Fines for recreational fishing offences may be as high as $5,000 plus up to 10 times the dollar value of the species.

fURtheR infoRMation

DePaRtMent of fisheRies3rd Floor, The Atrium, 168 St George’s Terrace, Perth 6000 Ph (08) 9482 7333 Fax (08) 9482 7389 e-mail: [email protected] www.fish.wa.gov.au

BRooMe Regional officePort of Pearls House 401 Port Drive, PO Box 71, Broome 6725 Ph: (08) 9193 8600 Fax: (08) 9193 8688

KaRRatha DistRict officeUnit 1, 17-19 Crane Circle, Karratha 6714 Ph: (08) 9144 4337 Fax: (08) 9144 4348

RF322APRIL 2006

Following the Pilbara/Kimberley Recreational Fishing Review, a decision was made to increase the legal minimum size limit for Yellowfin Bream from 250mm to 350mm.

That decision was based on scientific evidence that showed Yellowfin Bream first mature as a male at about 250mm and then changes sex to become female at about 350mm. It is possible that maintaining a minimum legal size of only 250mm could have a detrimental effect on the sustainability stocks in the long term.

Recently, following community concerns about the legal size change, the Minister for Fisheries approved an Exemption to allow recreational and commercial fishers to take Yellowfin Bream 250mm and greater in length until further consultation and scientific assessment has been completed.

Please note that Department of Fisheries recreational fishing guide brochures, and related publications will continue to show the minimum legal size limit for Yellowfin Bream as 350mm until this matter is resolved.

Yellowfin Bream size limit

RF325 Insert for Gascoyne Rec Fi1 1 7/6/06 11:00:07 AM

Documents

RecReational fishing gUiDe - · PDF file3.Ord River Area 2.Broome area. ... h a y Diversion Dam Wall ... R e c r e a t i o n a l F i s h i n g i n t h e P i l b a r a / K i m b e r