OPINION: New recreational fishing rules in place

Kimberley fishers need to be aware of the new recreational fishing rules which are now in place.

A number of changes were introduced last year and while most will not affect Kimberley recreational fishers, there are a couple of changes which are worth noting.

Probably the biggest change for local anglers is the exclusion of wings, backbones and frames in the possession limits across the State, including in the North Coast bioregion which includes the Kimberley.

The current possession limit for the North Coast is 20kg of fish fillets, or 10kg of fish fillets and one day’s bag limit of whole fish or fish trunks, or two days’ bag limit of whole fish or fish trunks.

A “fillet” means any particular piece of a finfish, other than a whole fish, fish trunk, head, tail, fin, backbone or wing.

It should be noted that for these pieces to be excluded from the possession limit they must be entirely removed from the fillet.

This change was aimed at reducing waste and was promoted by Shooters and Fishers Party MP Rick Mazza and has been welcomed by recreational fishers across WA.

Copies of the new regulations are available at the local Department of Fisheries office next to the Broome Jetty or you can view them online at www.fish.wa.gov.au .

One other change of interest to Kimberley fishers is that any undersized crabs must be returned to the water before attempting to take another crab.

In addition, all uncooked crabs must be kept whole unless being prepared for immediate consumption.