New Rules for Recreational Fishing Changed to October 1

20 June 2003: The Department of Fisheries has today announced a change to the implementation date for Western Australia's new recreational fishing rules.

To provide a smooth transition to the new rules in the West Coast and Gascoyne Region, a revised implementation date of October 1 has been endorsed by Fisheries Minister Kim Chance.

Department of Fisheries Recreational Fishing Program Manager Andrew Cribb said the date enables the Government to enact complex legislative changes before the southern summer recreational fishing season starts.

"Rather than changing the rules in the middle of the Gascoyne fishing season, the Department believes the October date will make things easier for recreational fishers in both regions," Mr Cribb said.

"The West Coast and Gascoyne bag and size limits are management tools to help sustain the State's fisheries and were designed to adjust for increases in recreational fishing pressure over the past 10 years.

"The participation rate of recreational fishing in WA has almost doubled from 284,000 in 1987 to more than 600,000 in 2002 so it's easy to see why recreational pressure on fish stocks needs to be addressed.

"The West Coast and Gascoyne implementation change means the State's anglers will be better informed and prepared to take responsibility for their share to ensure that there are Fish for the Future."

Editor's note: April 11 - A review of WA's commercial wetline fisheries has also commenced. For more details, visit the minister's media statement website at http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/media/media.nsf

Reminder for Winter Beachgoers

13 June 2003: With cold weather marking the beginning of winter, the Department of Fisheries reminds beachgoers to use caution and commonsense following recent shark sighting reports.

Manager Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Colin Chalmers said no matter what the season, sharks remain off the coast all year round.

"While the risk of a shark attacks are low, caution is still warranted when swimming in the State's oceans and estuaries," Mr Chalmers said.

The Department of Fisheries has reiterated its message about taking care in the water. To minimise the risk of an encounter with a shark:

· Avoid swimming around dawn and dusk when most fish are feeding and sharks are likely to be active
· Avoid swimming in areas where there are large schools of fish, or among seals and close to rookeries
· Avoid swimming in areas where animal, human or fish waste enters the water
· Avoid areas where there are deep-water channels
· Do not remain in the water with bleeding wounds
· Always swim between the flags at patrolled beaches
· If you do see a shark, leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible

On June 11, the Department received a report of a large shark in waters off North Cottesloe. Police and Surf Lifesaving were notified.

In the past two weeks the Department, local authorities and the WA Police Service have received reports of a number of sightings of a medium-sized hammerhead shark off Gantheaume Point in Broome.

"While the Department does not have a direct beach patrol or public safety role, it

supports the WA Police Service and other agencies in this area by disseminating information on sharks and shark sightings," Mr Chalmers said.

Aerial patrols of Perth's metropolitan beaches will resume for the next two summer seasons.

People are urged to continue reporting shark sightings, or attacks, to the Department and WA Police.

More information on sharks and safety is available from the Department and its website at www.fish.wa.gov.au.

Reef Fish Crucial For Abrolhos Seabirds

9 June 2003: A ground-breaking study of the diets of Abrolhos Island seabirds has found that fishing activity poses no threat to their food supply.

The study specifically looked at the scaly mackerel fishery along with other fishing activities off Geraldton and the impact they had on local bird life.

Researchers from the Department of Fisheries, Murdoch University and CALM undertook the four-year project at Pelsaert Island.

The study found that the birds were heavily dependent on prey found in the reef shallows and that their breeding success was clearly linked to the their diet.

Department of Fisheries scientist Dr Dan Gaughan said the purpose of the study was to determine if the purse seine fishery for scaly mackerel in the waters between Geraldton and the islands had potential to expand without affecting the seabirds.

"We estimate that seabirds eat about 47,000 tonnes of fish each year and that's a bigger catch than any fishery in WA," Dr Gaughan said.

"The main revelation was how much of that is the surface dwelling juvenile stages of bottom-dwelling species, fish of the reef shallows around the islands and squid.

"Some of the fish in larval and early juvenile stages can be found further offshore but for some of the tern species, it's the inshore reef shallows which are vital."

Any threat to the water quality of these areas will now be considered by the Department of Fisheries when assessing proposals for aquaculture, eco-tourism, fishing or island development and rubbish disposal.

Dr Gaughan said it was a good opportunity to overlap with the long-term studies completed by Murdoch University's Dr Chris Surman on the wider ecology of the islands.

"With this study we've taken a big step toward looking at the Abrolhos ecosystem as a whole," he said.

The Department of Fisheries, National Heritage Trust and the Commonwealth Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) provided funding for the project.

Copies of the report can be ordered from the FRDC website www.frdc.com.au.