Cobbler protected in Swan and Canning Rivers & Gidgees Banned

Recreational fishing changes for Swan River anglers  http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=462

Date: Tuesday, 3 July 2007

New rules will soon prohibit recreational and commercial fishers taking cobbler from the Swan and Canning Rivers.

Department of Fisheries Management Officer for the South West Bioregion Clinton Syers said both changes, that would take effect from Friday 6 July 2007, were designed to protect the species concerned.

10 YEARS PROTECTION FOR COBBLER IN THE SWAN AND CANNING RIVERS

Cobbler stocks in the Swan and Canning have fallen significantly, primarily due to environmental changes causing loss of suitable breeding habitat for the species that generally nests in burrows," Mr Syers said.

"Recfishwest and the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC) have both recommended that cobbler (Cnidoglanis macrocephalus) be totally protected in the Swan and Canning Rivers.

"With the protection of cobbler for 10 years, recreational fishers are reminded that they will no longer be permitted to use gidgees or similar pointed instruments in both of the river systems.

"Commercial supplies of cobbler are available to Perth’s fish retailers from the South Coast Estuarine (interim) Managed Fishery (SCEMF), so there are no current concerns over the availability of supplies."

Around 40-50 tonnes of cobbler are caught in the SCEMF each year.

TerryF
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Beavering away in the background......

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