Cockburn crabs stock still needs more recovery time!
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2007-11-22 12:42
Media Releases Cockburn crabs stock still needs more recovery time Date: Thursday, 22 November 2007
Fisheries Minister Jon Ford has extended the closure on recreational and commercial crab fishing in Cockburn Sound for a further 12 months to allow stocks to rebuild after several years of poor recruitment.
“Research advice indicates that although blue swimmer crab stocks have started to recover in the Sound, breeding stocks and recruitment remain at low levels,” Mr Ford said.
“The quickest way to allow stocks to rebuild is to extend the current closure for 12 months.
“Department of Fisheries researchers will continue to monitor the recovery of crab stocks in Cockburn Sound and I will review further scientific data and advice late next year to consider whether crab fishing can recommence.“
Mr Ford said the Carpenter Government had committed significant funding towards blue swimmer crab research in both Cockburn Sound and the Peel Harvey Estuary and the findings would help guide management strategies to keep stocks sustainable.
“Now that we’ve started down the road to recovery and the signs indicate we are heading in the right direction, we should give the crabs in Cockburn Sound a little longer to rebuild their numbers,” he said.
“If we keep the fishing pressure off the crab stocks in the meantime, this will help speed up the recovery.
“Once the blue swimmer crab numbers return to reasonable levels, our goal is to keep the stocks sustainable through careful ongoing management strategies.”
The Minister said his decision to reduce the bag and boat limits for blue swimmer crabs across the rest of the West Coast Bioregion (extending from Black Point, east of Augusta, to the Zuytdorp Cliffs, north of Kalbarri) was also an important step for sustainability.
“As of November 1 this year, the daily bag limit of blue swimmer crabs in the West Coast Bioregion for recreational fishers has been reduced to 10 per fisher and the boat limit is now 20,” Mr Ford said.
More details about the new rules for blue swimmer crab fishing in the West Coast Bioregion are available from the Department of Fisheries website http://www.fish.wa.gov.au
“Research advice indicates that although blue swimmer crab stocks have started to recover in the Sound, breeding stocks and recruitment remain at low levels,” Mr Ford said.
“The quickest way to allow stocks to rebuild is to extend the current closure for 12 months.
“Department of Fisheries researchers will continue to monitor the recovery of crab stocks in Cockburn Sound and I will review further scientific data and advice late next year to consider whether crab fishing can recommence.“
Mr Ford said the Carpenter Government had committed significant funding towards blue swimmer crab research in both Cockburn Sound and the Peel Harvey Estuary and the findings would help guide management strategies to keep stocks sustainable.
“Now that we’ve started down the road to recovery and the signs indicate we are heading in the right direction, we should give the crabs in Cockburn Sound a little longer to rebuild their numbers,” he said.
“If we keep the fishing pressure off the crab stocks in the meantime, this will help speed up the recovery.
“Once the blue swimmer crab numbers return to reasonable levels, our goal is to keep the stocks sustainable through careful ongoing management strategies.”
The Minister said his decision to reduce the bag and boat limits for blue swimmer crabs across the rest of the West Coast Bioregion (extending from Black Point, east of Augusta, to the Zuytdorp Cliffs, north of Kalbarri) was also an important step for sustainability.
“As of November 1 this year, the daily bag limit of blue swimmer crabs in the West Coast Bioregion for recreational fishers has been reduced to 10 per fisher and the boat limit is now 20,” Mr Ford said.
More details about the new rules for blue swimmer crab fishing in the West Coast Bioregion are available from the Department of Fisheries website http://www.fish.wa.gov.au
fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
I dont eat crab
But I think it wont be worth the effort for ten crabs given the amount of meat that comes off them off them.
To all the virgins..............Thanks for nothing!
Ryan Thipthorp (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
nice feed!
I'm happy with the change personally. I love eating crabs and rate them with crays (if not more)
20 for the boat, divy up and a nice feed with a coldie to wash em down.....mmhhhh nice!
* Oceanside- Advice, Knowledge, Experience....that's our difference *
Owner/Operator "Oceanside Tackle & Marine"
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth Ph# 9337 5682
Dean
Posts: 1943
Date Joined: 23/02/07
Good decision
Dean
Posts: 1943
Date Joined: 23/02/07
Yeah
Yeah it will take another 5 years + for the government to step in and stop them up north.