Time running out for the Freycinet Estuary pink snapper tag lottery

Recreational anglers can apply online to enter the lottery for tags to catch pink snapper in Shark Bay’s Freycinet Estuary, but the lottery closes at the end of next month.

The Department of Fisheries’ Northern Bioregion Manager Dr Lindsay Joll said applications would close on 28 February 2007.

“Fishers can seek a maximum of two tags each at a cost of $10 per tag,” Dr Joll said.

“Pink snapper is one of WA’s most sought after fish species and, to ensure stocks in Freycinet Estuary continue to recover, we are again only issuing 1050 tags in 2007.

“The introduction of the tag lottery system in Shark Bay was a national first and has allowed pink snapper stocks in Freycinet Estuary to rebuild and for the resource to be managed in a sustainable way.”

Dr Joll said the ongoing management program for pink snapper in the inner gulfs of Shark Bay had won top honours for the Department of Fisheries in the Premier’s Awards, announced late last year.

“The program involved a partnership, between the community and a dedicated team from the Department of Fisheries, to manage the impacts on Freycinet Estuary’s pink snapper stocks, which had fallen to extremely low levels,” he said.

“What has been achieved is a world-class sustainability outcome.

“This project has become a benchmark for future departmental management strategies and shows the importance of community consultation and involvement in the process.”

Dr Joll said fishers could get this year’s pink snapper tag lottery application forms from Department of Fisheries offices, online at www.fish.wa.gov.au or by phoning 9482 7333.

“Without one of the lottery tags, recreational fishers are not allowed to catch snapper at all in Freycinet Estuary,” Dr Joll said.

“Each of the tags only entitles the holder to a daily bag limit of one pink snapper, which must be between 50cm and 70cm in size.

“Anglers with tags also must be aware that fishing for pink snapper in Freycinet Estuary is prohibited in the local spawning period closure for the species (15 August-30 September 2007).”

Source : Recfishwest