South coast fishermen are experiencing one of their worst salmon seasons on record, with the total catch at 15 per cent of normal levels. Cheyne Beach fisherman Dumpy Wheatcroft said last Thursday was the first day he had caught any salmon for more than a week.

He estimates the total south coast catch could be down from about 1600 tonnes to as little as 200 tonnes.

“We’ve only had three shots (hauls) this year, total,” he said. “In the month of March, we’d normally shoot once a day on average.”

Mr Wheatcroft said salmon were travelling in bigger schools than usual but were staying away from permitted fishing areas.

He attributed the downturn to warmer weather and cyclical patterns.

“These things vary from year to year and it’s probably one of the warmest years we’ve had,” he said.

The decline in the salmon haul would hurt fisherman financially, with some relying on the catch for about 30 per cent of their income, Mr Wheatcroft said.

Department of Fisheries regional manager Phil Shaw said big schools of salmon had been reported off the south coast. “The salmon are definitely there, but for some reason they are not coming in close to the beaches where commercial fishermen can net them,” he said.

“A possibility is that the Leeuwin current is strong, which is carrying warm water flows in closer to shore and the fish are hanging out in the colder water,” Mr Shaw said.

South Coast Licensed Fishermen’s Association president Paul Benson said catches across the south coast had been about 15 per cent of usual levels.

About 20 commercial operations for salmon usually exist along 19 southern beaches, stretching from around Bremer Bay to Windy Harbour, west of Walpole.

The number of operators is down slightly this year.

GEORGIA LONEY and JODIE THOMSON

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