Fisheries Minister Norman Moore announced today that new rules applying to recreational rock lobster fishers will come into effect on Monday (December 1).

“The new regulations that I flagged last month will see recreational rock lobster fishers play their part in protecting Western Australia’s most valuable fishery,” Mr Moore said.

From Monday, licensed recreational rock lobster fishers between Black Point, east of Augusta, and the Zuytdorp Cliffs north of Kalbarri (the West Coast Bioregion) will have daily bag limits reduced from eight to six.

“I took this decision because record low numbers of juvenile rock lobster (puerulus) in their normal inshore nurseries indicates the fishery is heading for its lowest catches in 40 years, in the next three to four seasons,” the Minister said.

The Liberal-National Government has moved quickly to protect rock lobster stocks this year and help carry over stock into the coming poorer years.

“According to the figures, the next three years will have well-below average catches in the western rock lobster fishery and the latest research indicates the total catch is likely to be at a record low for the 2011-2012 season,” he said.

“Last season, WA’s rock lobster fishery generated $220million in landed catch value for commercial fishers and, each season it provides thousands of hours of pleasure and pastime to recreational fishers.

“However, in order to keep the fishery sustainable, changes have been made to commercial and recreational fishing rules to reduce the pressure on lobster stocks.”

Additionally, a daily boat limit of 12 rock lobsters will come into effect if two or more licence holders are aboard a vessel.

There will also be a new possession limit of 24 western rock lobsters per person, which will apply throughout the West Coast Bioregion including a person’s residence.

Mr Moore said the precautionary action was vital to keep the fishery sustainable while experts researched the causes of this year’s significant changes to puerulus settlement.

“The puerulus data collection method has been a reliable and valuable forecasting tool for the fishery since the late 1960s and this year’s counts have recorded alarmingly low numbers,” the Minister said.

Details on the rule changes for rock lobster fishers are online at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au.