AN annual pink snapper spawning closure in West Australia’s Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds is now in force.
South West Bioregions Manager Kevin Donohue said it was essential that fishers observed the closure to pink snapper fishing that applied in the Sounds.
“The four month spawning closure, which began on Saturday (1 October), runs until Wednesday 1 February next year (2012),” Donohue said.
“Pink snapper enter the Sounds each year to spawn, when the water temperature starts to rise in spring and these spawning grounds, on the doorstep of the Perth metropolitan area, play a vital role in supporting the species.
“It is important that adequate protection is provided for the breeding fish.”
According to previous research tagging WA’s pink snapper will travel considerable distances to join the spawning aggregation and Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds are the most important nursery area for the species in the West Coast Bioregion that extends from near Augusta in the South to north of Kalbarri.
Pink snapper can also not be taken during the annual demersal fishing closure for the West Coast Bioregion, in place from Saturday 15 October and continue up to and including Thursday 15 December.
Information about the fish species subject to the demersal closure, is available on the Department of Fisheries website at www.fish.wa.gov.au or from departmental
offices.
