The annual four-month closure for pink snapper fishing in Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds commenced from October 1 and will carry through until 31 January, 2015.
Department of Fisheries Manager Strategic Fisheries Policy Nathan Harrison said at this time of year the Sounds attracted the largest known spawning aggregations of pink snapper in the West Coast Bioregion.
“Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds are also vital nurseries for the species,” Mr Harrison said.
“The aggregations are critical for sustaining adequate breeding stocks for pink snapper, which is a long-lived and slow-growing fish species.
“It is illegal to fish for pink snapper, or be in possession of pink snapper while fishing by line, in the waters of Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds during the closed season.”
The Department would also like to remind fishers that there will soon be a two-month closure on fishing for demersal finfish (species such as snapper, dhufish and baldchin groper), from October 15. This closure will apply to the West Coast Bioregion (from Kalbarri to Augusta).
More details about closures for recreational fishing are available in WA’s Recreational fishing guide 2014, which can be downloaded at www.fish.wa.gov.au or from the Department of Fisheries’ offices and information outlets.
The Department asks that people who will continue to fish for other species, during the Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds pink snapper closure period, do so safely and responsibly.
“Fishers and water users should also look out for each other and report shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600.
