New signage has been installed at Lake Quallilup on Western Australia’s South Coast to ensure recreational fishers understand size and bag limits for black bream (Aconthopagrus butcheri).
New signage has been installed at Lake Quallilup on Western Australia’s South Coast to ensure recreational fishers understand size and bag limits for black bream (Aconthopagrus butcheri).
The information sign aims to better inform fishers following a number of infringement notices issued this year by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) fisheries officers conducting regular patrols at the lake.
DPIRD Esperance Supervising Fisheries and Marine Officer Charlie Kavanagh said since January, fisheries patrols at Lake Quallilup had resulted in 11 infringements and four warnings issued to fishers exceeding the daily bag limit and taking undersize bream.
“To help educate recreational fishers, we have installed signage at the entrance of the lake to protect black bream from illegal fishing,” Mr Kavanagh said.
“Lake Quallilup is part of a nature reserve east of Esperance, highly popular for recreational fishing for black bream.
“The daily bag limit for black bream is six per person with a minimum size limit of 250mm.
“Bream below the minimum size are totally protected and it is an offence to take or be in possession of undersize fish.”
An apprehension by fisheries officers in early June detected four fishers in possession of 66 black bream including 46 below the minimum size limit. The catch was seized and the group was issued $2,200 dollars in fines.
“Lake Quallilup is a highly valued fishing area by the local and wider community and patrols are focused on ensuring bream populations remain sustainable,” Mr Kavanagh.
“The fishing rules are designed to protect the sustainability of black bream and offenders who take more fish than permitted or take undersize fish are putting this popular fishing experience at risk.
“Size limits allow fish to reach maturity to complete their breeding cycle, so we urge all fishers to know the rules, measure their fish and return any undersize or excess fish alive to the water.”
Members of the community are urged to report illegal fishing activity to FishWatch on 1800 815 507. Recreational fishers can check to see if seasonal closures or restrictions are in place via the fishing rules website.
