Nine years on from a devastating marine heatwave, WA’s West Coast Zone Roe’s abalone stocks have finally recovered — leading the government to loosen restrictions for recreational fishers.
Charlotte Elton
Crayfishing in WA will start again next week with much lower beach prices expected, reflecting the drop in demand from China.
Jenne Brammer
Rural Bank has crunched the numbers on the potential impact of Chinese bans on Australia lobster, wine and wheat, noting some sectors would struggle to find new markets.
China has flagged potential bans on Australian lobster, sugar, timber, coal, copper ore and copper concentrate, from as early as today. Wheat is also in the firing line.
Premier Mark McGowan says WA crayfishermen appear to be the latest victims of the worsening relationship with China, amid reports Beijing is preparing to ban a stack of Australian imports.
Peter Law
Lobster consignments left stranded at Chinese airports are starting to clear customs but customers are not confident enough to place new orders. There are also fresh fears for the timber industry.
Rock lobster fishers say business has returned to normal in China and there are “positive signs” as authorities in the Middle Kingdom confirm delayed shipments are starting to clear customs.
Daryna Zadvirna and Jenne Brammer
It’s a catch most anglers only dream of but for experienced fisherman Michael Draper landing this 300kg tiger shark was almost by accident.
Rourke Walsh
As debate over the Fitzroy River rages, an environmental group is pointing to new research showing water extraction could affect a rare and endangered fish
Seafood and maritime industries from across the globe have called for action to ensure workers stuck at sea for extended periods because of the pandemic can go home.
Fishermen in WA’s 230-strong fleet will be able to sell up to 100 lobsters direct to the public or hospitality sector as part of a recovery plan.
Jenne Brammer and Charlotte Elton
The State Government’s environmental credentials ‘are on the line’ after it ‘ignored’ concerns over the proposed port’s impact on Cockburn Sound fish stocks, WA’s peak recreational fishing body says.
The tough decision to close the fishery several years ago to let depleted stocks recover is paying dividends for local fishers, who are predicting the best year in 15 seasons.
The beach price for crays has plunged and fishers only just starting to recover from February’s COVID-19 all-stop are again cutting back on their catch as some China markets ban seafood imports.
WA anglers have been given the all clear to eat fish and crabs caught from the Swan and Canning rivers for the first time in more than six months, though shellfish should still be avoided.
Researchers have developed a fast-growing oyster that performs well in tropical conditions, potentially paving the way for a new industry and hundreds of new jobs.
A family fishing trip took an incredible turn after the local anglers caught the attention of a boat-sized great white shark this morning.
Phil Hickey
Dr Patricia Kailis, who passed away late last week, has been remembered for her remarkable commitment to medicine, science and WA’s fishing industry.
Up to 2400 West Australians will be saved from losing their job after the Morrison Government inked a deal to send 500 tonnes of rock lobster from WA to China over the next eight weeks.
Lanai Scarr
Twelve weeks after Chinese demand for lobster collapsed, some fishers are back working their pots, but a full recovery will take a long time.
A three-month long fishing competition will feature among a host of events set to be run during a massive celebration of WA salmon.
Terrifying vision has emerged of the moment a diver came face-to-face with a hungry shark in WA waters.
Cassidy Mosconi
WA’s 230 commercial rock lobster operators have stopped fishing because Chinese demand has dried up following movement restrictions aimed at containing the deadly coronavirus.
Jurien Bay has been fishing fantastically lately, with plenty of boat anglers getting quality fish offshore.
Scott Coghlan
© West Australian Newspapers Limited 2020
