Fishing bodies, government team up to deliver healthier future for blue swimmer crab

That's how WA Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly likes his blue swimmer crab, and that's how he intends to continue enjoying them for years to come.

The Labor MP teamed up with Recfishwest and the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) to announce changes that will strengthen the future of the species in Mandurah on Wednesday morning.

Under new reform drawn up to protect breeding stocks, all waters from the Swan and Canning rivers to Bunbury's Minninup Beach (including Mandurah's waterways) will see their annual seasonal closure stretched to three months, with fishing for blue swimmers prohibited between September 1 and November 30.

This is a one-month increase on the pre-existing closure, with a specific aim to safeguard vulnerable female crabs and allow them more time to reproduce.

A voluntary buyback scheme will also be introduced for those holding licences in the Mandurah to Bunbury Developmental Crab Fishery, which could potentially lead to the permanent closure of commercial crab fishing in the in the catchment.

This comes on the back of a similar scheme introduced for the Peel-Harvey Estuary last year.

Bag limits in the Swan and Canning rivers will also be reduced as part of the changes, with fishers limited to a catch of five crabs per day, but the current limit of 10 will remain in the Peel-Harvey.

The announcement comes on the back of negotiations between Recfishwest, WAFIC and the state government.

Recfishwest chief executive officer Andrew Rowland welcomed the changes, citing them as a significant step forward for the blue swimmer crab in Mandurah's waterways.

"Crabs are the most fished species in WA, so it's vital we get the balance right," he said.

"We've been calling for changes to management in the fishery for 10 years now so to know the species will be protected for future years is a great outcome.

"The blue swimmer is part of Mandurah and the Peel region's lifestyle, and it's a big part of the economy here.

"We expect to see improvement in stocks and the quality of crab people are able to catch within two to three years, so it's a big win for the local area."

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Minister Kelly said the new management laws would ensure a brighter future for crabbing in WA.

"Today is a great day for anyone who likes to eat a local crab," he said.

"[These changes] will ensure we have a sustainable source of commercially caught crabs, and we will have a sustainable recreational fishery.

"Crabs are a really important part of Western Australian culture, and the fact that you can eat a fresh caught WA crab is just a great part of our lifestyle."

For further information on the review and the subsequent management changes, visit fish.wa.gov.au