Safety a priority as abalone season opens

With the first session of the 2024/25 South West Zone abalone fishing season confirmed to go ahead this Saturday, Surf Life Saving WA is calling on fishers to prioritise their safety, with last season experiencing a massive surge in incidents.

While ocean conditions for this first session have been assessed as medium risk, Surf Life Saving WA Lifesaving Services Manager Cam Robbins said just because you can go out doesn’t mean you should.

“Fishers still needed to assess their individual abilities against the prevailing conditions before proceeding.

Last season, across the four fishing sessions, our volunteer surf lifesavers performed more than 100 rescues, up from 14 the previous season”, said Mr Robbins.

“While thankfully the season ended without any fatalities, this outcome can largely be attributed to the actions of our lifesavers.”

Each year, hundreds of volunteer surf lifesavers deliver patrols across a range of locations within the designated fishing zone, keeping their eye on fishers participating in what is recognised as one of WA’s most dangerous coastal recreational activity.

The four allocated one-hour fishing sessions between December and February see thousands of licence holders descend upon the inshore reef; however, each session is given the final go-ahead based on the predicted conditions and level of risk to participants.

“Last year, 76 of the rescues performed were during the final session of the season, which indicates the impact that the conditions have on the safety of fishers”, said Mr Robbins.

Surf Life Saving WA warns fishers not to be complacent and to observe the appropriate behaviours to help keep themselves safe. This includes wearing and carrying gear suitable for the activity and, importantly, keeping an eye on mates and other fishers.

Surf Life Saving WA will continue to deliver a range of safety services including Jet Ski, inflatable rescue boat and beach-based patrols at the following locations within the West Coast Fishing Zone: Halls Head, Point Peron, Penguin Island, Marmion Angling & Aquatic Club, Hamersley Pool, Mettams, Bennion Beach, Illuka, Ocean Reef (restricted access due to marina works), Mindarie, Yanchep Lagoon, and Fisherman’s Hollow.

The 2024/25 fishing sessions will occur for one hour between 7:00 am and 8:00 am on the following Saturdays:

• 14 December 2024
• 11 January 2025
• 01 February 2025
• 15 February 2025

Last season, Surf Life Saving WA services performed:

• 101 rescues
• 114 first aids
• 2,717 preventative actions

Further abalone fishing location, safety information, and resources, including areas where Surf Life Saving WA services will be patrolling, can be found at www.mybeach.com.au/abalone

*Statistics are subject to change, pending the outcome of ongoing coronial investigations.

In November 2022, Surf Life Saving WA received funding for a period of three (3) years from the West Australian Government and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Recreational Fishing Fund towards Abalone Patrols.