The Hon. Jackie Jarvis, Minister for Fisheries (WA), Media Release, 19 November 2025
The designated fishing sessions for the 2025-2026 Roe’s abalone season have been released, with recreational fishers reminded to fish safely and sustainably this summer.
The highly popular one-hour fishing sessions are scheduled to occur over four Saturday mornings between 7am and 8am, dependant on conditions, between Busselton Jetty and Greenough River Mouth. The proposed fishing dates include:
- 13 December 2025;
- 10 January 2026;
- 7 February 2026; and
- 21 February 2026.
The Cook Government has extended its funding agreement with Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA), providing $417,000 for abalone safety services in the Perth metropolitan area over the next three recreational fishing seasons.
The funding will ensure lifesavers are equipped to provide abalone fishing safety patrols, including prevention and rescue activities, during the designated fishing sessions through to 2028.
SLSWA will also provide Hazardous Surf Forecast Assessments ahead of each fishing session to help determine whether the weather and sea conditions are safe for fishing to proceed.
Fishers are reminded that while surf lifesavers will be monitoring areas within the metropolitan zones, coastal areas outside of the Perth metropolitan area are not monitored by SLSWA.
Recfishwest will reinforce the safety message for fishers – promoting what to wear, the right gear for fishing and how to manage ocean conditions by keeping an eye on ocean swells and waves that wash across the reefs.
The recreational abalone fishery is one of the most tightly managed fisheries in the world, with a total allowable catch set each year based on independent survey information and environmental factors.
This year there have been no rule changes and there is a bag limit of 15 Roe’s abalone per day with a minimum size limit of 60mm.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development compliance officers will be on patrol each session to monitor catches to protect the sustainability of the fishery.
More details on the fishing rules and fishing dates are available from https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/documents/fisheries/recreational/guides-and-infographics/rec_licence_abalone.pdf
Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“Abalone fishing is incredibly popular in Western Australia and it’s important for safety and sustainability to be front-of-mind for recreational fishers.
“Surf Life Saving WA, lifesavers and volunteers do a tremendous job monitoring safety at popular abalone fishing locations in the Perth metropolitan area, and we’re proud to extend the funding agreement for the upcoming abalone seasons.
“Once again, Fisheries compliance officers will be out to ensure catch rules are followed and research and education staff will be on hand to count and weigh abalone catches to ensure the sustainability of the fishery.
“Thank you to Recfishwest for their role and support to promote safety messages and responsible marine stewardship of our abalone resource.
“I urge everyone to do the right thing, take care and fish safely this abalone season.”
