With the first day of the 2025-26 abalone season underway on Saturday fishers, who are no doubt keen to get their hands on the delicacy, are being asked to keep safety front of mind.
Last year while filming (see video below) at Yanchep Lagoon on the final abalone day for the 2024-25 West Coast zone season Yanchep News Online recorded some vision of a man with a little girl clinging to his back clambering onto the reef.
Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) has reported an increase in incidents over the past few years, with their lifesaving services performing 118 rescues during the four hours of fishing last season and 101 rescues the previous year.
SLSWA lifesaving services manager Cam Robbins said while it had been decided conditions were suitable for fishing to go ahead on Saturday, December 13, whether or not individuals proceeded should be based on their abilities and the prevailing conditions at each location.
On Saturday SLSWA will have a range of safety services including jet ski, inflatable rescue boat and beach-based patrols at Yanchep Lagoon, Fisherman’s Hollow, Ocean Reef (restricted access due to marina works) and Mindarie.
Mr Robbins said last year, they saw some pretty irresponsible and risky behaviours and this was something they really hope to avoid having to deal with this year.
“While our lifesavers are there to keep an eye on them, people still need to take responsibility for their own behaviour,” he said.
“This includes ensuring they’re dressed appropriately, with gloves and reef shoes, and preferably a long-sleeve wetsuit, which will also help protect them from the reef.
“We also prefer that they don’t go alone – take some mates or family to help keep an eye on each other.”
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) reminded fishers lifesavers won’t be on patrol in the area north of Yanchep to Greenough River mouth.
Licenced abalone fishers between Busselton jetty and the Greenough River mouth can fish between 7am and 8am.
SLSWA modelling predicts an average tide of 0.4m and an average wave height of 1m or above.
The temperature range is expected to be from 18 to 36 degrees with winds of about 21.4km/h.
Conditions can differ throughout the West Coast zone and anyone collecting abalone should wear the right gear and keep an eye on waves that wash across the reefs.
DPIRD management officer Aidan Walsh said the bag limit for Roe’s abalone was 15 and the minimum size limit was 60mm measured across the widest part of the shell.
“Abalone should always be measured before they are removed from a reef, so undersize abalone are left to grow,’’ he said.
“Once removed, the survival rate for undersize abalone is reduced.
“If abalone is in your catch bag it’s considered your catch.
“It’s too late to measure when you return to shore.”
The fishing rules are available in DPIRD’s Abalone Recreational fishing guide.
DPIRD said fisheries officers would be attending beaches within the West Coast zone to ensure people understood and followed the rules.
A strong breeze didn’t deter abalone fishers at Yanchep Lagoon.
This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 13 December 2025.
