More Restrictions
Submitted by The Saint on Sat, 2026-04-11 20:12
Heard on the 6PR fishing show this morning that the daily bag limit for crabs is to be cut to 5 for the entire Southwest bioregion.
Apparently this is to simplify things as it is already 5 for the Swan River and Cockburn Sound.
Death by a thousand cuts, bit by bit we are losing what we love doing.
Deano.9
Posts: 53
Date Joined: 20/10/14
While it does suck, I'm
While it does suck, I'm actually happy with 5 crabs... its generally a 2 person type of scenario with drop nets which gives you 10 crabs if you can find them
ive spoken to a few people over the years about crabs & a lot of people don't go to the effort to extract all the meat. One guy I worked with only took the big chunk from the swimmer/paddle muscle & the claws... that's half the crab gone in the bin!!?!?
piscetor
Posts: 275
Date Joined: 13/05/16
crabs
Even if you get all the meat out half the crab goes in the bin. In the wet fish shop nearly $50 a kilo, not much meat and plenty of shell.
Filletmaster
hezzy
Posts: 1534
Date Joined: 27/11/09
https://recfishwest.org.au/ne
https://recfishwest.org.au/news/crab-rule-changes-heres-where-we-stand/
Crab rule changes: here’s where we stand
April 10, 2026
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DPIRD has proposed changes to recreational blue swimmer crab rules on the West Coast and this is your chance to have a say before consultation closes next week.
Crabbing is one of WA’s great family fishing experiences, so getting these settings right really matters.
What’s being proposed?
Two main changes are on the table:
• A 10-crab bag limit per person across the West Coast; and
• Delaying the recreational season start north of Minninup Beach to 1 January.
Our take
We support the 10 crab bag limit.
It’s simple, consistent, sustainable and helps keep the fishery in good shape while making the rules easier to follow.
But we don’t support pushing the whole recreational season back to January.
That would unnecessarily take away December crabbing opportunities, especially when many fishers are already getting good catches of legal crabs in places like the Swan River, Cockburn Sound and Peel-Harvey when using drop nets. Plus, many families love to get a feed of crabs for Christmas.
Crabbing throughout the Swan-Canning, Cockburn Sound and Peel-Harvey estuary systems is one of the most cherished activities throughout the summer months and it’s important you have your say on DPIRD’s proposals in changing the season start and crab limits.
A smarter solution
We agree with DPIRD’s goal, improving fishing quality and protecting undersize crabs.
But there’s a better way to do it:
Delay scoop netting in the Peel-Harvey until Boxing Day (26 December).
Why this works:
• Scoop netting tends to take place in the shallower water of the Peel-Harvey estuary where smaller crabs are likely to be found – especially early in the season.
• Drop netting tends to catch larger, legal crabs in deeper water.
• It reduces handling of juvenile crabs, helping them grow and survive.
• It keeps December crabbing open for fishers in other areas in line with commercial crab fisheries.
It’s a more targeted approach that protects the fishery without shutting everyone out.
Why it matters
Crabbing isn’t just about numbers, it’s about:
• Family traditions over Christmas
• Accessible fishing close to home
• Supporting local tourism, especially around Mandurah
A full December delay for recreational crabbers would take a big chunk out of that.
Have your say
This is your fishery. We intend to put forward a practical middle ground that protects undersize crabs and quality crabbing experiences but we are keen to hear what you think.
To read DPIRD’s discussion paper and make a submission, click here.
https://yoursay.dpird.wa.gov.au/recreational-blue-swimmer-crab-management-review
OFW 11
evil flourishes when good men do nothing
Swompa
Posts: 4039
Date Joined: 14/10/12
We got into the crabs in
We got into the crabs in Cockburn sound this year, like many, for the first time in a decade.
5 was enough for a feed for my old boy (who prevers crabs over anything).
I got my daughter a license as well and we were able to get 10 on two trips, with the final two being glass out events where we just motored around until we saw them and jumped in to catch them.
Personally, I think 5 is enough per person. 10 is enough for my parents who got a very decent meal out of them.
My kids absoloutely loved catching the crabs and the last time we went, i stood on the roof, my wife at the helm, and when we saw a crab, four kids (my two + my new nephews) went in after them.
hezzy
Posts: 1534
Date Joined: 27/11/09
i like the 10 per person bag
i like the 10 per person bag limit
my wife gets seasick ,, but loves crabs , for to take the bomber out for 5 on my own would hardly be worth it
being able to take 7 to 10 on my own gives us agood feed, and if a take amate ,, get the boat limit up to 20, then thats split between 2 familys ,so not greedy , but a fair reward for a day out ,,
OFW 11
evil flourishes when good men do nothing
Coastrunner
Posts: 503
Date Joined: 25/10/14
10 per person
Same here hezzy, I usually fish on my own but the crabs and fish get shared with the family, so yeah, 10 per person is reasonable.