The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is granting restricted access to recreational fishers who have crayfish pots set in waters off Rottnest Island.
The fishers will be allowed into the area’s exclusion zone to collect their equipment, under supervision from Rottnest Island Authority rangers.
The Department said disembarking on the island itself was strictly forbidden and recreational fishers must register with the rangers.
Rottnest Island and its surrounding waters have been off limits to the public since 25 March, with the island being utilised as part of the State’s response to COVID-19.
“Fishers are permitted to access the exclusion zone for the purpose of retrieving their equipment only, with no further fishing or other recreational activity allowed,” the Department said.
Minister for Fisheries, Peter Tinley said the move was in recognition of the popularity of the area and the number of pots set near the island.
“The exemption to retrieve rock lobster pots is a positive example of the Government working with the recreational fishing community to manage this issue,” Mr Tinley said.
“The recreational rock lobster season remains open and there is the opportunity for recreational rock lobster fishers to reset their pots away from the Rottnest Island exclusion zone,” he said.
