Tag Archives: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
WA crayfish are about to turn in unison and head for deeper waters on ‘whites run’
Millions of crayfish are set to descend into deep waters off WA’s coast this week, in a “unique” migratory march. The annual “whites run” is a natural phenomenon in which juvenile western rock lobsters from Bunbury to Kalbarri moult their red shells, becoming pale and soft. They then turn to exactly 283 degrees north-west and move from shallow coastal reefs to deep water. “And once they get into that loop and current, they turn and walk into the current and they walk northwards.” Dr de Lestang said lobsters tapped into magnetic forces in much the same way as homing pigeons. >click to read< 15:55
Commercial fishers fined for potentially disturbing migrating whales in Scarborough
Two commercial fishers who potentially disturbed migrating whales off Scarborough with their unsecured lines were the first to be prosecuted under new lobster regulations. The fishers, a 72-year-old from Beaconsfield and a 44-year-old from Bateman, pleaded guilty and were each ordered to pay $7453.90 in fines and court costs at Perth Magistrate’s Court on June 9. According to the amended Management Plan for Commercial rock lobster fishing introduced in 2014, the top third of the length of the pot lines must be held vertically in the water. The officers seized nine lobster pots as a part of the lines of each pot were trailing across the surface of the water. >click to read< 10:25
