THE Fisheries Department erected six fish identification signs and about eight crabbing advice signs around the Augusta-Margaret River Shire last week, to help anglers determine their catches.

With the help of funding by the South West Catchments Council, the signs have been put up to show the difference between such similar-looking fish as juvenile salmon and herring, and juvenile pink snapper and black bream.

These fish have very different bag limits. As well, there is a new daily bag limit of 10 crabs and boat limit of 20 crabs—previously double that amount

Marine Education officer Gilbert Stokman said the signs would be put in time for the Christmas season, and for Easter when overfishing of juveniles was a major problem.

Other signs will be erected in Busselton and Bunbury.

Summer and Easter interpretative programs are planned in partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation for beach walks, fishing clinics, and night stalks—keep an eye out for more information.

Source:  margaretriver.yourguide.com.au