Lines in the Western Australian sand

摘要

I arrived in Western Australia recently on a research trip the day before the recreational 'Abalone Season' began. The season is open each year for six Sundays between 7 November and 12 December from 0700 until 0830. During these times only, local people can wade, snorkel or SCUBA along Perth's metropolitan rock platforms and each collect no more than 20, >60 mm long Roe's abalone (Haliotis roei). Fines for taking undersized or more than 20 individuals are a hefty A$5000 (US$3850) plus ten times the value of the catch. Similarly, the abalone cannot be sold on, the fine for this being A$25,000 (US$19,000). The, in total, nine hour season, managed by the Department of Fisheries, must be one of the most remarkable events in the marine resource world and is said to be working and keeping abalone numbers intact. This year, one area, the Cottesloe Reef, was closed to allow stocks to recover.