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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWestern Australia’s 2026 blue swimmer crab closure in the Perth and South West region ran from 1 September to 30 November, inclusive. It covered coastal waters, rivers and estuaries from the Swan and Canning area south to Rich Road at Minninup Beach, about 15 km south of Bunbury—including Cockburn Sound and Peel-Harvey waters. It was a regional closure, not a statewide ban. DPIRD’s 2026 announcement and its current species rules set out the dates and boundary.
Where the September–November closure applied
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) describes this as the Perth and South West closure. Its boundary runs from the Swan and Canning Rivers south to Rich Road at Minninup Beach. The 2026 announcement specifies that the closure included all coastal waters, rivers and estuaries in that area, including Cockburn Sound and Peel-Harvey waters. Read the 2026 closure notice and check DPIRD’s regional rules for the defined area.
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Waters outside that boundary were not covered by this particular seasonal closure, but other local rules still apply. Do not assume that a spot is open simply because it is south or north of a named place: check the map and live rules for the exact fishing location.
Why WA closes the fishery in spring
DPIRD says the seasonal closure protects blue swimmer crabs during their peak spawning period and gives some juveniles time to grow and moult to legal size. The department’s biology fact sheet says females mostly spawn between spring and early summer. These are the stated aims of the closure, not a quantified estimate of how many crabs it saves. DPIRD’s closure announcement explains the management purpose.
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A female can produce 100,000 to 500,000 eggs in a single spawning, and may produce multiple clutches during a spawning season, according to DPIRD’s fact sheet, reviewed 9 March 2026. The department also notes that most larvae do not survive to adulthood; the egg figure should not be read as an estimate of adult recruitment. See DPIRD’s spawning biology information.
Rules to check when crabbing outside the closure
Open dates do not remove size, bag, protection, gear or licensing requirements. DPIRD’s live species page lists a minimum carapace width of 127 mm and different daily bag limits by location:
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| Area | Daily bag limit listed by DPIRD |
|---|---|
| Swan River, Canning River and Cockburn Sound | 5 |
| Geographe Bay | 10, with no more than 5 females |
| West Coast Bioregion, except the areas named above | 10 |
| South, Gascoyne and North Coast bioregions | 20 |
These figures are the limits listed on DPIRD’s species page; check its live rules and location-specific conditions before fishing, because regulations can change. DPIRD’s blue swimmer crab rules are the reference for current limits.
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Measure carefully and return protected crabs
The minimum width is measured across the carapace at its widest point, from spike tip to spike tip. Undersize crabs and berried females are protected and must be returned immediately. DPIRD recommends using a crab gauge; estimating with a drink can or ruler can lead to errors. Read DPIRD’s measurement guidance.
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Use only permitted methods and equipment
DPIRD lists hand capture, a blunt hand-held wire hook, a compliant drop net, a compliant scoop net and diving among the permitted methods. Gear must meet WA specifications; some equipment sold in tackle shops may not comply. A powered boat may require a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence, including when it carries catch or fishing gear to or from a land-based fishing spot. Check DPIRD’s full method, gear and licence conditions before setting out. See the gear and licensing rules.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the proposed 2026/27 changes
In March–April 2026, DPIRD consulted on proposed changes for the West Coast Bioregion. The proposal included extending the closure through 31 December, opening on 1 January, and standardising proposed bag and boat limits. The consultation page said feedback would inform advice to the Minister and that implementation before the 2026/27 season was possible. It does not establish that the proposals became law. Check DPIRD’s consultation page and the live species rules before relying on a December 2026 or January 2027 opening date or any proposed catch limit.
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