Abalone season opens amid warnings to fishers

The opening of abalone season was met with four fines and three warnings issued to Penguin Island and Point Peron fishermen at the weekend.

North Metropolitan Compliance manager Todd A'V ard said Sunday's weather offered the ideal start to the season, yet the number of fishers was low in some locations compared to last year.

A department spokesman said a fine and two warnings were handed down for exceeding the bag limit of 15, and one warning was issued for taking undersized abalone.

From 7am-8am on the first Sunday of each month, the abalone can be collected.

Recfishwest chief executive Dr Andrew Rowland urged fishers to abide by the size and bag limits, and ensure activity was conducted safely after three fishermen died in WA in the past two years.