Abalone catch fishy

The Department of Fisheries is investigating two men allegedly caught in the Capes region with 11 times the daily abalone bag limit.

The men, both 27, from Busselton and Dunsborough, were fishing north of Margaret River last Friday before being apprehended by Fisheries and marine officers.

Fisheries allege 445 Roe abalone — 405 over the duo’s combined limit — were found concealed in the rear of their vehicle.

Southern acting compliance manager Steve Embling said the men claimed the abalone were for personal consumption.

“Investigations are continuing and charges are expected,” he said.

In the past few weeks, several others have been apprehended in the South West with abalone over the bag limit and undersized.

The open season for the southern zone, which extends from Busselton to the South Australian border, runs to May 15.