Western Australia's abalone fishery will extend north for the first time in more than a decade as the mollusc's population recovers to sustainable levels after a devastating marine heatwave in 2011.
Abalone season in WA draws licensed recreational fishers to prime locations on only a limited number of days each year.
Prized as a delicacy in many cuisines, live abalone also retails for about $100 per kilogram.
This year, harvesting will be permitted between 7am-8am on December 14, January 11, February 1, and February 15.
Parts of the west coast zone were closed to recreational abalone fishers since 2011. (Supplied: DPIRD)
Licensees, of which there are about 17,000 in WA, are permitted a 15 abalone catch limit and a minimum size of six centimetres.
Part of the west coast zone spanning from the Moore River mouth in Guilderton to Geraldton's Greenough River mouth has been closed since a marine heatwave in 2011 decimated the local abalone stock.
The mortality rate was estimated to be 99.9 per cent.
But a recent biomass survey by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) showed the population was recovering and fishers would be allowed between the Moore and Greenough rivers for the first time in over a decade.
DPIRD scientist Lachlan Strain said the resumption of fishing, for just the four hours, would be carefully monitored.
"[The zone is] potentially still a way off being fully recovered," he said.
"So it is obviously highly restricted."
Balancing supply and demand
Greenough in the state's Midwest is well known for its abalone population. ( ABC News: Chris Lewis )
Dr Strain said DPIRD has been working to monitor and improve abalone stock along the coast north of Perth for years.
He said translocation projects were focused near Kalbarri, 600 kilometres north of Perth, which was the "epicentre" for abalone mortality.
He said nearly 10,000 mature Roe's abalone were relocated, along with a further 75,000 juvenile abalone from a hatchery.
Recreational abalone fishing north of the Moore River mouth was been banned since 2011. ( ABC News: Chris Lewis )
Dr Strain said the method worked, with relocated animals starting to reproduce.
But it was still unsustainable for mass fishing.
"Unfortunately, given the vast expanse of the fishery and the numbers of animals to relocate, it hasn't been continued on a commercial scale," he said.
Rangers will enforce size and quota restrictions, like they did in permitted parts of the state last abalone season. (ABC News: Angela ho)
He said compliance officers would be monitoring the region and surveys would be used to estimate the total recreational catch.
The northern zone, from Geraldton's Greenough River to the Northern Territory border, remains closed.
Dr Strain said the department would continue to monitor all zones.
"It will remain closed until the department deems that there's been sufficient population there to fish. At this stage there is no time frames on that at all," he said.
Safety first
Roe's abalone are usually found on reefs close to the shore and are often accessible by snorkelling or simply walking out to a reef.
Increased life savers are deployed on fishing days which often feature multiple rescues and drownings.
Recreational abalone fishers gathered on the reef at Burns Beach during last years' abalone fishing window. (ABC News: Angela Ho)
He said it could be dangerous depending on weather and swell, and urged people to check the conditions in advance.
"Please look after your own safety while you're out there enjoying this pastime," Dr Strain said.
While the West Coast zone is unpatrolled by lifesavers, Dr Strain said DPIRD worked closely with Surf Life Saving WA and would reschedule any of the four sessions if the conditions were unsafe.
WA recreational fishing peak body Recfishwest also plans to release key safety messaging to abalone fishers, including how to watch for dangerous reef swells.