Stinker’s Fishin’: Big and alive on the West Coast

I HAVE just returned from a trip to Western Australia which can be best described with one word – big!

Everything in WA seems to be bigger than we have to offer in NSW.

From Ningaloo Reef in the north to Geographe Bay down south the water is alive with magnificent fish equal to, some say better than, the East Coast.

The oysters that grow wild in northern WA are as big as fried eggs – two oysters are sufficient for a feed.

Monster whale sharks cruise Ningaloo Reef and giant manta rays leap out of the water.

The WA beaches go forever with the coral reef system extending right to the shoreline.

I found it amazing to travel across a dry desert, then across a beach to a coral reef.

Mullet, crabs, lobsters, mangrove jack, squid, snapper – the list goes on.

The WA salmon and its smaller cousin the East Coast salmon (NZ kahawai) have an interesting story to tell.

Australian salmon form large schools in the shallow waters of the southern half of Australia and migrate to spawning grounds along the west and east coasts.

The fish that travel along the west coast average 20cm larger than those on the eastern side.

One fish that is eagerly sought in WA that is not available on this side of the country is the Dhufish, a larger cousin to our pearl perch.

An excellent table fish, the Duhy was targeted until its natural stocks became endangered.

In response WA Fisheries closed the fishery.

Australian herring (Tommy Ruff) are another fish native to the southern and western waters.

About the size of a chopper tailor I didn’t find them as popular in the kitchen as others.

Rottnest Island is about 20 km off the port of Fremantle and is surrounded by a sensational reef system.

The crystal water around the island is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.

It is certainly worth the effort to cross the country.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE