This season’s crab catch is down, prompting rumours there will be a ban put on recreational fishing of blue manna, or blue swimmer crabs.

The Department of Fisheries said it was going through a consultative process before it could make a decision on the management of crab trapping.

DoF aquatic management director Dr Lindsay Joll said blue swimmer numbers were significantly down in the region due to unusual environmental conditions such as the Gascoyne River floods in 2010 and 2011 and the marine heatwave in autumn of last year in Shark Bay.

“A trawl survey in November 2011 found very low numbers of crabs in areas of previous abundance,” Dr Joll said.

“The decrease in numbers is significant, with catch levels generally being less than 10 per cent of those previously experienced.

“Reports from the commercial crab trap fishery have confirmed a significant drop in crab numbers, to the extent crab-trapping operations may not be economically viable this season.”

Peak body for recreational fishing, Recfishwest, said there were concerns about the low numbers being reported this year.

Recfishwest executive officer Andrew Rowland said the organisation did not support a ban on the recreational catch.

“Recfishwest will be working to ensure fishing for crabs remains open to the public, particularly given the fact the recreational sector has only ever taken a small proportion to the overall catch in the region,” Mr Rowland said.

“Fishing for crabs in water around Carnarvon is highly valued by locals and visitors to the region.”

Local crab trapper Joel Sweetman said he loved the hobby he has practised since he was seven years old. Mr Sweetman said during the season he would go out a couple of times a month to catch crabs.

“I love eating them and it’s good fun,” he said.

He said the current restrictions were reasonable. The DoF has a bag limit of 20 per person or 40 per boat of the species.