Like clockwork, massive schools of thousands of salmon arrive on Australia’s southern coastline each autumn.
This school, filmed near Cheynes Beach on Western Australia’s south coast, is one of the largest spotted so far this year.
Witnesses said one of the recent schools was so large that beachgoers were able to grab fish barehanded from the water.
Cheynes Beach is one of the best spots in the state to catch salmon. (Supplied: Sharky Aerials)
Found in waters between Tasmania and Western Australia, Australian salmon grow up to a metre long and are prized by local fishers.
The salmon migrate along the south coast in autumn before spawning eggs between Cape Leeuwin and Rottnest Island.
The fish larvae is then carried on the Leeuwin current back down the coast and as far as South Australia and Victoria.
The sightings of the schools draws hundreds to WA’s southern coast each year.
WA fishing writer Scott Coghlan said the easy access to the fish, which is known to school in ankle deep water, is part of its popularity.
“They’re a fish anyone can catch,” he said.
“Anyone from the best angler to the worst angler can grab a salmon when they’re around.”
Fishing expert Scott Coghlan said salmon season is a highlight of the year for fishers of all skill levels. (Supplied: Recfishwest)
Mr Coghlan said the salmon had been spotted at Cheynes for about a week.
“Last Thursday across the whole bay you could just see fish busting up,” he said.
“When you looked out and saw how big the area was they were working in it was a massive, massive school of fish.”
Mr Coghlan said the easy access mean fishers could reduce the risk of rock fishing
“It’s salmon season and they’re on their way,” he said.
“It does get a lot of people excited.”
The salmon run attracts not only fishers to the south coast, but sharks too. (Supplied: Sharky Aerials)
Ideal fish for family chasing
The season is a boom for the economy with a Recfishwest study estimating it injects around $331 million a year.
But safety remains a key priority for authorities, particularly following a string of drownings along WA’s south coast since the start of the year.
A significant number of rock fishers have lost their lives in the region over the past decade.
Recfishwest spokesman Ben Carlish said it was important people be careful if fishing from rocks.
“Plan ahead, check the conditions, fish with a mate, use the right gear, and wear a life jacket,” he said.
“I get it that people do want to fish on the rocks, and we’re not saying don’t, but be careful. [Do] all of the things you can do to limit the risk.”
Salmon Holes is a popular fishing spot but large swells make it dangerous, with life jackets mandatory. (ABC News)
Fish numbers are carefully monitored each year, but Department of Primary Industries spokesman Aaron Moses said they remained healthy.
“The amount of salmon stocks we see each year does vary year to year,” Mr Moses said.
“The stocks of Western Australian salmon are sustainable.”
Mr Moses said it was a good sign for the species when more fish were spotted and caught.
“It’s always good to see big schools of fish move through along the south coast and west coast,” he said.
