Ban on catching snapper, dhufish in WA extended to six months

The State Government has extended a recreational fishing ban on demersal scalefish including snapper and dhufish from two to six months in a bid to boost stocks.

The new rules will come into effect next year at three different intervals from Kalbarri to Augusta.

Recreational fishing from a boat will be banned from February 1 to March 31, August 1 to the beginning of the September/October school holidays and the end of the September/October school holidays to December 15.

However, land-based demersal fishing will now be permitted year-round.

A new bag limit of four demersal species per boat will also be introduced.

This will replace the current rules which allowed each licensed fisher on a boat to catch two fish.

Fisheries Minister Don Punch said the ban extension was made after consultation with recreational and commercial fishers.

“Western Australians have always demonstrated their desire to preserve the State’s fisheries, and I am confident that as a community we can work together to recover our demersal scalefish stocks for the future. 

“We have listened to the feedback - recreational fishers asked for more time on the water. 

“I understand the changes will be difficult for recreational fishers. I appreciate the feedback I have received, and I say to you that I have delivered the very best recreational package possible while also ensuring that you have sustainable fish stocks going forward.

“We know Western Australians love eating demersal fish, with 99 per cent of the commercial catch consumed here in WA. I am committed to making sure Western Australians continue to have a year-round supply of fresh, local fish at retail outlets, restaurants and fish and chip shops."

Recfishwest has labelled the changes as "unreasonable" and "unnecessary".

"Recfishwest has always supported action but shutting out 700,000 West Australians from being able to catch dhufish and pink snapper for six months of the year is completely unnecessary," a Recfishwest statement read.

“Our sector has a strong-track record in putting the fish first and we agree there needs to be some changes to help stocks continue to rebuild," Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said

“We presented clear, science-backed alternative proposals to Government which would have reduced recfishers’ catches by 50 per cent, met sustainability targets and allowed people the freedom to spend more time fishing with families and friends. 
 
“Yet, the Minister has decided on extended bans for the recreational fishing sector and has put commercial profit over the public good with the lion's share of this fishery given to a small number of commercial operators."

In other changes, the commercial fishing sector will have its total allowable catch reduced by 50 per cent.

Commercial fishing will remain closed across the Perth metropolitan coast, from Lancelin to south of Mandurah.

For charter operators, a quota system (tags) will be introduced with specific limits on the number of demersal fish that can be kept each year.

This gives charter businesses the flexibility to allow fishing for a limited number of demersal scalefish all year round.

The new rules are will be in place until 2030.

For more information on the management changes visit www.fish.wa.gov.au/demersal