Recreational fish catch falls 50 per cent to meet management plan target

The latest survey from the Department of Fisheries has revealed the success of measures designed to halve the recreational demersal scalefish catch on the West Coast.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore announced catch restrictions in July 2009 as part of a raft of new recreational fishing management measures designed to protect vulnerable fish stocks.

The management measures followed independently reviewed research that indicated demersal scalefish species such as dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper were overfished and stocks were in danger of collapse.

“The new management rules came into effect last October and the latest survey results are very encouraging - revealing that we have almost achieved the desired 50 per cent catch reduction outcome,” Mr Moore said.

“The recreational fishing catch reduction is occurring and is a credit to fishers who have followed the rules and played their part in contributing to the recovery of fish stocks.”

The Minister said the commercial fishing sector had already cut its catch by 50 per cent at the time the recreational fishing measures were introduced last year.

“Reducing recreational catches was a vital step in the long-term recovery plan for the fishery,” he said.

“It will take time for the fishery to fully recover, given that species like dhufish and pink snapper are slow growing and can live to nearly 40 years of age.

“For these reasons the rules that were introduced last year will remain in place for the next two years before they are reviewed.”

Key recreational fishing rules for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion (between Zuytdorp Cliffs north of Kalbarri and Black Point near Augusta) include:

• two-month recreational fishing closure (October 15 - December 15).


• mixed bag limit of two demersal fish per person.


• bag limit of one dhufish.


• boat limit of two dhufish (six on charters).


• pink snapper size limit 50cm (south of Lancelin).


• compulsory use of a release weight.

Mr Moore urged recreational fishers to continue to treat demersal species with a sense of personal responsibility and stewardship in order to help ensure the future of fish stocks.

“In addition to estimating the catch of demersal species, the survey also showed a significant increase in the release of some species such as pink snapper,” he said.

“This issue will require further investigation along with a higher than expected catch of baldchin groper in the Mid-West and around the Abrolhos Islands.

“While this may lead to some focused management solutions, in some regional locations, the overall sustainability rules that apply to the West Coast region will remain unchanged.”

More information about the West Coast demersal scalefish fishery can be found at www.fish.wa.gov.au and from the Recreational Fishing Guide - West Coast Region, which is available online or from Department of Fisheries offices and information outlets.

Department of Fisheries 8/10/10