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Researchers will undertake a major study of popular fishing species such as herring, tailor and whiting after concerns about growing pressure on those stocks.

The research follows tough new rules for catching demersal species such as pink snapper and dhufish from Augusta to Kalbarri, which could lead to more fishing for nearshore species.

Department of Fisheries scientist Brett Molony said researchers were trying to get a better understanding of the status of the stocks, breeding variations andmigratory patterns to better manage any changes in recreational fishing.

“With changes to recreational fishing for demersal species in the West Coast, we expect that some people will just stop fishing and others will fish elsewhere,” Dr Molony said.

“We suspect that some of that shift will be in that same West Coast bioregion and the obvious choice will be near shore.”

A $660,000 research boost from the State Government into coastal finfish species would form the basis of a long-term monitoring program for key species along the west and south coasts.

Dr Molony said researchers expected to have an update on the status of those stocks in 12 months.

They would also have a clearer indication of key factors influencing stocks, such as currents and fishing.

Researchers will work with key fishing bodies and universities to collect data and set up sampling programs for near-shore species.

Recfishwest executive director Frank Prokop said the group welcomed the research as long as it involved recreational fishers and led to workable management outcomes.

The group was most concerned that the greatest extra pressure was likely to go on to trevally and King George whiting, so research should target those species.

He said more urgent research was needed on dhufish stocks.

JODIE THOMSON