Management changes were introduced in 2023 to boost the recovery of West Coast demersal scalefish stocks (common species include Dhufish, Baldchin Groper, Breaksea Cod, and Pink Snapper) in the West Coast bioregion, following extensive community and industry consultation.
The WA Government has invested $10 million to fund key initiatives, including:
- Voluntary buyback of commercial fishing entitlement in the wetline fishery
- Enhanced monitoring and research including digital reporting
- Expanded juvenile Pink Snapper restocking program
- Expanded State-wide Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) program
- Support package for charter operators to diversify and adjust their businesses
- Expanded education and awareness program.
In February 2024, the Minister for Fisheries announced temporary changes to the recovery benchmark arrangements following a $4.1 million buyout of entitlement in the commercial West Coast Demersal (Interim) Managed Fishery. The new arrangements for recreational (including charter) sector will be subject to review once the resource has recovered.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will monitor the impact of the new management changes on stock recovery. The changes to demersal fishing rules are expected to be in place until 2030.
It’s important to understand these changes and what they mean for you.
For more information visit the DPIRD fisheries website.
Key dates
- 1 January 2023: changes in effect for commercial sector
- 1 February 2023: changes in effect for recreational fishers
- 1 July 2023: changes in effect for charter fishers
- 14 February 2024: Changes to recovery benchmarks.
What do the changes mean for you
Information for recreational fishers
Show moreNew rules for recreational fishers were revised on 14 February 2024.
- An additional 10 tonnes will be made available to the recreational fishery while in recovery, to provide recfishers with more time on the water during the Spring fishing period.
- Fishing for, being in possession on a boat or landing demersal scalefish in the West Coast bioregion is now prohibited from:
- 1 February to 28 March 2024 (inclusive)
- 1 August to 15 September 2024 (inclusive)
- 15 October to 15 December 2024 (inclusive).
*Note this does not apply to land based recreational line fishers who can fish all year round.
Supporting measures: boat, bag and possession limits
For information on the supporting measures, including boat, bag and possession limits etc, visit the West Coast Demersal webpage.
It is important to understand the current recreational fishing rules when recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast bioregion
Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)
As part of the support package for the recovery of the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource, the State Government is investing $1.5 million over the next 3 years to expand the FADs program, which will be managed by DPIRD.
For more information on the program and locations, please visit the FADs webpage.
FishCatchWA™
Recfishers are able to directly contribute to the science and support the sustainability of our iconic demersal scalefish stocks in the West Coast bioregion, using the FishCatchWA™ tool on the ServiceWA app. Find out more on the FishCatchWA™ webpage.
Information for commercial fishers
Show moreFrom 1 January 2023, fishing hours in the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Interim Managed Fishery were reduced to achieve a 50% cut in total allowable catch.
From 1 January 2024, a 22% reduction in units in the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Interim Managed Fishery following the outcomes of the VFAS.
The following changes began on 1 February 2023:
- Removal of size limits for WA dhufish, baldchin groper and breaksea cod to reduce barotrauma.
- Extending the timing of the Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds pink snapper spawning closure to be 1 August to 31 January (inclusive).
- Shifting the timing of the Abrolhos Islands baldchin groper spawning closure to be 1 October to 31 December (inclusive).
- Commercial fishing for demersal scalefish remains closed along the Perth metro coast, from Lancelin to south of Mandurah.
Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme
A $4.1 million Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme for commercial fishers who hold a current West Coast Demersal Scalefish Interim Managed Fishery permit has concluded. A total of 12 offers were accepted by commercial operators, surrendering 22 per cent of units across the WCDSIMF, equating to approximately 38.5 tonnes of demersal scalefish.
Information for charter fishers
Show moreThe charter fishery is subject to the same supporting measures as the recreational sector from 1 February 2023, except the demersal scalefish closure and boat limit.
New measures for charter operators were revised on 14 February 2024:
- An additional 10 tonnes will be made available to the charter fishery to expand the number of charter operators eligible for tags from 21 to 33.
- A demersal scalefish tag system for the charter fishery (one tag = one fish).
- Charter fishery open 12 months of the year (not including spawning closures).
Charter catch quota system
Under the updated 2023-24 catch quota system, 7,500 tags will be allocated to 33 operators in the West Coast region based on their catch history over the past 5 years. The allocation decision recognises those Fishing Tour Operator Licence (FTOL) holders with an ongoing and recent reliance on demersal-based fishing activities and aims to ensure that a viable charter fishing industry can be maintained on the West Coast.
An extension of a ‘catch to cook’ option to all charter operators in the West Coast region means all charter operators will still be able to catch demersal fish without being in possession of tags, including pink snapper and WA dhufish, as long as all fish are consumed on board the boat prior to returning to shore.
The catch quota system commenced on 1 July 2023. For more information about access criteria and how the catch quota was allocated, view the operational guidelines and FAQs.
Charter Diversification Grants Scheme
To support the implementation of the catch quota system, eligible charter operators are able to apply for funding to diversify their business into other tourism experiences e.g. non-demersal scalefish aquatic tours. The scheme opened 1 June 2023 and will close 30 June 2024.
Find out more information on the West Coast Charter Diversification Grants Scheme.
