We’ve added a new online element to our statewide boat fishing survey – helping to provide vital information in the sustainable management of our fisheries.

The new online survey is being undertaken to obtain up-to-date recreational fishing information with the results building on our bi-annual surveys, which we have conducted since 2011, enabling catch estimates to be compared over time.

This information helps us improve understanding of local fishing habits, preferred catches and the status of fish stocks across the State.

A group of Recreational Boat Fishing Licence holders will be randomly selected to participate in the survey. More.

This summer’s West Coast Zone recreational abalone fishing season is due to take place over one-hour sessions on four Saturday mornings between December and February.

Fishing for the popular shellfish in the West Coast Zone will only be permitted for licensed fishers from 7am to 8am on Saturday 8 December, Saturday 12 January, Saturday 2 February and Saturday 16 February.

However, the number of fishing days may be reduced or extended depending on the level of the catch being taken.

The season dates are in line with changes to fishing days implemented last year to help improve the safety of fishers. If poor weather conditions are forecast we will take action on the advice of Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) and in consultation with Recfishwest to close the fishery. More. 

It’s a great time of year for anglers to try their hand at freshwater fishing following our release of hundreds of thousands of trout into south-west brooks, rivers, lakes and dams.

This year alone we are releasing nearly 700,000 rainbow trout fingerlings, 27,000 yearling rainbow and brown trout and nearly 2,400 ex-broodtrock trout into select south-west freshwater locations (where we have stocked previously), as part of our carefully managed south-west freshwater stocking program.

Anglers aged 16 and over need a freshwater angling licence to fish for freshwater finfish in all inland waters south of Greenough (29°S latitude) and above the tidal influence, including all lakes, dams, rivers and their tributaries. More.

The first of more than 1,000 lifesaving Beach Emergency Number (BEN) signs for WA have been installed.

Each sign has a unique code to help emergency services pinpoint exact beach access locations and improve response times for a range of potential serious incidents.

In the event of an emergency, members of the public can call triple zero and quote the BEN number, ensuring emergency services will reach the destination as quickly as possible. More.

Fishers now have access to a new and safe recreational fishing experience in one of Western Australia's most iconic fishing destinations, with the deployment of Exmouth's new Integrated Artificial Reef.

The Exmouth reef is a unique design with six stabilised steel fish towers and 49 concrete structures creating a diverse marine ecosystem, which will attract a range of pelagic and demersal species including trevally, Spanish mackerel, tuskfish, emperors, coral trout and cod species that will either explore the new reef or make it a permanent home. More.

We are seeking more recreational fishers to assist with vital research into stocks of blue swimmer crabs in three key recreational WA crab fisheries.

Crabbers’ support is required in the Swan River, the Leschenault Estuary/wider Bunbury area, as well as Geographe Bay. More.