Issue #71 Dec 6, 2022
Catch!
West Coast Demersal special edition
Changes announced to ensure demersal sustainability
Following extensive industry and community consultation, new measures to protect the future of west coast demersal scalefish stocks, including iconic species such as pink snapper and dhufish, were announced this week.
The 20-year recovery plan is due to conclude in 2030.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will monitor the impact of the new management changes on stocks and will finalise the next stock assessment at the end of next year.
The current two-month demersal closure will be extended by four months for recreational fishers in the West Coast Bioregion.
The closure period has been significantly reduced from the initial nine-month proposal, following consultation with recreational fishers.
The open seasons have been timed to allow people to catch these prized fish during all school holiday periods. Land-based demersal fishing will now be able to take place year-round.
Catching demersal scalefish from a boat will be prohibited from:
- 1 February to 31 March (inclusive);
- 1 August to the beginning of the September / October school holidays;
- And end of the September / October school holidays to 15 December (inclusive).
Recovery will be supported by a range of new measures, including a boat limit of four demersal scalefish per vessel, expanded spawning protections and gear limits.
The commercial sector will have its total allowable catch halved. This will be achieved through a reduction in available fishing hours for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery (line fishery). The number of days spent fishing will decreased to an average of 20 days a year for a commercial line boat. Allowing commercial fishers to operate across the year (outside of spawning closures) ensures there is a continued supply of fresh WA demersal fish to local markets.
Commercial fishing for demersal scalefish will remain closed across the Perth metropolitan coast, from Lancelin to south of Mandurah.
For charter operators, a quota system will be introduced with specific limits on the number of demersal scalefish 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.
This announcement comes after the latest scientific stock assessment found that key species remained under severe threat. The changes being introduced balance the fishing experience with the action needed to protect these fish.
The impact of the management changes will be closely monitored by DPIRD, who will finalise the next stock assessment around the end of next year.
When do the changes come into effect?
Management changes for recreational fishers will come into effect from 1 February 2023.
It is important to understand current recreational rules will remain in place when recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion reopens on 16 December 2022 through to 31 January 2023.
The implementation of management changes for the commercial sector and charter fishery will align with licence renewal periods. Changes for the commercial sector will come into effect on 1 January 2023, and for the charter sector on 1 July 2023.
The State Government will be undertaking an extensive education campaign to inform fishers and the wider community of the rule changes and how they are being introduced.
Supporting measures to boost sustainability
The State Government is further boosting sustainability by investing $10 million to support and monitor the recovery of west coast demersal scalefish stocks.
Key initiatives to be funded include:
- 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 tourism experience
- Expanded education and awareness program
Monitoring and stock assessment
DPIRD will monitor the impact of the new management changes on stock recovery, including continuing to monitor fishing mortality for all sectors annually. Another stock assessment will be undertaken at the end of 2023.
Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.
Copyright © State of Western Australia (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), 2022.
