WA Recreational fishers reminded of new fishing rules

11:26 AM Sun 11 Jan 2009 GMT

'www.fish.wa.gov.au/'

With many people enjoying holidays, during January, recreational fishers are reminded that new sustainability rules now apply, to protect highly vulnerable finfish species on the West Coast (WA).

The West Coast Bioregion, extends from Black Point, east of Augusta, to the Zuytdorp Cliffs, north of Kalbarri and is the Western Australia's most popular fishing zone, attracting around 80 per cent of the State's recreational fishers.

Department of Fisheries Principal Policy Officer Nathan Harrison said research showed the popular demersal (bottom-dwelling) species, such as dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper, were being overfished on the West Coast.

'The rule changes, previously announced by the Fisheries Minister, which came into force on New Year's Day, include reduced bag and boat limits as well as increased size limits for high-risk scalefish, so recreational fishers need to make themselves aware of the new regulations,' Mr Harrison said.

'Given the majority of recreational fishers agree that management action must be taken, I am very confident they will embrace these changes.

'There have also been significant reductions in the effort for the commercial demersal gillnet and longline fishery and the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery (formerly the 'wetline' fishery). As of 1 January, in addition to previous changes, commercial wetline fishers have been operating under amended management plan arrangements to further reduce their catch of the at risk species.

'Outside Cockburn Sound, commercial fishers have also been prohibited from catching scalefish and sharks in the metropolitan fishing zone, since November 2007.'

Mr Harrison said the new rules were an interim step, designed to protect high-risk species, while an independent review could be conducted, to determine the most appropriate long-term management strategies for the recreational fishery.

'Two independent experts, with substantial experience in fisheries research and management, are assessing the current scientific advice and proposed options to manage recreational fishing of WA's highly vulnerable finfish species in the future,' he said.

Details of the new recreational fishing rules are available online at www.fish.wa.gov.au. Click on the special 'Fish For the Future' icon on the Department of Fisheries home page. A new booklet titled Recreational Fishing Guide - Finfish - West Coast Bioregion can be collected from Department of Fisheries offices, during normal business hours.

www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/WestCoastDemersal/management.php

www.fish.wa.gov.au/

by Department of Fisheries Western Australia

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