The latest scientific stock assessments for WA’s demersal resources have shown several species, including pink snapper and the iconic WA dhufish, are under serious threat from continued fishing pressure.
After seeking extensive input from all fishing sectors and the community, including a Have Your Say survey and Fishing Future Forum, the WA Government has announced significant, targeted management actions along the WA coast to rebuild demersal fish stocks.
Important statewide reforms will be implemented across the state to protect our iconic demersal fish for all fishers.
West Coast bioregion
- Recreational boat-based fishing for demersal scalefish will NOT reopen on 16 December 2025. It will reopen in Spring 2027 as an exclusively recreational fishing zone.
- Commercial fishing for demersal species will be closed from 1 January 2026. This will include a permanent closure of gillnet fisheries and commercial line fishing south of Kalbarri, supported by a compulsory buyback of commercial fishing licences.
- Charterfishing in the metropolitan area will be closed from 16 December 2025; however, charter fishing for demersals under the tag system will continue in the remainder of the west coast bioregion, with a reduced annual catch limit of 25 tonnes.
Other bioregions
- Recreational and charter fishing will remain open across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and South Coast regions.
- The Kimberley, Pilbara and South Coast regions will have a 50% reduction in commercial catch from 1 January 2026.
All sectors are impacted by these management changes, and the entire fishing community will need to work together on this serious recovery effort.
The WA Government is investing more than $29.2 million in a fisheries support package to assist the commercial and recreational sectors in adapting to the statewide management changes.
Find out more information on the DPIRD website.
Further information
- Read the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries media statement
- Contact DPIRD at demersal@dpird.wa.gov.au