Recreational Fishers Reminded Of New Fishing Rules

Recreational fishers reminded of new fishing rules
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.
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.
"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.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ashley Malone Ph: 9203 0357
Principal Media Liaison Officer Mobile: 0418 901 767

Report all suspected illegal fishing activity to FISHWATCH 1800 815 507




Media Release
MEDIA SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO FISHING RULES IN 2009
New rules to ensure the sustainability of demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish on the west coast:
Reduced mixed bag limit for high-risk fish - four per person per day:
The mixed daily bag limit for `high risk' fish was reduced from seven to four fish in the West Coast
Bioregion.
Reduced species bag limit for pink snapper - two per person per day:
The daily bag limit for pink snapper was reduced from four to two fish per person.
Increased minimum legal size for pink snapper south of Lancelin:
South of Lancelin, the minimum legal size for pink snapper was increased from 41cm to 45cm on January
1, 2009 and will be further increased from 45cm to 50cm in 2010.
Boat limit for `high risk' fish:

A boat limit for `high risk' fish was introduced for recreational boats and licensed fishing
tours. Where one to four fishers are on board a boat, the boat limit is eight `high risk' fish
(subject to individual daily bag limits). Where five or more fishers are on board, an additional
two `high risk' fish per person (over and above the new boat limit) is permitted for the fifth
and additional fishers.
Number of people on a boat Number of `high risk' Number of `high risk' fish they
fish they could have are permitted to land under the
previously caught new boat limit.
1 7 4
2 14 8
3 21 8
4 28 8
6 42 12
8 56 16
10 70 20
12 84 24
14 98 28
16 112 32
18 126 36
This represents a substantial reduction to the quantity of fish people may legally land from a
boat. Actual landings are very rarely at this level.
Reduced possession limit at Abrolhos Islands to 10kg per person.
The finfish possession limit within the Abrolhos Islands Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Area was
reduced from 20kg to 10kg of fillets or from two days' bag limit to one day's bag limit of whole fish per
person - this possession limit can be transported back to the mainland. The possession limit is to remain in
place for at least two years, while a review to assess the option of managing the Abrolhos Islands as a
wilderness `no take away' fishing area is undertaken.
Explanatory Notes
The West Coast is the region extending between Kalbarri and Augusta.
Demersal species include dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod, blue morwong (queen
snapper) and red snapper. A full list of high-risk species is available from Schedule 3, Part 1 of the Fish
Resources Management Regulations 1995.

Report all suspected illegal fishing activity to FISHWATCH 1800 815 507