Demersal fishing reforms for the future of WA
The Western Australian Government has announced important management changes across the state to protect at-risk demersal fish and help stocks recover for future generations.
The latest scientific stock assessments for WA's demersal resources have shown several species including pink snapper, red emperor and the iconic WA dhufish are under serious threat from continued fishing pressure.
After seeking input from all fishing sectors and the community, including a ‘Have Your Say’ survey and the Fishing Futures Forum, the WA Government has announced significant and targeted management actions along the WA coast to rebuild demersal fish stocks. The entire fishing community will need to contribute to this serious recovery effort.
Important statewide reforms will be implemented across the state for all fishers to protect our iconic demersal fish.
What is changing across the bioregions?
- Recreational boat-based fishing will NOT reopen on 16 December 2025. It will reopen in Spring 2027 as an exclusively recreational fishing zone.
- Charter fishing 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 under a reduced annual catch limit of 25 tonnes.
- 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.
- Recreational and charter fishing will remain open.
- There will be a 50% catch reduction for commercial fisheries from 1 January 2026.
- Recreational and charter fishing will remain open.
- There will be a 50% catch reduction for commercial fisheries from 1 January 2026.
- Permanent closure of commercial trawl fishing for demersal scalefish from 1 January 2026.
- Recreational, charter and commercial fishing will remain open.
- Recreational and charter fishing will remain open.
- There will be a 50% catch reduction for commercial fisheries from 1 January 2026.
Statewide reform
Additional statewide management measures for recreational fishing, including real-time reporting of demersal catches and revised bag and size limits, will be implemented in 2026.
A demersal reform program will also commence in early 2026 to transition all commercial demersal scalefish fisheries to quota-based management by 2028.
Fisheries support package
The WA Government is investing more than $29.2 million to assist the commercial and recreational sectors to adapt to the statewide management changes needed to help rebuild severely depleted demersal fish stocks. The support package will include:
- $20 million Compulsory Fisheries Adjustment Scheme ‘buy out’ for the commercial line and gillnet fisheries in the West Coast Region.
- $3.3 million to support alternative recreational fishing experiences including rebates for tackle shops to encourage fishers to target other species.
- $2 million for an education campaign to promote new rules and increase recreational stewardship across metropolitan and regional areas.
- $2 million to expand the statewide boat ramp and covert remote camera.
- $1.9 million to support alternative recreational fishing experiences and encourage fishers to target other species through FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices).
More information
View the Frequently asked questions.
Further details on the management changes will be available on the DPIRD website in early 2026.
There are 5 demersal scalefish resources in WA’s waters, the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, West Coast, and South Coast. These resources collectively include more than 100 tropical and temperate fish species in inshore (20-250 m deep) and offshore (>250 m) waters.
Demersal science
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) monitors the status of WA’s demersal scalefish resources by undertaking regular stock assessments of key indicator species.
The latest stock assessments for the Kimberley, Pilbara, West Coast, and South Coast demersal scalefish resources show fishing pressure across the State is well above acceptable limits. In the Gascoyne, the fishery is recovering because both industry and the department worked cohesively together to implement strong management changes.
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Kimberley demersal scalefish resource
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Pilbara demersal scalefish resource
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Gascoyne demersal scalefish resource
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West Coast demersal scalefish resource
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South Coast demersal scalefish resource
Fisheries science videos
Learn more about the science by viewing our videos:
- spawning in marine fishes
- recruitment in marine fishes
- importance of big, old, fecund female fish (BOFFFs).
2023-24 statewide recreational fishing survey
The department conducts a statewide survey of boat-based recreational fishing every 2 to 3 years to gather information about recreational fishing across WA.
The 2023-24 statewide recreational fishing survey has wrapped up, with 3,865 fishers completing the survey via phone/logbooks and 4,929 fishers interviewed at boat ramps. Additional data was also collected from remote camera monitoring at boat ramps.
The survey shows there has been some success in reducing catches of demersal scalefish in the West Coast bioregion, but not to the level required for WA dhufish and pink snapper to recover to sustainable levels.
Find out more about the 2023-24 results on the Statewide recreational fishing survey page.
Fishing Futures Forum
Representatives from the recreational, commercial, and charter fishing sectors, along with scientists, small businesses, and members of the broader community came together for the Fishing Futures Forum.
The forum provided a platform to co-develop guiding principles and generate practical solutions aimed at ensuring there are WA demersal fish for the future.
Tune in to hear some of the forum presentations.