Demersal scalefish in Western Australia (WA) are long-lived, slow-growing species that live close to the seabed and are highly valued by the community for their role in supporting recreational fishing and marine tourism, and supplying premium seafood through charter and commercial fishing.
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 for demersals will NOT reopen on 16 December 2025. It will reopen in Spring 2027 as an exclusively recreational fishing zone.
- Charter fishing for demersals 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 demersals 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.
Demersal FAQs
For more information about the management changes, download the frequently asked questions.
Download
Can I still go fishing?
Yes. Recreational fishing for other species is still permitted.
Here are some other fishing opportunities you can explore in the West Coast during the demersal closure:
- Mahi-mahi
- Whiting
- Yellowtail kingfish
- Silver trevally
- Rock lobster.
*Remember – you must have a current Rock Lobster licence to fish for rock lobster.
More fish you can catch
- Samsonfish
- Yellowtail kingfish
- Spanish mackerel
- Mahi-mahi (dolphinfish)
- Marlin
- Swordfish
- Skipjack tuna
- Yellowfin tuna
- Wahoo
- Crab
- Squid
- Rock lobster (using a Rock Lobster licence).
And more. View the Recreational Fishing Guide for more popular pelagic species.
- Whiting (King George and sand whiting)
- Australian herring
- Tailor
- Silver trevally
- Flatheads
- Crab.
And more. View the Recreational Fishing Guide for more popular nearshore species.
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 network.
- $1.9 million to support alternative recreational fishing experiences and encourage fishers to target other species through FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices).