Statewide Demersal Scalefish

What’s the issue

Demersal scalefish are long-lived, slow growing species typically found close to the sea floor. There are five demersal scalefish resources in WA – Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, West Coast and South Coast. Demersal fish like dhufish, pink snapper, nannygai and red emperor are part of WA’s fishing DNA. The latest stock assessments have shown demersal fish across large parts of WA are under significant pressure requiring strong management action.

Why it matters

Heading out with family and friends on the ocean and bringing home a feed of demersal fish to share are experiences that are a fundamental to the WA lifestyle. These fish underpin the social fabric of our fishing culture bringing families and mates together, connecting us to the ocean, and supporting the lifestyle we all love along our coast.

Once demersal stocks decline, recovery can take decades. Many demersal species are long-lived and slow growing, taking years to reach maturity and relying on occasional strong breeding seasons to replenish their numbers. As a result, they require careful, forward thinking management to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy catching them. Healthy demersal fish stocks mean:

More time on the water doing what we love.
Stronger connections between friends, families and communities.
Better mental health and wellbeing, with fishing proven to reduce stress and boost happiness.
Vibrant regional towns and tourism, built around world-class fishing and the coastal lifestyle that defines WA.

When demersal stocks decline, the loss is felt beyond the water it affects our communities, our wellbeing and our shared coastal identity.

What the Government has decided

In response to the latest stock assessments the WA government announced the biggest fisheries reset in WA’s history along with a $29.2 million investment to support recovery efforts. This reset includes:

West Coast Bioregion (Augusta to Kalbarri)

Recreational boat-based demersal fishing is closed until September 2027.
From September 2027 the West Coast Bioregion is to become an “exclusive recreational fishing zone” for demersal fish.
A new West Coast Demersal Ministerial Advisory Committee has been established to support the reopening of boat-based recreational demersal fishing from Kalbarri to Augusta in Spring 2027.
Charter fishing for demersal fish is closed in the Metropolitan area until September 2027
Commercial demersal fishing has been permanently closed, and commercial licences bought back through a $20 million Compulsory Fisheries Adjustment Scheme. This includes the demersal gill net “shark” fishery on the West Coast as this fishery also catches demersal fish.

Other regions

There will be a 50% catch reduction for commercial fishing for demersal in the Kimberley, the Pilbara and the South Coast bioregions, and transition to new quota management arrangements.
The Pilbara commercial demersal trawl fishery will be permanently closed.

Statewide changes and the support package

Real-time reporting of high-risk demersal fish will start in 2026.
Recreational bag limits for demersal fishing will be reviewed in 2026.
$3.3 million to encourage alternative species fishing opportunities through a tackle shop rebate scheme – details are yet to be released, but this program is expected to provide boat fishing licence holders with vouchers or similar to help support your local tackle shop during the 20-month demersal closure.
$1.9 million to support the FADs program and encourage alternative species fishing opportunities.

In February 2026 the Minister for Fisheries announced the formation of a nine person West Coast Demersal Ministerial Advisory Committee which will provide recommendations to the State Government on:

additional spawning closures to provide protection for key species including pink snapper and WA dhufish;
locations to establish demersal sanctuary zones to ensure the long-term sustainability of stocks; and
changes to recreational fishing rules, such as boat and bag limits, to support the ongoing recovery of fish stocks when boat-based fishing reopens.

Final recommendations from this Committee are due to the State Government by June 2027 for consideration, ahead of the West Coast Bioregion reopening in Spring 2027.

This map provided by Fisheries WA details the changes to demersal catches for each region across the state.

Why doing nothing wasn’t an option

The decision to close demersal fishing in the West Coast Bioregion is tough and upsetting for many fishers. Recfishwest is disappointed the Government chose a closure, but action was needed.

Many experienced fishers have been saying for years that demersal stocks, particularly dhufish, were not rebuilding as expected. Fewer large breeding fish were being seen and the fishery was not what it once was.

Over the past 20 years there have been repeated rule changes and reviews, but stocks have not rebuilt to a stable level.

Doing nothing, or making small incremental changes, would not have protected the future of demersal fishing. The goal now is short-term pain for long-term gain, rebuilding stocks so the fishery can reopen in a stronger position.

Why these changes help recreational fishing long term

The reforms recognise the social, economic and tourism value of recreational fishing in the West Coast Bioregion, where around 95% of Western Australians live.

When the fishery reopens in September 2027, the West Coast Bioregion will become an exclusive recreational fishing zone for demersal species – a major shift that improves the long-term outlook for west coast fishers.

The changes aim to:

Leave more demersal fish in the water
Improve spawning success for species like dhufish
Rebuild the fishery before reopening

These changes apply only to demersal species and only in the West Coast Bioregion.

Across WA, commercial fishers will still take most demersal scalefish, supporting seafood supply and regional jobs, particularly in northern WA.

What Recfishwest is doing

Recfishwest put forward a four-point plan to rebuild demersal stocks while maintaining fishing opportunities, and many elements were reflected in the Government’s announcement.

During the closure the Government has indicated it will consider a species-level management approach, which could allow limited fishing opportunities that do not impact dhufish.

The Government has also flagged a review of demersal bag limits. Recfishwest will be actively involved in this process.

When the fishery reopens, we support resetting the dhufish limit to one fish per person to help rebuild breeding stocks.

Recfishwest will continue to advocate for fishers while keeping the focus on rebuilding stocks and securing the long-term future of demersal fishing.

Important to note

In the West Coast Bioregion – Kalbarri to Augusta:

Shore-based demersal fishing will continue, except for spearfishing for dhufish.
The closure applies only to demersal species (see the DPIRD Recreational Fishing Guide for the full list).
When the fishery reopens in September 2027, rules will focus on protecting spawning fish.