We know many of you are still processing this week’s demersal fisheries announcement from Premier Roger Cook.
Like many, we’re disappointed by the State Government’s decision to close West Coast boat-based demersal fishing until September 2027. It’s a tough outcome for many fishers and for small business owners who depend on fishing, including tackle stores and charter operators.
While the sting of the closure will take time to ease, the announcement included other significant elements. The package contains measures that are good, bad and neutral from a fisher’s point of view, and understanding these is important.
There’s a reason we called this the biggest fisheries reset in WA’s history. Below is a breakdown of what we know so far.
West Coast Bioregion (Augusta to Kalbarri)
- Recreational boat fishing for demersals will reopen in September 2027. Recfishwest has received the Government’s assurance on this point.
- Shore-based fishing for demersals will continue to be allowed.
- West Coast Bioregion to become an “exclusive recreational fishing zone” for demersal fish from September 2027 as the result of a buy-back of all demersal commercial fishing licences with commercial fishing in the west coast ceasing from 1 January, 2026.
- When the fishery reopens, the rules will focus on protecting spawning fish.
- This closure is for demersal species. For the list of demersal species, see pages 16-21 of DPIRD’s Recreational Fishing Guide. Click here to see the species list.
- The Government says it will consider “a species-level management approach” recognising the “differing rates of recovery between demersals” during the 20-month closure – we understand this means exploring fishing opportunities that do not impact dhufish, such as shallow water snapper fishing and deep drop fishing ahead of full reopening in September 2027.
- The Government will revise the demersal bag limits during this closure. When the fishery re-opens in September 2027, we favour resetting the dhufish limit to one per person, a measure Recfishwest has consistently supported.
- Charter fishing for demersals will be closed in the metropolitan area from 16 December until September 2027.
Other regions
- All other bioregions will remain open to recreational, charter and commercial fishing for demersal species.
- There will be a 50% catch reduction for commercial fishing for demersals in the Kimberley, the Pilbara and the South Coast bioregions, and transition to new quota management arrangements.
- Recreational bag limits for demersal fishing will be reviewed “later in 2026”.
- Trawling for demersal fish in the Pilbara will be permanently closed.
Statewide changes and the support package
- Real-time reporting of high-risk demersal fish will start “later in 2026” and our position on mandatory reporting has not changed. We do not support it because we have yet to see any evidence that it works. That said, we’ll work constructively to assess any solutions the Government puts forward and, if it genuinely works, we’ll back it.
- $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.
More details will emerge in the weeks ahead. We’ll keep you updated and continue pushing for fair, practical management that delivers a genuine pathway to getting back on the water.
We will remain engaged in this process to ensure that this short-term pain leads to real long-term gain for the fish and for the future of our demersal fishing.
We’re always here for our members. If you have questions, concerns or feedback, give us a call at the office on 9246 3366 or send us an email.
