Monday’s Fishing Futures Forum, opened by the Premier and hosted by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis in the Legislative Assembly at Parliament House, marked a step in the right direction for WA’s demersal fisheries.
Unlike 2022 – when major decisions were simply announced, including a 50 per cent cut to each sector’s fishing limits without meaningful conversation – this time fishers were invited into Parliament to be part of the discussion.
The Forum gave Recfishwest the opportunity to set out our vision for reforming how WA’s demersal fisheries are managed, and to deliver a clear message to Government:
We must make every fish count and deliver the greatest benefit from this shared public resource to West Australians. With fewer fish around, that’s more important than ever.
Click on the video below to hear Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland’s full address to the forum.
The Forum also allowed people to raise critical issues – the social and economic value of fishing, the growing problem of shark bite-off, the need to protect spawning fish, spatial separation around populated areas, and the significant management changes already made since 2023, which have seen the recreational catch on the West Coast reduced by around 30 per cent.
Fisheries for all West Australians
The demersal fisheries across WA deliver a broad range of public benefits – social, wellbeing, lifestyle, cultural, seafood supply, and economic – and these must be recognised in how the fisheries is managed.
Up north, our waters are roughly 10 times more productive, delivering around 4,000 tonnes of catch each year.
Here, the priority should be maintaining high-quality recreational fishing experiences and local access for communities like Karratha and Port Hedland, where fishing is central to lifestyle and wellbeing – while also ensuring this region continues to provide a strong seafood supply base for WA.
But in the southern half of the State from Kalbarri to Esperance – where more than 80 per cent of West Australians live – the annual catch is only about 400 tonnes. Here, management should focus on where the greatest value lies: recreation and tourism, supporting local businesses, charter operators, and vibrant coastal towns.
We’re not calling for commercial fishing to stop in the south – but with around 90 per cent of WA’s demersal fish catch already coming from the north, it makes sense to manage different parts of the State for what they do best.
So, we’re calling for clear government leadership and direction – recognising these regional differences and ensuring management delivers real community value.
Sustainable use and shared benefits
We need to focus on sustainable use – not just keeping fish in the ocean, but ensuring communities continue to benefit from them.
We can recover stocks and reduce catch without shutting down the fishery. Locking people out cuts off the flow of benefits to regional towns, small businesses, and local seafood supply. We can limit catch and rebuild the fishery at the same time.
Protecting the big breeders
When it comes to sustainability, some measures are just common sense. Protecting spawning fish during key periods works – we’ve seen it in Shark Bay and Cockburn Sound for pink snapper, and at the Abrolhos for baldchin groper. These are proven examples of good, practical management.
Protecting our big breeders is a no-brainer – and all sectors need to play their role. Proper spawning closures are one of the simplest and most effective steps Government can take to secure the fishery’s future.
Fishers’ observations matter
Many fishers are observing good catches at the moment, and we understand how this can seem at odds with the science. These first-hand observations are valuable and help build a fuller picture of what’s happening in our fisheries. Recfishwest’s role is to ensure what we are all seeing on the water is considered alongside the science when management decisions are made.
What’s next?
The Government’s public survey remains open and it’s the best way to have your say.
If you’ve commented on social media, take a minute to make it count further – no ideas are off limits.
Click here and scroll down to the bottom of DPIRD’s demersal web page to have your say.
While no decisions have been made yet, there are likely some coming soon — and it’s vital they’re informed by recreational fishing values.
WA’s fish belong to all of us. It’s our collective responsibility to look after them and make sure they deliver the greatest possible benefit back to the community.
Recfishwest will continue to lead with common sense, balance, and informed by science – protecting the fish, standing up for fishers and ensuring great fishing experiences remain part of the Western Australian way of life for generations to come.
