Fishing for pink snapper and dhufish open for Easter holidays

Wednesday, 29 March 2023 12:16

By Monique Welhan

Recreational fishing for popular demersal scalefish including pink snapper, dhufish and baldchin groper will reopen under new rules on April 1 in time for Easter and the school holidays.

Recreational fishers will be able to fish for demersal species between Kalbarri and Augusta for the next three months until July 31.

In late 2022, the State Government announced new rules for the recreational, commercial and charter sectors to half the total allowable catch of demersals to help stocks of these popular species recover.

The decision to allow recreational fishing for demersals during all school holiday periods is in place to support regional communities and businesses when people are most likely to visit and fish.

"It has been great to see recfishers taking the opportunity to 'switch their fish' and give demersals a break to help stocks recover," Fisheries Minister Don Punch said.

"The McGowan Government made a commitment to allow recreational fishing for demersal scalefish during all school holidays to strike a balance with stock recovery and providing more time on the water for fishers.

"We also know how important recreational fishing is to boost regional economies in coastal communities which rely on visitors during these popular times.

"The Easter holidays is the first time recfishers will be out fishing under the new rules and should check the updated recreational fishing guide before heading out."

Under the new recreational rules for the West Coast Bioregion, there is a boat limit of four demersal scalefish per boat, gear restrictions and the removal of size limits for WA dhufish, baldchin groper and breaksea cod which have high post-release mortality rates.

Land-based line fishing for demersal scalefish is permitted year-round with bag and size limits applying.

Further information on the new rules can be found at wa.gov.au/demersalrecovery or in the updated recreational fishing guide.