Authorities dish out 31 infringements to fishers found catching demersal fish since ban begun

More than two fishers a week have been caught out under WA’s demersal fishing ban since it was put into place late last year. Coming into effect for recreational fishers on December 16, and January 1 for commercial fishers, fishing for popular species like dhufish and snapper became banned in the West Coast Bioregion spanning from between Kalbarri to Augusta. Since then, 31 fishers have been hit with penalties including two who were commercial fishers. The infringements have ranged from formal warnings to fines of between $200 to $400. In total, $4400 has been raised from the fines. A State Government spokesperson said overall compliance had been high. “We commend all recreational and commercial fishers who are playing their part in protecting our demersal species and following the current fishing rules,” they said. “With more than 130,000 recreational fishers in the West Coast Bioregion, it is pleasing to see the overwhelming majority of the WA fishing community is doing the right thing. “We encourage people to continue to follow the current fishing rules. Fisheries officers are out and about educating fishers, carrying out inspections and taking enforcement action where required.” Data revealed to Parliament last week also showed that between 2023 and 2025, slightly fewer than half of demersal scalefish caught and voluntarily reported were released. The data showed 1948 demersal fish were reported as caught and kept, compared to 1843 which were released over the same three-year period. West Australian Dhufish and baldchin groper were the most likely to be kept, while pink snapper had the highest release rate. Frustration has remained high among commercial fishers since the ban took place who say their livelihoods were taken away from them in short notice. The Cook Government argues the ban is necessary to allow demersal fishing to continue for future generations. A motion seeking to reverse the ban remains looming over the State upper house, with the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation pledging their support. The vote’s fate — which is due to take place by mid-June — is likely to come down to the Greens, who have previously signalled support for “measures to protect the environment and preserve fish stocks for future generations”. At the same time support has firmed across parties for an inquiry into the the State’s fisheries after a petition of more than 27,000 signatures calling for a Parliamentary inquiry. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis has previously said she’s not afraid of an inquiry, because there was nothing to hide.