The Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is reminding recreational fishers of the importance of complying with the rules for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion (Kalbarri to Augusta) to help support the recovery of these affected fish stocks.
The reminder came after DPIRD fisheries officers found 46 demersal fish, well above the permitted daily bag and boat limits, on a vessel at a Geraldton boat ramp.
Recreational boat fishing for demersal scalefish including pink snapper, WA dhufish, baldchin groper and breaksea cod in the West Coast Bioregion is currently permitted for 6.5 months per year. The recreational fishing rules in the bioregion allow for a daily bag limit of two demersal scalefish per fisher and a boat limit of four demersal scalefish.
DPIRD Director Regional Compliance Midwest Michael Kelly said fishers who engaged in illegal fishing practices such as exceeding daily bag or possession limits posed a significant threat to the sustainability of vulnerable fisheries.
"Among the fish found on the vessel were 24 pink snapper and 10 baldchin groper," said Mr Kelly. "The haul also included two dhufish, seven redthroat emperor, two coral trout and a wirrah cod, well exceeding the daily bag limit for demersal scalefish."
The recreational fishing vessel had been seized and further investigations are underway.
Recreational fishers are reminded that boat-based fishing closures are in place for demersal scalefish in the West Coast bioregion from February 1 to March 31, August 1 to September 15, and October 15 to December 15 (inclusive), as part of the management plan to support the recovery of demersal fish stocks.
DPIRD said that, as the rules are different in the Abrolhos Islands Fish Habitat Protection Area, it is important that fishers are aware of the reduced bag limits for demersal and possession limits for finfish fillets before they head out fishing in this area.
The current recreational fishing rules for demersal scalefish can be found in the recreational fishing guide available on the DPIRD website.
Anyone with information on illegal fishing activities is asked to call the FishWatch reporting line on 1800 815 507 or lodge it via the online form on Crimestoppers.