Recreational fishing in marine protected areas

Different types of marine protected areas exist in State waters (to three nautical miles off the coast) and special fishing rules apply. Types of protected areas include: 

• State marine parks and reserves (see below).
• Fish Habitat Protection Areas, including the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.
• Reef Protected Areas at Cowaramup Bay, Yallingup and Point Samson.

Special fishing rules also apply in Commonwealth marine reserves, which may be put in place in waters between three and 200 nautical miles off the WA coast under Commonwealth legislation.

Marine protected areas that include ‘no-take’ zones can play a valuable role where their main purpose relates to preserving representative examples of biodiversity, protecting particularly vulnerable sedentary species or providing sites for long-term scientific monitoring.

When fishing in a marine protected area, it’s important to:

• Know your zones and respect the areas where you can and can’t fish.
• Abide by the recreational fishing rules.
• Only take what you need for a feed.
• Use good fish handling techniques.
• Leave areas as you found them and take your rubbish home with you.
• Be considerate of the environment and others.
• Contribute to research and education where possible.  

Sustainable recreational fishing can occur in the majority of most parks, however special fishing rules apply to help protect fish and fish habitats and preserve representative ecosystems. Fishing is not permitted in marine nature reserves or marine park sanctuary zones.

For more information about fishing rules in the State’s marine reserves, explore this interactive map or click on the links below the map. 

• Jurien Bay Marine Park
• Marmion Marine Park
• Ngari Capes Marine Park
• Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
• Swan Estuary Marine Park
• Rottnest Island Marine Reserve

For information about management, visit management of marine protected areas.