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New Recreational fishing regulations discussed in Geraldton
Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2009
A Department of Fisheries senior manager was in Geraldton today to speak publicly about the new recreational fishing regulations for popular demersal (bottom dwelling) scalefish and some nearshore species such as herring and tailor.
Principal Management Officer Nathan Harrison offered community members more information and answered some frequently asked questions, through the local media, about the new rules.
He also met with fisheries staff in the Mid West Region.
Mr Harrison said the new recreational fishing regulations include:
“It will provide a more robust management regime and resources for the Department to assist with research, management and compliance relevant to the recreational sector.
“We have attempted to be family-friendly in our approach, with children under 16 able to fish from a boat and for demersal scalefish without a licence, as long as they are within the accompanying adult’s bag limit. Discounts also apply to pensioners.”
Mr Harrison said fisheries scientists had recently provided details of research into Western Australia's recreational fisheries, which has led to the recent introduction of tough measures to ensure its sustainability and ongoing research to monitor recovery
“Research has already indicated that unless changes were made, some of WA’s iconic fish species such as dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper, faced serious threat.
“An increase in population growth combined with the use of technology such as GPS and echo sounders has resulted in increased recreational fishing impacts on these popular fish stocks, threatening their ongoing sustainability,” he said.
The Department of Fisheries has appreciated the support of many recreational fishers, who have donated fish frames for years to assist in age analysis to help determine stock status and sustainability.
It is hoped that this cooperation will continue.
Implementation of the new arrangements is planned for mid October 2009.
Principal Management Officer Nathan Harrison offered community members more information and answered some frequently asked questions, through the local media, about the new rules.
He also met with fisheries staff in the Mid West Region.
Mr Harrison said the new recreational fishing regulations include:
- Introduction of two new licence categories:
- a State-wide Recreational Boat Fishing Licence, and;
- a West Coast Demersal Scalefish Licence;
- Removal of the recreational umbrella licence;
- Changes to existing recreational fishing licence fees;
- A two month seasonal closure (15 October to 15 December inclusive) on the take of demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion by recreational fishers; and
- Additional bag limit changes to medium risk and lower risk species.
“It will provide a more robust management regime and resources for the Department to assist with research, management and compliance relevant to the recreational sector.
“We have attempted to be family-friendly in our approach, with children under 16 able to fish from a boat and for demersal scalefish without a licence, as long as they are within the accompanying adult’s bag limit. Discounts also apply to pensioners.”
Mr Harrison said fisheries scientists had recently provided details of research into Western Australia's recreational fisheries, which has led to the recent introduction of tough measures to ensure its sustainability and ongoing research to monitor recovery
“Research has already indicated that unless changes were made, some of WA’s iconic fish species such as dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper, faced serious threat.
“An increase in population growth combined with the use of technology such as GPS and echo sounders has resulted in increased recreational fishing impacts on these popular fish stocks, threatening their ongoing sustainability,” he said.
The Department of Fisheries has appreciated the support of many recreational fishers, who have donated fish frames for years to assist in age analysis to help determine stock status and sustainability.
It is hoped that this cooperation will continue.
Implementation of the new arrangements is planned for mid October 2009.
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