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New Recreational fishing regulations discussed with local fishers
Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Department of Fisheries researchers and managers were on hand this week to talk to local fishermen at Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club about the new recreational fishing regulations for popular demersal (bottom dwelling) scalefish and some nearshore species like herring and tailor.
Supervising scientist Dr Brett Molony provided details of research conducted by the Department of Fisheries into Western Australia's fish stocks, which has led to the recent introduction of tough measures in the recreational and commercial fisheries to ensure their sustainability.
Dr Molony said research has already indicated that unless catch was reduced, 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.
“Fisheries scientists look at the age structure of fish caught, other biological information, and data from recreational and commercial fishing to determine the level of exploitation of a species.
“When a stock is being over-fished the proportion of older fish declines, which reduces the number of breeding age fish.
“There is no doubt the sustainability of these species is at significant risk from reductions in the abundance of older fish.”
Principal Management Officer Nathan Harrison provided advice on the new rules and answered questions from the more than 100 local fishers who attended the forum.
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 scaelfish without requiring a licence, as long as they are within the accompanying adult’s bag limit. Discounts also apply to pensioners.”
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.
Supervising scientist Dr Brett Molony provided details of research conducted by the Department of Fisheries into Western Australia's fish stocks, which has led to the recent introduction of tough measures in the recreational and commercial fisheries to ensure their sustainability.
Dr Molony said research has already indicated that unless catch was reduced, 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.
“Fisheries scientists look at the age structure of fish caught, other biological information, and data from recreational and commercial fishing to determine the level of exploitation of a species.
“When a stock is being over-fished the proportion of older fish declines, which reduces the number of breeding age fish.
“There is no doubt the sustainability of these species is at significant risk from reductions in the abundance of older fish.”
Principal Management Officer Nathan Harrison provided advice on the new rules and answered questions from the more than 100 local fishers who attended the forum.
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 scaelfish without requiring a licence, as long as they are within the accompanying adult’s bag limit. Discounts also apply to pensioners.”
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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