The recovery plan for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) has now reached its next phase, with the State Government supporting the recommendation by the Harvest Strategy Reference Group, comprising Recfishwest, Marine Tourism WA, WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) and DPIRD, to reduce the total catch limits by 50 per cent in order to meet 2030 recovery targets.
New measures will be developed to achieve this reduction and help boost the recovery of WCDSR, after the 2021 stock assessment found further management action was required for the resource to meet its recovery target by 2030.
The latest assessment shows that while current management arrangements have prevented further stock decline, pink snapper and dhufish are still at risk of further depletion under the current level of fishing.
The new recovery catch benchmark will be set at 375 tonnes, reduced from 750 tonnes, which translates to 240 tonnes to the commercial sector and 135 tonnes to the recreational and charter sectors.
All fishers play a key role in the recovery of demersal stocks to sustainable levels and both recreational and commercial sectors will have an important role in the recovery effort.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will continue to work closely with all fishing sectors to develop management options to meet the new catch limits.
Consultation with fishing sector bodies and fishers on how to achieve the 50 per cent reduction through management options will follow, with proposed management options to be released to the wider public for consultation and comment.
For more information, read the 
media release, the 
Fisheries Science Update, comprehensive comprehensive FAQ or stock assessment report.