New West Coast recreational fishing arrangements

Recfishwest today (24 June 2008) described the new management package for recreational anglers on the West Coast a necessary step in the right direction in the interest of resource sustainability.

Acting Executive Director of Recfishwest, Kane Moyle commented, "The recreational sector is generally accepting of the need for tighter management arrangements to provide additional protection to important demersal species. However, the timing and length of any closed season is critical to ensure sustainability targets are achieved with the least possible impact on the enjoyment of fishing."

Recfishwest supports the Minister's two and half month closure from 15 October - 25 December for the 2008/09 season, but believes it is too early to be prescriptive on decisions to extend the closure to include all of January and October in subsequent years.

"I am hopeful that if we reach the required annual target for reduction in fishing mortality during the first year closure the Government can be adaptive in its management of these important species." Mr Moyle said.

"We are not opposed to tight management controls if they are necessary, however, a four month closure (as proposed for 2010/11) during the peak summer fishing period would impact heavily on fishers, the tackle and boat industries and the tourism industries from Kalbarri to Augusta." Mr Moyle said.

Recfishwest did recommend including all Category 1 demersal species in any closed season. "This would have provided increased protection to these "vulnerable" species by removing any reason for fishing in deep water where the vulnerable species live and thus removing the potential for incidental mortality. We believe this should be considered a realistic trade off to extending the closure in 2009/10 and 2010/11." Mr Moyle said.

Recfishwest has been a long time advocate for tighter management of our demersal scalefish, particularly for the vulnerable dhufish. Recreational fishers first began to formally voice their concerns about the status of dhufish stocks at the Dhufish Workshop, run by Recfishwest in 2004.

Recfishwest is cautious of the potential flow on effect the new management arrangements may have as recreational fishers shift their attention to important recreational "bread and butter" species like King George whiting and herring during closed seasons.

"It is important that researchers work closely with recreational anglers to monitor the impacts of the new management arrangements on catch and fishing behaviour." Mr Moyle said.

Recfishwest applauded the Minister's decision to establish a dedicated Recreational Fishing Trust Fund for recreational fishing expenditure priorities.

"It is great to see that recreational fishers will get greater say in the expenditure of existing licence monies with establishment of a Recreational Fishing Trust Fund. This will allow the recreational sector to fund research programs of interest to recreational fishers." Mr Moyle said.

ENDS

Media Contacts
Kane Moyle - Acting Executive Director Recfishwest phone (08) 9246 3366 Mobile 0419 949 118
24 June 2008

References and links to current and recent papers on Recreational Fishing changes.

Minister for Fisheries media release, 24 June (link opens in a new window) Summary:-

• 1. The daily bag limit for Category 1 fish to be reduced from seven to four fish.

• 2. The daily bag limit for pink snapper to be reduced from four to two fish.

• 3. The size limit for pink snapper to be increased from 41cm to 45cm in October, 2008 and then from 45cm to 50cm in 2010 for the metropolitan and South-West zones only (Lancelin to Augusta).

• 4. A boat limit of two daily bag limits of Category 1 fish to be introduced. Where five or more fishers are on board a recreational or charter boat, an additional two Category 1 fish per person (over and above the boat limit) will be allowed for the fish and additional fishers.

• 5. A seasonal restriction that prohibits the take, landing and possession of the Vulnerable 5 species: dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod and red snapper. The season will run from October 15 to December 25 in 2008, October 15 to January 31 in 2009-2010 and October 1 to January 31 for subsequent years.

• 6. (a) A daily bag limit of one Category 1 fish to apply to spear fishing on compressed air.
      (b) The use of power assisted fishing reels to be prohibited (with exemptions for disabled fishers.)

• 7. Discussions with fishing clubs to be initiated to discourage public fishing competitions from targeting high risk species.

• 8. The finfish possession limit to be reduced at the Abrolhos Islands Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Area to 10kg of fillets (or pieces of fish) or one day's bag limit of whole fish. The possession limit will remain in place for at least two years while a review to assess the option of managing the Abrolhos Islands as a 'no take away' area is undertaken.

• 9. A voluntary logbook program to be established for Category 1 demersal fish (ocean-bottom dwelling fish), including the Vulnerable 5 species, to provide additional catch and effort information.

• 10. A Recreational Trust Fund to be established to enable the recreational sector to have meaningful input into determining expenditure priorities.

• 11. Further research to be undertaken to investigate the appropriateness of introducing large scale fish reserves or closed areas to provide protection for large numbers of fish or over an area which is particularly important to spawning.

Details:- "A Strategy For Managing The Recreational Catch Of Demersal Scalefish In The West Coast Bioregion - Decisions By The Minister For Fisheries" published June 2008 in Fisheries Management Paper 231 (link opens in a new window)

"A 12-month survey of recreational boat-based fishing between Augusta and Kalbarri on the West Coast of Western Australia during 2005-06" published June 2008 in Fisheries Research Report 177 (link opens in a new window)

Recfishwest submission 24 April 2008 covering the Minister for Fisheries' previous paper, March 2008 "Recommended changes to recreational fishing of vulnerable iconic fish" and Fisheries Management Paper 228, "Strategy for Managing the Recreational Catch of Demersal Scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion" (links below)

References and links to earlier papers on Recreational Fishing changes.

Minister for Fisheries' earlier media statement 28 March 2008 (link opens in a new window) with a summary of the changes as proposed at that time which were released for public comment.

"Recommended changes to recreational fishing of vulnerable iconic fish - especially dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod and red snapper in the West Coast Bioregion" Minister for Fisheries' paper, March 2008 (link opens in a new window) Note:- the comment period closed on 7 May 2008, and this paper has been replaced by the announcements on 24 June 2008.

"A Strategy for Managing the Recreational Catch of Demersal Scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion" published March 2008 Fisheries Management Paper 228 (link opens in a new window) Note:- See FMP231 for the Minister's decision.

"Managing The Recreational Catch Of Demersal Scalefish On The West Coast - Future Management Scenarios for Community Consideration" published September 2007. Fisheries Management Paper 225 (link opens in a new window) (FMP225 is the earlier paper referenced in FMP228)

"Spatial scales of exploitation among populations of demersal scalefish: implications for management. Part 1: Stock status of the key indicator species for the demersal scalefish fishery in the West Coast Bioregion." published September 2007 Fisheries Research Report 163 (link opens in a new window)

Recfishwest submission on Fisheries Management Paper No. 225 Note:- That submission was prepared 15 November 2007 and covers FMP225, so does not cover the Minister's proposed changes or FMP228 released in March 2008.

Labor Government's 2005 election commitment on licence fee for saltwater recreational line fishing. These licences are not part of the 2008 proposals.

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This page prepared on 24 June 2008.