Recreational fishers will be required to comply with reduced bag limits, a boat limit for high-risk fish and keep a recreational fishers’ logbook as part of a revised package of recreational fishing rules effective from January.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore today unveiled the revised recreational fishing regulations to manage finfish species under pressure on WA’s coast.

Increased size requirements and new possession limits of 10kg of fillets at the Abrolhos Islands fish protection area are also part of the package.

Mr Moore deferred a decision regarding a previous proposal to impose seasonal bans on fishing for those species which have come under increased pressure.

“Research shows dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper are over-fished in the West Coast bioregion, between north of Kalbarri to east of Augusta,” he said.

“The West Coast bioregion has a number of fish species that live on or near the ocean floor.

These demersal (bottom-dwelling) species – considered an indicator species for other bottom-dwelling fish – are under increased pressure as our population grows.”

Mr Moore said he found a strong case to reduce fishing pressure after considering management options made public by the previous government.

“However, I am concerned that the previously proposed closed seasons for recreational fishing may not be the most effective approach,” he said.

“I have approved the workable elements in the previous management package as an interim measure, while I consider further action.

“The revised recreational fishing rules will still include reductions in daily bag and boat limits and an increase in the minimum legal size for pink snapper.”

The modified regulations will take effect at the same time as the new commercial fishing sector arrangements.

Details of the new recreational fishing management changes are at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au

Source : The West Australian