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Snapper and Dhufish stocks not recovering as expected

Edward ScownThe West Australian
Pink snapper are one of the species used to indicate the health of the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource through the latest scientific stock assessment.
Camera IconPink snapper are one of the species used to indicate the health of the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource through the latest scientific stock assessment. Credit: Shutterstock

A recent assessment of WA fish stocks in an area stretching from Kalbarri to Augusta has shown they are recovering at a rate slower than expected.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development devised a 20-year plan in 2010 to replenish the population of demersal scalefish — bottom dwellers such as dhufish and pink snapper — by 2030 after a period of overfishing.

Now at the halfway point, stocks are not depleting further but haven’t increased in line with projections.

“The stock assessment makes it clear that changes to management arrangements are required to get the recovery of demersal scalefish to sustainable levels back on track,” DPIRD principal fisheries management officer Clinton Syers said.

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DPIRD and Recfishwest stated fishers, both recreational and commercial, have largely been abiding by catch limits, which they say were reduced by 50 per cent in 2010.

“The vast majority of fishers care passionately about these special fish and will agree, the sustainability of the fish must always come first,” Recfishwest chief executive Dr Andrew Roland said.

The total catch in the Mid West area did increase, from 74 tonnes in 2017 to 100 tonnes in 2020 because of a decline in the market for western rock lobster during the initial phase of the COVID outbreak. However, even this large increase only puts the region at half the maximum catch allowed for in the regeneration plan.

No recommendations have been made to the Minister for Fisheries, but a group made up of government and industry peak bodies will meet to discuss changes to regulations.

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