Fishing Futures Forum discusses potential solutions to dwindling demersal fish stock

Changes to catch monitoring, catch limit reductions, and seasonal closures were just some of the solutions floated to recover dwindling demersal fish stock at the Fishing Futures Forum this week.

Monday’s forum which brought together government officials and representatives from recreational, charter and commercial fishing sectors alongside scientists, traditional owners and conservation groups, focused on solutions to regrow and sustain the demersal fish population across WA.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s latest stock assessments, released in late September, found stocks of some demersal scalefish were at severe risk, including red emperor in Pilbara. Goldband snapper was listed as at high risk in the Kimberley.

According to the assessments, spawning biomass of WA dhufish is 85 per cent depleted, northern snapper is 83 per cent depleted, and southern snapper is 80 per cent depleted.

It also found sustained high-fishing pressure on demersal species that had a lifespan of around 40 years was reducing the number of breeding fish, which are critical for replenishing the population.

At the time, WA Fishing Industry Council chief executive Melissa Haslam said the stock assessment results were shocking but did not come as a surprise.

“Neither the commercial or recreational sector are fishing outside of their regulations, yet demersal fish stocks are in a severe or critical condition. The rules are wrong,” she said.

“No shying away from tough management reform — it’s time to get it done.”

WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said the forum confirmed the fishing community’s commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of WA’s demersal fish stocks.

“We know how valued these fish are in WA, and how important the fishing experience is to the community and our way of life,” she said.

“It has been encouraging to see the way the commercial, charter, and recreational sectors have responded to the latest stock assessments and the shared concern they have for the species they love.”

Attendees were briefed on the latest stock assessments before contributing their ideas for management of fish stocks.

Several options were raised, including improvements or changes to catch monitoring, potential catch limit reductions, and longer seasonal closures or full closures of unsustainable resources. These will be compiled as part of a report which will then be considered by the WA Government.

Any outcomes or management changes are expected to be announced by the end of the year.

Shadow fisheries minister and Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr said nearly a decade of neglect and a lack of consistent leadership had left the sector vulnerable.

“WA’s fisheries sector is in a very dire situation — the result of almost nine years of Labor mismanagement and a revolving door of fisheries ministers,” Ms Warr said.

“WA’s fisheries are the envy of the world. Without urgent, genuine collaboration, we risk losing that reputation, and the jobs, industries, and communities that depend on it.”

It comes despite management measures implemented in 2023 to reduce the catch of demersal fish, aiming to strike a balance between the interests of fishers and the need to restore fish stocks.