It is informed that the seasonal closure will be for two months on the take of ‘high-risk’ demersal species by recreational fishers from the waters of the West Coast Bioregion. The West Coast demersal scalefish management, which reinforced Department of Fisheries advice that effective action, is needed to protect the future of these popular species.
Strategic Compliance Manager Tina Thorne told that the new arrangements were part of a management package designed to achieve a 50 percent cut back in the catch of ‘high-risk’ demersal species by recreational fishers. Thorne also said that Fisheries and Marine Officers will be monitoring fishing activity, between 15 October and 15 December, to ensure the seasonal closure is not being ignored.
It is said that all recreational fishers need to play their part and treat these vulnerable stocks with a sense of responsibility and stewardship. This ban will bring a change to the combined bag limit for ‘medium risk’ fish from 16 to 12; and a change to the combined bag limit for ‘lower risk’ species from 40 to 30.
