Fisheries managers and researchers will hold a public briefing in Margaret River on Thursday 1 May to outline important research on ‘at risk’ Western Australian fish stocks and the need for new options to manage catches sustainably.
Recent research has revealed that key WA demersal scalefish, like the long-lived species such as dhufish, pink snapper, and baldchin groper are being over-fished in the West Coast Bioregion that extends from just north of Kalbarri to Black Point east of Augusta.
The number of older fish in dhufish and snapper populations has fallen and recruitment of juveniles has been shown to be highly sporadic. This, coupled with the slow growing, long-lived nature of the species makes them highly vulnerable to over fishing.
A new management plan has been implemented for the commercial wetline fishery and now recreational fishing is also being reviewed to develop new management arrangements for some of our most vulnerable fish on the west coast.
A discussion paper – Fisheries management paper No. 225 “Managing the recreational catch of demersal scalefish on the West Coast”, released late last year, will form the basis for the briefing.
Department of Fisheries Deputy Director, Integrated Fisheries Management, Shane O’Donoghue said, in developing a new approach, we would have to consider various management options and it was hoped recreational fishers would take the opportunity to contribute to the process.
“The public briefings in other areas so far have shown that fishers find it valuable to hear about the science behind the concerns to give them a better understanding of the issues and we hope it leads to new ideas in managing these key species into the future,” Mr O’Donoghue said.
A discussion paper containing options for managing the recreational catch and a Ministerial position paper with specific recommendations were released for public comment last month. Submissions are due by 30 April. Fisheries management and research reports on this issue are available on the Department of Fisheries website.
However submissions from people living in the Margaret River region will be accepted up until 5pm on Wednesday 7 May.
The public briefing will be held at the Margaret River Resort, 40 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River and will start at 6pm on Thursday 1 May.
