Ban eases threat to cherished fish
Catch limits for prized recreational fish, including snapper and dhufish, could be eased in coming years, with evidence suggesting a recovery in stocks from restrictions.
Almost five years after the State Government slashed limits for demersal scalefish because of plunging numbers, the Fisheries Department has declared the move a success.
It flagged easing restrictions if stocks continued to improve, such as increasing boat limits for certain species, reducing size limits and shortening the seasonal closure.
Recreational fishers are not allowed to catch demersal scalefish between October 15 and December 15.
The department yesterday released the results of two big studies - one into WA's demersal scalefish stocks and the other from a survey of boat-based recreational anglers.
Nathan Harrison, the department's strategic fisheries policy manager, said the studies gave an unprecedented insight into the activities of amateur anglers and their catch.
He said that apart from showing blue manna crabs were the most heavily targeted recreational species, the survey also revealed the popularity of herring and whiting.
A separate Fisheries report released last month showed pressure on herring stocks and flagged possible restrictions.
But Mr Harrison said the latest studies were overwhelmingly positive.
"We've taken a very conservative approach to the management of those species and it's a science-based approach," he said.
Recfishwest chief executive Andrew Rowland welcomed the findings and said they vindicated the decision of most fishers to support the original restrictions.
"We've gone through some significant restrictions and management changes and we're seeing the dividend come out with these reports," Dr Rowland said.
"Hopefully in the future we will see management arrangements relaxed somewhat and the community rewarded for being responsible."
'Hopefully we will see management arrangements relaxed.'"Recfishwest chief executive *Andrew Rowland *
