Boat seized and $7,600 fine issued after lads' fishing trip

Two young recreational anglers in Western Australia were fined more than $7,600 and had their boat, trailer and fishing gear seized after authorities alleged they were carrying undersized fish in closed waters north of Cape Naturaliste, in the state’s South West. The men, aged 21 and 22, were accused of catching eight pink snapper during a traffic stop by WA police, despite a demersal fishing ban that took effect abruptly in December. Regulators say they also had eight pink snapper at their home, plus six pink snapper fillets and other fish; all snapper were under the legal size limits (500 mm for whole fish, and fillets linked to fish under 271 mm). The court in Busselton ordered forfeiture of the equipment and the fine. The West Coast region remains closed for boat-based demersal fishing, with recreational rules set to run until spring 2027 and commercial fishing permanently closed.