Recreational demersal fishing could be limited to winter

Recreational demersal fishers have been warned they could still be kept out of the water during summer months even after a demersal fishing ban is lifted next year. A three-day parliamentary inquiry this week heard from State Government officials, fishing industry bodies and environmental groups about the ban spanning Kalbarri to Augusta, originally announced in December. The commercial ban is permanent, while recreational fishing remains prohibited until spring 2027. Officials told lawmakers the likely approach after the September 2027 full ban is to cap recreational catches at 100 tonnes per year, potentially through a limited fishing period outside peak spawning summer conditions.