West Coast demersal scalefish – information for charter operators

How are charter fishers affected?

The charter fishery is subject to the same supporting measures as the recreational sector from 1 February 2023, except the demersal scalefish closure and boat limit.

The following measures have been in place for charter fishers since 1 July 2023:

• A demersal scalefish tag system is in place for the charter fishery (one tag = one fish).
• The charter fishery is open 12 months of the year (not including spawning closures).

Charter catch quota system

Under the catch quota system which has been in place since the 2023-24 season, tags have been allocated annually to 33 operators in the West Coast bioregion based on their catch history over a 5 year period (2017/18 - 2021/22).

The allocation decision recognises those Fishing Tour Operator Licence holders with an ongoing and recent reliance on demersal-based fishing activities. The allocation also aims to ensure that a viable charter fishing industry can be maintained for the West Coast Zone. 

A ‘catch to cook’ option has been extended to all charter operators in the West Coast bioregion. This means that charter operators who did not receive tags will still be able to catch demersal scalefish, as long as all fish are consumed onboard the boat prior to returning to shore.

Other recovery arrangements

The charter fishery is also subject to the same rules as the recreational sector, except the demersal scalefish effort closure and boat limit.

Spawning closures are in place for all charter, commercial and recreational fishers:

• Abrolhos Islands baldchin groper spawning closure from 1 October to 31 December (inclusive).
• Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds pink snapper spawning closure from 1 August to 31 January (inclusive).