2025 science
The latest stock assessment for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource shows:
- Overfishing of WA dhufish and snapper is still occurring and is preventing their recovery, with stocks of both species remaining at severe risk.
- Spawning biomass of WA dhufish is 85% depleted, northern snapper is 83% depleted and southern snapper is 80% depleted.
- Sustained high fishing pressure on these long-lived species (life span around 40 years) has reduced the number of older breeding fish that are critical for replenishing the population.
Further management changes are required to enable stocks to recover and ensure fish for the future.
Find out more about the status of WA’s demersal scalefish resources and next steps:
2023 management changes
In 2023, management measures were introduced for the west coast bioregion to reduce the commercial and recreational catch of demersal fish, balancing the interests of fishers and coastal communities with the recovery of stocks.
The measures had been successful in part to reduce catches, but not to the level required for WA dhufish and pink snapper to recover to sustainable levels.
Introducing further management measures to protect demersal species along the entire WA coast is needed to enable stocks to recover and ensure fish for the future.
Find out more about the 2023 changes below:
Recovery support package
Since 2022, to support demersal scalefish stocks in the west coast bioregion, the Western Australian Government has invested $10 million to fund key initiatives, including:
- voluntary buyback of commercial fishing entitlement in the wetline fishery
- enhanced monitoring and research
- voluntary digital catch reporting tool for recreational fishers - FishCatchWA™
- expanded juvenile snapper stock enhancement program
- expanded statewide fish aggregating device (FAD) program
- support package for charter operators to diversify and adjust their businesses
- expanded education and awareness program.
Read the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource recovery support package: 2023-24 report