West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource consultation - phase 2, includes separate Statewide Recreational survey

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Pink snapper

This consultation is closed

Thank you to all who provided feedback to the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource consultation and the Statewide Recreational survey which ran from 18 August to 30 September 2022.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Minister for Fisheries considered all feedback and the final packages were announced on 6 December 2022.

For more information about the consultation read the information below.


In February 2022, the Western Australian State Government approved a 50 per cent reduction in the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) total catch limit from 750 tonnes to 375t, to meet the 2030 recovery target for the resource.

Consultation process - two phases

Phase 1: The focus of phase 1 consultation was the development of recommendations on the preferred primary and supporting measures to achieve the reduced total catch limit. Phase 1 of the consultation was led by Recfishwest, the WA Fishing Industry Council and Marine Tourism WA and included a Recfishwest survey.

Information provided from phase 1 has informed the development of proposed management packages to achieve the new total catch limit for the recreational (including charter) sector and commercial sector.

Phase 2: DPIRD is now leading phase 2 of the consultation on the proposed management packages to meet the new total catch limit.

This consultation includes the Statewide recreational fishing survey to gauge recreational fishers' thoughts on current and future management of finfish species across all regions.

The proposed management packages include options for primary and supporting measures to achieve the reduced total catch limits necessary to see the recovery of demersal stocks by 2030.

Please read the consultation papers below and the frequently asked questions on this page, before completing the surveys.

Have your say

To have your say, please complete the survey relating to each management package below:

NOTE: At the end of each survey, there is an open text box where you can make further comments, after completing the rest of the survey questions.

In order to complete the surveys, first register using the Register button on this page.

The consultation will run from 18 August and closes at 5pm on 30 September.

Next steps

DPIRD will consider the outcomes of the phase 2 consultation and finalise management packages for the recreational, charter and commercial sectors in consultation with Recfishwest, Marine Tourism WA and WAFIC.

Final management packages will then be provided to the Minister for Fisheries for consideration and approval.

The outcomes will be communicated to key stakeholders, survey participants and on this page.

Legislation to give effect to the approved management package is expected to be implemented over the summer of 2022/23.

More information

If you have any questions regarding the consultation process, please ask a question below or email wcdemersal@dpird.wa.gov.au

This consultation is closed

Thank you to all who provided feedback to the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource consultation and the Statewide Recreational survey which ran from 18 August to 30 September 2022.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Minister for Fisheries considered all feedback and the final packages were announced on 6 December 2022.

For more information about the consultation read the information below.


In February 2022, the Western Australian State Government approved a 50 per cent reduction in the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) total catch limit from 750 tonnes to 375t, to meet the 2030 recovery target for the resource.

Consultation process - two phases

Phase 1: The focus of phase 1 consultation was the development of recommendations on the preferred primary and supporting measures to achieve the reduced total catch limit. Phase 1 of the consultation was led by Recfishwest, the WA Fishing Industry Council and Marine Tourism WA and included a Recfishwest survey.

Information provided from phase 1 has informed the development of proposed management packages to achieve the new total catch limit for the recreational (including charter) sector and commercial sector.

Phase 2: DPIRD is now leading phase 2 of the consultation on the proposed management packages to meet the new total catch limit.

This consultation includes the Statewide recreational fishing survey to gauge recreational fishers' thoughts on current and future management of finfish species across all regions.

The proposed management packages include options for primary and supporting measures to achieve the reduced total catch limits necessary to see the recovery of demersal stocks by 2030.

Please read the consultation papers below and the frequently asked questions on this page, before completing the surveys.

Have your say

To have your say, please complete the survey relating to each management package below:

NOTE: At the end of each survey, there is an open text box where you can make further comments, after completing the rest of the survey questions.

In order to complete the surveys, first register using the Register button on this page.

The consultation will run from 18 August and closes at 5pm on 30 September.

Next steps

DPIRD will consider the outcomes of the phase 2 consultation and finalise management packages for the recreational, charter and commercial sectors in consultation with Recfishwest, Marine Tourism WA and WAFIC.

Final management packages will then be provided to the Minister for Fisheries for consideration and approval.

The outcomes will be communicated to key stakeholders, survey participants and on this page.

Legislation to give effect to the approved management package is expected to be implemented over the summer of 2022/23.

More information

If you have any questions regarding the consultation process, please ask a question below or email wcdemersal@dpird.wa.gov.au

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    1. Recreational fishery management proposals - WCDSR

    888 responses

    This online submission process provides an opportunity for the Western Australian community to have their say by making a submission regarding recreational proposals to achieve revised West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) recovery benchmarks. It is imperative that the recreational fishery implements management measures to meet its revised recovery benchmark of 115 tonnes to allow the WCDSR to recover by 2030.

    There are 28 questions in total relating to the proposals. Some questions have sub-sections. The initial profile questions marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed in full. All other profile questions are optional, to be completed based on the relevance of the question to you.

    Please note, if you are not already registered on this site, you must register first in order to make a submission. If you have already registered for a previous consultation on Talking Biosecurity or YourSay, then you are already registered and just need to log in.

    Instructions for submission 

    Before you provide feedback, please read the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource Consultation Paper: Recreational (including Charter) Sector Proposed Management Package.

    If you need more information before making a submission, you are encouraged to:

    • Read the frequently asked questions on the consultation page. 
    • Use the ‘ask a question’ section on the consultation page to ask DPIRD a question. 

    If you are having difficulties making a submission, please email wcdemersal@dpird.wa.gov.au

    Submissions close at AWST 5pm, Friday 30 September 2022.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    2. Charter management proposals - WCDSR

    38 responses

    This online submission process provides an opportunity for the Western Australian community to have their say by making a submission regarding charter proposals to achieve revised West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) recovery benchmarks. It is imperative that the charter fishery implements management measures to meet its revised recovery benchmark of 20 tonnes to allow the WCDSR to recover by 2030.

    There are 27 questions in total relating to the proposals. Some questions have sub-sections. The initial profile questions marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed in full. All other profile questions are optional, to be completed based on the relevance of the question to you.

    Please note, if you are not already registered on this site, you must register first in order to make a submission. If you have already registered for a previous consultation on Talking Biosecurity or YourSay, then you are already registered and just need to log in.

    Instructions for submission

    Before you provide feedback, please read the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource Consultation Paper: Recreational (including Charter) Sector Proposed Management Package.

    If you need more information before making a submission, you are encouraged to: 

    • Read the frequently asked questions on the consultation page. 
    • Use the ‘ask a question’ section on the consultation page to ask DPIRD a question. 

    If you are having difficulties making a submission, please email wcdemersal@dpird.wa.gov.au. 

    Submissions close at AWST 5pm, Friday 30 September 2022.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    3. Commercial sector management proposals - WCDSR

    36 responses

    This online submission process provides an opportunity for commercial licence holders to have their say by making a submission regarding proposals to achieve revised recovery benchmarks for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource by 2030.

    There are 21 questions in total relating the proposals. The initial profile questions marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed in full. All other profile questions are optional, to be completed based on the relevance of the question to you.

    Please note, if you are not already registered on this site, you must register first in order to make a submission. If you have already registered for a previous consultation on Talking Biosecurity or YourSay, then you are already registered and just need to log in.

    Instructions for submission

    Before you provide feedback, please read the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource Consultation Paper: Commercial Sector Proposed Management Package.

    If you need more information before making a submission, you are encouraged to: 

    • Read the frequently asked questions on the consultation page. 
    • Use the ‘ask a question’ section on the consultation page to ask DPIRD a question. 

    If you are having difficulties making a submission, please email wcdemersal@dpird.wa.gov.au. 

    Submissions close at AWST 5pm, 30 September 2022.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    4. Statewide recreational fishing survey

    396 responses

    Maintaining quality recreational fishing experiences in Western Australia: A review of finfish management

    This online submission process provides all persons with an interest in recreational fishing with an opportunity to comment on a number of proposals which are designed to safeguard the quality of recreational fishing in regional WA in light of ongoing changes in recreational fishing activity.

    There are 18 questions in total relating to the proposals, plus an opportunity for you to provide comment at the end of the survey. The initial profile questions marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed in full. All other profile questions are optional, to be completed based on the relevance of the question to you.

    Please note, if you are not already registered on this site, you must register first in order to make a submission. If you have already registered for a previous consultation on Talking Biosecurity or YourSay, then you are already registered and just need to log in.

    Instructions for submission 

    Before you provide feedback, please read the consultation paper – Maintaining quality recreational fishing experiences in Western Australia: A review of statewide finfish management (NOT including West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource proposed management package) - August 2022.

    If you need more information before making a submission, you are encouraged to:

    • Read the frequently asked questions on the consultation page. 
    • Use the ‘ask a question’ section on the consultation hub to ask DPIRD a question. 

    If you are having difficulties making a submission, please email wcdemersal@dpird.wa.gov.au

    Submissions close at AWST 5pm, 30 September 2022.

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Page last updated: 08 Mar 2023, 02:00 PM