Overview
- Dozens of recreational fishers marched in Perth, questioning stock data and supporting a petition for a parliamentary inquiry into how assessments were conducted.
- Premier Roger Cook defended the science behind the measures and confirmed plans to meet the WA Fishing Industry Council after initial talks in recent days.
- The rules that took effect January 1 ban recreational demersal fishing from Kalbarri to Augusta, close commercial demersal fishing in the West Coast bioregion, and halve catch limits in other regions except the Gascoyne.
- Retailers report sharp supply drops and price increases of about 30–40 percent, with some sourcing more fish from New Zealand and other interstate or overseas suppliers.
- Fisheries officials cite the Gascoyne pink snapper recovery as a model for other regions and say a review of local bag and size limits is underway, while earlier protests included incidents that led to charges.