WA’s New Demersal Fishing Ban: What It Means for Pink Snapper, Dhufish and Your Fishing Plans (2026–2027 Guide)

WA’s New Demersal Fishing Ban: What It Means for Pink Snapper, Dhufish and Your Fishing Plans (2026–2027 Guide)

Western Australia has entered a major turning point in recreational fishing. New rules introduced by the WA Government and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) place significant restrictions on targeting demersal scalefish along the West Coast, including species such as Pink Snapper and WA Dhufish.

This change follows years of scientific monitoring showing that key demersal stocks have fallen to critically low levels. Long-living species like Dhufish and Pink Snapper have struggled to rebuild due to slow growth rates, high fishing pressure and declining breeding biomass. In some regions, stock assessments revealed breeding levels below 15% of what is considered healthy.

To prevent long-term collapse and allow stocks to recover for future generations, the Government has implemented the most significant demersal reform package in WA’s history. Here is a clear breakdown of what the new rules mean and how recreational fishers can adapt.

The New Rules: What Has Changed?

Boat-Based Demersal Fishing Closure

As of 16 December 2025, boat-based recreational fishers in the West Coast Bioregion (Kalbarri to Augusta) are no longer permitted to target or retain demersal scalefish. This includes species such as:

  • WA Dhufish

  • Pink Snapper

  • Baldchin Groper

  • Breaksea Cod

  • Redthroat Emperor

  • Other bottom-dwelling demersal species

This closure will remain in place until at least September 2027. Reopening will depend on measurable recovery in stock assessments.

Commercial Changes

Commercial demersal fishing in the same region will be permanently closed from 1 January 2026. Once the fishery eventually reopens, it will operate as a recreational-only fishery with revised limits.

Future Management

When demersal fishing is eventually reinstated, DPIRD has indicated that new management measures may include:

  • Lower bag and boat limits

  • Revised size limits

  • Seasonal or spatial closures

  • Mandatory digital reporting

  • Stricter handling and release guidelines

This is a full reset of the fishery rather than a temporary pause.

Why These Restrictions Were Introduced

DPIRD’s long-term monitoring revealed significant declines in demersal populations, particularly in WA Dhufish and Pink Snapper. These species are highly vulnerable due to:

  • Slow growth

  • Late maturity

  • Long life spans

  • Heavy fishing pressure over decades

Removing older breeding fish impacts the population for many years. Without intervention, the risk of a long-term or permanent collapse becomes severe.

The Government’s position is clear: rebuilding these stocks now is essential to protect WA’s cultural and recreational fishing heritage for the next generation.

What You Can Fish for Instead

Although the demersal closure restricts bottom fishing from boats, WA offers a wide range of legal, exciting and highly productive alternatives. Many fishers will use this period to diversify their skills and explore new styles of fishing.

Pelagic Fishing

Pelagic species remain a strong option through summer and beyond. These species inhabit mid-water or surface zones and are not affected by demersal restrictions.

Popular pelagic targets include:

  • Tuna

  • Spanish and School Mackerel

  • Cobia

  • Sampson Fish

  • Yellowtail Kingfish

Pelagic fishing offers fast-paced action and suits medium to heavy spinning setups, long-casting lures, metal jigs and stickbaits.

Shore-Based Fishing

Land-based fishing remains open and highly productive. Perth, the South-West and the Mid-West all offer excellent opportunities throughout summer.

Common and accessible species include:

  • Tailor

  • Herring

  • Whiting

  • Flathead

  • Bream

  • Small reef species close to shore

  • Squid

Shore fishing encourages lighter tackle such as 2–6 kg spinning outfits, soft plastics, small metals, surface lures and egi jigs for squid.

Squid Fishing

Squid fishing has become one of WA’s most popular and reliable styles, and it remains unaffected by the demersal closure.

Squid are available year-round, can be targeted from both boat and shore, and respond well to:

  • Egi jigs

  • Light spinning setups

  • Braided line in the 8–15 lb range

This is an ideal style for beginners, families and experienced anglers alike.

Light Tackle Sportfishing

The closure is also a perfect opportunity to shift into light tackle estuary and flats fishing. These environments come alive during summer and offer a wide variety of species.

Targets include:

  • Flathead

  • Yellowfin Whiting on surface lures

  • Bream

  • Estuary Perch (in permitted areas)

  • Freshwater Trout in the South-West

  • Queenfish and Trevally further north

This style rewards finesse, accurate casting and lure presentation. Many anglers find light tackle fishing to be more engaging and technical than heavy demersal work.

Adjusting Your Gear to Suit the New Landscape

If you previously relied on heavy demersal setups, now is the time to diversify your kit. Switching to lighter, more versatile tackle will help you adapt to new species and fishing styles throughout WA.

Useful changes include:

  • Medium spin rods paired with 20–30 lb braid for tuna, mackerel and other pelagics

  • Light spinning rods in the 1–3 kg or 2–5 kg range for estuary fishing

  • Soft plastics, vibes and shallow-running lures for flathead and bream

  • Metal slices and long-casting lures for tailor and mackerel

  • Egi jigs for consistent squid fishing

These setups open new opportunities and expand your fishing skillset while staying fully compliant with current regulations.

Why This Change Can Benefit WA Fishing Long-Term

Although the closure is a major shift, it has the potential to improve WA’s fisheries in the long term. Benefits include:

  • Restoring demersal stocks to healthy levels

  • Allowing future generations to experience sustainable Dhufish and Snapper fishing

  • Encouraging anglers to explore alternative species and skills

  • Reducing pressure on vulnerable deep-water ecosystems

  • Increasing diversity in recreational fishing styles across WA

Adapting now ensures a healthier and more sustainable fishery in the future.

Final Thoughts

WA’s new demersal restrictions mark a significant change, but fishing opportunities remain strong across the state. By adjusting your approach and exploring different species, you can continue to enjoy exceptional fishing without targeting vulnerable demersal stocks.

Whether you turn to pelagics, squid, estuary species or shore-based fishing, this period offers a chance to develop new techniques, use lighter and more refined tackle, and enjoy the variety that WA has to offer.

Fishing evolves, and this is an opportunity for anglers to evolve with it.

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