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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 recover stocks and ensure there are fish for the future.
Find out more about the status of WA’s demersal scalefish resources and next steps:
2025 management changes
The WA Government has announced important management changes across the state to protect at-risk demersal fish and help stocks recover for future generations.
Find out more about the 2025 changes:
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: 2024-25 report.