Fishing rules in Western Australia changed sharply in December 2025, with new statewide demersal fishing reforms aimed at protecting at-risk demersal scalefish stocks. These changes affect recreational fishing, commercial fishing, and charter operations—especially across the West Coast Bioregion and the Perth metro area.
Booking update (important)
WA Fishing is currently not taking new bookings.
The new demersal fishing settings mean we cannot offer the type of trips many people book with us for, and we will not run trips that risk breaching rules or encouraging unsafe or non-compliant fishing. This page will be kept updated as the official settings change.
If you were planning a trip, the most useful thing you can do right now is read the “What you can still do legally” sections below and use an official location-based rules checker for your exact fishing location before you fish.
1) What is the “demersal fishing ban” in WA?
When people say “WA fishing ban”, they are usually referring to a package of measures focused on demersal scalefish. Demersal fish are species that live and feed near the seabed (as opposed to pelagic species that live in open water). In WA, well-known demersal species include WA dhufish and pink snapper, along with other commonly targeted species.
The reforms are not just one simple rule. They include:
- A continued closure of boat-based recreational demersal fishing in the West Coast Bioregion until Spring 2027.
- Charter and commercial changes, including commercial demersal fishing in the West Coast Bioregion ceasing from 1 January 2026, and changes for charter fishing in parts of the West Coast Bioregion.
- Different settings across different regions of WA, and different rules for shore-based vs boat-based fishing.
A simple way to think about it:
- If you normally chase demersals from a boat on the West Coast, that is where the biggest restrictions now sit.
- Shore-based rules are different to boat-based rules.
- Different regions of WA are treated differently under the reforms.
2) Why did the WA Government introduce these bans and reforms?
The Government’s stated reason is that some key demersal stocks are at risk and need stronger protection so they can recover for future generations.
At a practical level, these reforms reflect common fisheries management responses when stocks are in trouble:
- Reduce overall catch
- Reduce access in high-pressure areas
- Change how effort is spread across regions and user groups
- Put recovery time into the system (measured in years, not weeks)
3) What fish species are affected?
The reforms focus on demersal scalefish. Public messaging highlights at-risk species including pink snapper and WA dhufish, along with other demersal species named in official materials.
Why these species matter (plain English)
Demersal species are often:
- Slow-growing compared to many pelagic fish
- Heavily targeted because they are prized table fish
- Vulnerable when fishing effort is concentrated in popular boating areas
That combination means recovery can require long closures, because rebuilding a breeding population takes time.
4) Where does the ban apply? Understanding the West Coast Bioregion
A lot of confusion comes from people assuming the ban is “all of WA” in exactly the same way.
The West Coast Bioregion is the key area referenced in the boat-based recreational closure settings. Boat-based recreational demersal fishing in the West Coast Bioregion remains closed until Spring 2027.
If you’re unsure what bioregion you are in, use an official location-based rules tool because boundaries can catch people out.
5) What exactly is banned for recreational fishing?
It is vital to separate:
- Boat-based recreational fishing
- Land-based recreational fishing
- Spearfishing
- Species-specific rules
5.1 Boat-based recreational fishing for demersals (West Coast Bioregion)
Boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion remains closed until Spring 2027.
If you catch a demersal scalefish from a boat during the closure, you must return it to the water as soon as possible.
5.2 Land-based fishing for demersals (West Coast Bioregion)
Land-based fishers are treated differently. Land-based fishers can still be permitted to fish for demersal scalefish outside existing spawning closures, but there are important exceptions and species-specific limits.
5.3 Spearfishing rules
Land-based spearfishing continues, but spearfishing for WA dhufish is not permitted during the closure.
5.4 Bag limits and species pages
Always check the rules for the exact species you are targeting because bag limits and special conditions vary by region.
6) What has changed for charter fishing in WA?
Charter fishing is heavily impacted because charter trips commonly target demersal species and rely on boat-based access.
- Charter fishing in the Perth metropolitan area will be closed from 16 December 2025.
- Charter fishing for demersal fish under the tag system will continue in the remainder of the West Coast Bioregion under a reduced annual catch limit (25 tonnes).
Even where some charter activity is technically possible in parts of the wider region, the practical reality for operators changes fast: trip design, target species, client expectations, travel time, and compliance risk all shift at once.
7) What has changed for commercial fishing?
The reforms include major commercial changes. The West Coast Bioregion will be permanently closed to commercial fishing for demersal from 1 January 2026.
There is also significant public discussion about flow-on effects, including concerns about seafood supply and jobs.
8) Industry pushback and legal challenges (what is happening right now)
This is not a quiet change. Commercial operators and parts of the seafood industry have been vocal, and legal action has started.
8.1 Supreme Court challenge
Media reports describe two seafood companies challenging the reforms in the Supreme Court, arguing impacts on regional jobs, local food supply, and long-standing investment, with mention of bans affecting demersal trawling in the Pilbara.
8.2 Broader commercial concerns
Coverage also describes the emotional and financial toll on fishing families and related businesses, and concern that prices for consumers may rise.
Important note: Court actions and political negotiations can change details over time. Always check official rules before every trip.
9) What this means for visitors and tourists planning a fishing trip in WA
If your plan was “book a charter and catch dhufish or snapper”, you are not alone—those are iconic targets.
Right now, the safest approach is:
- Assume boat-based demersal fishing is not available in the West Coast Bioregion until Spring 2027, unless you have checked a specific legal pathway and regional exception very carefully.
- Use an official rules checker for the exact area you plan to fish.
- If you fish land-based, confirm seasonal closures and species rules for that location.
10) What you can still do (legal, practical options)
Many people read “ban” and assume it means “no fishing at all”. That is not what the official rules say.
Option A: Shore-based fishing (where permitted)
Land-based recreational fishers can continue to fish for demersal scalefish outside existing spawning closures, even while boat-based demersal fishing is closed in the West Coast Bioregion.
Option B: Target non-demersal species (where rules allow)
Many fishers will pivot to species not covered by the demersal closure settings. Which species are available depends heavily on location, season, and local rules, so an official rules tool is the best starting point.
Option C: Plan for future seasons
Recreational boat fishing for demersals is expected to reopen around Spring 2027 (some public messaging references September 2027).
11) WA Fishing booking pause
11.1 Why we are pausing bookings
Our trips have historically been built around the WA fishing experience people travel for, and demersal species are a big part of that.
The reforms introduce closure settings that directly affect charter operations in the Perth metro area and reshape what is practical elsewhere. Even where an activity is technically possible, we will not operate in a way that creates compliance risk, encourages accidental capture issues, or leaves customers with a trip that does not match what they believe they are booking.
11.2 What this means if you had planned to book
We are not accepting new bookings at this time. If conditions change, we will publish updates as soon as there is confirmed official guidance.
11.3 What to do instead right now
- Use an official rules tool to check your planned area.
- If you are travelling from interstate or overseas, consider building a broader itinerary that is not dependent on a demersal charter in the West Coast Bioregion during the closure period.
12) What happens next? Possible future scenarios
No one can honestly promise exact outcomes, but based on how fisheries management usually plays out, these are realistic scenarios:
- Scenario 1: The reforms remain largely as announced (the default scenario given the long-term recovery framing).
- Scenario 2: Adjustments after industry pressure (timing, compensation frameworks, or specific regional settings may change).
- Scenario 3: Court outcomes influence implementation (especially where arguments focus on process, scope, or impacts).
Whatever happens, the most important habit for fishers is to rely on official rule sources, because “social media versions” of rules are often incomplete.
13) Frequently asked questions about the WA fishing bans
Is fishing banned in WA right now?
No. WA still has extensive recreational fishing opportunities. The biggest closure being discussed is boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion until Spring 2027.
Can I still fish from the beach or rocks for demersals?
Land-based fishers can still be permitted to fish for demersal scalefish outside existing spawning closures, but you must follow location rules and any species-specific restrictions.
Is charter fishing still operating in Perth?
Charter fishing in the Perth metropolitan area will be closed from 16 December 2025.
When will boat-based demersal fishing reopen?
Boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion will remain closed until Spring 2027. Some public messaging references September 2027.
What if I accidentally catch a demersal scalefish from a boat during the closure?
If you catch a demersal scalefish from a boat in the West Coast Bioregion during the closure, return it to the water as soon as possible.
14) Final word: why this page exists, and how we will keep it updated
These reforms are a major shift for WA fishing culture, the charter sector, and the seafood supply chain, and there is real disagreement about the best way forward.
From WA Fishing’s point of view, the priority is straightforward:
- Follow the rules
- Support sustainable fishing outcomes
- Be honest with customers about what we can and cannot offer right now
That is why WA Fishing is currently not taking bookings. We will update this page when there are confirmed official changes.