Last updated: 3 August 2026
Fishing is not completely banned in Western Australia. The main restriction is a temporary closure of boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion. This closure began on 16 December 2025 and is scheduled to remain in place until spring 2027.
Land-based fishing for demersal species generally remains open in the West Coast Bioregion, but spawning closures and species-specific rules still apply. Different recreational bag and size limits also came into effect outside the West Coast Bioregion on 1 June 2026.
Current Perth fishing alert
The annual pink snapper spawning closure is now active in Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds. Pink snapper cannot be targeted from land or boat in the closed waters from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027 inclusive. The closure includes waters west to 5 Fathom Bank.
WA fishing ban at a glance
- Boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish is closed in the West Coast Bioregion until spring 2027.
- The closed area runs from Black Point, east of Augusta, to the Zuytdorp Cliffs, north of Kalbarri.
- The closure applies to powered boats, unpowered boats, kayaks and boat-based spearfishing.
- Land-based line fishing, drone fishing and most land-based spearfishing remain permitted outside other closures.
- Land-based spearfishing for WA dhufish is not permitted.
- The West Coast land-based mixed demersal bag limit remains two fish per person per day.
- New recreational demersal limits apply in the North, Gascoyne and South Coast bioregions from 1 June 2026.
On this page
- Is fishing banned in WA or Perth?
- What is a demersal fish?
- Where does the West Coast ban apply?
- Rules by fishing method
- Land-based fishing rules
- Cockburn and Warnbro pink snapper closure
- Fish species affected by the ban
- New rules from 1 June 2026
- What can you still catch?
- Charter and commercial fishing changes
- When will the ban end?
- Frequently asked questions
Is fishing banned in WA or Perth?
No. There is no blanket ban on all fishing in Perth or across Western Australia.
The restriction that people commonly call the “WA fishing ban” is mainly a closure of recreational boat fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion. You can still fish from a boat for species that are not covered by the demersal closure, provided you follow all other bag limits, size limits, licences, marine park rules and local closures.
Shore fishing also remains available in many locations. However, a seasonal or location-specific closure can override the general land-based exemption. The current pink snapper closure in Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds is an important example.
What is a demersal fish?
Demersal scalefish live on or close to the ocean floor. They are commonly caught around reefs, broken ground and deeper offshore areas. In WA, well-known examples include WA dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, red emperor, coral trout, breaksea cod and several other cod, groper, emperor and snapper species.
The ban is based on the fish category, not simply the depth of the water or the fishing technique. A species can still be covered by the demersal rules when caught close to shore.
Several important demersal species are long-lived or slow-growing. Deep-water fish can also suffer barotrauma when brought rapidly to the surface, which can reduce survival after release. These factors make depleted stocks slower and more difficult to rebuild.
Where does the West Coast demersal fishing ban apply?
The West Coast Bioregion covers the central and south-west coast of WA. For the current demersal closure, the official boundaries are:
- Northern boundary: Zuytdorp Cliffs, north of Kalbarri
- Southern boundary: Black Point, east of Augusta
This includes Perth, Mandurah, Bunbury, the metropolitan coastline and many of WA’s busiest recreational boating areas. Fishers should use the official location-based rules checker rather than relying only on a general map, particularly near a bioregion boundary, marine park or fish habitat protection area.
What is banned? Rules by fishing method
| Fishing activity | Current West Coast rule |
|---|---|
| Private boat fishing for demersal scalefish | Closed until spring 2027. You must not target, take, possess on a boat or land demersal scalefish. |
| Kayak or similar vessel | Closed for demersal scalefish. The closure is not limited to powered boats. |
| Boat-based spearfishing | Closed for demersal scalefish. |
| Land-based line fishing | Generally permitted outside spawning closures and protected areas. The mixed demersal bag limit is two. |
| Drone fishing from land | Treated as land-based fishing for this closure. All other gear, species, bag and location rules still apply. |
| Land-based spearfishing | Generally permitted outside other closures, but WA dhufish cannot be taken by land-based spearfishing. |
| Boat fishing for non-demersal species | Permitted, subject to all other fishing rules. |
| Perth metropolitan demersal charter fishing | Closed from 16 December 2025. |
What happens if you accidentally catch a demersal fish from a boat?
If a demersal scalefish is accidentally caught from a boat in the closed West Coast area, it must be returned to the water immediately. Fishers should change location, tackle or technique if accidental demersal captures continue.
Can you carry demersal fish on a boat during the closure?
Private recreational fishers must not possess demersal scalefish on a boat in the closed West Coast area. The recreational fishing guide also states that demersal scalefish cannot be carried on a boat for use as rock lobster bait during the closure.
This can make trips involving an island, sandbar or shore location reached by boat more complicated. Check the exact transport and possession rules with DPIRD before relying on the land-based exemption.
Can you still catch demersal fish from the beach or rocks?
Yes, in many West Coast locations. Land-based recreational fishers can continue to fish for demersal scalefish outside existing spawning closures, marine protected areas and other local restrictions.
The current West Coast mixed demersal bag limit for land-based fishing is two demersal fish per person per day. Individual species limits may further restrict the number of a particular fish you can keep.
Important land-based exceptions include:
- WA dhufish cannot be taken by land-based spearfishing.
- Pink snapper cannot be targeted from land in Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds during the annual spawning closure.
- Some marine parks, sanctuary zones and local closed areas have stricter rules.
- Species-specific minimum sizes and individual bag limits still apply.
For a method-by-method explanation, see our West Coast Bioregion demersal fishing rules.
Current pink snapper closure in Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds
The annual pink snapper spawning closure applies from 1 August to 31 January inclusive. For the current season, this means the closure runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027.
The closed waters include Cockburn Sound, Warnbro Sound and waters extending west to 5 Fathom Bank. The closure applies to recreational, charter and commercial fishers.
During the closure:
- You must not fish for pink snapper from land or boat in the closed waters.
- You must not have pink snapper in your possession while line fishing in the closed waters.
- You may line fish for other permitted species, provided you do not have pink snapper in your possession while fishing.
The wider West Coast boat-based demersal closure already prevents recreational boat fishers from targeting pink snapper. The annual Cockburn and Warnbro closure is especially important for land-based fishers because it temporarily removes the usual shore-fishing exemption for pink snapper in those waters.
Which fish species are affected by the West Coast ban?
The closure covers a broad list of demersal scalefish, not only WA dhufish and pink snapper. Common examples include:
- WA dhufish
- Pink snapper
- Baldchin groper and other tuskfish
- Red emperor and other emperor species
- Coral trout and coronation trout
- Breaksea cod, Rankin cod and other cod or rockcod species
- Queen snapper, also known as blue morwong
- Bight redfish, swallowtail and yelloweye redfish
- Hapuku and bass groper
- Several tropical snapper, sea perch, jobfish and grouper species
This is not a complete legal species list. Check the official demersal closure species list if you are unsure how a particular fish is classified.
What changed on 1 June 2026?
New recreational demersal rules came into effect on 1 June 2026 in the North, Gascoyne and South Coast bioregions. These changes apply outside the West Coast Bioregion, where boat-based demersal fishing remains closed.
New demersal bag limits outside the West Coast Bioregion
| Limit or species | Previous limit | Limit from 1 June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Total mixed demersal bag limit per person | 5 | 4 |
| Coral trout, coronation trout and western blue groper | 1 | 1 |
| WA dhufish | 2 | 1 |
| Red emperor, pink snapper outside the Shark Bay inner gulfs, and tuskfish including baldchin groper | 3 | 2 |
| Grass emperor | 5 | 4 |
| Bight redfish, swallowtail and yelloweye redfish on the South Coast, separate from the mixed demersal limit | 8 | 4 |
| All other demersal species | 3 | 4, within the total mixed bag limit |
Sharks and rays were also separated from the large pelagic finfish category. Recreational fishers can now retain a combined daily bag limit of three sharks and rays, in addition to the large pelagic finfish limit.
Demersal size-limit changes from 1 June 2026
| Species | Previous size limit | Current size limit |
|---|---|---|
| Red emperor | 410 mm | 450 mm |
| Pink snapper outside the West Coast Bioregion | 500 mm in Shark Bay inner gulfs and 410 mm in other areas | 450 mm |
| Spangled emperor and blue morwong | 410 mm | 400 mm |
| Bight redfish | 300 mm | 350 mm |
| Redthroat emperor and bluespotted emperor | 280 mm | 300 mm |
| Grass emperor | 320 mm | 300 mm |
| Blackspotted and goldspotted rockcod | Maximum 1,000 mm or 30 kg | No maximum size limit |
| Blue tuskfish | 400 mm | No size limit |
| Swallowtail and yelloweye redfish | 300 mm | No size limit |
| Other emperor species, excluding spangled, bluespotted, grass and redthroat emperor | 280 mm | No size limit |
Pink snapper size limits in the West Coast Bioregion did not change. They remain 500 mm between Lancelin and Black Point, and 410 mm between Lancelin and the Zuytdorp Cliffs.
Quick comparison by WA bioregion
| Bioregion | Boat-based recreational demersal fishing | General mixed demersal bag limit |
|---|---|---|
| West Coast | Closed until spring 2027 | 2 for permitted land-based fishing |
| North Coast | Open, subject to local and species rules | 4 |
| Gascoyne Coast | Open, subject to local and species rules | 4 |
| South Coast | Open, subject to local and species rules | 4, with separate rules for specified redfish species |
Special rules may apply at the Abrolhos Islands, Shark Bay, marine parks, fish habitat protection areas and seasonal spawning locations.
What can you still catch during the WA demersal ban?
The West Coast closure does not prevent all boat or shore fishing. Depending on the location, season and current rules, alternatives may include:
- Squid
- Australian herring
- Tailor
- Australian salmon
- Tuna, mackerel and other permitted pelagic fish
- Crabs and prawns
- Western rock lobster, with the required licence
- Freshwater and estuarine species in open waters
Do not assume that every non-demersal species is open everywhere. Local marine park zones, seasonal closures, licences, gear rules, size limits and bag limits continue to apply.
For other options, explore our guides to popular fish to catch in Western Australia and catching western rock lobster. Check the official rules before relying on older fishing guides, as limits can change.
How are charter and commercial fishers affected?
Charter fishing
Demersal charter fishing in the Perth metropolitan area has been closed since 16 December 2025. Outside the metropolitan area, demersal charter fishing may continue in parts of the West Coast Bioregion under the tag system and a reduced annual catch allocation.
Charter trips targeting non-demersal species may still operate, subject to the operator’s authority, location and applicable fishing rules.
Commercial fishing
The West Coast Bioregion was permanently closed to commercial demersal fishing from 1 January 2026. Different commercial reforms and catch reductions apply in other parts of WA.
Why were the WA demersal rules introduced?
The WA Government says stronger restrictions are needed because fishing pressure on key West Coast demersal stocks, including WA dhufish and pink snapper, has remained too high to allow adequate recovery.
The closure is intended to reduce total catch while longer-term management settings are developed. These future settings may include additional spawning protection, demersal sanctuary zones and revised boat or bag limits when recreational boat fishing reopens.
When will the WA demersal fishing ban end?
DPIRD states that boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion will remain closed until spring 2027.
An exact reopening date and the full rules that will apply after reopening have not yet been confirmed in the current official guidance. Fishers should not assume that the previous seasons, bag limits or boat limits will automatically return.
A ministerial advisory committee is considering future arrangements, including:
- Additional spawning closures
- Locations for demersal sanctuary zones
- Future recreational boat and bag limits
- Other measures needed to support stock recovery after reopening
How to check the rules before fishing
Before every trip, check all of the following:
- Location: Confirm the bioregion, marine park zone and any local closure.
- Fishing method: Boat, kayak, shore, drone and spearfishing can be treated differently.
- Target species: Check whether it is demersal and whether an individual bag or size limit applies.
- Date: Spawning and seasonal closures can override the general rules.
- Licences: Confirm whether you need a recreational fishing from boat, rock lobster, abalone, marron, freshwater angling or net fishing licence.
- Possession and transport: Check what can legally be carried on a boat or transported through a closed area.
Use the official WA recreational fishing rules checker for your exact species and location.
Frequently asked questions about the WA fishing ban
Is all fishing banned in Perth?
No. Boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish is closed, but fishing for permitted non-demersal species can continue. Shore fishing also remains open in many locations, subject to seasonal and local closures.
Can I fish from a boat for squid, herring or other non-demersal species?
Yes, provided the species and location are open and you follow all other rules. You must not target or retain demersal scalefish in the closed West Coast area.
Can I fish for pink snapper from the beach?
Land-based pink snapper fishing can be permitted in the West Coast Bioregion outside spawning closures. It is currently prohibited in the Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds closed waters from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027 inclusive.
Can I catch WA dhufish from shore?
Land-based line fishing for WA dhufish can be permitted outside other closed areas and subject to bag limits. WA dhufish cannot be taken by land-based spearfishing.
Does the demersal ban apply to kayaks?
Yes. The closure applies to kayaks and similar vessels, not only powered boats.
Is drone fishing allowed?
Drone fishing is treated as land-based fishing for the West Coast demersal closure. All species, gear, bag, size, protected-area and seasonal rules still apply.
Can I keep a demersal fish accidentally caught from a boat?
No. It must be returned to the water immediately.
Can I carry demersal fish on my boat if they were caught elsewhere?
Possession of demersal scalefish on a private recreational boat in the closed West Coast area is prohibited. Check directly with DPIRD before transporting fish through the area or using a boat to reach a land-based fishing location.
When does the demersal fishing ban finish?
The official timeframe is spring 2027. The exact reopening date and post-closure rules are still to be confirmed.
Are fishing charters banned in Perth?
Perth metropolitan demersal charter fishing is closed. Charters targeting other permitted species may still operate, while limited demersal charter activity can continue outside the metro area under separate controls.
Important
This article is a general explanation, not a substitute for the legislation or current DPIRD advice. Fishing rules can change and special rules may apply to a particular species, date, method or location. Always check the official rules before fishing.