Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said he was encouraged that recreational fishers had achieved a high level of compliance during the first such closure of the fishery for high-risk species such as dhufish, baldchin groper and pink snapper.

“Fisheries officers made contact with more than 2,200 recreational fishers between Kalbarri and Augusta during the two-month ban from October 15 to December 15,” he said.

“All but a few fishers contacted during this time were observing the important sustainability rules and only 10 infringement notices and six warnings for demersal fishing-related matters were recorded during the two-month closure.”

Fisheries and marine officers also reported the number of recreational fishing boats on West Coast Bioregion fishing grounds was estimated to be down 40 to 80 per cent.

“Although there is some evidence of a shift of fishing effort to other species, progress in reducing the take of high-risk species by 50 per cent has occurred,” he said.

“We will know more about the effectiveness of the strategy when arrangements are reviewed next year.”

Mr Moore urged recreational fishers to make themselves aware of the new rules that applied with the reopening of the demersal scalefish fishery, in particular changes to the categories of fish and the new bag and boat limits.

The Minister said it was not compulsory for fishers to obtain the new Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence until March 2010.

He urged anyone witnessing illegal fishing activity to report the incident to FISHWATCH on 1800 815 807.