Time is running out for dhufish and other large food fish species, and their future depends on the establishment of science-based marine sanctuaries, Dr Jill StJohn, Marine co-ordinator for The Wilderness Society said.

“If we don’t do something soon, we will fish out the last of the big breeders that can replenish our stocks,” Dr StJohn said.

Busselton marine science teacher Wayne Baddock is frustrated with the slow progress in establishing marine sanctuaries, and has accused the State Government of dragging the chain.

“A plan for sanctuary zones covering the Capes region has been drawn up, but it has been sitting with the Government for about three years,” Mr Baddock said.

“The implementation of this marine park appears to have been sidelined for political reasons.”

And neither will a proposed two-month closure during the lead up to the busy fishing season protect dhufish spawners.

“Again this appears to be a political decision – everyone in the industry knows dhufish predominately breed in January,” Mr Baddock said.

“The decision may have been made to balance the needs of the tourist industry.

“Charter vessels, tackle shops etc would all be affected if the closure occurred during the peak holiday period.

“This is another reason why sanctuary zones should be implemented; it is the only way to provide protection for all species from both recreational and commercial fishing activities.”

He says upping recreational fishing licence fees may provide funds for further research, but will do nothing to protect endangered species.

“People I have spoken to in the marine industry agree it will provide little or no protection for species such as dhufish.”

Dr StJohn said the $150 recreational licence fee won’t deter the keen fishers that catch most of the dhufish.

“At $90 a kg for a dhufish fillet in local shops, one dhufish easily recovers the cost of the recreational fishing licence,” she said.

Fishing licences will only be effective in conjunction with compulsory logbooks to compile a register of what type of fish are caught, she said.