A senior marine scientist says the WA govt's plan to rebuild demersal fish stocks will not work, arguing marine parks are the best way to address ecological and industry concerns.
An artificial reef designed by Recfishwest and funded by Woodside has been installed off the Dampier Archipelago, aiming to enhance marine biodiversity and support local anglers.
The state's commercial fishing lobby says affordable fish and chips could be a thing of the past due to reductions to demersal catches along most of Western Australia's coast.
High interest from commercial anglers in being paid to relinquish their quotas has given the state government the ability to double the length of a recreational demersal fishing window.
The state government has eased the controversial demersal fishing ban for charter businesses operating in the West Coast region, but only if they eat their catches on-board.
A new artificial reef sunk in the Exmouth Gulf this week is expected to add significant value to marine research and recreational fishing opportunities in the waterway.
