During the school holidays, individuals traveling to the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions for fishing are urged to familiarize themselves with possession limits and labelling requirements for their catches. Failure to comply can result in substantial fines. Earlier this week, three men—two from Perth and one from Kalgoorlie—were fined a total exceeding $21,000 after being found guilty of violating fishing regulations.
The offences occurred in May 2025 at the Denham boat ramp in Shark Bay. Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) discovered the men in possession of over 50 kg of filleted finfish, including pink snapper, coral trout, and baldchin groper—more than 20 kg over the legal limit.
Understanding Possession Limits
The finfish possession limit for individuals in the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions is defined as either two days’ bag limit of whole fish, or one day’s bag limit of whole fish plus 10 kg of finfish fillets. Alternatively, fishers may possess a combination of 10 kg of finfish fillets and 10 kg of pelagic finfish fillets with skin on. It is important to note that all fillets must retain the skin while at sea or being landed. Certain species, such as estuary cod, Malabar cod, and barramundi, are not permitted to be filleted at sea.
Moreover, when fishing in groups, all packages of fish stored in the same fridge or freezer must be labelled with the full name of the person responsible for keeping the fish. This helps authorities determine whether possession limits are adhered to.
Ongoing Enforcement and Education Efforts
Matt Clarke, Supervising Fisheries and Marine Officer at DPIRD, highlighted that while most recreational fishers comply with regulations, it is crucial to review the rules ahead of the busy holiday season. “DPIRD conducts regular roadside checkpoint operations along the Northwest Coastal Highway and on main access roads in and out of Denham, Quobba, and Gnaraloo to educate fishers about possession and labelling requirements,” Clarke stated.
In 2025, DPIRD has conducted nine operations, stopping over 1,000 vehicles. These checkpoints resulted in only 30 offences related to exceeding finfish possession limits and incorrect labelling. The recent release of demersal stock assessments has underscored the importance of adhering to these limits to ensure the sustainability of the region’s fisheries.
For further information regarding fishing regulations and the latest stock assessments, individuals can visit the DPIRD website at https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/demersal-scalefish-resources.
