- Cook Labor Government delivering on $10 million package to support West Coast demersal recovery
- FishCatchWA added to ServiceWA app to allow recreational fishers to record their catch of key demersal species, including pink snapper and dhufish
- Demersal fishing season reopens 16 December 2023
FishCatchWA has been added to the ServiceWA app to allow recreational fishers to voluntarily record their catch of demersal fish in waters between Kalbarri and Augusta, to support recovery efforts of the species.
Delivered as part of the Cook Government's $10 million package to boost the recovery of demersal scalefish stocks, the FishCatchWA tool will collect real-time information on demersals including pink snapper, WA dhufish, baldchin groper, and breaksea cod caught in the West Coast bioregion.
It complements the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's existing recreational catch monitoring program, including the Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey.
FishCatchWA was tested with Recfishwest and recreational fishers to make sure it was simple for them to record their catch.
The app is voluntary and is suitable for demersal fish caught by recreational fishers within the West Coast region.
Boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish in the West Coast region reopens on 16 December 2023.
The Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds' pink snapper spawning closure remains in place for all sectors - commercial, recreational, and charter - meaning no boat or land-based fishing is allowed in this area through to 31 January 2024. For more information, visit: fish.wa.gov.au/demersal
FishCatchWA is available by updating the ServiceWA app or downloading it from the App Store or Google Play. Learn more at fish.wa.gov.au/FishCatchWA
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
"FishCatchWA is an important tool which will provide the opportunity for recfishers to directly contribute to the science by providing real-time data on the recreational catch in the West Coast region for popular demersal species, including pink snapper and WA dhufish.
"Catch information is already recorded on the commercial and charter catch, and by gathering more information on recreational catch we can make sure we are on track to meet the 2030 recovery timeframe.
"This will provide an additional benefit of keeping a dashboard for recfishers of what fish they caught and where and when they caught them, while also supporting the sustainability of our prized demersal fish stocks.
"Thank you to Recfishwest for providing advice on the app to ensure it is fit for purpose for the fishing community.
"I encourage all recreational fishers to familiarise themselves with FishCatchWA and start reporting the demersal fish they are catching in West Coast region this summer."
As stated by Innovation and the Digital EconomyMinister Stephen Dawson:
"The ServiceWA app is defining a new digital pathway for Western Australians to interact with the Cook Government and Government services.
"This refreshed and user-friendly app is a reliable, convenient, and secure way for the WA community to access safety warnings and important Government information.
"As more important tools like FishCatchWA are added, the app continues to grow to meet the growing needs of the WA community."
