The State Government has announced significant new rules to protect Western Australia's most popular recreational fisheries, including new licences and further restrictions.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said more restrictions on popular demersal (bottom dwelling) scalefish and some nearshore species as well as changes to the recreational licence system were needed to ensure the sustainability of WA's fish stocks.

Mr Moore said there was wide recognition in Government and the community that significant parts of WA's fisheries were at risk of collapse and needed greater protection. 

Management changes to take effect from mid-October this year see the introduction of two new recreational licences.

From mid-October, people fishing from a boat anywhere in the State (including those fishing from charter boats) will need a $30 licence and people targeting demersal scalefish will need an additional, specific, demersal licence.

Therefore, anyone fishing for demersal scalefish (like the jewfish right) from a boat in the West Coast bioregion will need both a boat fishing licence and a demersal licence.

This new West Coast demersal licence will cost $20 for one day, $60 for a fortnight or $150 annually to fish for any of the listed species.

The current 50 per cent discount on all licences for pensioners and children under 16 will continue to apply.

The Minister said that a two-month ban on recreational fishing for species on the West Coast bioregion demersal scalefish list would also apply from October 15 to December 15 each year.

The new West Coast demersal licence will apply in the West Coast bioregion which extends from Black Point, east of Augusta, to the Zuytdorp Cliffs north of Kalbarri.

"The State Government will continue to apply a fee to each of the following existing licences: rock lobster, abalone, marron, freshwater angling and recreational netting - but the fee will rise to a standard $45 for each type of fishing.

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The State Government has given a $660,000 research boost, through the Natural Resource Management policy, into coastal finfish species.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said rising concern about the status of species such as herring, tailor and whiting had prompted moves to assess the current situation more fully.

Knowing more about the status of these fish stocks fish will help the Department of Fisheries make better management decisions.

The research project would form the basis of developing an integrated, long-term, monitoring program for key species along the west and south coasts.

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A big cleanup day has been organised for the ASI Groyne - a popular fishing spot in Henderson. Here are the details:

• WHEN: Sunday July 5th 2009
• WHERE: ASI Groyne - Southern end of Clarence Beach Road in Henderson
  Park on the sides of Clarence Beach Road prior to the groyne!! Please do not drive onto the groyne.
• WHO:  
Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officers
Recfishwest
Western Angler Forum Members
Bluewater Tackle World staff
And hopefully you!!
• EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED: Rubbish pickers
  Gloves (Kindly donated by MSA Australia)
  Bags and Miniskips (kindly Donated by City of Cockburn)
  Sausage Sizzle (kindly donated by Chris Stannage)
  
  BRING: Yourself, a happy demeanour and appropriate clothing.
• TIME: 9am - 12.30pm
  Followed by a free sausage sizzle
• ON ARRIVAL: Read the flyer that details safety precautions and outlines how and where to collect the rubbish.

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The State Government will canvas support for more boat pens at Geraldton and Exmouth to meet demand for moorings from recreational boaters in these regional areas.

Officially opening 67 new pens at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said expressions of interest would soon be called for 50 new pens at the Batavia Coast Marina and 44 pens at Exmouth Boat Harbour.

Mr O'Brien said both proposed construction projects would rely on boaters prepaying mooring pen licence fees - a similar funding arrangement for the new state-of-the-art pens at Fremantle.

 ***

Here's a preview of this week's Sunday Times fishing column...

HOT SPOTS

METROPOLITAN

Things were so rough even the hardiest of fishers kept their heads down during recent storms, but as soon as the strong winds died a little the anglers made North Mole a mecca - mostly hoping for a highly-prized pink snapper. Big herring and many pilch (yellow-eyed mullet) have come from from fishable rock walls up and down the Metropolitan coast. Some small snapper have been caught about northern suburbs marinas. Tailor were nabbed from a few spots to the north with tarwhine providing an occasional target in similar areas.

Try structures down stream in the Swan where some skippy have turned up. Little samson fish expected to increase in numbers and squid jigging is worth a try in the river. Claremont Jetty is yielding a few small ones with nights best. Whispers about black bream suggest they're still in up-river locations, but the fresh water flow is sure to bring a range of species further downstream.

FIN NOTE: Winter is the time to try for pilch (yellow-eyed mullet). Use the same tactics as you would for herring and garfish - so long, light leader line is essential. Be mindful that pilch have quite small mouths. Little, neatly cut baits are best with squid, prawn and maggots excellent as are little pieces of red meat. The oily fish make great eating when fresh. Berley is a help. Berley floats are ideal for our coast and conditions with the float topped up with a small amount of berley each cast.

An added bonus is that once around, pilch will bite willingly throughout the day.

MANDURAH

 Freshwater is pushing bream schools closer to town and sending the king prawns to sea, but not in huge numbers. The Cut provides an ideal fix for those after a few fish and is always worth a try for herring, skippy, king george, sand whiting and some tailor.

ALBANY

Still salmon make the news with fair numbers being captured from the usual areas. Cables, Sand Patch and Albany Salmon Holes all turning up fish at time with a similar story coming from east of town where Cheynes and Cape Riche have provided some good fishing. Herring and skippy can fill in your day if the salmon fail to materialize. The key is to find a safe, fishable spot.  Bluff Creek and Cheynes are two spots to provide some safe fishing areas, but check the conditions. Two Peoples Bay is weeded out.

Working the beaches is also a matter of taking care, more so for 4wd users. Washaways can bring a vehicle undone easily, especially when the tides also play a part.

Deep sea fishing has been out of the question, but the Sound has been okay for king george, skippy, herring and squid where the water hasn't been too discoloured. Frenchman's Bay, Seal Rock, Gull Rock and Michaelmas Island are worth a try for the smaller species.

Bream are biting better in rivers to the east. Pallinup and Bremer are going well with baits performing better but soft plastics are okay.

GERALDTON

Explosives and behind the Live Cray Factory have had tailor to 40cm. The Greenough River has held tarwhine and many small black bream.