Fisheries and Marine Officers will be out and about in the West Coast Bioregion to enforce the new seasonal closure for ‘high-risk' demersal scalefish.

The two-month ban is on the take of ‘high-risk' demersal species by recreational fishers from the waters of the West Coast Bioregion between 26° 30'S (Zuytdorp Cliffs - north of Kalbarri) and 115° 30'E on the South Coast (Black Point - near Augusta).

It follows independent reviews of West Coast demersal scalefish management, which reinforced Department of Fisheries advice that effective action is needed to protect the future of these popular species. The commercial fishing sector, which operates under separate management arrangements, has already achieved its required reductions of 50 per cent.

Strategic Compliance Manager Tina Thorne said the new arrangements were part of a management package designed to achieve a 50 per cent cut back in the catch of ‘high-risk' demersal species by recreational fishers.

"Fisheries and Marine Officers will be monitoring fishing activity, between 15 October and 15 December, to ensure the seasonal closure is not being ignored," Ms Thorne said.

"Infringement notices of $400 could be issued to recreational fishers. More serious offenders could be prosecuted, with proven fisheries offences, related to closed season fishing breaches, attracting a fine of up to $5000 for a first offence, plus a mandatory penalty amounting to 10 times the prescribed value of the fish by weight or by number.

"There has been significant media coverage about this closure and the decision to introduce it, so we expect people to comply with the new rules from day one.

"All recreational fishers need to play their part and treat these vulnerable stocks with a sense of responsibility and stewardship."

In addition to the ban on the take of high risk demersal species, there will be a;

• Change to the combined bag limit for ‘medium risk' fish (including tailor, skippy and King George whiting) from 16 to 12;
• Change to the combined bag limit for ‘lower risk' species (including herring, sand whiting and garfish) from 40 to 30.
A guide to the modified rules is available online here.

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Bluewater boss Hal Harvey has posted some great pics and a report from his recent Rowleys trip. Check them out here.

Some great sailfish and honker GTs were features of a hot trip.

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Bluewater Scarborough staff member Neil Daws has been amongst the metro action recently - from both boat and shore.

Before the demersal closure, he ventured offshore to a reefy spot in 22 metres of water south of Rottnest. Soaking fresh baits of local octopus, it was a soft plastic left bouncing that grabbed the attention of the fish of the day.

Neil's nephew Michael Sumner was quick to the rod and landed the beautiful pinkie pictured here.

The local beach action has kicked up a gear over the last couple of weeks with some nice mulloway, small salmon and tailor being taken. Neil has been getting into some of the salmon - which he reports have been coming up a treat on his smoker.

Shark action hasn't been limited to the big white pointer feeding on the whale carcass off Floreat early this week. Surf fisherman have bagged some surprisingly good gummies while targeting mulloway.

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Correction: Some misleading information regarding regulations for pink snapper and demersal species was included in last week's newsletter.

South of Lancelin, the correct size for pinkies is 450mm. Between Cape Bouvard and Two Rocks, only one fish over 700mm can be kept.

Pink snapper fall into the ‘High Risk' Demersal Species category, which from December 16 will have a combined bag limit of 2 fish.

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

HOT SPOTS

METROPOLITAN

Ben Still fished from a 4 metre dinghy inside the Three Mile and came back with excellent king george whiting. Some whopper squid are also reported to have come from the area. Rick Calleja was among a group working deeper water south of Rottnest where a 53cm harlequin fish was decked. Tailor are striking sporadically right along the coast with skippy numbers better around northern suburbs marinas. Mindarie is good for herring. Challenger Beach south of Fremantle is worth a mention with good sized tailor making their run from about 6pm and herring are filling the gap once the tailor move on. Cockburn Sound squid remain on the radar.

The lower parts of the Swan are coming in for increased attention with many herring around, the odd squid spotted and smaller flathead making appearances. The river water is still discoloured but regulars reckon it is clearing and temperatures should increase soon. Chopper tailor are another target for Swan anglers with most fish down river. Whitebait and metals have been productive. Spots around Bassendean have produced the best black bream activity.

ALBANY

Keen salmon chasers have done well at places well to the east of Albany - such as Bremer and Bluff Creek. Reef Beach and Fosters have also been good. Herring and skippy provide a good backup when the salmon are out of range or not biting along with the odd stray tailor. Herring and skippy make up the bulk of catches at Mutton Bird Island and Nannerup but you will need to watch the softness of beaches if driving on them.

Normans and Cheynes Beach make excellent spots to chase the smaller species with Perkins, Shelley and Lowlands Beaches also worth a go for them. Closer to Albany the discoloured waters continue to keep things quiet but clearer spots such as Frenchman's Bay and Emu Point turning on much better fishing.

Deep sea angling has been rewarding after long periods when it was difficult to venture out. Coral and reef territory is now yielding queen, red and pink snapper with some anglers lucky enough to add a dhufish to their bags. Gummy sharks, samson fish and yellowtail kingfish make for some variety.

Big weed build-ups have prevented larger craft from launching at Two Peoples Bay but small craft can work for whiting, skippy, herring, squid and flathead.

Local rivers are holding many black bream. The Pallinup and Bremer Rivers offering better size fish. Soft plastics are working well around Walpole. The flow of cool fresh waters into the rivers has kept the temperatures low but mulloway are sneaking upstream - indicating greater salinity.

BUSSELTON

Damien Langridge and crew came back with a near-bag limit catch of squid on a recent outing. Crabs have also been a feature close to shore. Local Dave Rickard scored some terrific king george whiting.

JURIEN

Island Point and similar areas have fished well for tailor, herring and sand whiting. The bay has also been a hot spot for sand whiting. Just behind the reef has produced outstanding fishing for skippy to 2.5kg.

There are a few squid to be had off the jetties along with skippy and herring.

EXMOUTH

Last week's Exmouth newsletter can be viewed here.