Western Australian recreational anglers are reminded that from 1 January 2009 a new package of fishing regulations and initiatives will come into effect courtesy of the new Liberal government.  The new rules will apply to demersal fish species in the West Coast Bioregion which extends between Kalbarri in the north and Augusta in the south.

The nine new rules involve: 

1. Reduced mixed bag limit for high risk fish 
2. Reduced species bag limit for pink snapper - 2 per person per day
3. Increased minimum legal size for pink snapper south of Lancelin 
4. Boat limit for "high risk" fish 
5. Fishing competitions discouraged from targeting "high risk" fish
6. Reduced possession limit at Abrolhos Islands to 10 kilos per person
7. Voluntary logbook program for "high risk" fish 
8. Recreational Fund review 
9. Research into large-scale closures

For detailed information on the changes visit:
www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/WestLimits/westcoast_rules_2008.pdf

Pink snapper catches are one of the key areas being changed