Individuals traveling to the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions for fishing during the school holidays are urged to familiarize themselves with local possession limits and labelling requirements. Ignoring these regulations can result in substantial fines, as demonstrated by a recent case in which three men were penalized for exceeding their allowed catch.
Earlier this week, the Carnarvon Magistrates Court found two men from Perth and one from Kalgoorlie guilty of exceeding their combined possession limit of finfish fillets by over 20 kilograms. The trio was fined more than $21,000, including court costs, for the offence, which occurred in May 2025 in Denham, located in Shark Bay. Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) intercepted the men at the Denham boat ramp and discovered they were in possession of over 50 kilograms of filleted finfish, including pink snapper, coral trout, and baldchin groper.
Understanding Fishing Regulations
The legal finfish possession limit for individuals in the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions consists of two days’ bag limit of whole fish, one day’s bag limit of whole fish plus an additional 10 kilograms of finfish fillets, or a combination of 10 kilograms of finfish fillet and 10 kilograms of pelagic finfish fillets with skin on. It is crucial to note that all fillets must retain the skin while at sea or upon landing. Additionally, species such as estuary cod, Malabar cod, and barramundi cannot be filleted at sea.
Recreational fishers are also reminded that when fishing in a group, all packages of fish stored in the same refrigerator or freezer must be clearly labelled with the full name of the individual who will be keeping the fish. This measure is essential for determining possession limits.
Fisheries Officer Insights
Matt Clarke, Supervising Fisheries and Marine Officer at DPIRD, emphasized that while most recreational fishers comply with the possession limits, it is vital to review the rules ahead of the school holidays. “DPIRD conducts regular roadside checkpoint operations along the Northwest Coastal Highway from Onslow to the Overlander Roadhouse, as well as on the main access roads leading in and out of Denham, Quobba, and Gnaraloo. These efforts aim to educate fishers about possession and labelling requirements,” Mr. Clarke stated.
Since the start of 2025, DPIRD has conducted nine operations, stopping over 1,000 vehicles. Only 30 offences related to exceeding the finfish possession limit and improper labelling of finfish fillets were recorded.
Following the recent release of the demersal stock assessments, Mr. Clarke noted the importance of adhering to possession limits, particularly for demersal fish, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the State’s fisheries. Further information on the latest stock assessments and fishing regulations can be found on the DPIRD website.
