The fishing community and regulatory bodies in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia are expressing serious concerns regarding potential overfishing due to recent demersal fishing bans. With these new restrictions in place, it is anticipated that many anglers will flock to the only area in the northern part of Western Australia that remains unaffected, raising questions about whether local resources can manage this sudden increase in fishing activity.
Starting in January, there has been a suspension of recreational fishing for popular species such as dhufish, red emperor, and pink snapper for a period of 21 months, spanning from Kalbarri to Augusta. Additionally, commercial demersal fishing has also been prohibited within the West Coast bioregion, resulting in a significant reduction of catch quotas by fifty percent across most areas—except for Gascoyne, which has raised concerns among locals.
Renee Turner, a tour guide operator and custodian of the Yinggarda people, is particularly worried about the region's preparedness for an influx of fishing enthusiasts. This concern echoes sentiments shared in Windy Harbour, another coastal area outside the ban zone, where locals fear similar impacts from increased visitation.
Turner emphasizes the importance of education regarding the environmental sensitivity of the coastline, stating, "My biggest concern is the environmental impact from human beings not being educated enough and not having an understanding of how fragile our coastline actually is." She raises a crucial question: "Do we have the capacity to accommodate so many visitors?"
With the tourist season approaching, she believes there hasn’t been adequate time to prepare for the anticipated surge of fishers, which coincides with peak tourist activity in the winter months. As a traditional custodian, she advocates for improved signage at culturally and environmentally significant sites and insists that this should be done in partnership with First Nations peoples.
The Gascoyne region is renowned for its two UNESCO World Heritage areas—the Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay, which hosts the largest seagrass bank globally. Turner points out, "It's not just the seagrass we need to be concerned about; it is the dune systems themselves. You're going to have caravans and four-wheel drives in the dunes. As a tour operator, I certainly want to encourage visitors, but I believe it's premature to allow such significant impact in our area without proper education in place."
On a more positive note, the stocks of demersal fish, particularly pink snapper, have seen a remarkable recovery in the Gascoyne after nearly collapsing a decade ago. In 2018, the Department of Fisheries took decisive action by slashing the commercial pink snapper quota from 277 tonnes to just over 51 tonnes. They also instituted fishing closures during critical spawning times and adjusted size limits for commercial catches.
Nathan Harrison, the executive director of the Department of Fisheries, describes the progress in the Gascoyne fishing zone as a success story, stating, "We'll be using that to model management for around the state." He stresses that the process necessitates patience and a thoughtful approach to management. Harrison explained that the established quota management system in Gascoyne will soon be applied to other regions, such as Pilbara and the Kimberley, emphasizing the importance of managing commercial catches effectively. He noted, "It will require careful management over the long term—at least 10 to 15 years, possibly even 20."
He acknowledges the possibility that the fishing ban might drive anglers into less restricted waters, but reassured that a review of bag and size limits is already underway. Harrison added that in Gascoyne, there’s a mix of both commercial and recreational fishing sectors, highlighting the necessity for a balanced approach: "You can't just manage one sector in isolation and hope that the fishery remains sustainable."
Scott Clarke, the owner of a tackle shop in Carnarvon, indicated that several fishing clubs have already planned trips to the area, reflecting his dual perspective on the situation. He recognizes the economic benefits that fishing tourism could bring to local communities, stating, "That will create business for everyone—from the pub owner to the ice maker to myself and accommodation providers." However, he also echoed the need for clearer communication regarding the scientific rationale behind the fishing bans. "As long as the science is sound and not merely a pretext to push us out," he remarked.
