The FishCatchWA tool has been integrated into the ServiceWA app to allow recreational fishers to voluntarily record their catches of key demersal fish species along the West Coast of Western Australia, from Kalbarri to Augusta. This initiative aims to support recovery efforts for demersal species like pink snapper, WA dhufish, baldchin groper, and breaksea cod.
FishCatchWA is part of a broader effort to boost the recovery of demersal fish stocks in the region, following a $10 million investment to support conservation and sustainable fishing practices. By collecting real-time catch data, the tool will help researchers and fishery managers better understand fish populations and monitor the health of local ecosystems.
The tool is designed to be user-friendly and voluntary, making it easy for recreational fishers to log their catches. It is available for download through the ServiceWA app, which can be updated or downloaded via the App Store or Google Play.
Key features of FishCatchWA include:
- Real-time catch data: Log catches of demersal species such as pink snapper and dhufish.
- Integration with other monitoring programs: Complements the Statewide Recreational Fishing Survey and other recreational catch monitoring efforts.
- Support for sustainable fishing: Assists in tracking species populations to ensure long-term fishery health.
The tool is particularly relevant as the demersal fishing season reopens on December 16, 2023, for boat-based fishing in the West Coast region. However, a pink snapper spawning closure remains in effect in the Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds through January 31, 2024, prohibiting all fishing in these areas.
To start using the FishCatchWA tool, recreational fishers can update their ServiceWA app or download it from their app store. For more details on the tool and fishing regulations, visit FishCatchWA.