What would change in your fishing if there is a complete demersal ban?
Submitted by Reefsta on Mon, 2025-10-20 17:55
Have been thinking about how my year would look if there was no demersal boat fishing. Chasing tailor, skippy, squid, herring, whiting etc and advancing both my fishing and cooking skills for those species, seems on the cards. Pelagics could also get a bit more attention, with SBT and mackerel in the frame, but for those I'm a novice. Drones seem effective along the coast for pinkies and impact on dhu should be minimal, which might mean the land-based rules stay the same, so that's something to ponder. Just wondering what sort of scenarios people are conjuring.
TerriblePaulzy
Posts: 87
Date Joined: 04/01/17
Other options
Hunting greenies, politicians and biased scientists
squalis
Posts: 178
Date Joined: 23/11/14
ban
As soon as they shut down demersals it wont be long before these pricks will close down the left over alternatives. They are happy to collect the gst on fuel, angling gear, petrol and every other cost associated with rec fishing while screwing our catch. The scenario i see is us being shut down over time. No reduction in licensing fees to compensate for loss of fishing options. These arseholes want us to only be able obtain sea food vis purchasing from retailers. Catalanos charge $90 per kilo for red emporor, $110 per kilo for jewie, $78 for baldchin. They refuse to participate in rec fishing so why should we be able to enjoy our selves. At 73 years of age i have seen it all, i just feel sorry for young people starting out who wont be able to have the fun we had. Stand by for the next restrictions they wont be long, based on what is going on now. Bend over and be prepared for the rough end of the pineapple to be inserted.
sea-kem
Posts: 15162
Date Joined: 30/11/09
If they decide to shut us
If they decide to shut us recs out ie total ban then the commercial sector should be shut down too, I'll bet literally everything I own that that won't happen. Because at the end of the day it all comes down to $ and lobbiests
You are right Catalanos don't even fish they are middle men making money off an industry that has no upfront investment like farmers do. The pros get to harvest what we recs pay for the privilege of.
It's starting to get in my craw that I've literally spent the whole winter refurbing my boat to the possibillity it'll be a whiting boat.
Love the West!
davewillo
Posts: 2635
Date Joined: 08/09/16
Whiting taste good Andy. You
Whiting taste good Andy. You just need a lot of them!
PGFC member and lure tragic
squalis
Posts: 178
Date Joined: 23/11/14
ban
As soon as they shut down demersals it wont be long before these pricks will close down the left over alternatives. They are happy to collect the gst on fuel, angling gear, petrol and every other cost associated with rec fishing while screwing our catch. The scenario i see is us being shut down over time. No reduction in licensing fees to compensate for loss of fishing options. These arseholes want us to only be able obtain sea food vis purchasing from retailers. Catalanos charge $90 per kilo for red emporor, $110 per kilo for jewie, $78 for baldchin. They refuse to participate in rec fishing so why should we be able to enjoy our selves. At 73 years of age i have seen it all, i just feel sorry for young people starting out who wont be able to have the fun we had. Stand by for the next restrictions they wont be long, based on what is going on now. Bend over and be prepared for the rough end of the pineapple to be inserted.
squalis
Posts: 178
Date Joined: 23/11/14
ban
As soon as they shut down demersals it wont be long before these pricks will close down the left over alternatives. They are happy to collect the gst on fuel, angling gear, petrol and every other cost associated with rec fishing while screwing our catch. The scenario i see is us being shut down over time. No reduction in licensing fees to compensate for loss of fishing options. These arseholes want us to only be able obtain sea food vis purchasing from retailers. Catalanos charge $90 per kilo for red emporor, $110 per kilo for jewie, $78 for baldchin. They refuse to participate in rec fishing so why should we be able to enjoy our selves. At 73 years of age i have seen it all, i just feel sorry for young people starting out who wont be able to have the fun we had. Stand by for the next restrictions they wont be long, based on what is going on now. Bend over and be prepared for the rough end of the pineapple to be inserted.
Ush
Posts: 203
Date Joined: 04/04/14
I have a 4.2m tinny and fish
I have a 4.2m tinny and fish the protected waters of the Sound mainly. Whilst there are many options to gather a feed of fish inshore - theres only so much herring, whiting and squid we can catch. Inshore snapper was always that viable inshore option that made things exciting. Im afraid the way things are shaping up - tipping Ill be fishing alot less. Tackle shops will take a hit. Ill likely entertain beach fishing should a blanket ban come in, for tailor and possible mulloway.
Got keen?
sunshine
Posts: 2668
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Gummies
But perhaps I will keep my spots a little more guarded
wifecallsmegrumpy
Posts: 157
Date Joined: 09/01/12
Might take up chess
I don't really see the point of owning a boat if you can just go for squid or whiting and the occassional tuna. It's going to be terrbile news for the rec fishing industry if they put a complete ban on. Boats for sale everywhere I imagine.
I'd like to say I would revert to hunting but with the gun laws in WA I just don't think that's an option either. WA could be such an outdoor paradise but frankly the eastern coast has it in spades compared to here. We have far less people along the coast compared to Qld or NSW yet we have fished out the demersals ? Come on, I don't believe it.
Brock O
Posts: 3315
Date Joined: 11/01/08
Lucky I still enjoy diving,
Lucky I still enjoy diving, collecting a feed of crays on an early morning swim is great exercise, enjoy catching the squid, whiting etc.
As above, would start targeting shark more, good fun other than when not wanted, plus a good freezer filler. Would get back into the beach fishing as well, even the lighter gear in the swan.
I dont think they will shut it down, will be more restrictions in both open periods and bag limits, they might add a few protection zones or the likes.
Its needs a full inquiry....fk royal commission even, total independent review on there bullshit survey's that for sure!