Fisheries Minister Jon Ford today announced all commercial line and net fishing of demersal finfish, including snapper, dhufish and baldchin groper, would be banned between Lancelin and south of Mandurah from the end of next month.
"New research which I am releasing today shows that unless we take action now, stocks of key demersal fish will collapse within four to five years and these fish will all but disappear from our waters," he said.
"Two of the 'at risk' species, dhufish and baldchin groper, are not found anywhere else in the world and WA has a responsibility to preserve them."
"I am committed to ensuring these iconic species don't become a fond and distant memory to Western Australians."
Commercial fishing banned in metropolitan area
AUSTRALIA - THE metropolitan coast has been declared a ``no go'' zone for commercial fishermen in a bid to protect popular fish species.