We call on Minister for Fisheries Don Punch to delay reducing the Recreational demersal fishing catch by 50% until there has been further consideration, including more consultation and research.

Proposed 50% cuts to dhufish and pink snapper catches in WA have the potential to cause irreparable economical damage to recreational fishing and marine industries, as well as coastal tourism in WA. It will also have significant social and mental health impacts for the people of WA.

 -Don't take away our family fishing freedom, rec fishing is a huge part of our lifestyle and there are over 700,000 anglers in WA.

-Recreational fishing is worth $2.4 billion dollars every year to the WA economy.

-Many industry jobs will be lost if further cuts are hastily made to the demersal catch, along with regional tourism jobs in small coastal towns.

We, the undersigned, ask the Minister Don Punch not to act on the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) Harvest Strategy Reference Group recommendations immediately, to give time to gather a broader picture of both positive and negative impacts so he can make a more informed decision.
We, the undersigned, call on the State Government to not make any decisions regarding changes to the management of the West Coast Bioregion demersal fishery until;
 -More research into the stocks is complete
- The data that has been presented is further evaluated
- There has been more time to consider all options