<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tough new bans for recreational and commercial fishers are being called the "biggest reset" in West Australian fishing history.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The major change announced today is aimed at boosting critically low stocks but the cost of popular seafood is now set to soar.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They're tough decisions. We acknowledge that, and it will impact everyone," Premier Roger Cook said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The urgent line of action is aimed at reeling in pink snapper, dhufish, red emperor and other demersal species from the brink of extinction.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The west coast fishing region from Kalbarri to Augusta is closed to recreational demersal fishers on boats until September 2027.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For commercial operators, it's permanent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Recfishwest chief executive Dr Andrew Roland called it the "biggest reset in fisheries management in WA history".</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/wa-demersal-fishing-ban-biggest-reset-in-history-to-save-pink-snapper-dhufish-red-emperor-drive-up-prices/cbd20aa4-fd1d-4578-9b8b-30e203cdc0cb" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For the recreational fishing sector this is short term pain, for long term gain," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Commercial fishers are also banned from Kalbarri for two years and trawl nets are illegal in the Pilbara.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That fishery has been killing dolphins at a significant rate for a long time and hasn't been able to really operate in line with Western Australians expectations," Australian Marine Conservation Society sustainable seafood program manager Adrian Meder said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Charter fishing for demersals around Perth is also banned and the state government is buying back commercial fishing licences and offering rebates for boat owners and tackle shops. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Is it going to provide enough cash flow to offset the demersal income? No absolutely not," tackle shop owner Ashley Ramm said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Real-time reporting of catches will be mandatory, in a walkback from an election promise.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm happy to wear that, to say I've changed my position on that and it's for these at-risk species," Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Saving species comes at a cost. Popular fish will soon be in much shorter supply, pushing up prices in WA shops.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The rather drastic measures announced today are the symptom of nine years of mismanagement," Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said.</span></div></div>