Two unlicensed recreational boat fishers have been fined more than $7600 and ordered to forfeit equipment used in illegal fishing activities, including a boat, trailer and fishing rods.
The men were found guilty of fishing without a licence, fishing in a prohibited zone and the illegal take of 11 undersize pink snapper from closed waters north of Cape Naturaliste in June this year.
Boat-based fishing for demersal scalefish, including pink snapper, is currently not permitted in the West Coast region between Kalbarri and Augusta to help stocks recover to sustainable levels.
The two men from Leda and Greenfields, aged 22 and 21, were initially found in possession of eight pink snapper during a traffic stop by WA police. The snapper were located in a boat being towed at the time of the stop.
Source: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) media release, 6 October 2026.