Seafood costs surge amid Western Australia ban

PERTH, December 6, 2025: A comprehensive fishing closure spanning nearly 900 kilometres of Western Australia’s coast is expected to lift seafood prices nationwide, as authorities move to restore depleted fish populations and reshape the state’s commercial catch sector. The Western Australian Government announced that all demersal fishing between Kalbarri and Augusta will cease on January 1, 2026, as part of an extensive marine recovery program. The restrictions will apply to commercial operators, while recreational fishers will remain barred from taking demersal species until at least spring 2027.

Charter fishing within the Perth metropolitan area will also come to a halt from December 16 this year. Officials said the measures were introduced following scientific assessments showing an alarming decline in demersal fish numbers, including species such as dhufish, pink snapper, and baldchin groper. Studies have indicated population falls of up to 80 percent, prompting what authorities describe as an urgent need for stock regeneration. The government will compensate affected license holders through a formal buyback scheme to ease the transition.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development stated that the closure was critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Western Australia’s marine ecosystems. The demersal zone targeted by the ban is one of the state’s most heavily fished and ecologically sensitive regions. Officials said that without significant intervention, several key species would face extended recovery times spanning multiple generations. Early signs of market impact are already evident, with seafood retailers and wholesalers reporting noticeable price increases.

Seafood retailers brace for higher wholesale costs

Dhufish fillets are now fetching up to AUD 90 per kilogram, compared with roughly AUD 60 earlier this year. Industry observers said tighter supply conditions could extend into 2026, affecting restaurants and local fishmongers that rely on fresh Western Australian catches. Small businesses operating along the coast have voiced concern over the scope of the restrictions, warning of higher operating costs and potential job losses. Fish and chip shops in regional centres such as Bunbury, Busselton, and Geraldton are beginning to adjust menus and substitute imported varieties to manage rising wholesale prices.

Some retailers have also started promoting alternative species to maintain consumer affordability. Premier Roger Cook said the decision reflected the state’s obligation to protect marine resources and ensure long-term food security. He noted that while the closures would cause disruption in the short term, they were based on clear scientific evidence and aimed at preventing permanent damage to local fish stocks. Compliance officers will begin stepped-up patrols in the affected regions once the ban comes into force.

Perth charter fishing operations face shutdown

Analysts predict that the restrictions will redirect consumer demand toward aquaculture and imported seafood. Farmed barramundi and ocean trout are expected to gain a larger market share as domestic wild-caught supplies decline. Industry groups, however, caution that aquaculture expansion will take time to offset the reduction in locally caught demersal species. The affected coastal stretch between Kalbarri and Augusta has long been a central contributor to Western Australia’s seafood identity, supporting generations of fishing families and regional suppliers.

The closure represents one of the largest environmental management initiatives undertaken by the state in recent decades. As the fishing ban nears implementation, Western Australians are being encouraged to diversify seafood choices and support sustainable sources. The government maintains that the measures are a necessary step toward rebuilding vital marine populations and securing the future of the state’s fisheries for the next generation. – By Content Syndication Services.