- Pilbara Red Emperor 2026 Stock Assessment shows stocks have depleted further
- Assessment includes data collected up to the end of 2025, before the 2026 reforms commenced
- Latest science reinforces the need for the significant management reforms introduced by the Cook Labor Government
- Cook Labor Government committed to protecting and restoring our environment so future generations can enjoy fishing
The Cook Labor Government has today released the latest scientific stock assessment for red emperor in the Pilbara region, which shows stocks remain severely depleted.
The Pilbara Red Emperor 2026 Stock Assessment estimates red emperor spawning biomass is 85 per cent depleted, compared with 82 per cent in the previous assessment, and remains at severe sustainability risk.
The latest assessment includes data up to the end of 2025 and addresses recommendations from independent scientific reviews as well as feedback from industry.
In December 2025 the Cook Labor Government announced significant reforms across Western Australia to protect at-risk demersal fish and help stocks recover to sustainable levels so there are fish for the future.
In the Pilbara, these reforms included a 50 per cent commercial catch reduction, closure of the Pilbara Fish Trawl Fishery and revised recreational bag and size limits to reduce fishing pressure and support the recovery of depleted stocks.
The decision to close the trawl fishery also took into consideration bycatch issues, with bottlenose dolphins and critically endangered sawfish both associated with trawl fishing.
The 2026 Stock Assessment confirms why this action was necessary, identifying risks to both species from interactions with the trawl fishery.
The latest findings reinforce why the Government needed to act and the importance of the measures introduced to help depleted stocks recover.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will hold a Pilbara demersal scalefish science workshop with key commercial, charter and recreational fishing stakeholders in November to discuss the outcomes of the latest stock assessment.
The science summary and full stock assessment are available on the DPIRD website https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/environment-and-sustainability/sustainable-fisheries/statewide-demersal-scalefish/
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“The latest stock assessment confirms why we had to act.
“Red emperor stocks in the Pilbara remain severely depleted, and doing nothing was not an option.
“Our decision to close the Pilbara Trawl Fishery will mean around 1.8 million kilograms of at-risk demersal fish will remain in the ocean each year.
“I know the decisions we made last year were difficult, and I recognise the impact they’ve had on fishers, businesses and regional communities.”
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
“The latest science confirms why action was needed to protect our iconic red emperor for future generations.
“Recovery will take time, but it’s important we work with local fishers to ensure our kids and grandkids can enjoy the same fishing opportunities we do.”
