What is inshore and what is offshore?

Reading through the recent DPIRD reports to better understand the science behind the proposed changes, I noticed many references to inshore and offshore finfish and demersals. I had an idea as to what each category included, but was keen to understand if my assumptions aligned to the definition used in the documents.

As there was no definition included in any of the material I could find, I reached out to DPIRD for clarification. I received a response today and I was well off the mark... so before I post the response (I'll include a link to the 2011 they provided as a reference) let me know your interpretation of inshore and offshore?


Faulkner Family's picture

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My understanding of it is

Wed, 2022-08-31 05:17

My understanding of it is inshore is within 2 nm of the coast

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

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That is not far from my

Wed, 2022-08-31 06:38

That is not far from my assumption, but well off DPIRD's definition.

Moondog's picture

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 DPIRD's wouldn't be

Wed, 2022-08-31 07:00

 DPIRD's wouldn't be something stupid like rivers are inshore and ocean is offshore would it?

little johnny's picture

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I would have

Wed, 2022-08-31 08:04

Thought anything inside there ban area. Would be inshore, anything outside ban area offshore . Honestly just a guess

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Made me check

Wed, 2022-08-31 08:54

 Couldn't find Inshore and Offshore on the Fisheries website, but they define Nearshore and estuarine finfish as those typically live in the estuary reaches of rivers and/or in the ocean usually in depths of water up to 20 metres. There is a graphic to illustrate. https://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Fishing-and-Aquaculture/Recreational-Fishing/Recreational-Fishing-Rules/Bag_And_Size_Limits/Pages/default.aspx .


The same graphic is used in the bag limits guide  https://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/recreational_fishing/rec_fishing_guide/recreational_fishing_guide.pdf, which lists fish species in that category, like tailor, skippy, KGs, salmon.

 

However, the AMSA definition is ; Inshore operations are vessel operations conducted within 15 nautical miles seaward of the baseline of the Australian mainland, 

 

So, as usual, nothing is cnsistent.

 

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DOT / RST define as -

Wed, 2022-08-31 09:04

 

5nm from mainland or 1nm from island situated more than 5nm from mainland, inshore being less and offshore being more.

so that has always been my assumption. 

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I consider it anything beyond

Wed, 2022-08-31 09:07

I personally consider it anything beyond my whiting grounds which is beyond 22m or 4nm

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Officially off the Pies bandwagon

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Assuming I have understood

Wed, 2022-08-31 10:07

Assuming I have understood Little Johnny's response correctly, he takes the cake.

Here is the response I received (and I am thankful and appreciative of the response which was provided within a couple of business days)

Thank you for your enquiry regarding some of the terminology used in the 2020/21 State of the Fisheries report, specifically, estuarine, nearshore, inshore and offshore areas.

 

These ‘ecological suites’ are defined on pages 4-5 in Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 85,Resource Assessment Framework (RAF) for Finfish Resources in Western Australia – please see attached. This publication is also available on our website at https://www.fish.wa.gov.au/About-Us/Publications/Pages/Fisheries-Occasional-Publications.aspx

 

And here is the extract from those pages...

 

• Nearshore suite, from the beach to a depth of 20 metres;

• Inshore Demersal suite, between depths of 20 metres and 250 metres;

• Offshore Demersal suite, from the 250 metre isobath to the edge of the Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nautical miles);

• Pelagic suite, which includes the pelagic fishes ‘above’ the Inshore Demersal and Offshore Demersal suites.

So, i have never one fished offshore. none the less, at least I can now more accurately interpret the various publications produced by DPIRD.

 

 

 

davewillo's picture

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 That's intersting Selthy. I

Wed, 2022-08-31 10:46

 That's intersting Selthy. I have only fished offshore for pelagics. I imagine some of the deep drop guys are in the offshore area. One numpty I was with dropped a bait to the bottom at one of the FADs one year. Got fuck all and then had to wind for a very long time on a TLD 20!

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 PGFC member and lure tragic

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Harpuka

Wed, 2022-08-31 11:57

 My mates son goes out after harpuka,fish 1200 meters  using electric reels. Is that really fishing or just catching?

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Filletmaster

davewillo's picture

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 Fuck that. I don't say it

Wed, 2022-08-31 14:56

 Fuck that. I don't say it often but I'd rather but fish than fuel to do that. Each to their own.

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 PGFC member and lure tragic

little johnny's picture

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Bit deep for puka

Wed, 2022-08-31 18:34

I would have thought .

Pete F's picture

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I would think it's all

Thu, 2022-09-01 06:59

I would think it's all relative to the fishery they are talking about. The current proposal as put from refishwest

"Introduce separate offshore (for deep-dropping) and inshore demersal fish management."

AS it was explained to me was to seperate the management of the deep drop species to the usual dhu, baldies, snapper etc. The depth 200m has been mentioned. 

I do wonder though if it turns out the deep drop is open while the inshore is closed what safety issues might eventuate. People heading west in boats not well suited. 

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 Cheers