06/02/2026
A two-time winner of Australia's Best Takeaway Fish and Chips says it has been forced to increase prices considerably following Western Australia's demersal fishing reforms.
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Major changes to the state's fishing rules came into force on January 1, closing commercial fishing on the west coast.
Hooked on Middleton owner Shane Vale said the flow-on impact was already being felt further afield in Albany, 400 kilometres south of Perth.
"We're suffering and we're actually not even in the area where there is any bans at the moment," he said.
Fishers along WA's south coast have been securing higher prices for their catch in Perth, due to regular supplies from the north being thin on the ground.
"The fishermen have told us that if you want to keep buying the fish, we have to match the price that they can get in Perth or get close to it," Mr Vale said.
He has had to raise his menu prices to accommodate the cost, with a serve of fried or grilled nannygai rising from $31 to $40.
