WA fishing ban faces test as industry group says trust in management is broken
Parliamentary hearings exposed deep disagreement over Western Australia's demersal fishing ban.
A three-day parliamentary hearing this week examined Western Australia's ban on demersal fishing, which blocks the catch of pink snapper, red emperor and dhufish along much of the WA coast. The ban took effect this year.
Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis says the Department of Primary Industries found these fish were under severe threat. They needed protection.
The West Australian Fishing Industry Council says trust in fisheries management has been hurt. The council's chief executive told the hearing the government's approach needs careful review.
Decisions must be based on good science. A former chief scientist of the department questioned whether it had the right expertise.
He pointed to errors in the stock research. The inquiry will report by June next year.
- pink snapper, red emperor, dhufish
- Three species banned
- at least 20 years of letters to ministers
- WAFIC concern duration
Why it mattersThe ban affects amateur and professional fishing sectors. It affects fish prices for households. It affects the livelihoods of fishing families and retailers.
AustraliaWA residents are paying more for locally caught fish as commercial access is reduced, and fishing families have lost licences or seen catches halved.
