Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA has questioned the Cook Labor Government’s decision to impose a permanent commercial demersal fishing ban, despite departmental advice indicating fish stocks would recover under a full but temporary closure.
In Parliament yesterday, the Minister for Fisheries confirmed DPIRD had modelled stock recovery by 2040, raising serious questions about why the Government instead chose a permanent ban.
“If DPIRD’s own science showed demersal stocks could recover by 2040 under a full but temporary closure, the obvious question is: why has the Minister leapt straight to a permanent ban?”
“Western Australians deserve to know exactly what DPIRD recommended, including the timing, duration and conditions of any closure, and why the Government chose a far more extreme path.”Ms Warr said
“At the moment, all we have is a Minister making a captain’s call while refusing to show the science she claims to be following.”
Ms Warr said Opposition MPs had been overwhelmed by the level of distress and anger across the community since the ban was announced.
“Commercial operators, recreational fishers, processors, charter businesses, tourism operators, small hospitality venues, tackle shops and everyday mums and dads who love to fish are all reaching out in shock.”
“They are telling us about staff they may have to lay off, mortgages they may not be able to pay and family fishing traditions that have suddenly been ripped away.”
Ms Warr said the economic and social impacts of the decision would be felt far beyond the immediate demersal sector.
“These bans will hit regional economies from Kalbarri to Augusta, put extra pressure on fisheries and infrastructure in places that remain open, like Shark Bay, and drive more reliance on imported fish with all the biosecurity risks that come with that,” she said.
“Communities right across the State are telling us they feel treated as collateral damage in a decision that appears rushed, poorly planned and atrociously executed.”