LAST week the McGowan government released a discussion paper proposal that could see recreational fishers banned from fishing for the state’s iconic dhufish and pink snapper species for up to nine months of the year, while commercial fishing continues year round.
The proposal follows the state’s 50 per cent reduction in the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) total catch limit from 750 tonnes to 375t, to meet a 2030 recovery target for the resource.
Recfishwest–WA’s peak fishing body–says it is bitterly disappointed by the discussion paper released by the government on the future of WA’s dhufish and snapper fishery.
The discussion paper has ignored key recommendations put forward by Recfishwest, including a spawning closure to protect dhufish and a properly funded voluntary fisheries adjustment scheme to ensure a long-overdue fairer restructure of the fishery.
Recfishwest’s recommendations were developed following months of extensive consultation with the fishing community. Under the government’s proposals, WA’s 40,000 west coast demersal scalefish fishers could be locked out of fishing for dhufish and pink snapper for nine months a year.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “The package of recommendations we made to Government was well balanced and focussed on protecting the sustainability of the fish while delivering the best social and economic benefits.
“Whereas, the Government’s discussion paper suggests constraining the recreational sector to a nine-month closure, while commercial fishing continues all year round – this is completely unacceptable to our sector.
“The opportunity to set this fishery on a secure pathway through proper reforms should not be missed and this discussion paper represents a complete failure of fisheries policy which destroys value rather than creates it.
“The Minister has an obligation to ensure a sustainable catch delivers the highest and best use to the community and we believe the primary management measures outlined in today’s discussion paper do not even come close to achieving this.
“We will be examining the consultation papers we only received today and provide the fishing community with our thoughts to assist them in providing a response.”
