Key Takeaways:
- The Western Australian government has announced a wide-ranging commercial demersal fishing ban in the West Coast fishing zone, effective from September 2027.
- The ban will impact commercial fishermen, seafood suppliers, and restaurants, and is expected to lead to price hikes and reduced availability of local seafood.
- The government has announced support packages for affected fishermen, including a $20 million license buyback scheme, but many in the industry consider this inadequate.
- The ban is intended to protect plummeting fish stocks of demersal species, but some in the industry question the figures used to drive the decision-making and the lack of consultation.
- The ban will also prevent recreational fishers from catching demersal species from a boat until 2027, and will end commercial shark fishing in the West Coast and Southern regions.
Introduction to the Ban
The Western Australian government’s recent announcement of a commercial demersal fishing ban in the West Coast fishing zone has sent shockwaves through the fishing industry. For Margaret River fisherman Verne Wilde, the news was particularly devastating, as it means he will have to wind down his 25-year career as a fisherman in less than a month. Wilde’s fishing method, which involves catching fish by hand and dry-filleting them on land, is a slower and more labor-intensive process, but it results in high-quality seafood that is prized by professional cooks and restaurants.
Impact on the Fishing Industry
The ban will have a significant impact on the fishing industry, with many commercial fishermen facing an uncertain future. Phil Clark of Fins Seafood, a seafood distributor and small bar, notes that the ban will result in a significant reduction in the amount of local seafood available to consumers. The Pilbara trawler fishery, which harvested 2485 tonnes of seafood between 2022 and 2023, will be particularly affected, and Clark estimates that this will result in a loss of 30-40 tonnes of fish per week. This will not only impact the fishing industry but also the wider local economy, including restaurants and seafood suppliers.
Concerns About the Ban
Many in the industry are questioning the figures used to drive the decision-making behind the ban, as well as the lack of consultation with industry stakeholders. Anthony Haslewood of Revolution Fisheries feels that the situation "seems kind of elitist," and that the ban will unfairly impact commercial fishermen who have invested significant amounts of money in their businesses. Chef Blaze Young, executive chef of Edward & Ida’s, Nieuw Ruin, and Foxtrot Unicorn, notes that the ban will have a ripple effect throughout the industry, impacting not just fishermen but also restaurants, seafood suppliers, and the wider local economy.
Government Support
The government has announced support packages for affected fishermen, including a $20 million license buyback scheme and $3.3 million for tackle shop rebates. However, many in the industry consider these amounts to be inadequate, and note that the buyback scheme only offers about 25 cents to the dollar of what some operators paid for their licenses. Verne Wilde, for example, would rather be fishing than receiving a payout, and notes that the experience of being out at sea, surrounded by whales, dolphins, and other marine life, is "pretty special."
Conclusion
The commercial demersal fishing ban in the West Coast fishing zone is a significant development that will have far-reaching impacts on the fishing industry, restaurants, and consumers. While the government has announced support packages for affected fishermen, many in the industry consider these to be inadequate. As the industry adjusts to this new reality, it remains to be seen how the ban will affect the availability and price of local seafood, and what the long-term impacts will be on the wider local economy. One thing is certain, however: the ban will have a profound impact on the lives of commercial fishermen like Verne Wilde, who will have to find new ways to make a living after the ban comes into effect.