Key Takeaways
- A protest against the upcoming ban on demersal fishing in Western Australia has resulted in 200 kilograms of shark heads being dumped outside the office of WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis.
- The demonstration, which included a message inscribed on fishing overalls, was organized by a group of recreational and commercial fishers who feel ignored by the state government.
- The ban on commercial demersal fishing is set to come into effect on January 1, while recreational fishing for demersal fish has been banned since December 16.
- The state government has announced a $29.2 million Fisheries Support Package to assist the commercial and recreational sectors, but fishers claim it is not enough.
- Further protests are planned, with organizers threatening to take their demonstration to Perth if their concerns are not addressed.
Introduction to the Protest
The Western Australian police have confirmed that two men are in custody after a dramatic protest against the upcoming ban on demersal fishing. The protest, which involved dumping 200 kilograms of shark heads outside the office of WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis, was organized by a group of recreational and commercial fishers who are opposed to the ban. The demonstration, which took place in Margaret River, 270 kilometers south of Perth, included a message inscribed on fishing overalls, which was meant to convey the fishers’ frustration and anger towards the state government.
The Reason Behind the Protest
The protest was sparked by the state government’s decision to impose a permanent ban on commercial demersal fishing along 900 kilometers of the West Coast, from Kalbarri to Augusta. The ban, which is set to come into effect on January 1, has been met with widespread criticism from the fishing community, who claim that it will have a devastating impact on their livelihoods. Recreational fishing for demersal fish has already been banned since December 16, and the commercial ban is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the industry. The fishers who organized the protest claim that they have been ignored by the state government and that their concerns have not been taken into account.
The State Government’s Response
The WA Fisheries Minister, Jackie Jarvis, has defended the decision to impose the ban, stating that it was made after extensive consultation with the industry and the community. The state government has also announced a $29.2 million Fisheries Support Package to assist the commercial and recreational sectors, but fishers claim that it is not enough. The minister’s spokesperson stated that the reforms are necessary to save demersal fish for future generations and that everyone who has an interest in these fish stocks is being urged to play their part. However, the fishers who organized the protest claim that the government is not listening to their concerns and that they are being forced to take drastic action to make their voices heard.
The Protesters’ Demands
The organizers of the protest, including Mason Jones, a recreational fisher from Bunbury, claim that they are not being heard by the state government. Jones stated that the minister has dodged their phone calls and has not provided any answers to their questions. The protesters are demanding that the government come to the table and listen to their concerns, and they are threatening to take further action if their demands are not met. Jones stated that the shark head incident was just the start, and that more protests are planned for the future. The protesters are determined to make their voices heard and to fight against the ban, which they claim will have a devastating impact on their livelihoods.
The Police Investigation
The WA police have confirmed that two men have been taken into custody in connection with the protest, but no charges have been laid. Inquiries are continuing, and the police are investigating the incident. The WA Nationals Leader, Shane Love, has stated that he does not condone the actions of the protesters, but he understands that people are feeling frustrated and angry. The incident has highlighted the deep-seated concerns of the fishing community, who feel that they are being ignored by the state government. The protest has sparked a wider debate about the impact of the ban on the fishing industry and the community, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days and weeks.