3/2/06
Fisheries Minister Jon Ford has given the community a final opportunity for input to determine management arrangements for Western Australia's scalefish (wetline) fisheries.
Wetline fishing typically involves using hand lines or drop lines to catch fish such as dhufish or snapper.
Mr Ford said stakeholders had already been extensively consulted throughout the process and most agreed that there was an urgent need for more intensive management of scalefish stocks.
"However, in moving to more intensive management, it is important to have a fair and equitable process to determine who can operate in the fishery," he said.
"I have therefore decided to release the reports to provide a further opportunity for comment prior to determining future management arrangements."
Recommendations for future management of wetline fishing are contained in reports from two independent panels, which have conducted reviews for the Western Australian Government over the past three years.
"These reviews were established because there was a need to have more control on catch levels and fishing effort," Mr Ford said.
The Minister said submissions received to date during the consultation process, as well as from public comments on the draft reports, pointed to increasing pressure from both the recreational and commercial sectors to implement changes to WA's commercial scalefish fishery.
"About 120 submissions were received in response to the draft reports by the two independent panels," he said.
"As a result, both panels reconvened and reconsidered their proposals, before finalising their recommendations late last year.
"For the majority of commercial fishers, their primary concern is whether and how much access they will get to the State's wetline fishery, which currently generates about $6million a year for WA's economy."
Mr Ford said the review also showed that, for those commercial fishers who did not have a solid history of targeting scalefish, their main concern was whether they would be permitted to continue taking a feed of fish for their families.
Reports will be mailed to all fishing boat licence holders and copies are available from the Department of Fisheries or online at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au
Any additional submissions should be forwarded to the Minister's office before March 24.
"This has been an extensive and consultative approach to developing recommendations for management of this commercial fishery, to help ensure fish for the future," Mr Ford said.
"The State Government is protecting and enhancing WA's unique lifestyle and environment."
Minister's Office - 9213 7200
