Agreement to buy out commercial tropical rock lobster fishing licence

27/1/98

Recreational fishers in our State's North-West are expected to benefit from the recent 'buy-back' of a commercial tropical rock lobster fishing licence.

Fisheries Minister Monty House said today he had agreed to buy out the commercial endorsement held by Dampier tropical rock lobster fisherman Arnold Piccoli.

The move follows the introduction of new management arrangements by Fisheries Western Australia in June last year to relieve fishing pressure and protect tropical rock lobster stock numbers.

An interim arrangement was also introduced to reduce the recreational bag limit from eight to four per person, with a boat limit of eight.

The Minister said Mr Piccoli's endorsement has been purchased by the Government for $240,000.

"I am pleased we have been able to come to an agreement with Mr Piccoli which is to the satisfaction and benefit of all involved," Mr House said.

"Under this agreement, Mr Piccoli will be able to continue fishing outside the Dampier Archipelago until December 31 when the licence will be retired permanently.

"The purchase of this licence will considerably reduce the commercial catch of tropical rock lobster in the North-West.

"This will also result in a more equitable share of the resource between commercial and recreational fishers."

Mr House said the purchase was part of the State Government's $8 million set aside for fisheries adjustment purposes under its Resource Sharing Initiative for the fisheries sector.

The initiative is designed to reduce pressure on fishing stocks by commercial fishers and better share the fish resource between all users.

The Resource Sharing Initiative was established last year to provide opportunities to address resource sharing issues in the fisheries sector.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9481 2044