- Cook Government leads critical science and management forum to protect 'at risk' demersal fish stocks for the future
- Scientific stock assessments, reviewed by an international expert, show key WA demersal species are under severe threat
- Long-term fisheries management solutions needed to rebuild fish stocks
Key stakeholders from across the fishing community have come together to take part in the Fishing Futures Forum and play their part in ensuring there are Western Australian demersal fish for the future.
The latest scientific stock assessments for WA's demersal species show depleted stock levels along much of the State's coastline, prompting urgent action to enable stocks to recover.
The Cook Government has called on representatives from the recreational, commercial, and charter fishing sectors, scientists, small businesses, and the wider community to be part of the solution.
The forum aims to co-develop guiding principles to inform government decisions and generate practical, forward-thinking ideas that support long-term sustainability.
Participants will include peak bodies representing WA's commercial sector, recreational fishers, and charter tourism, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council, Recfishwest, and Marine Tourism WA.
They will be joined by representatives from fishing and boat clubs, seafood businesses and tackle shops, the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Committee, WA universities, and marine conservation organisations.
The forum will be led by independent facilitator Susanna Durston, while Fisheries Research and Development Corporation managing director Sean Sloan, South Australian Research and Development Institute research scientist Dr Troy Rogers, and Australian Fisheries Management Authority senior manager Dan Corrie will provide insights from State and Commonwealth fisheries.
Participants will have the opportunity to have their say and share their ideas on the future management of WA's demersal fisheries throughout the forum.
The government will consider the outcomes of the forum to help guide management decisions that need to be made by the end of the year.
The stock assessments for WA's demersal species have been independently reviewed by international expert and CSIRO scientist Professor Andr E. Punt.
To review the latest demersal science, including stock assessments and recreational fisheries survey results, and to have your say, visit: www.dpird.wa.gov.au/demersal-scalefish-resources .
Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"We know that several demersal species State-wide are under serious threat from continued fishing pressure, including pink snapper, red emperor, and dhufish - which is only found in WA.
"Our fisheries make a significant contribution to the WA economy and lifestyle, and we want to ensure our kids and grandkids can enjoy the same fishing opportunities as we can today.
"Today is an important step in protecting the long-term sustainability of our demersal fish.
"I want to thank everyone for coming together to be part of the solution and understanding the need to work together to protect this shared resource.
"I've been very clear, that we need all management options on the table and I urge everyone who cares about our demersal fish to have their say so we have fish for the future."
