Fisheries and Science Minister Dave Kelly has welcomed the focus, this Sustainable Seafood Week, on how Western Australia uses fisheries science to earn independent accreditation from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
Western Australia is a world leader in fisheries science and management, with 97 per cent of fished stocks in WA maintained at sustainable levels in 2018. Eight Western Australian fisheries now have the MSC independent tick of approval for sustainability.
Our fisheries that meet the rigorous standards for the MSC tick are the western rock lobster fishery, Exmouth Gulf and Shark Bay prawn fisheries, Peel-Harvey Estuary's blue swimmer crab and sea mullet fisheries, along with pearl oyster, west coast deep sea crab as well as the west and south coast abalone fishery.
Sustainable Seafood Week is a reminder for consumers to grab some fresh fish to celebrate and support the seafood industry and commercial fishers who work hard to supply fresh seafood to Australian and international consumers.
The week will include Science for Sustainability events co-hosted by the WA Fishing Industry Council, Recfishwest and MSC. This includes a free public lecture at the State Library Theatre on Wednesday evening (March 13) to highlight the science underpinning sustainable fisheries management.
National Seafood Week commences today and ends on Sunday, March 17. The week wraps up with Crab Fest, where the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will have good advice, great displays and family activities to help visitors learn sustainable fishing practices.
More than 100,000 visitors and Mandurah locals are expected at Crab Fest for our State's largest free community event. The event highlights the importance of the blue swimmer crab to commercial fishers and recreational fishers who enjoy crabbing in the Peel region.
As noted by Fisheries and Science Minister Dave Kelly:
"This week Western Australians celebrate the second annual Sustainable Seafood Week, after the idea was introduced last year by the Marine Stewardship Council.
"I'm proud WA is leading other Australian States to ensure seafood fished here, and enjoyed by seafood lovers interstate and worldwide, has the best science to support the management of the fisheries it comes from.
"As Fisheries Minister, I want to grow our fisheries sustainably to support and create WA jobs and further diversify our economy."
