- New trainee Fisheries and Marine Officers to bolster State-wide fisheries compliance
- Working with commercial and recreational fishers to administer fishing rules and regulations
- WA officers play vital role in ensuring there are fish for the future
Ten new trainee Fisheries and Marine Officers (FMOs) are now on deck to help boost fisheries compliance efforts across Western Australia.
The new officers graduated this month after completing a comprehensive four-month training program with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and will join more than 100 fisheries officers across the State.
The training included an introduction to the fisheries legal environment and FMO responsibilities, while joining compliance patrols to gain practical hands-on learning.
They also completed practical exercises on boarding vessels at sea as part of their role to prevent illegal fishing activity.
Marine safety was a key component of the trainee program to achieve a Coxswain Marine Qualification, overseen by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
The officers are equipped to work across both the commercial and recreational fishing sectors to promote awareness of and adherence to fishing regulations.
They will now be deployed to work with supervisors and senior officers to further develop their skills before a permanent placement in one of WA's coastal regions.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Western Australia's highly skilled fisheries officers are integral to ensuring the sustainability of the State's fisheries so that we have fish for generations to come.
"Step-by-step, the trainees have worked through all components of fisheries compliance operations in WA from educating fishers to prosecutions.
"Education and compliance are crucial to ensure WA fishers understand and follow the rules.
"The new graduates will strengthen our compliance presence across the State."
