Industry warns of conservation strain in South West fishing after State Government’s demersal fishing move

Industry leaders have warned a new move by the State Government to extend the recreational and charter spring demersal fishing period will put pressure on an already strained industry. The scheme was announced by Fisheries Minister Don Punch last week after the Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme which saw roughly 38.5 tonnes of fishing entitlements sold back to the government. The spring opening period will now be extended from two to four weeks between 16 September and 14 October. Demersal scalefish include those that swim along the bottom of the water and often live near the bottom of the ocean floor. They include pink snapper, dhufish and gropers. WAFIC chief executive Darryl Hockey said the move would put pressure on the industry and environment. “We’re concerned that this will place extra recreational fishing pressures on a really important fishery at the wrong time,” he said. “It will introduce sustainability pressures upon the fishery and it’s also ensuring that undue pressure is also put on the commercial fisheries and make it more difficult to be able to supply fresh local fish to the local community.” Mr Hockey said the industry would continue to suffer if similar moves were made. “It’s a death by 1000 cuts really,” he said. “This by itself is going to introduce some pressures and there’s a whole range of other things as well which are causing pressures off the fisheries. “The Government needs to look at these cumulative impacts and act to try to preserve the commercial fisheries to make sure that we can continue with the supply of fish.” Fisheries Minister Don Punch said the move was a win for all. “The outcomes of the Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme are a genuine win-win-win scenario in very difficult circumstances for this critical fishery,” he said. “I’m pleased we were able to achieve this result through a voluntary scheme, delivering a very fair price to commercial fishers. “Higher than expected uptake from the commercial sector meant a decision on allocation had to be made and I have made a balanced decision in the public interest.” Mr Punch said the move would not impact sustainability. “I was aware of each sector body’s preferences and it was simply not possible to accommodate all of them,” he said. “This temporary allocation to relieve pressure on the charter and recreational sectors does not increase the total amount of fish that can be caught or impact on sustainability.”