WAFIC

Resource Access

Resource access or more particularly security of access to fisheries resources is fundamental to delivering profitable and responsible use of fish stocks.

There are some 40 managed fisheries and a number of endorsement fisheries in Western Australia that fall into 'rights based' fisheries management systems. Most of these rights are tradable, based either on individual tradable quota units (eg Shark Bay snapper kilograms, abalone kilograms and pilchard kilograms) or, on individual tradable effort units (eg rock lobster pots, trawl gear units and Kimberley demersal fish fishing days). For pearling and aquaculture the government has allocated licenses and leases to enable these activities and has put in place processes by which new licenses and leases may be allocated.

For many of these management systems government has encouraged market based systems for reallocation of quota units, gear units and lease areas. Individuals are free to enter, to expand or to diminish their holdings or to exit the management system. Market based secure fishing right systems are consistent with National Competition Policy principles.

The public benefits from tradable rights based management systems have been demonstrated and include:

• Sustainable and profitable fisheries;
• Stewardship of the resource by rights holders based on substantial investments in licenses, leases and infrastructure and a desire to maintain and enhance those investments (that is rights holders give up immediate gains for long term benefits);
• Incentives for co-operative behavior between rights holders;
• Freedom for all individuals to determine their level of participation in economic activities on marine resources adjacent to Western Australia; and
  
• Ongoing assessment of fisheries impact on marine systems and a commitment and the wealth to assess impacts and apply remedies if appropriate.