THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY
Western Australia’s pristine coastline produces the world’s highest quality seafood, harvested from clean, carefully managed waters. Our commercial fishing industry drives over $1 billion annually into the State’s economy, serving as the economic backbone for coastal communities from Wyndham to Esperance. With 10,000 Western Australians employed across catching, processing, exporting and retail, commercial fishing isn’t just an industry—it’s essential to our state’s identity, prosperity, and future.
OUR MISSION
WAFIC seeks to achieve its Mission’s objectives in an atmosphere of cooperation, to ensure the value, security and sustainability of commercial fishing, pearling and aquaculture in Western Australia.
Mental Health
Commercial fishing has always been physically demanding, but today’s fishers are carrying far more than the weight of a long day at sea. Shrinking access to fishing grounds, rising operational costs, and rapid regulatory change are adding significant pressure to an already challenging way of life. If you or someone you know is feeling the strain, there is support available.
LATEST SCOOP
-
30 Oct 2025
Have your say on fatigue management
Read MoreIn 2024-2025, AMSA delivered an education campaign on fatigue management, aimed at improving industry understanding and compliance. This work will continue into 2025-2026, with a focus on practical strategies and tools that can be readily adopted by owners/operators and crew. To ensure this campaign meets the real-world needs of industry, AMSA is seeking input, particularly […]
-
30 Oct 2025
Wheelhouse standards to be updated from 1 September 2027
Read MoreStandards for wheelhouse visibility, escape, accommodation and personal safety are scheduled for updates from 1 September 2027. The updated NSCV Part C1 edition will be introduced and apply to: Newly constructed vessels Existing vessels that undergo modifications to the existing arrangement, accommodation and personal safety aspects of that vessel. Several fatalities in recent years have […]
-
29 Oct 2025
Workers have health and safety obligations too
Read MoreEveryone knows employers have health and safety obligation, but did you know every employee has a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and for others in the workplace. A worker is any person who carries out work for a business, which can include: an employee a contractor a subcontractor a […]
KEY ISSUES
Cumulative Threats
Marine Parks, Spatial Squeeze, Climate Change.
Food Security
Feeding WA, Fighting Illegal Fishing and Seafood Fraud.
Futureproofing
Research and development.
Sustainable Fisheries
Bycatch reduction, Sustainable Fisheries, Digital transformation.
Resource Access
Current EIAs, Fisheries Liaison and Impact Assessment.
Industry Advocation
Stakeholder engagement, regional engagement.
JOIN US
Together, we’re building a sustainable and profitable future for our ocean industries. With your support we can work to provide sustainable, clean, healthy and local seafood to our community.
Follow us
