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 and pearling 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 NEWS
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21 Oct 2026
VFAS process 10x over-subscribed
Read MoreLicence holders are now beginning to receive letters from the Minister providing an update on the Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (VFAS) and its progress to date. While it is encouraging to see movement in the process, the correspondence confirms what WAFIC has been highlighting since the scheme was announced: the funding allocation was never going […]
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21 Oct 2026
Industry consultation on workforce shortages
Read MoreWorkforce shortages are among the issues most consistently raised by industry in discussion with post-harvest seafood jobs skills council, Skills Insight. Jobs skills councils, such as Skills Insight, are critical pathways to workforce policy development within government. Industries that Skills Insight supports, which includes employers, workers, industry associations, unions and training providers, continue to report […]
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20 Oct 2026
Mental Health update – Finding the right work-life balance
Read MoreHow many times have we heard the phrase getting the balance right; what does this even mean? If we look up the word balance in the dictionary we will find 18 definitions, depending of course on the way in which the word is used. The context of a work/life balance also depends on individual circumstance […]
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.
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