CEO Message: Developing a fair and effective model for compensation
Last week I travelled to Esperance to meet with a number of licence holders impacted by the South Coast and Great Kimberley Marine Parks.
The meetings confirmed the serious challenges of establishing a base market price for units of entitlement in small fisheries. Fishers were able to assess early what information the department holds on their respective fisheries, which would be used to inform the government-led and managed compensation process.
In some instances, fishers were able to identify shortcomings and suggest sources of information that could better inform the process ahead of a Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme opening.
The compensation working group is about improving processes. Timely, transparent, equitable and fair. We will put our best foot forward, as we have been invited to do so by the Minister, recognising that ultimately a decision on compensation rests with government.
While all this was taking place, the Minister tabled the long-awaited stock assessment and isurvey results of the demersal scalefish.
The results are exactly as WAFIC has been warning for many years. The failings of management were on full display as there has been little change in catch since benchmarks were revised in 2023. Minister Jarvis has publicly recognised what we all knew, the current plan is not working!
The Minister has declared, all options are on the table…… we cannot allow such a serious crisis go to waste, and so we will be taking forward essential reform recommendations to protect the demersals and the future of the commercial fishing industry.
In the meantime, the FRMA industry reference group has reconvened. The stakes are much higher in this current climate, but also present a unique opportunity for change.