Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis has brought some surprises and a lot of disappointment for the WA fishing industry when she made her Captain’s Call on demersal fisheries.
The closure of the West Coast bioregion to demersal fishing, and the significant changes to the Pilbara are a massive blow to the industry that will have significant flow-on impacts to consumers, as well as allied industries, including food service, restaurants and many downstream industries.
Weeks later and the industry is still waiting on details as to how the government will manage compensation and a compulsory buy-back of licenses.
WAFIC is working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to ensure the industry has opportunities to meet and be informed.