DPIRD launches fisheries compensation process
As part of its process to progress the recent changes to commercial fishing, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has released new information on how to apply for compulsory and voluntary fisheries adjustment schemes.
The compulsory licence buy-back relates to fishers impacted by the recent closure of the following fisheries in the West Coast Bioregion. The voluntary buy-back relates to a number of fisheries listed below.
Compulsory Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (CFAS)
The Minister has previously announced the establishment of a compulsory fisheries adjustment scheme to apply to the below fisheries:
- Zone 1 and Zone 3 of the Southern Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Managed Fishery;
- West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Interim Managed Fishery; and
- South-West Area and Mid-West Area of the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Interim Managed Fishery.
A notice establishing the Scheme was published in the Government Gazette on 10 April 2026 and sets out how affected persons can apply for compensation and the timeframe for doing this.
Application for Compensation
Impacted persons are now invited to apply for compensation online at https://dpird.smartygrants.com.au/CFAS2026, or returned by email or mail.
CFAS applications must be received by 4:30 pm on 22 May 2026.
Upon receiving your application, you will be contacted to determine the compensation amount and advise on the process for payment.
A process is available for instances where agreement on compensation is not reached.
If you have any queries, please email [email protected] or call 1300 374 731.
Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (VFAS)
Following advice provided by the Kimberley and South Coast Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme Committee of Management, the Minister for Fisheries has approved the establishment of a Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme (VFAS) for the following fisheries:
- Abalone Managed Fishery – Area 1, 2, 3, 5
- Kimberley Crab Managed Fishery
- Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Managed Fishery
- Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery
- Marine Aquarium Managed Fishery
- Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery – Area 1
- Octopus Interim Managed Fishery – Zone 3
- South Coast Crustacean Managed Fishery – Zone 2, 3 and 4
- South Coast Line and Fish Trap Managed Fishery
- South Coast Nearshore Net Managed Fishery
- South Coast Purse Seine Managed Fishery – Zone 3 and 4
- South Coast Salmon Managed Fishery
- Southern Demersal Gillnet & Demersal Longline Managed Fishery – Zone 2
- Specimen Shell Managed Fishery
A VFAS Notice for each fishery will be gazetted in the Government Gazette today, Friday, 10 April 2026.
A public notice inviting eligible persons to submit offers to the VFAS will be placed in The West Australian newspaper on Saturday, 11 April 2026.
Applying to the VFAS
The VFAS is available to persons who hold an authorisation to fish in one or more of the fisheries to submit an offer to surrender an authorisation or parts of an entitlement and associated Fishing Boat Licence in accordance with the terms of the relevant VFAS.
The VFAS is open for offers until 29 May 2026.
Participation in the VFAS is completely voluntary. If you don’t wish to surrender your licence and/or entitlement, you do not need to submit an application.
Applications will open for online submission on 10 April 2026 and can be lodged via the following link – https://dpird.smartygrants.com.au/VFAS2026
Valuation of Authorisations and Entitlement
Valuation of authorisations (and units of entitlement, if applicable) will be reviewed by the Committee of Management and informed by the Compensation Working Group Final Report (CWG Final Report). The Final Report can be accessed from the DPIRD digital library at https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/fish_publishedrpts/13/.
If you have any queries, please email [email protected]