Parliamentary Inquiry into fisheries gets green light
On Wednesday 17 June, the Legislative Council of the Parliament of Western Australia moved to direct the Environment and Public Affairs Committee to conduct an inquiry into matters related to the demersal fishing ban in Western Australia. Terms of Reference The Terms of Reference notes that the House directs the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs to inquire into and report on matters related to the impact of the Demersal Fishing Ban in Western Australia, including: The need for a clear, long-term plan for sustainable fisheries that supports all fishing stakeholders; The impact of marine parks, renewable energy developments, seismic blasting, illegal fishing, shark depredation, and other contemporary challenges on fish stocks and access; and Whether the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is adequately resourced to meet its responsibilities. The Standing Committee is to report no later than 12 months after this motion is agreed to.
Public submissions for the inquiry are now open until 3 August, 2026. More information and a link to submit your comments can be found on the WA Parliament website here. What happens next? Wednesday was a big day in Parliament for WA’s fishing industry with the approval for a Parliamentary Inquiry into fisheries management passed following a lengthy debate.
While the decision is being celebrated, the devil is always in the detail, and Parliamentarians will now work on the Terms of Reference to determine exactly what will be reviewed.
What is likely, is the inquiry will seek to learn more about fisheries funding, fisheries science and government decision-making. Seismic impacts will also be examined.
It’s important that fishers and impacted industry members now details their experiences as they relate to the Terms of Reference, in order to help inform the committee of the situation. These experiences will help determine the committee’s findings and recommendations when the report is tabled. While public submissions are only open until August 3, the committee will be researching for the next 12 months where they could call on witnesses to share their experiences.
WAFIC will be providing a written submission to the committee to ensure fishing industry views are presented but would actively encourage individual fishers and licence holders to also share their specific experiences, based on the Terms of Reference. After 12 months, the committee will table its report, which will detail their recommendations and findings. The State Government will then have two months to formally respond, according to the WA Parliament website. WAFIC actively encourages all fishers to participate in this important process.