Licence 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 to be sufficient to meet the level of demand across the affected fisheries.
In her letter, the Minister acknowledges that the VFAS has been significantly oversubscribed, with a large number of applications received and requests from fishers totalling around ten times the funding originally anticipated.
The government is now seeking additional funding to address this shortfall, which is a positive step and recognition of the scale of the challenge facing the industry.
However, frustration remains around the time it has taken to reach this point. The VFAS closed on 29 May 2026, meaning the department has known for months that demand far exceeded available funding. Given that application numbers, participating fisheries and funding requirements would have been known soon after the scheme closed, many licence holders are questioning why it has taken so long for this information to be formally communicated and for additional funding discussions to commence.
The Minister has also advised that the government will now undertake negotiations with licence holders on a fishery-by-fishery basis, including the provision of counteroffers. While this approach may be intended to work through the complexities of individual fisheries, it has understandably created concern among participants who are already dealing with significant uncertainty about their futures and the value of their businesses.
The Minister has further advised that the VFAS timeline has effectively been extended, with the scheme now expected to remain open until December 2027. WAFIC is seeking further clarification and advice on what this extension may have on the implementation of the South Coast Marine Park. While the marine park zoning has not been gazetted yet, the announcement has created further uncertainty and stopped investment.
While progress is being made, industry members are understandably looking for greater certainty and a clearer pathway forward. WAFIC will continue to advocate for a process that delivers fair, timely and appropriate outcomes for affected fishers and their families.