❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses finfish abundance trends, fishing permissions, and the impact of rock lobster management on reef observation areas in the Abrolhos Islands. The Minister acknowledges overfishing and outlines measures to reduce catches.
AnsweredQoN 46Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ABROLHOS ISLANDS REEF OBSERVATION AREAS
I refer to the Abrolhos Islands. (1) What are the current trends in the abundance of baldchin groper, coral trout and other high risk finfish species within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (2) Are rock lobster licence holders permitted to fish for finfish within the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (3) What contribution have changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—made to the decline in high risk finfish in the reef observation areas? (4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE
I refer to the Abrolhos Islands. (1) What are the current trends in the abundance of baldchin groper, coral trout and other high risk finfish species within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (2) Are rock lobster licence holders permitted to fish for finfish within the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (3) What contribution have changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—made to the decline in high risk finfish in the reef observation areas? (4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(1) What are the current trends in the abundance of baldchin groper, coral trout and other high risk finfish species within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (2) Are rock lobster licence holders permitted to fish for finfish within the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (3) What contribution have changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—made to the decline in high risk finfish in the reef observation areas? (4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(2) Are rock lobster licence holders permitted to fish for finfish within the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (3) What contribution have changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—made to the decline in high risk finfish in the reef observation areas? (4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(3) What contribution have changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—made to the decline in high risk finfish in the reef observation areas? (4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(1) What are the current trends in the abundance of baldchin groper, coral trout and other high risk finfish species within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (2) Are rock lobster licence holders permitted to fish for finfish within the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (3) What contribution have changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—made to the decline in high risk finfish in the reef observation areas? (4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(2) Are rock lobster licence holders permitted to fish for finfish within the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? (3) What contribution have changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—made to the decline in high risk finfish in the reef observation areas? (4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(3) What contribution have changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—made to the decline in high risk finfish in the reef observation areas? (4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(4) What does the minister propose to do about the decline of these high risk species in the Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(1) Research conducted by the Department of Fisheries has shown that the key indicator species for demersal scalefish stocks on the west coast—which includes WA dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper for the Abrolhos Islands—are subject to overfishing. The department’s research did not specifically focus on the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands. I note previous research conducted by the University of Western Australia indicates that the mean size and abundance of several species of high risk finfish is greater in the reef observation areas than the other areas of the Abrolhos Islands open to fishing. (2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(2) Except for a limited number of rock lobster fishers on Beacon and Leo Islands, rock lobster licence holders are not permitted to fish for finfish within Abrolhos Islands’ reef observation areas. The commercial fishers who were resident on Beacon and Leo Islands prior to the introduction of the reef observation areas were provided non-transferable permission to fish by line from a boat in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. Additionally, a person using an attended handline or attended rod, reel and line is able to fish from a jetty in the reef observation areas at Beacon and Leo Islands. (3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(3) It is unlikely that the changes to the rock lobster management arrangements—specifically fishing days—have had any impact on, or caused any decline in, finfish stocks at the reef observation areas at the Abrolhos Islands given that, with the exception of the fishers referred to in answer (2), rock lobster and other fishers are not permitted to fish, other than by rock lobster pot, in the reef observation areas. (4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
(4) The government has introduced changes to commercial and recreational fishing arrangements aimed at reducing catches by at least 50 per cent in the west coast bioregion, including Abrolhos Islands. The government will take further action, if required, to meet the management objectives or address specific issues at Abrolhos Islands.
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