❓ A parliamentary question regarding the impact of new shark fishing management plans on wet-line (scale fish) fisherman in Western Australia, focusing on restrictions, compensation, and sustainability. The Minister's response defends the new measures and their rationale.
AnsweredQoN 1428Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Minister to the “Approved Management Changes in the Management of Shark Stocks and the State’s Shark Fisheries” document and ask -
(1) Given there is pressure on the shark fishery of Western Australia, why are Wet-line (scale fish) fisherman restricted from taking shark as a by-catch, which are not a targeted species by this group when, conversely, shark fishermen are allowed to continue the practice of using nets for sharking which take all other species in their path, while allowing their non-target scale fish as a by-catch?
(2) The changes implemented under the management plan has destabilised the security and dollar value of the Wet-line (scale fish) fishing licences. Given this, what measures are being undertaken to compensate current Wet-line (scale fish) fisherman to maintain the value of their licences and the viability of the scale fishing industry?
(3) If not, why not?
(4) Under the new management plan, referring to the 200 metre isobath restrictions, will Wet-line fishers be able to catch and land shark species outside of the 200 metre isobath as a by-catch?
(5) If not, why is the 200 metre isobath identified as a restrictive boundary in the management plan?
(6) Why, under the new management plan are Wet-line (scale fish) fisherman unable to utilise short wire traces in the pursuit of target scale fish species, when this restriction will greatly increase hook and line replacement and therefore cost to the Wet-line (scale fish) fisherman?
(7) If there is serious pressure on the Western Australian shark fishery, why is it that a full and complete closure of the fishery is not undertaken, so that conclusive research can be conducted and a subsequent sustainable management plan created?
(1) Given there is pressure on the shark fishery of Western Australia, why are Wet-line (scale fish) fisherman restricted from taking shark as a by-catch, which are not a targeted species by this group when, conversely, shark fishermen are allowed to continue the practice of using nets for sharking which take all other species in their path, while allowing their non-target scale fish as a by-catch?
(2) The changes implemented under the management plan has destabilised the security and dollar value of the Wet-line (scale fish) fishing licences. Given this, what measures are being undertaken to compensate current Wet-line (scale fish) fisherman to maintain the value of their licences and the viability of the scale fishing industry?
(3) If not, why not?
(4) Under the new management plan, referring to the 200 metre isobath restrictions, will Wet-line fishers be able to catch and land shark species outside of the 200 metre isobath as a by-catch?
(5) If not, why is the 200 metre isobath identified as a restrictive boundary in the management plan?
(6) Why, under the new management plan are Wet-line (scale fish) fisherman unable to utilise short wire traces in the pursuit of target scale fish species, when this restriction will greatly increase hook and line replacement and therefore cost to the Wet-line (scale fish) fisherman?
(7) If there is serious pressure on the Western Australian shark fishery, why is it that a full and complete closure of the fishery is not undertaken, so that conclusive research can be conducted and a subsequent sustainable management plan created?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 September 2006
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Fisheries
Response time
29 days
(2) - (3) The Department has advised me that it has no evidence that the change in management of shark fishing will have any significant impact on the long-term value of wetline entitlements. Therefore there are no plans to compensate the Wetline fishery arising from this management initiative. (4) No. Wetliners will not be able to fish for sharks inside or outside this 200 metre isobath line unless they also hold demersal gillnet and demersal longline (shark) fishing authorisations. As the 200-metre isobath line refers to a seasonal closure in the shark fishery that is designed to specifically assist in the recovery of the historically overfished whiskery shark stock. Consequently, allowing wetliners to also target sharks in water greater than 200 metres in depth would potentially increase the catch of deep-water sharks which are particularly susceptible to overfishing, and undermine the current shark management package. (5) The two temperate shark fisheries are the main source of supply of shark for the regional and metropolitan "fish and chips" markets. They are also a significant component in supplying the local retail scale fish market. These species are mainly caught inshore of the 200-metre isobath, mainly for flesh. In contrast, those commercial fishers targeting large sharks mostly in waters greater than 200-metres generally take them for their fins only as the flesh from large sharks contain too much mercury to be used for human consumption. In view of this I do not consider there is a strong case to justify allowing wetliners to target larger sharks for fins outside or inside 200 metres. (6) Wire traces and large hooks are generally only used to target large sharks for fins. Even if used to target scalefish such gear will have an incidental and undesirable catch of sharks and many of these will die after being hooked. While it is acknowledged that there may be a small increase in damaged fishing gear due to sharks biting through non-metal traces, as the vast majority of wetliners do not currently use wire traces, this does not appear to be a significant concern and should not have any material impact on wetliners' operating costs. In any event, these measures are considered necessary to reduce the mortality of the large breeding sharks to help assist in the recovery of at-risk and depleted Western Australian shark stocks. (7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
(4) No. Wetliners will not be able to fish for sharks inside or outside this 200 metre isobath line unless they also hold demersal gillnet and demersal longline (shark) fishing authorisations. As the 200-metre isobath line refers to a seasonal closure in the shark fishery that is designed to specifically assist in the recovery of the historically overfished whiskery shark stock. Consequently, allowing wetliners to also target sharks in water greater than 200 metres in depth would potentially increase the catch of deep-water sharks which are particularly susceptible to overfishing, and undermine the current shark management package. (5) The two temperate shark fisheries are the main source of supply of shark for the regional and metropolitan "fish and chips" markets. They are also a significant component in supplying the local retail scale fish market. These species are mainly caught inshore of the 200-metre isobath, mainly for flesh. In contrast, those commercial fishers targeting large sharks mostly in waters greater than 200-metres generally take them for their fins only as the flesh from large sharks contain too much mercury to be used for human consumption. In view of this I do not consider there is a strong case to justify allowing wetliners to target larger sharks for fins outside or inside 200 metres. (6) Wire traces and large hooks are generally only used to target large sharks for fins. Even if used to target scalefish such gear will have an incidental and undesirable catch of sharks and many of these will die after being hooked. While it is acknowledged that there may be a small increase in damaged fishing gear due to sharks biting through non-metal traces, as the vast majority of wetliners do not currently use wire traces, this does not appear to be a significant concern and should not have any material impact on wetliners' operating costs. In any event, these measures are considered necessary to reduce the mortality of the large breeding sharks to help assist in the recovery of at-risk and depleted Western Australian shark stocks. (7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
(5) The two temperate shark fisheries are the main source of supply of shark for the regional and metropolitan "fish and chips" markets. They are also a significant component in supplying the local retail scale fish market. These species are mainly caught inshore of the 200-metre isobath, mainly for flesh. In contrast, those commercial fishers targeting large sharks mostly in waters greater than 200-metres generally take them for their fins only as the flesh from large sharks contain too much mercury to be used for human consumption. In view of this I do not consider there is a strong case to justify allowing wetliners to target larger sharks for fins outside or inside 200 metres. (6) Wire traces and large hooks are generally only used to target large sharks for fins. Even if used to target scalefish such gear will have an incidental and undesirable catch of sharks and many of these will die after being hooked. While it is acknowledged that there may be a small increase in damaged fishing gear due to sharks biting through non-metal traces, as the vast majority of wetliners do not currently use wire traces, this does not appear to be a significant concern and should not have any material impact on wetliners' operating costs. In any event, these measures are considered necessary to reduce the mortality of the large breeding sharks to help assist in the recovery of at-risk and depleted Western Australian shark stocks. (7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
(6) Wire traces and large hooks are generally only used to target large sharks for fins. Even if used to target scalefish such gear will have an incidental and undesirable catch of sharks and many of these will die after being hooked. While it is acknowledged that there may be a small increase in damaged fishing gear due to sharks biting through non-metal traces, as the vast majority of wetliners do not currently use wire traces, this does not appear to be a significant concern and should not have any material impact on wetliners' operating costs. In any event, these measures are considered necessary to reduce the mortality of the large breeding sharks to help assist in the recovery of at-risk and depleted Western Australian shark stocks. (7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
(7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
(4) No. Wetliners will not be able to fish for sharks inside or outside this 200 metre isobath line unless they also hold demersal gillnet and demersal longline (shark) fishing authorisations. As the 200-metre isobath line refers to a seasonal closure in the shark fishery that is designed to specifically assist in the recovery of the historically overfished whiskery shark stock. Consequently, allowing wetliners to also target sharks in water greater than 200 metres in depth would potentially increase the catch of deep-water sharks which are particularly susceptible to overfishing, and undermine the current shark management package. (5) The two temperate shark fisheries are the main source of supply of shark for the regional and metropolitan "fish and chips" markets. They are also a significant component in supplying the local retail scale fish market. These species are mainly caught inshore of the 200-metre isobath, mainly for flesh. In contrast, those commercial fishers targeting large sharks mostly in waters greater than 200-metres generally take them for their fins only as the flesh from large sharks contain too much mercury to be used for human consumption. In view of this I do not consider there is a strong case to justify allowing wetliners to target larger sharks for fins outside or inside 200 metres. (6) Wire traces and large hooks are generally only used to target large sharks for fins. Even if used to target scalefish such gear will have an incidental and undesirable catch of sharks and many of these will die after being hooked. While it is acknowledged that there may be a small increase in damaged fishing gear due to sharks biting through non-metal traces, as the vast majority of wetliners do not currently use wire traces, this does not appear to be a significant concern and should not have any material impact on wetliners' operating costs. In any event, these measures are considered necessary to reduce the mortality of the large breeding sharks to help assist in the recovery of at-risk and depleted Western Australian shark stocks. (7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
(5) The two temperate shark fisheries are the main source of supply of shark for the regional and metropolitan "fish and chips" markets. They are also a significant component in supplying the local retail scale fish market. These species are mainly caught inshore of the 200-metre isobath, mainly for flesh. In contrast, those commercial fishers targeting large sharks mostly in waters greater than 200-metres generally take them for their fins only as the flesh from large sharks contain too much mercury to be used for human consumption. In view of this I do not consider there is a strong case to justify allowing wetliners to target larger sharks for fins outside or inside 200 metres. (6) Wire traces and large hooks are generally only used to target large sharks for fins. Even if used to target scalefish such gear will have an incidental and undesirable catch of sharks and many of these will die after being hooked. While it is acknowledged that there may be a small increase in damaged fishing gear due to sharks biting through non-metal traces, as the vast majority of wetliners do not currently use wire traces, this does not appear to be a significant concern and should not have any material impact on wetliners' operating costs. In any event, these measures are considered necessary to reduce the mortality of the large breeding sharks to help assist in the recovery of at-risk and depleted Western Australian shark stocks. (7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
(6) Wire traces and large hooks are generally only used to target large sharks for fins. Even if used to target scalefish such gear will have an incidental and undesirable catch of sharks and many of these will die after being hooked. While it is acknowledged that there may be a small increase in damaged fishing gear due to sharks biting through non-metal traces, as the vast majority of wetliners do not currently use wire traces, this does not appear to be a significant concern and should not have any material impact on wetliners' operating costs. In any event, these measures are considered necessary to reduce the mortality of the large breeding sharks to help assist in the recovery of at-risk and depleted Western Australian shark stocks. (7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
(7) I did give serious consideration to closing these shark fisheries and their operations will remain under constant review. However, the Department has advised me that, with the comprehensive package of new shark conservation and management measures this was not necessary. I also note that, despite concerns with some shark stocks, the Western Australian shark fisheries are viewed as amongst the best managed and well researched in the world and it is considered that the measures now being introduced will be sufficient to ensure their ongoing sustainability. This has been recognised by the Commonwealth's Department of Environment and Heritage that has supported Wildlife Trade Operation export approval for these fisheries on the basis of the new management measures. As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
As you can see the issue of shark stock management is serious and complex. If the Leader of the Opposition, his colleagues or other members of the House need further information or have further questions on this matter, I would be happy for the Department's scientists and Fisheries managers to provide a full briefing covering the current status of stocks and the measures now being taken to ensure the conservation and recovery of at-risk Western Australian shark stocks.
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