❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the rock lobster industry's bait sourcing, inquiring about imported bait sustainability and potential conditions on industry funding. The Minister clarifies bait sources, sustainability measures, and funding pathways.
AnsweredQoN 3750Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the rock lobster industry, or some within the industry, use imported bait over local bait? (2) Will the Minister confirm that all imported bait used by the rock lobster industry is sourced from Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) certified and ecologically sustainable fisheries? (3) Will the Minister make it a condition of any monies paid to the rock lobster industry that they use local bait or imported bait sourced from MSC certified and ecologically sustainable fisheries only?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 February 2016
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries
Response time
91 days
(1) There is insufficient bait produced in WA to meet the needs of the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery. Most of the bait used in the fishery comes from New Zealand and consists of blue mackerel, hoki heads and orange roughy heads.
(2) The New Zealand Hoki Fishery is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The other major bait sources are formally managed under New Zealand’s fisheries management arrangements and are considered to be sustainable.
(3) The Government does not provide funds directly to the West Coast Rock Lobster industry. Government provides funding to the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) to represent the commercial fishing industry in WA. WAFIC directs some of this funding to the Western Rock Lobster Council so it can provide representation on behalf of licensees in the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery on issues specific to that fishery.
(2) The New Zealand Hoki Fishery is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The other major bait sources are formally managed under New Zealand’s fisheries management arrangements and are considered to be sustainable.
(3) The Government does not provide funds directly to the West Coast Rock Lobster industry. Government provides funding to the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) to represent the commercial fishing industry in WA. WAFIC directs some of this funding to the Western Rock Lobster Council so it can provide representation on behalf of licensees in the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery on issues specific to that fishery.
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