❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the management and sustainability of various fisheries in southern Western Australia, including salmon, whitebait, and pilchards, as well as compensation related to the Ngari Capes Marine Park.
AnsweredQoN 5878Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the Australian salmon fishery in
southern Western Australian waters, and I ask: (a) Why has the state government
continually refused the South West and South Coast salmon fishery to transition to a quota-based
fishery; and (b) Why does the Minister insist that the G trap fishery
stay closed? (2) I refer to South West
Beach Seine Fishery’s whitebait management requirements, and I ask: (a) What
is the status of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's (DPIRD) whitebait research and monitoring program; (b) What is the current method of monitoring whitebait; (c) What methods of monitoring whitebait have
previously been used; and (d) Is the current monitoring method considered more
suitable to achieve fishery sustainability than methods previously used, and if
so please detail why? (3) I refer to the management and sustainability of
the pilchard fishery on the South Coast and I ask: (a) Given the lack of adult large pilchards in the South
Coast pilchard catch, would the Minister consider funding
research efforts to determine the health of the
pilchard population; (b) Does the department have any research planned for the
purposes outlined in (3a); and (c) If yes to (3b), please detail what this research will
entail and when it is likely to commence and finish? (4) I refer to the Ngari Capes Marine Park compensation
process, and I ask: (a) How many applications for compensation were received; (b) Did the number of applications received fall short of
the number anticipated in the relevant Regulatory Impact Statement; (c) What action is being taken to
advise all authorisation holders that advice
given on 22 January 2019 was incorrect and
that holders have the right to make an application
for compensation; (d) Of the applications received, how many have been paid
compensation; and (e) Of those who received
compensation, how many have appealed against the quantum of compensation paid out?
southern Western Australian waters, and I ask: (a) Why has the state government
continually refused the South West and South Coast salmon fishery to transition to a quota-based
fishery; and (b) Why does the Minister insist that the G trap fishery
stay closed? (2) I refer to South West
Beach Seine Fishery’s whitebait management requirements, and I ask: (a) What
is the status of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's (DPIRD) whitebait research and monitoring program; (b) What is the current method of monitoring whitebait; (c) What methods of monitoring whitebait have
previously been used; and (d) Is the current monitoring method considered more
suitable to achieve fishery sustainability than methods previously used, and if
so please detail why? (3) I refer to the management and sustainability of
the pilchard fishery on the South Coast and I ask: (a) Given the lack of adult large pilchards in the South
Coast pilchard catch, would the Minister consider funding
research efforts to determine the health of the
pilchard population; (b) Does the department have any research planned for the
purposes outlined in (3a); and (c) If yes to (3b), please detail what this research will
entail and when it is likely to commence and finish? (4) I refer to the Ngari Capes Marine Park compensation
process, and I ask: (a) How many applications for compensation were received; (b) Did the number of applications received fall short of
the number anticipated in the relevant Regulatory Impact Statement; (c) What action is being taken to
advise all authorisation holders that advice
given on 22 January 2019 was incorrect and
that holders have the right to make an application
for compensation; (d) Of the applications received, how many have been paid
compensation; and (e) Of those who received
compensation, how many have appealed against the quantum of compensation paid out?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 February 2020
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries
Response time
1 days
(1)(a) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has engaged with South West and South Coast salmon fishers over the future direction of the salmon industry in Western Australia. To date, industry has not been able to agree on clear objectives for the fishery. Noting there are currently no limits on the commercial salmon catch and commercial salmon catches are at record lows, the implementation of more complex management arrangements such as quota is not considered necessary at this stage and may result in additional restrictions and reporting requirements (red tape) for the fishery.
(b) In 2013, an independently reviewed stock assessment concluded the herring stock status was unacceptable and the total catch needed to be reduced by 50-100% to assist the stock to recover. In 2015 as part of a range of management measures to reduce total herring catch by 50%, the herring G-net fishery which was used predominately to provide low-value bait was closed.
In 2017 the stock status of herring was again reviewed. This assessment concluded the herring stock was recovering under the current arrangements, but had not yet fully recovered. The Government does not intend to change the existing arrangements which support timely recovery of the stock. The then Minister for Fisheries also stated that while the stock is recovering, the priority use of herring will be for recreational purposes and human consumption. The next stock assessment is scheduled for 2021.
(2)(a)–(b) DPIRD continues to monitor whitebait catch and effort through statutory fishing returns provided by commercial fishers, and has been undertaking whitebait recruitment surveys in the Leschenault Estuary.
(c) The methods previously used to monitor whitebait include:
(d) The current monitoring method is considered suitable, based on resources; cost efficiency and size of the fishery.
(3)(a) Pilchard stocks are managed conservatively noting their ecological importance as a food source for a range of fish, mammal and bird species. Following the impacts of a virus on pilchards in 1999, the stocks are considered to have fully recovered. Stocks are currently considered adequate and the catches sustainable.
(b) No. In late 2017, DPIRD approached south coast purse seine fishers with a proposal to investigate pilchard stocks using active acoustic methods. This research proposal was not supported by the commercial fishers.
(c) Not applicable.
(4)(a) 47.
(b) A Regulatory Impact Statement was not applicable in this instance. The number of applications received was in the order of what was expected.
(c) All authorisation holders who applied were advised that the manner in which the Fishing and Related Industries Compensation (Marine Reserves) Act 1997 (FRICMA) was being applied was subject to review. These authorisation holders, plus those who did not apply, are being advised that a broader application of this legislation will now apply.
(d) None at this stage.
(e) None at this stage, given that negotiations have not yet commenced.
(b) In 2013, an independently reviewed stock assessment concluded the herring stock status was unacceptable and the total catch needed to be reduced by 50-100% to assist the stock to recover. In 2015 as part of a range of management measures to reduce total herring catch by 50%, the herring G-net fishery which was used predominately to provide low-value bait was closed.
In 2017 the stock status of herring was again reviewed. This assessment concluded the herring stock was recovering under the current arrangements, but had not yet fully recovered. The Government does not intend to change the existing arrangements which support timely recovery of the stock. The then Minister for Fisheries also stated that while the stock is recovering, the priority use of herring will be for recreational purposes and human consumption. The next stock assessment is scheduled for 2021.
(2)(a)–(b) DPIRD continues to monitor whitebait catch and effort through statutory fishing returns provided by commercial fishers, and has been undertaking whitebait recruitment surveys in the Leschenault Estuary.
(c) The methods previously used to monitor whitebait include:
(d) The current monitoring method is considered suitable, based on resources; cost efficiency and size of the fishery.
(3)(a) Pilchard stocks are managed conservatively noting their ecological importance as a food source for a range of fish, mammal and bird species. Following the impacts of a virus on pilchards in 1999, the stocks are considered to have fully recovered. Stocks are currently considered adequate and the catches sustainable.
(b) No. In late 2017, DPIRD approached south coast purse seine fishers with a proposal to investigate pilchard stocks using active acoustic methods. This research proposal was not supported by the commercial fishers.
(c) Not applicable.
(4)(a) 47.
(b) A Regulatory Impact Statement was not applicable in this instance. The number of applications received was in the order of what was expected.
(c) All authorisation holders who applied were advised that the manner in which the Fishing and Related Industries Compensation (Marine Reserves) Act 1997 (FRICMA) was being applied was subject to review. These authorisation holders, plus those who did not apply, are being advised that a broader application of this legislation will now apply.
(d) None at this stage.
(e) None at this stage, given that negotiations have not yet commenced.
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