Question regarding the impact of West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource management arrangements on the mental health of charter boat industry members. The Minister confirms briefings and provision of mental health support resources.

AnsweredQoN 573Legislative Council
Asked
18 May 2023
Portfolio
Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

WEST COAST DEMERSAL
SCALEFISH RESOURCE
573. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to my question without
notice 499 asked on 16 May 2023 regarding the west coast demersal scalefish
resource management arrangements.
(1) Has the
minister been briefed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development on communications it has received regarding the adverse impact on
the mental health and wellbeing of members of the charter boat industry because
of the implementation of the management arrangements?
(2) Has DPIRD sought any advice from appropriate mental
health professionals or agencies in respect of this issue?
(3) Has DPIRD provided any guidance
to charter operators on this issue; and, if so —
(a) what advice has been provided;
(b) how was this advice provided; and
(c) can the minister please table an
example of this advice?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for
Regional Development.
(1) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development undertook
consultation with charter operators in the west coast region on new management
measures to support the recovery of the west coast demersal scalefish resource.
DPIRD has briefed the minister on comments raised during this process, which
included the mental health and wellbeing of industry members.
(2)–(3) DPIRD
has provided email advice to all fishing charter licence holders in the west
coast region on specialised resources
available to business owners and their employees for mental health support.
Examples of mental health services that were provided, which included
contact details, include Seafood Industry Australia's mental health and
wellbeing Stay Afloat program; the Mental Health Emergency Response Line;
community mental health services; Lifeline; and Beyond Blue.
I table the
attached information.
[See paper 2229 .]

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