❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the impact of Indonesian fishing on shark stocks following a moratorium on local shark fishing, questioning the effectiveness of the moratorium and seeking its reconsideration. The Minister's response defends the moratorium, blaming local fishers for depletion in some areas and citing federal border protection failures.
AnsweredQoN 884Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the escalation of Indonesian fishing boats fishing or caught fishing in Australian waters off our northern coast with large quantities of shark fins on board. (1) Has this escalation occurred since the government’s announcement of a 20-year moratorium on our own fishing vessels catching sharks? (2) Has the Department of Fisheries finally recognised that it is the effect of the Indonesian fishing fleet just outside, but with excursions into, Australian waters that has been responsible for the depletion of shark stocks? (3) Has the removal of eight Western Australian shark fishermen’s operations from the area done anything to conserve shark numbers, given the exploitation of the fishery by the Indonesians? (4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(1) Has this escalation occurred since the government’s announcement of a 20-year moratorium on our own fishing vessels catching sharks? (2) Has the Department of Fisheries finally recognised that it is the effect of the Indonesian fishing fleet just outside, but with excursions into, Australian waters that has been responsible for the depletion of shark stocks? (3) Has the removal of eight Western Australian shark fishermen’s operations from the area done anything to conserve shark numbers, given the exploitation of the fishery by the Indonesians? (4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(2) Has the Department of Fisheries finally recognised that it is the effect of the Indonesian fishing fleet just outside, but with excursions into, Australian waters that has been responsible for the depletion of shark stocks? (3) Has the removal of eight Western Australian shark fishermen’s operations from the area done anything to conserve shark numbers, given the exploitation of the fishery by the Indonesians? (4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(3) Has the removal of eight Western Australian shark fishermen’s operations from the area done anything to conserve shark numbers, given the exploitation of the fishery by the Indonesians? (4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(1) Has this escalation occurred since the government’s announcement of a 20-year moratorium on our own fishing vessels catching sharks? (2) Has the Department of Fisheries finally recognised that it is the effect of the Indonesian fishing fleet just outside, but with excursions into, Australian waters that has been responsible for the depletion of shark stocks? (3) Has the removal of eight Western Australian shark fishermen’s operations from the area done anything to conserve shark numbers, given the exploitation of the fishery by the Indonesians? (4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(2) Has the Department of Fisheries finally recognised that it is the effect of the Indonesian fishing fleet just outside, but with excursions into, Australian waters that has been responsible for the depletion of shark stocks? (3) Has the removal of eight Western Australian shark fishermen’s operations from the area done anything to conserve shark numbers, given the exploitation of the fishery by the Indonesians? (4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(3) Has the removal of eight Western Australian shark fishermen’s operations from the area done anything to conserve shark numbers, given the exploitation of the fishery by the Indonesians? (4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(4) Will the minister now reconsider lifting the moratorium on northern shark fishing and work with the industry to establish a sustainable fishing regime for the eight Western Australian fishers? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(1) Any increase is not linked to our announcements, but is driven by the depletion of Indonesian fish stocks, coupled with an escalation in the price of shark products, such as fins, and the federal government’s complete failure to deal with border protection. Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
Hon Norman Moore : You always have to blame someone else. Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
Hon JON FORD : In 2003 the federal government had eight dedicated fishing patrols in Western Australian waters, and until Operation Clearwater its plan for 2005 was for one. (2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(2) No. Australian fishers operating in the Pilbara area have been the primary cause of the depletion of large shark species, especially sandbar sharks in that area. There has been minimal activity by Australian shark fishers in the waters off Western Australia north of Broome until recently, where most Indonesian activity occurs. (3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(3) Yes. The major focus of the removal of effort from the Pilbara was specifically aimed at conserving sandbar sharks and stocks of other large sharks. This particular area is not regularly frequented by illegal fishing vessels because it is too far south. However, I believe that as shark stocks deplete, illegal fishers will move further and further south. (4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
(4) No. However, the Department of Fisheries will continue to work with WA fishers to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks in the areas currently open for fishing. We closed the shark fishery because it was looking to become unsustainable. We could not pinpoint a point of collapse; therefore, it was imperative that we close the fishery. It would be ludicrous to re-open the fishery just because some other fishing fleet was fishing there, regardless of where it came from. We will not open it again. Nobody was more disappointed than I was to cause about 30 Western Australian jobs to be lost because of the nature of that fishery. I will therefore continue to fight to ensure that fishery remains sustainable. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Hear, hear!
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