❓ Hon. Colin de Grussa questions the Minister for Fisheries regarding the implementation of management arrangements for the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource, focusing on consultation with the charter fishing industry and potential financial consequences. The Minister responds, highlighting ongoing engagement and rejecting delays due to resource risks.
AnsweredQoN 499Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WEST COAST DEMERSAL
SCALEFISH RESOURCE
499. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the
west coast demersal scalefish resource management arrangements.
(1) When did
consultation commence with the charter fishing industry regarding the
implementation of the management arrangements?
(2) Has any consideration been given to delaying the
implementation of the allowable catch quota for the c harter and tourism
fishing industry to allow sufficient time to consider the financial
consequences for operators?
(3) Has
consideration been given to —
(a) an optional
buyback of limited and minimal-use licences;
(b) a reduction
in industry fees in line with catch allocation; or
(c) backdating the allocation of grants to the date of
the announcement of the management arrangements?
SCALEFISH RESOURCE
499. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the
west coast demersal scalefish resource management arrangements.
(1) When did
consultation commence with the charter fishing industry regarding the
implementation of the management arrangements?
(2) Has any consideration been given to delaying the
implementation of the allowable catch quota for the c harter and tourism
fishing industry to allow sufficient time to consider the financial
consequences for operators?
(3) Has
consideration been given to —
(a) an optional
buyback of limited and minimal-use licences;
(b) a reduction
in industry fees in line with catch allocation; or
(c) backdating the allocation of grants to the date of
the announcement of the management arrangements?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister
for Fisheries.
(1) Engagement
with the charter sector has been ongoing since November 2021 when the updated
stock assessment for the west coast demersal
resource was released. The charter sector, through its representation on the west coast demersal harvest strategy
working group, recommended the 50 per cent reduction in the recovery benchmark in 2021. The Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development u ndertook consultation with
the charter sector, providing briefings and conducting workshops with fishing
tour operator licence holders and Marine Tourism WA.
(2) Delaying management action would pose an
unacceptable risk to the west coast demersal scalefish resource and
increase the risk of further management action being required into the future.
DPIRD will continue to work with charter operators to pivot their businesses
towards alternative fishing opportunities.
(3) (a)–(c)
Fishing tour operator licence holders that meet the eligibility requirements of
the west coast charter diversification grants scheme will be able to receive
reimbursement of costs associated with diversifying their business operations
backdated to February 2023, of up to $25 000. There are no fees associated with
catch allocation for the charter sector.
of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister
for Fisheries.
(1) Engagement
with the charter sector has been ongoing since November 2021 when the updated
stock assessment for the west coast demersal
resource was released. The charter sector, through its representation on the west coast demersal harvest strategy
working group, recommended the 50 per cent reduction in the recovery benchmark in 2021. The Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development u ndertook consultation with
the charter sector, providing briefings and conducting workshops with fishing
tour operator licence holders and Marine Tourism WA.
(2) Delaying management action would pose an
unacceptable risk to the west coast demersal scalefish resource and
increase the risk of further management action being required into the future.
DPIRD will continue to work with charter operators to pivot their businesses
towards alternative fishing opportunities.
(3) (a)–(c)
Fishing tour operator licence holders that meet the eligibility requirements of
the west coast charter diversification grants scheme will be able to receive
reimbursement of costs associated with diversifying their business operations
backdated to February 2023, of up to $25 000. There are no fees associated with
catch allocation for the charter sector.
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