Mr. Love asks the Minister for Fisheries to consider alternative proposals for managing the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource, given a petition with over 15,000 signatures. The Minister responds by emphasizing sustainability and adherence to the Fish Resources Management Act.

AnsweredQoN 552Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 September 2022
Portfolio
Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

WEST
COAST DEMERSAL SCALEFISH RESOURCE
552. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Fisheries:
I have a supplementary question.
Given that there are now more than 15 000 signatures on a petition calling for
a review of the government's policy, will the minister consider
alternative proposals that better balance community and fishery outcomes?
Mr D.R. Michael interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Balcatta, no, thank you.

AnswerView source ↗

I have looked at the petition, which
is essentially asking me to abide by the requirements of the Fish Resources
Management Act. I will just remind the member what the act says. It states —
(a) to develop and manage
fisheries and aquaculture in a sustainable way; and
(b)
to share and conserve the State's fish and other aquatic resources and
their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations.
Section 4A applies the precautionary
principle—the member might not have heard of that. It states —
In the performance or
exercise of a function or power under this Act, lack of full scientific
certainty must not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures
to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks or the aquatic environment.
The first thing we have to address
is the sustainability of the resource. Then we can look at all the implications
for how that is managed. Of course I feel a great deal for tackle shop owners,
recreational fishers and members of the marine
charter industry. I know how that industry functions. But what they are not
helped by is all the misinformation and carry-on, particularly from the
shadow Minister for Fisheries.

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