❓ Opposition questions the Minister for Fisheries about the absence of Department of Fisheries officers from a meeting regarding the wetline review, alleging a slur on the industry. The Minister deflects, stating the CEO made the decision and defends the consultation process.
AnsweredQoN 717Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WETLINE FISHING - JURIEN BAY MEETING
I refer to the meeting in Jurien Bay on 27 June 2007 to discuss the wetline review, held by the Central West Coastal Professional Fishermen’s Association Inc, which Department of Fisheries officers were instructed by the minister’s chief of staff not to attend. (1) Will the minister inform the house of the possible concerns held by the minister or his chief of staff about the anticipated “bad” behaviour of association members, which resulted in the no-show by government and departmental representatives? (2) Which, if any, industry representatives contacted the minister’s office raising concerns of possible bad behaviour at the meeting; and, if it was not industry representatives who raised these concerns, how did the minister’s office become aware of such concerns? (3) Given the slur on the association and industry people who participated in the meeting resulting from the refusal to attend, can the minister give a full explanation for the decision made by his chief of staff to stop the attendance of fisheries officers; and, if not, why not? Hon JON FORD
I refer to the meeting in Jurien Bay on 27 June 2007 to discuss the wetline review, held by the Central West Coastal Professional Fishermen’s Association Inc, which Department of Fisheries officers were instructed by the minister’s chief of staff not to attend. (1) Will the minister inform the house of the possible concerns held by the minister or his chief of staff about the anticipated “bad” behaviour of association members, which resulted in the no-show by government and departmental representatives? (2) Which, if any, industry representatives contacted the minister’s office raising concerns of possible bad behaviour at the meeting; and, if it was not industry representatives who raised these concerns, how did the minister’s office become aware of such concerns? (3) Given the slur on the association and industry people who participated in the meeting resulting from the refusal to attend, can the minister give a full explanation for the decision made by his chief of staff to stop the attendance of fisheries officers; and, if not, why not? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
(1) Will the minister inform the house of the possible concerns held by the minister or his chief of staff about the anticipated “bad” behaviour of association members, which resulted in the no-show by government and departmental representatives? (2) Which, if any, industry representatives contacted the minister’s office raising concerns of possible bad behaviour at the meeting; and, if it was not industry representatives who raised these concerns, how did the minister’s office become aware of such concerns? (3) Given the slur on the association and industry people who participated in the meeting resulting from the refusal to attend, can the minister give a full explanation for the decision made by his chief of staff to stop the attendance of fisheries officers; and, if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
(2) Which, if any, industry representatives contacted the minister’s office raising concerns of possible bad behaviour at the meeting; and, if it was not industry representatives who raised these concerns, how did the minister’s office become aware of such concerns? (3) Given the slur on the association and industry people who participated in the meeting resulting from the refusal to attend, can the minister give a full explanation for the decision made by his chief of staff to stop the attendance of fisheries officers; and, if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
(3) Given the slur on the association and industry people who participated in the meeting resulting from the refusal to attend, can the minister give a full explanation for the decision made by his chief of staff to stop the attendance of fisheries officers; and, if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
(1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots.
Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
(1) Will the minister inform the house of the possible concerns held by the minister or his chief of staff about the anticipated “bad” behaviour of association members, which resulted in the no-show by government and departmental representatives? (2) Which, if any, industry representatives contacted the minister’s office raising concerns of possible bad behaviour at the meeting; and, if it was not industry representatives who raised these concerns, how did the minister’s office become aware of such concerns? (3) Given the slur on the association and industry people who participated in the meeting resulting from the refusal to attend, can the minister give a full explanation for the decision made by his chief of staff to stop the attendance of fisheries officers; and, if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
(2) Which, if any, industry representatives contacted the minister’s office raising concerns of possible bad behaviour at the meeting; and, if it was not industry representatives who raised these concerns, how did the minister’s office become aware of such concerns? (3) Given the slur on the association and industry people who participated in the meeting resulting from the refusal to attend, can the minister give a full explanation for the decision made by his chief of staff to stop the attendance of fisheries officers; and, if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
(3) Given the slur on the association and industry people who participated in the meeting resulting from the refusal to attend, can the minister give a full explanation for the decision made by his chief of staff to stop the attendance of fisheries officers; and, if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
Hon JON FORD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
(1)-(3) As per my response to question without notice 512 on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, the chief executive officer of the Department of Fisheries made the decision about the attendance of fisheries officers, and I support that decision. I recognise the importance of industry meetings as a forum for fishermen to share information and develop industry positions. The wetline review process began almost four years ago, and as a matter of course I regularly meet with rock lobster fishermen, the Western Rock Lobster Council, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and other peak bodies to discuss this and other issues. It is also important to note that, prior to this particular meeting, I had already announced my final decision on the new wetline management arrangements. The implementation of a management plan for the west coast demersal scale fishery is entirely consistent with other management plans and restricts the take of fish from a licensed fishing boat, whether for personal consumption or sale, to only those persons authorised to operate in that fishery. The most important consideration is and must remain that all fisheries in Western Australia are administered under management plans that will ensure that our fish stocks are sustainable in the future. This particular meeting was called after the final decision was made. A number of other people wanted to see me, and I spoke to them over the period. By that stage of the game I had consulted so broadly that I was now being criticised for taking too long. Industry was actually asking me formally to get on with the job and make the decision, which I did. The issue that some in the industry picked on is whether rock lobster fishermen should have access to finfish. Of course they have, from a recreational take perspective. Once the scheme is implemented, the fishermen can negotiate with their local managers about the restrictions on what they want to catch, and they have access to a recreational catch. However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots. Hon Norman Moore : You didn’t want to hear them. Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
However, the real issue behind this has nothing to do with that at all; it is about the viability of the industry itself. There are a number of factors affecting that. It has nothing to do with the wetline review. It is about poor forecast catches and current catches in C zone. It is about people who capitalised to such a level that now they are affected by the value of their assets. There has been a fall in the value of their asset base, which is their craypots.
Hon JON FORD : I do hear them. I talk to the groups all the time, as well as individual fishermen, and I still hear from them. It is a difficult debate for industry to face, but the real debate is about how the industry is to be restructured to survive into the future and realise more value for assets and businesses. It is a real challenge for industry and government. I have sent a letter to the Rock Lobster Advisory Council seeking its advice on that matter. That is the real issue behind this.
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