Four Kimberley fisheries are now subject to voluntary adjustment schemes, as of March 2026. These schemes, announced in the WA Government Gazette, aim to reduce fishing effort and promote sustainability in the region's vital fisheries.
The Cook Labor Government is implementing these schemes for the Kimberley Crab, Kimberley Prawn, Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi, and Northern Demersal Scalefish fisheries. The goal is to allow authorisation holders to voluntarily surrender their authorisations, effectively reducing the overall fishing pressure on these stocks.
For Kimberley fishers, this means an opportunity to exit the industry with some financial compensation. If you hold authorisations for any of the four listed fisheries, you can now apply to surrender them to the government under the terms of the relevant scheme. This could provide a pathway for those looking to retire or transition to other industries, but it also means a potential reduction in income for those who choose to remain. The long-term impact on individual fishing businesses will depend on the uptake of these voluntary schemes.
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Collectively, these schemes signal a commitment from the WA Government to actively manage and protect its fisheries resources. This move could set a precedent for similar interventions in other fisheries facing sustainability challenges, both within WA and potentially nationally. It highlights the government's willingness to intervene in the industry to ensure the long-term health of fish stocks, even if it means short-term disruption and potential financial implications for some operators.
The specific fisheries affected are detailed in the WA Government Gazette notices published in March 2026. These notices formally establish the "Kimberley Crab Managed Fishery Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme 2026", the "Kimberley Prawn Managed Fishery Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme 2026", the "Kimberley Gillnet and Barramundi Limited Entry Fishery Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme 2026", and the "Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery Voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Scheme 2026". Each scheme is overseen by the Minister for Fisheries, demonstrating the government's direct involvement in managing these resources. The schemes are designed to allow authorisation holders to surrender their rights, contributing to an overall reduction in fishing effort in these key Kimberley fisheries. Further information can be found on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) website, along with previous reports on Kimberley fisheries and details of similar programs elsewhere.
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