RESTRICTIONS on commercial fishing off the state’s South West beaches are the latest in a range of sweeping changes to the local fishing industry.
In recent weeks, Fisheries Minister Norman Moore has moved introduce a quota system to the Western Australia’s biggest fishing sector, rock lobster, as well as replace the cost-recovery model of fee setting with a new 5 per cent access fee based on revenue, akin to a royalty in mining.
The moves come at a time when the industry is challenged by falling revenue, lower catches and increasing competition with recreational fishermen.
The decision to extend the prohibition for beach seine fishing – using nets that are brought to shore – between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste is intended to resolve a long-standing conflict between recreational and commercial fishermen.
Except for salmon, commercial beach seine fishing will be prohibited between Port Geographe at Busselton and Black Point east of Augusta.
The seine fishing restrictions, which affect 11 operators, are relatively minor compared to big changes overtaking the industry as the government claims it is seeking to remove itself from micro-management of the sector, giving commercial fishermen more responsibility for managing their own affairs, and focusing on environmental and sustainability issues.
In the rock lobster sector, where the value of the annual catch has dwindled to a little over $200 million, quotas for individual operators will be based on entitlement to use pots held by those fishermen and the relevant share of the total allowable catch set for the various zones, where they are licensed to operate.
Despite the change, the total allowable catch for the 2010-11 commercial fishing season would remain the same as last season – 5,500 tonnes.
