The state government has appointed former resources department deputy director general, Stuart Smith, as the new chief executive of the Department of Fisheries.
Mr Smith takes over from Greg Paust, who had taken over from acting chief executive Peter Millington after the Corruption and Crime Commission found that he tipped off a suspected illegal fisherman about a departmental inquiry.
Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said Mr Smith will take up the CEO role from today and for a term of five years.
"Mr Smith previously held senior roles in the Department of Industry and Resources, including that of Deputy Director General; State Development and Deputy Director General, Resources Group. He also filled in as Director General of the Department," Mr Moore said.
"He brings almost 20 years of wide ranging experience in both the State and Federal public sector.
"Mr Smith holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Economics from the Australian National University.
"I look forward to working with him in ensuring the living aquatic resources of WA and their habitat are sustained for the benefit of present and future generations."
