Rogers retires as Fisheries chief

One of the state's longest serving public service heads, Fisheries chief Dr Peter Rogers, has announced his retirement after 15 years at the helm.

The full text of an announcement from the minister's office is pasted below

Fisheries Minister Jon Ford today paid tribute to Dr Peter Rogers, executive director of the Department of Fisheries, who is retiring from the public service.

As executive director of the Department of Fisheries since 1991, Dr Rogers has overseen a major transformation of the agency from one being principally focussed on the commercial fishing sector to one with an influential and important role in sustainable recreational fisheries, the development of aquaculture and the protection of fish habitats.

Dr Rogers has worked for the Department of Fisheries for all but two of the last 33 years, commencing with the department as a trainee graduate in 1973 and his retirement will see the departure of one of the longest-standing chief executive officers in the public service.

Dr Rogers said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family and that he would retire effective from close of business, November 30.

Mr Ford paid tribute to Dr Rogers' broad experience and specialist knowledge of all facets of fisheries resource management.

"In 2005 I had the pleasure of congratulating him when, as a result of his commitment to science and the preservation of fish and the marine environment, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in Science from Murdoch University," the Minister said.

"It is with great respect that I thank him personally, and on behalf of the community of Western Australia and the State Government, for his contribution to public service in WA over a long period of time.

"I wish Peter and his family well for the future."