As a disallowance motion in Parliament has taken back the compensation for commercial fishermen affected by new laws was back on track, informed Fisheries Minister Jon Ford. He added that the bipartisan support for moving forward with the recently established West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery meant that implementation of three financial assistance schemes could now go ahead.
The legislation for the new West Coast Demersal Scalefish Fishery came into effect on January 1. It is part of a range of measures needed to reduce catches of demersal scalefish such as dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper by all fishing sectors. According to Ford there are three schemes which will provide some financial assistance for loss of access for licensed fishers affected by the new management arrangements, which includes the commercial wetline ban in the Metropolitan Fishing Zone.
Ford also said that there is another critical component of sustainably managing our fish stocks is to ensure recreational fishing regulations are kept abreast with increasing pressures. He states that the ministry will soon release the final recommendations for recreational fishing of demersal scalefish along the west coast for public comment.
He concluded that two fisheries adjustment schemes (FAS) will be established to accept applications from licence-holders who have not gained entry to the new fishery. It will also impact shark fishers by reduced fishing access under the new fishery. Ford told that everyone has to play their own part in minimizing the pressure on Australian fish stocks to ensure fish for coming generations.
