According to the Fisheries Minister Jon Ford there is an increased community representation on the advisory committee that manages the Houtman Abrolhos Islands. He added that six new members have been appointed to the Abrolhos Islands Management Advisory Committee, along with three returning members and chairman Peter Driscoll, whose term continues.
It is said that the new members are from different background such as Perth Zoo Animal Health and Research Director Dr Helen Robertson; air charter operator-owner Caroline Pettet; charter vessel operator Leonie Noble; Tourism WA Industry Development and Visitor Servicing Executive Director Jennifer Duffecy; trucking company owner-operator Heather Jones and charter vessel owner-operator Jay Cox.
The returning members are recreational fisher Bevan Suckling; Abrolhos Islands commercial rock lobster fisher Kris Carlberg and pearl farm lease co-owner Martin Jurat. Ford informed that the committee traditionally had a strong focus on commercial rock lobster fishing. However, given concerns about impacts from rising visitor numbers and the expansion of tourism activity at the islands, he had increased the committee’s membership from nine to 10. He told that to enlist more expertise in these areas and allow more local representation.
It is noticed that the Abrolhos Islands and their surrounding waters are an A-class reserve and a fish habitat protection area respectively. Both are vested in the Minister for Fisheries for the conservation of flora and fauna, tourism and purposes associated with the fishing industry. According to the minister the islands’ special values included a rich marine ecosystem, combining both temperate (cool water) flora and fauna and tropical coral reef habitat; internationally significant seabird rookeries.
Ford exclaimed that the Abrolhos Islands offer a unique combination of marine and terrestrial diversity, as well as a rich history and important fishing grounds. He told that the Department of Fisheries is taking steps to ensure that increasing visitor numbers are managed without causing detriment to the environment.
