Western Australia's fishing community is reeling after the state government announced the most significant fisheries reforms in the state's history, imposing strict new bans on demersal species including jewfish and pink snapper that have sent shockwaves through commercial and recreational sectors alike.
The reforms, which took effect from January, include a complete ban on commercial demersal fishing along WA's West Coast fishery, a 21-month boat-based recreational ban, a 50 percent commercial catch reduction along the Pilbara, Kimberley, and South Coast fisheries, and a permanent trawling ban in the Pilbara. The state has committed $20 million for a licensed buyback program and $3 million for tackle shop rebates.
Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis has stood firm in the face of mounting criticism, acknowledging the personal toll of the decision while insisting it was necessary.
"I have no doubt I'm going to be unpopular with a lot of fishers. People love fishing. I'm acutely aware that people will have already made their summer plans expecting to be able to go out and catch jewfish," Jarvis said.
"These are difficult decisions for government. They're tough decisions. We acknowledge that and it will impact everyone."
The minister revealed that scientific advice had originally recommended an even more drastic measure — a complete 10-year closure for all fishing in the West Coast bio region.
"The advice I received, and I've said this publicly before, was that the most appropriate course of action was a 10-year closure of the West Coast bio region for everyone," Jarvis explained. "What became clear is you cannot ask commercial fishers to actually suspend their business for 10 years."
"By permanently closing that commercial fishery, it triggered a legislative process where I can get the funds to pay them out in a compulsory buyout," she said.
The conservation case is stark. Jarvis pointed to alarming biomass data showing jewfish populations have plummeted to critically low levels.
"We have fish species like the jewfish which are down to 7 percent biomass in some areas. We need to make sure that we protect these fish for the future," the minister warned. "Jewfish were on the brink of extinction, of disappearing in our lifetimes, but these measures allow them to come back."
The announcement has drawn fierce opposition from across the fishing industry. Commercial operators have expressed shock at the speed and scale of the reforms.
"It's just not fair. What's taken place from this state government is just not fair. People have lost their livelihoods in a matter of three weeks," one industry figure said. "People haven't really had the time to respond. The job market's not easy."
"We didn't know nothing about it. It's not like the fisheries or anyone came to us and said their thoughts on it," another affected fisher said.
"We are just in a state of shock. We were expecting some big announcements of course, but this is a whole new level to what the industry was expecting."
The economic ripple effects are already being felt. Fish prices have risen sharply, with one Albany fish and chip shop reporting a 30 percent price increase that has driven customers away. Concerns about increased seafood imports have also surfaced.
"Fish prices have already gone up. Imports are here and that is something that we said on the very first day of this announcement. Where would West Australians get their seafood from?" opposition figures have argued.
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets demanding the government reverse its position, with chants of "stop the ban" echoing through rallies across the state.
"Look, I'm happy to wear that, to say that I've changed my position on that. And it's for these at-risk species," she said.
Recfishwest, the peak recreational fishing body, has cautiously engaged with the reporting requirement. "Realtime reporting is something that Recfishwest has got a strong view that we don't believe it works. However, we're absolutely satisfied to be proven incorrect," a spokesperson said.
Despite the backlash, environmental groups have backed the reforms. "This is going to ensure that our kids can fish for jewfish in the years to come, the decades to come, if we do the tough work now," supporters have argued.
Jarvis has left the door open for future reversal if stocks recover, noting that a future minister could establish a new commercial fishery if biomass surveys show improvement. But for now, the minister is resolute.
"That's the job of the Minister for Fisheries. It's my decision. I accept all the science. I consult and I make the decision," she said. "It's about preserving fish for the future and making sure that we don't send things like jewfish into extinction."
