On World Fisheries Day today, Western Australia can proudly celebrate being the foremost fishing state in Australia, as revealed in the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Index of Marine Industry earlier this year.
The AIMS index reported that Western Australia has the nation’s leading commercial fishing jurisdiction, with rock lobsters, prawns, and abalone being the most valuable species, together accounting for 64 per cent of the economic output of all of Australia’s wild-catch fisheries.
In collaboration with the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), the commercial sector is highly committed to delivering quality, sustainable seafood to local, national and international markets. The recreational fishing sector’s peak body Recfishwest is also strongly dedicated to the sustainability of our State’s fisheries to ensure great fishing experiences continue.
The strong management in place, underpinned by world-class fisheries science work conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, ensures the long term sustainability of the State’s aquatic resources.
WA has 11 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, representing over 90 per cent of the total value of the State’s commercial fisheries production.
The MSC tick of approval for a fishery is internationally regarded as the global gold standard in third-party sustainability certification. The MSC’s rigorous standards are based on three key elements – sustainable fish stocks, minimizing environmental impact and effective fisheries management.