Speech delivered by the Hon Bob Baldwin at the WA Fishing Futures Forum.
On behalf of the Australian Fishing Trade Association, whose membership represents the manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and charter sectors, as well as fishing media—and by association, the 750,000 recreational fishers across this great state—I thank you for the opportunity to address this forum and highlight a matter of urgent importance: the future of our demersal fisheries.
Today, I urge the government to lead the way in developing a strategy that truly maximises the “triple bottom line”—balancing economic, social, and environmental outcomes for every kilogram of fish harvested in Western Australia.
Like the commercial sector, our members also suffer the financial hardships caused by poor fisheries management. Iconic stores, such as Liza Harvey’s Bluewater Tackle World Myaree—a 90-year-old generational business—have closed, to name just one example.
The time is right to reassess the true value proposition for each species and each region. Only a holistic approach—one that considers the needs and contributions of all stakeholders—will secure long-term benefits for our communities, industries, and marine environment.
Recent reports from both the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development make it clear: both recreational and commercial fishing sectors are vital to the state.
Recreational fishers alone generate $2.4 billion for Western Australia’s Gross State Product and support 9,380 full-time equivalent jobs. Meanwhile, commercial operations—including fish, lobster, trawl, prawn, and abalone—generate $1.383 billion and employ 9,138 people.
However, it is important to note that line-caught fisheries account for less than 20 per cent of the $1.383 billion, highlighting the dominance of other commercial methods.
As evidenced in today’s presentations, the vast majority of commercial line-caught fish are taken outside the west coast region, where commercial operators are responsible for catching more than 90 percent of demersal fish stocks.
Yet, as important as the economic debate is, it has been overshadowed by mounting scientific evidence of stock declines among several key demersal species. Recent assessments show that pink snapper, red emperor, and Western Australian dhufish are under increasing pressure from ongoing fishing. Other species at high risk include the Kimberley red emperor, Pilbara goldband snapper, South Coast pink snapper, bight redfish, and Western blue groper.
The recreational fishing population resides predominantly in the West Coast region, raising important questions about equitable resource allocation and regional priorities, particularly in the West Coast region.
We at AFTA urge the government to carefully consider these figures as it shapes future policy.
Stakeholders across the board agree: urgent action is needed to ensure the long-term viability of these fisheries, based on the triple bottom line and a true value proposition.
It is time to end the blame game. It is incumbent on all of us—government, industry, and community—to work together to secure a sustainable future for Western Australia’s fisheries, for the benefit of all.