- World Fisheries Day on November 21 recognises the importance of working together to maintain healthy fisheries
- More than 90 per cent of WA’s fishery value is MSC certified as sustainably managed
- Cook Government committed to protecting and managing the State’s valuable fisheries which support jobs and economic growth
On World Fisheries Day today, Western Australia can proudly celebrate maintaining its global leadership in sustainable fisheries management, as revealed in the latest State of the Fisheries report 2022-23 earlier this year.
The report demonstrated 96 per cent of stocks assessed as not being at risk or vulnerable to fishing and more than 90 per cent of the State’s fishery value accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as sustainable.
The report highlighted MSC certified fisheries like Western Rock Lobster, West Coast Deep Sea Crab, West and South Coast Abalone, Shark Bay Prawn, Exmouth Gulf Prawn, Peel-Harvey Sea Mullet and Blue Swimmer Crab, Pearl Oyster, Octopus and Sea Cucumber continue to support WA’s strong economy and regional communities.
As the leaders in third-party sustainability certification, MSC applies rigorous requirements based on the three key elements of sustainable fish stocks, effective fisheries management and minimising environmental impact.
The strong management in place, underpinned by world-class fisheries science work conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has supported recent quota increases for lobster and deep sea crabs on the South Coast and sustainable development of WA’s unique octopus fishery.
Our WA commercial fishing industry plays a critical role in providing fresh and sustainable seafood to our WA community of over three million people, as well as servicing other domestic and international markets.
The Government’s strong sustainability track record has supported additional recreational opportunities through resumption of fishing for Southern Garfish, Blue Swimmer Crabs in Cockburn Sound, and abalone fishing from Moore River up to the Greenough River Mouth.
The recreational fishing sector’s peak body Recfishwest is strongly dedicated to the sustainability of our State’s fisheries to ensure great fishing experiences continue.
The Cook Labor Government has also been supporting initiatives to enhance recreational opportunities through expansion of the Statewide FADs program, building new artificial reefs, and stocking high value fish species like barramundi in the Kimberley, Yellowtail Kingfish in the metro area and trout in the South West.
WA recfishers can help contribute to fisheries research to monitor the ongoing health of different species by donating fish frames through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) ‘Send us your Skeletons’ program.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
“World Fisheries Day shines a light on the importance of protecting and managing our valuable fisheries to make sure there are plenty of healthy fish stocks and fishing for the future.
“The Cook Government has a proven record in the management of fish stocks, and it is really encouraging to see the reopening of some fisheries and areas that have been closed while stocks recovered.
“This demonstrates the importance and success of taking action to rebuild our fisheries to sustainable levels.
“It is important Government and industry continue to work together to support sustainability outcomes underpin the State’s local seafood supply and thousands of regional jobs all around WA.
“As we celebrate World Fisheries Day today, we can be proud of our WA’s sustainability credentials and the stewardship demonstrated by both our commercial fisheries and recreational sector to ensure we will have fish for the future.”
