WA rock lobster industry ‘disillusioned’ after State Government revokes decision to update fishing act

WA fishers have slammed the Government for breaking a promise they say threatens the future of the lucrative rock lobster industry. There were plans to provide commercial and recreational fishers with greater security through new legislation, but in June last year the Government walked away from implementing the Aquatic Resources Management Act 2016. Fishing Families WA said this decision had hugely increased the risks to the industry as it meant people had to reapply for access licences every year, leaving them without the certainty needed to buy quota, secure loans to pay for their vessels, hire more staff or plan for the future. And the coalition of fishers, processors and unit holders has hit out the Labor Party in a new campaign, including an advertisement in today’s The West Australian, with an advert that proclaims: “Threaten cray boats, lose our votes.” Spokesman Matthew Fong said the WA rock lobster industry — which is worth as much as $400 million a year — had been left in limbo. “This is an enormous blow to thousands of families and their communities across the State,” he said. “We just wanted that security.” Fourth-generation rock lobster fisherman Fedele Camarda said the industry had been left “disillusioned”. “It’s an industry that, at the moment, is suffering from (a lack of) any succession planning ... and everything is stacked against the small operators,” he said. “There’s a lot of disillusionment and negativity in terms of the next generation coming through. “(The Act) will cost the Government nothing, but it will protect fishermen up and down the coast.” Mr Camarda said he also wanted the rock lobster fishery licence to be extended, it currently has to be renewed every 12 months. “(The 12-month licence) means we’re just a year-to-year proposition,” he said. “We’d just like to know that we’ve got the support and the security to be able to invest and fish into the future ... I don’t think it’s a big ask.” Western Rock Lobster chief executive Matt Taylor said fishers were extremely concerned about what was going to happen. “Because there isn’t that security ... the banks are now less willing to lend against the entitlement because they don’t know what the Government can do in the future,” he said. But Fisheries Minister Don Punch claimed the Government backtracked because the new legislation would not “provide the flexible management approach needed to meet the changing needs of the commercial sector”. He added there was a commitment to build on the existing Fish Resources Management Act, saying: “Our Government is proud of its track record supporting the rock lobster industry.” The Fishing Families WA campaign says the Labor Party has left rock lobster fishers “without a secure future for generations to come”. Mr Taylor backed the campaign and said the Government had “not acted in good will”. “Everyone’s had enough of it and it’s time to hold them to account for how they’ve behaved and the actions they’ve taken,” he said.