FAQ

What new restrictions have come into place for the commercial fishing sector in the past twelve months?

There is a perception the recreational fishing sector is constantly undergoing restrictions while the commercial fishing industry does not. This simply is not true. The facts are commercial fisheries are assessed on an ongoing basis from monthly catch returns. Any declines in fish stocks are detected early with management actions coming into place where necessary. Unlike those that apply to the recreational sector commercial fishing restrictions are not publicised, so the wider community is not aware of the restrictions coming into place in commercial fisheries management.

In 2003, effort reductions occurred in the Shark Bay Snapper Fishery, Swan River and Mandurah Estuarine Fisheries, Shark Bay Beach Seine Fishery, Marine Aquarium Fishery and Pilbara Trawl and Trap Fisheries as part of ongoing fisheries management. New legal minimum lengths and spawning closures introduced in 2003 also apply to the commercial fishing industry.

What quantity of black bream are harvested from the Hardy Inlet/Blackwood River and where is the fish supplied?

One commercial fisherman is licensed to fish in the Hardy Inlet catching approximately 800kg of black bream per year. The only creel survey conducted on recreational and commercial catches from the Hardy Inlet/Blackwood River completed in 1974/75 indicated the recreational catches (both net and line fishing) were significantly greater than the commercial catches at this time.

The commercially caught black bream is supplied directly to the residents of Augusta and nearby towns, a number of local and southwest restaurants and Perth markets.

Are there any limits on the quantity of finfish commercial fishermen can take?

Yes. There are management controls in all finfish fisheries, however the management varies from fishery to fishery. All WA fisheries have been managed by limited entry, with no new Fishing Boat Licences (FBL’s) issued since 1983.

The Shark Bay Snapper Fishery in the Gascoyne is managed by setting the total allowable catch prior to each fishing season. A 40% reduction in the total allowable catch was introduced in 2003 to rebuild the number of spawning adults.

The quantity of fish taken in WA’s four estuarine fisheries is limited by managing the level of fishing effort. These fisheries are restricted by type and size of fishing gear, area and season closures, vessel length, crew limits, daily fishing times and in some cases, number of fishing days.

The Kimberley based Northern Demersal Scalefish Fishery is managed by allocating a number of fishing days to each licensee, based on a total sustainable catch and is reviewed annually. Gear restrictions and area closures also apply.

Currently there are no limits on the quantity of finfish taken by those in the wetline fishery, or Fishing Boat Licence (FBL) holders. The fishery is under review and formal management arrangements are expected to be in place in 2005.

Similarly, strict management arrangements will be in place in 2004/05 for the mackerel fishery, which will include the introduction of quota management, a total allowable catch determined annually, a six month fishing season and a requirement for all vessels to have vessel monitoring systems (VMS).

Minimum legal lengths apply to both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors.

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