WA Fisheries Management Deep Dive Part 3

By John Ogilvie

The saga of the WA Government’s fishing restrictions continues.

Backbone Australia has been covering this issue from the very beginning . We always knew the enormous community backlash would eventually force a political response, and that day has now come.

Reports from WA Today and the West Australian say that The Greens have joined the opposition to support a motion for a parliamentary probe into the new fishing restrictions. The Greens do not believe that there is anything wrong with the science behind the ban, and strongly support the new restrictions themselves. Their stated reason for supporting an inquiry is to restore public confidence in the government’s reasons for implementing the restrictions, and to properly examine whether commercial and recreational fishers were genuinely consulted.

This move deserves praise. The Greens’ decision to back the inquiry is a positive step, even if they don’t want the restrictions lifted. Genuine government transparency is something all people should demand, regardless of political stripe. Liberal leader Basil Zempilas also deserves recognition for his strong and consistent advocacy on this issue since the ban was announced late last year.

What Does This Mean?

The inquiry will put the government’s stock-assessment science, consultation process, and overall decision-making under the microscope. It will assess whether these heavy-handed measures are truly the most effective way to rebuild dhufish and pink snapper stocks.

Given Labor’s dominance in both houses, a complete scrapping of the ban is unlikely. That said, this inquiry creates genuine opportunities for an earlier review of the recreational fishing ban, improved consultation requirements going forward, targeted support for struggling tackle shops and related businesses, and meaningful adjustments to the restrictions if errors in the science or process are revealed.

This is an encouraging development that proves sustained public pressure, protests, and community mobilisation can force accountability. When the fishing community stands united, politicians take notice.

We need to see more of this. Non-government parties setting aside differences to scrutinise poorly handled government policies. Backbone Australia will continue to the issue closely.