The wet weather in Perth didn’t deter dozens of protesters rallying against the Western Australian Government’s ban on commercial and recreational fishing of demersal species.  

In December last year, the WA Government announced a permanent ban on commercial fishing and a 21-month ban on recreational fishing for species such as dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, and red emperor from Kalbarri to Augusta. The government says the species are “under serious threat from continued fishing pressure”.

The ban has led to criticism from commercial and recreational fishers, who have questioned the science behind the ban, the lack of consultation with fishing communities, and the lack of time between its announcement and commencement.

This morning’s gathering on the steps of Parliament House coincided with the tabling of a petition signed by over twenty-five thousand people calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the ban.

Among the crowd was third generation fisherman “Bug” Moreton and his son Bodie. Mr Moreton says the industry means more to him than just the economics.

“I’d like to see my kid go fishing when he grows up, if he wants to, he should be given the chance,” he says.

“It’s my family’s legacy.”

Laura Hutton is the former owner of the Jurien Bay fish shop.

Ms Hutton sold the business several years ago when the ban was discussed under former Fisheries Minister Don Punch.

Those discussed changes never happened, until now.

“It’s impacted regional areas, you can’t buy fresh seafood anymore, local seafood,” she says.

“Not only that but all the other flow on for businesses, the people that make boats, sell fishing gear, the fishing families, that’s all they’ve ever done, so what do they do now?

“It’s really depressing.”

In response to the ban $20 million has been allocated by the government for the buyback of commercial licenses. However, many believe it is not enough.

The Queensland and Federal Government jointly funded a $185 million jointly-funded package for the phasing out of gillnets.

Ms Hutton labelled WA’s compensation as “totally disrespectful.”

“All we’ve ever done as a commercial industry is try to work out how to keep the industry going at a manageable level,” she says.

“The 20 million is going to go nowhere.

“How are these young crew members going to pay off loans with no income?”

The petition was started by Geraldton commercial fisher Anthony Hargarth.

He says he started the movement for a review of the management process of all fisheries in WA.

“I think the community, from what we’ve seen with the petition, has lost confidence in the government’s ability to administer the fisheries portfolio,” he says.

“The only way to restore that confidence is through a full and transparent inquiry.

“Everyone in Geraldton is just angry … the minister doesn’t appear to be listening; she doesn’t want to discuss things and meet with the industry.”

Mr Hargarth says his priority now is to support those he says are doing it tough as a result of the ban.

“I’m really concerned for the mental health and welfare of a lot of these families. I’ve seen firsthand the toll it’s taking on them.”

Parliament will now debate a motion moved by the Opposition for a parliamentary inquiry, with the bill currently before the Upper House.