Demersal fishing ban: Thousands sign petition for inquiry as Cook Government to defend trawling ban in court

A petition demanding an inquiry into WA’s fish stocks has gained more than 20,000 signatures, as the Cook Government is dragged to court over its decision to ban demersal fishing. Trawling companies in WA’s north have launched Supreme Court action in a bid to overturn the decision to ban all trawling for demersal species including snapper and dhufish, in the Pilbara. Education Minister Sabine Winton said on Monday she was confident the Government’s decision, announced in December, would be upheld. “I’m not nervous, I suppose anyone’s entitled to take court action as they see fit,” she said. The Conservation Council of WA called the legal action by trawling companies Sea Harvest and Seafresh Holdings an example of “corporate bullying”. “If Sea Harvest and Sea Fresh didn’t see this coming, then they need to look at how their companies assess risk,” CCWA executive director Matt Roberts said. “The decline of demersal fish stocks is not new and other actions to protect the species have failed, resulting in a population in serious decline.” Under the changes, all commercial fishing of demersal species will be permanently banned in the West Coast bioregion, which stretches from Kalbarri to Augusta. Recreational fishing will be allowed to resume after a 21-month “recovery” period, which the Government has said is necessary to reverse the decline of fish stocks and prevent the extinction of certain species. Ms Winton said the Government’s action was based on science. “The decision made by the Government isn’t an easy one, it’s a tough decision,” she said. “But it’s the right decision to make sure that we have sustainable fish stocks for all people in WA, including our children and grandchildren.” The Government last week included a $29.2 million fisheries support package in its Budget review, which the Opposition branded as “pathetic”. The package includes $20m to compensate commercial fishers, a $4m education campaign, $3.3m for rebates for recreational boat licences and tackle shops, and an extension of the fish aggregating device program to target other species. “The $29m compensation package will not scratch the surface of what our fishing families are set to lose,” shadow fisheries minister Kirrilee Warr said. “The money spread over two years means people won’t be able to access these funds immediately. “These people have mortgages to pay off, loans on their boats and the Government doesn’t seem to care.” Instead of the legislated fishing ban, the petition is demanding an inquiry and accuses the Government of threatening “recreational fishing, commercial fishing and the regional communities that depend on it”. The Opposition has backed the petition, which was launched in October but had less than 1200 signatures before the Government’s restrictions were announced on December 3. In less than three weeks, it has grown to more than 20,500 signatures.