A Parliamentary Inquiry into the impacts of the demersal fishing ban and other issues affecting our fisheries has been established following a unanimous vote in the Legislative Council last week, with public submissions now open until 3 August.
The inquiry was unanimously supported by the Legislative Council last week and will be conducted by the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs with a final report due by June 2027. The Committee is accepting public submissions until Monday 3 August, 2026. Submissions should address one or more of the Terms of Reference and can be lodged online here.
While the inquiry was prompted by demersal management decisions, its scope is much broader.
The long-term future of fisheries management
Instead, the Committee has been tasked with be looking at the need for a clear, long-term plan for sustainable fisheries that supports all fishing stakeholders; the impact of marine parks, renewable energy developments, seismic blasting, illegal fishing, shark depredation, and other contemporary challenges on fish stocks and access; and whether DPIRD is adequately resourced to meet its responsibilities.
The inquiry will consider important issues including the impact of marine parks, renewable energy developments, seismic blasting, coastal and marine infrastructure projects, illegal fishing, shark depredation and other factors affecting fish stocks and fishing opportunities.
Recfishwest supports the establishment of the Parliamentary Inquiry. It is an opportunity for fishers to provide their views directly to the inquiry, which will make recommendations to the Government.
“This inquiry is your opportunity to speak directly to the decision-makers about the future of recreational fishing and the experience you want on the water,” Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said. “We want to see abundant fish stocks, strong fisheries management and policies that recognise the value recreational fishing delivers to communities across the State and we will be making a submission to the inquiry that reflects those priorites.”
Focussing on practical solutions
Andrew said the inquiry should focus on practical solutions that improve fisheries management outcomes for fish and fishers alike. “This is a chance to ask some important questions about fisheries governance, resourcing, access and the cumulative impacts affecting fishing experiences across WA,” he said.
Recfishwest looks forward to participating in the inquiry and advocating for policies that deliver healthy fish stocks, quality fishing experiences and the best possible return to the community from WA’s publicly owned fish resources.
