Recfishwest welcomes the recently appointed new Minister for Fisheries, the Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC.
Minister Jarvis was appointed the new Fisheries Minister following a cabinet reshuffle after the recent State election, taking over the reins from Minister Punch.
“On behalf of the cast of thousands, we welcome Minister Jarvis to her new position,” said Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland, “With her experience as the Agriculture Minister, Minister Jarvis is already well acquainted with DPIRD and Recfishwest is looking forward to working with her to protect and enhance WA fishing for WA’s 750,000 fishers, who support a $2.4 billion a year industry that creates more than 9,600 full time jobs.
“We will be continuing to work hard to ensure Minister Jarvis and her Government deliver on WA Labor’s election promises, as well as advocating for a wide range of initiatives and policies that can ensure our access to quality fishing is protected and enhanced.”
To recap, here is what Premier Roger Cook and the WA Labor party have promised WA fishers.
- $3 million to increase marron stocks at Harvey Dam, Logue Brook Dam and Wellington Dam through improved productivity and habitat enhancement.
- $2 million towards a new fishing platform at Quinns Rocks.
- $2 million towards a new fishing platform and universal access toilet at Hillarys Boat Harbour.
- $200,000 towards planning for a new all abilities fishing jetty in Albany, with Emu Point the preferred location.
- $200,000 over four years to help Fishability expand its important work into regional WA, with the Pilbara a focus.
- $150,000 to rebuild the northern part of the Collie River Bridge fishing platform in Australind.
- $400,000 to replace the closed Port Denison jetty with a floating platform and create a foreshore playground with shade areas.
- New boat ramps and a fishing platform are included as part of a broader $116 million commitment to construct a tourism and boating hub at Tantabiddi in Exmouth.
- Commitment to not introduce mandatory catch reporting for recreational fishers.
“We look forward to hearing Minister Jarvis’s schedule for implementing these commitments and working with her on a range of other initiatives that can deliver great outcomes for the WA fishing community recognising the importance of fishing in the WA lifestyle and culture,” added Andrew.
In addition, Recfishwest bids farewell to the outgoing Minister Don Punch and thanks him for his contribution to WA recreational fishing during his time in office, which included overseeing a number of positive developments for WA fishers. Some of these included:
- A 20-tonne reallocation of west coast demersal scalefish to the recreational sector following voluntary fisheries adjustment scheme.
- Commitment to State Government funding and running of the highly popular Statewide FADs program.
- Ongoing support for a range of stocking programs for a range of popular fishing species including pink snapper, yellowtail kingfish, barramundi, marron and trout.
- The reopening of Cockburn Sound to crabbing after a 10-year hiatus.
- Delivery of Ocean Reef artificial reef and ongoing support for the Statewide artificial reef program.
- Supporting the recreational fishing community’s call for increasing the Australian herring bag limit from 12 to 20 following the strong recovery of the stock.
Andrew said, “Thank you Minister Punch and to your office for your professionalism and efforts in supporting WA recreational fishing during your time at the helm and we wish you well for your new portfolios.”
