Liberal Dawesville candidate Zak Kirkup is calling for a buy-out of professional fishing licences in Peel waters after figures released by the RecFishWest revealed a massive increase in the commercial whiting catch since 2011.
In 2015 commercial fishers caught almost 30 tonnes of whiting, up from just over eight tonnes in 2011.
Mr Kirkup said the catch had to be managed to ensure seafood was fresh, local and sustainable.
“The data released recently by RecFishWest is compelling,” he said.
“I know our commercial fishers have done a great job attaining MSC [Marine Stewardship Council] certification and they understand the need to sustainably manage the fishery going forward.
“However a 264 per cent increase in the commercial take of whiting from our estuary since 2011 is significant and cannot be ignored.”
RecFishWest’s Andrew Rowland said the commercial catch had exceeded the levels recommended by the finfish harvest strategy for the Peel Harvey Estuary.
“To now see the agreed threshold exceeded by more than double feels like the West Australian community have been robbed,” he said.
“We believe these catch levels pose a significant risk to the quality of current and future fishing experiences in Mandurah.”
But Mandurah Licensed Fisherman’s Association president and third generation fisherman Damien Bell disagreed and said the increased catch by commercial fishers was due to an increase in stocks caused by the 2010 heat wave.
“What RecFishWest has failed to mentioned is that there was a sustainability study by the Department of Fisheries, and it has found we are sustainable,” he said.
“We’re MSC certified, these fish are part of our catch, we’ve been looked at, we’ve been proved sustainable and what’s more the study is ongoing.”
He said there was no way to accurately record the recreational catch and the take by commercial fishers would return to normal levels over time.
However, he said he was open to a discussion about government buy-outs in the fishery.
“Looking at the ever increasing population and use of the waterways, we as a commercial fishery would look at a government backed buy-out for some of the licences, while ensuring the supply of local product,” he said.
“We’d look at a balanced approach.”
Mr Kirkup, a former environment adviser to Premier Colin Barnett, said he was part of the team that led the buy out of commercial barramundi gillnet licences at Roebuck Bay in Broome and saw the environmental and recreational benefits.
“For me this isn't just about the sustainability of local fish stocks, it's about the overall health of our estuary,” he said.
“A healthy estuary needs fish, and fish need a healthy estuary.”
Mr Kirkup has launched a petition to ask the state government to support a buy-out of commercial licenses: kirkup.com.au/fishforever.
Labor candidate for Dawesville Adam Woodage has been contacted for comment.
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
