Labor's Plan for Fisheries for the 2005 State Election.

The WA Labor Party provided the following before the 2005 WA State Election, setting out their Plan for Fisheries during the 2005-2009 term of Government.

Contents:- Executive Summary
What Gov't has done:- Research   Recreational Fishing   Integrated Fisheries Management   Other Fisheries Initiatives
What Gov't will do:- Department of Fisheries   Scientific Research   Integrated Fisheries Management   Commercial Fishing   Recreational Fishing   Conservation of fish habitats and aquatic biodiversity   Aquaculture   Pearling   Indigenous   Fishing and Aquatic Charters

Executive Summary

The Gallop Government recognises the importance of healthy marine and river ecosystems and shares the high priority that the community places on the sustainable management of, and equitable access to fish stocks. Western Australia's fisheries are recognised internationally as being well managed. They generate substantial wealth in the community as a result of commercial, charter and recreational activities. Fishing is the single largest recreational pursuit in the State, with in excess of 600,000 Western Australians enjoying recreational fishing with family and friends each year. The Gallop Government also recognises the cultural importance of fishing to Aboriginal people.

The Gallop Government understands that our fish resources and marine environments are coming under increasing pressure from human population growth, increased coastal urbanisation and advances in technology. In order for our fisheries to remain managed at sustainable levels increased investment in fisheries management, research, community education and compliance is required.

The value of the commercial catch of Western Australian fisheries is around $550 million per annum. The impact of the commercial industry on the entire economy is estimated to be in the vicinity of $1.2 billion annually. Direct and indirect employment from the commercial sector is estimated to be 12,500.

Apart from being a valued social activity, recreational fishing also makes an annual contribution to the economy of $570 million in terms of expenditure on tourism, boats and equipment, and provides employment for an estimated 11,000 people. Looking to the future, the Gallop Government is confident that aquaculture, like pearling, has the potential to contribute significantly to the economic wealth of the State and is supportive of its development.

In the next four years we will:

(The following commitments will all be done within the existing forward estimate or have been listed elsewhere. As such, there is no additional cost and no costing sheet has been provided).

1. Ensure that the Department of Fisheries remains a stand alone agency and that management of commercial and recreational fisheries in Western Australia continues to be based on a strong principle of sustainability or "Fish for the Future".

2. Continue to support sound scientific research as a basis for the management of fisheries and the marine environment, including providing $21 million to establish a $100 million world class Marine Science Institution to further enhance our understanding and management of the marine environment and fish resources.

3. Continue its strong commitment to the Integrated Fisheries Management process with $4.9 million funding over the next 4 years.

4. Continue to work with the commercial fishing sector to ensure that the sector remains strong and viable into the future.

5. Continue to work with recreational fishers and the wider community to ensure that recreational fishing experiences can continue to be enjoyed by present and future generations of Western Australians.

6. Conserve and enhance fish habitats and aquatic biodiversity in partnership with the Western Australian community.

7. Encourage further development of the aquaculture industry.

8. Continue to work with the pearling industry to ensure it maintains its pre-eminent position as producer of the worlds' finest quality pearls.

9. Provide further recognition of the rights and aspirations of Indigenous people in respect to fishing.

10. Continue to support the aquatic and fishing charter industry and work with the industry to promote sustainability.

What we have done

The Gallop Government has retained the Department of Fisheries as a stand alone agency and been a strong supporter of sustainable fisheries management as shown by our considerable list of achievements in our first term.

In the area of Fisheries Research we have:

• Allocated $16 million to construct a new Department of Fisheries Research and Education facility at Hillarys to replace research laboratories at Waterman. Construction commenced January 2004 with a view to completion in early 2005.

• Provided $1.7 million for the construction of the Saville-Kent Research Institute at the Abrolhos Islands, which was opened in 2003.

• Provided $1.8 million for the construction of the Abrolhos Islands Research Institute at Separation Point in Geraldton to complement the activities of TAFE's new Batavia Coast Marine College.

In the area of Integrated Fisheries Management we have:

• Commenced implementation of Integrated Fisheries Management in Western Australia and allocated $4.9million, including $830,000 in the 2004/05 Budget, to support the Integrated Fisheries Management Program.

• Established an Integrated Fisheries Allocation Advisory Committee, with an independent Chair.

• Identified rock lobster, abalone and west coast demersal finfish as the first three fisheries to come under Integrated Fisheries Management arrangements.

In the area of commercial fisheries we have:

• Retained Marine Stewardship Council certification for the Western Rock Lobster fishery.

• Provided the fishing industry with improved security of its resource by adoption of a guideline to provide were possible at least 12 months' notice before the implementation of new management rules.

• Finalised and released discussion papers on future management arrangements for the wetline fisheries in the west coast and Gascoyne regions.

• Assisted in negotiating a European Union tariff reduction from 12.5% to 6% on 1,500 tonnes of whole frozen Western Australian rock lobster.

• Obtained export approval from the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage for 18 Western Australian managed fisheries to be certified as ecologically sustainable under the Commonwealth's Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

• Produced a management plan for the State's mackerel fishery.

• Negotiated the basis for secure lease tenure at the Abrolhos Islands for Abrolhos rock lobster licensees.

• Introduced a management plan for the south coast and west coast estuarine fisheries.

• Implemented the outcomes of the National Competition Policy review of fisheries legislation.

In the area of recreational fisheries we have:

• Introduced a comprehensive set of recreational fishing rules for the west coast and Gascoyne bioregions including the introduction of a statewide possession limit.

• Finalised reports of the review of the management of recreational fishing in the Pilbara/Kimberley and the south coast.

• Implemented new management for the fishing and aquatic eco-tourism industry and finalised licensing arrangements to ensure sustainable development.

• Paid $1.25 million to buy out over 30 authorisations in the metropolitan beach seine, south coast estuarine, Mandurah estuarine and the south west trawl fisheries.

• Closed the Geographe Bay to commercial crab fishers.

• In partnership with Surf Life Saving WA, introduced new surf life saving patrols to enhance public safety during the highly popular metropolitan abalone season.

• Further protected Cockburn Sound snapper by extending the fishing closure during the spawning aggregations.

• Introduced new management arrangements for the barramundi fishery.

• Provided an additional 25 Fisheries and Marine Officers through the amalgamation the Marine Branch of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure with the Department of Fisheries.

This and associated initiatives enabled a larger and more cost effective and efficient marine safety and fisheries community education and compliance service to the Western Australian boating and fishing community, that has resulted in a 450 per cent increase in recreational compliance contacts.

• Introduced a metropolitan two man mobile patrol with a focus on compliance with dhufish and snapper rules that operates principally between Two Rocks and Mandurah.

• Established a regional mobile patrol to undertake compliance at seasonal hotspots such as Shark Bay during the winter months and in the south west during the marron season.

• Improved licensing arrangements through the internet and introduced phone applications and payments.

• Introduced long term management arrangements for the management of Shark Bay's inner gulf pink snapper stocks, including the trial of a tagging system to control the total amount of fish taken.

• Introduced new arrangements for management of the marron fishery including shortening the season to two weeks.

• Provided additional support for the Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officer program by appointment of a Metropolitan VFLO Co-ordinator and a Community and Education Officer.

• Excised the coastal strip from stations in the Murchison, Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley to ensure access for recreational fishers to the coast in these areas and made similar excisions to ensure access for recreational fishers to rivers in the pastoral zone. The coastal excisions are at least 1 kilometre wide and in most cases 2 kilometres wide.

In the area of pearling and aquaculture we have:

• Completed the National Competition Policy review of the Pearling Act.

• Advanced a pearling industry strategy to promote and market Australian South Sea Pearls as the world's finest cultured pearls.

• Completed a comprehensive review of aquaculture in Western Australia and commenced implementation of reforms to the management of aquaculture aimed at development of a significant aquaculture industry in this State.

• Improved the quality and scope of research, development and extension advice that the Department of Fisheries can provide to aquaculture, pearling and mariculture industry participants. This includes an improved website which offers a one stop shop for aquaculture information.

• Negotiated a basis for secure lease tenure for aquaculture licensees on the Abrolhos Islands. In the area of protecting fish and their habitats we have:

• Gazetted Miaboolya Beach, north of Carnarvon at the mouth of the Gascoyne River delta; Lancelin Island lagoon; the Cottesloe Reef System; and Point Quobba Fish Habitat Protection Areas.

• Legislated to protect coral from exploitation by recreational fishers.

• Completed a selection process for low impact tourism proposals for the Abrolhos Islands and selected a candidate to work through an approvals process for an ecotourism development on the Islands.

• Ensured that the Abrolhos Islands have continued to remain vested in the Minister for Fisheries for the conservation of flora and fauna, tourism and purposes associated with the fishing industry, and be managed under the Fish Resources Management Act in consultation with Abrolhos licensees and the wider community.

In other fisheries initiatives we have:

• Commenced development of the $4.2 million State Marine Operations Centre as the coordination and control centre for statewide fisheries and marine safety community education and compliance.

• Progressed the Aboriginal Fishing Strategy aimed at increasing the employment and training options that are available for Indigenous people while ensuring that fisheries law and policy are compatible with customary and traditional fishing practices and the aspirations Indigenous people.

• Contributed to public safety through the Department of Fisheries taking a lead role in coordinating summer aerial shark patrols and shark emergency response strategies in partnership with Edith Cowan University Flying School, Surf Life Saving WA and the WA Police Department.

• Opened a new Fisheries Office in Rockingham as an operational base for 4 Fisheries and Marine Officers.

• Completed a review of the desirability of creating a statutory management authority to manage the State's fisheries.

What we will do

(The following commitments will all be done within the existing forward estimate or have been listed elsewhere. As such, there is no additional cost and no costing sheet has been provided).

1. The Gallop Government will ensure that the Department of Fisheries will remain as a stand alone agency and that the management of commercial and recreational fisheries in Western Australia continues to be based on a strong principle of sustainability or "Fish for the Future"

The focus on sustainability has in recent times been broadened by adoption of a policy of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) of fisheries that includes the wider economic, social and environmental implications within fisheries management decision-making processes.

The Gallop Government released the policy for implementation of the ESD for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Western Australia in 2002. The policy focuses on environment components of sustainability that are necessary to complete the assessments which the Commonwealth Government now requires before it will licence commercial fisheries for export. ESD assessments have been completed and submitted for assessment in accordance with the provisions of the Commonwealth Government's Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act for 31 of the State's 34 commercial fisheries. To date 18 fisheries have been assessed as sustainable by the Commonwealth and received export approval. The successful adoption of this framework will enable the community to have added confidence that fisheries in Western Australia are being managed according to nationally accepted standards.

The Gallop Government will continue to support ESD as the key to gauging the success of fisheries management in Western Australia and improve the reporting on economic and social areas in the Department of Fisheries annual State of the Fisheries report.

2. The Gallop Government will continue to support sound scientific research as a basis for the management of fisheries and the marine environment, including providing $21 million to establish a $100 million world class Marine Science Institution to further enhance our understanding and management of the marine environment and fish resources.

The Gallop Government has a strong commitment to science as demonstrated by the establishment the Premier's Science Council. The Science Council is the State Government's peak advisory body on research and development issues and oversees the expansion and improvement of research capabilities in Western Australia.

Scientific research underpins the excellent reputation Western Australian fisheries management has throughout the world. Many of the State's fisheries scientists are well known for their excellence in fisheries research amongst the scientific community.

The Gallop Government will provide $21 million to establish a $100 million world class Marine Science Institution to further enhance our understanding and management of the marine environment and fish resources. This significant investment in marine and fisheries science will provide scientists and managers with data and research outcomes to ensure science-based decisions in respect of fisheries management, marine parks and bioregional marine planning Importantly it will significantly enhance the State's capacity to undertake research into fish species of importance to the recreational and commercial fishing sectors, such as Western Australian dhufish, rock lobster, tailor, herring, snapper, blue manna crabs, abalone and marron.

• We will continue to support the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council Industry Development Unit, continue making a contribution to the FRDC and contributions to other programs aimed at leveraging the maximum funding opportunities for research and industry development.

• We will seek to promote the reputation of Western Australian marine scientists and the advantages of supplying fisheries research and training to Indian Ocean rim countries.

• We will continue to provide funding from the Development and Better Interest Fund for minor commercial fisheries.

3. The Gallop Government will continue its strong commitment to the Integrated Fisheries Management process with $4.9 million funding over the next 4 years

The Gallop Government recognises that fish stocks are limited and marine environments can be damaged by unwise use. Growing populations are placing increasing pressure on fish stocks and the environment, highlighting the need for a new integrated approach to management that takes into account the requirements and aspirations of the commercial, charter, recreational, Indigenous and conservation sectors.

An important component of the approach will be to set a total allowable sustainable catch for a fishery and then allocate an explicit share of the catch to the various stakeholders. Defining resource shares in this way will provide a greater opportunity to give sectors more responsibility for self-management and enable them to determine, in consultation with the Department of Fisheries, the most effective and appropriate manner to manage their share of the available stock.

Under the Gallop Government the concept of Integrated Fisheries Management has been developed to the point where after extensive consultation the policy has been finalised. The policy, which has general acceptance by stakeholders, paves the way for a new era in fisheries management in Western Australia.

Within-sector allocations of each fishery will provide a greater capacity for decision making for the major stakeholder groups in the management of their sectors. This includes commercial, recreational, charter and customary fishing requirements.

An Integrated Fisheries Allocation Advisory Committee comprising three prominent Western Australians has been appointed to steer the process and provide advice on allocations to sectors.

An IFM manager has been appointed to the Department of Fisheries to lead the Department's IFM program.

The Gallop Government will:

• Within the next term of government place the following fisheries under an IFM management framework:

• West coast rock lobster fishery.

• Abalone fishery .

• West coast and Gascoyne finfish fisheries.

• Introduce other fisheries to the IFM process over time concentrating on those fisheries of key importance to the community. Increased resources will be provided for research, management and compliance to enable IFM to progress in a timely manner.

• Change the program structure of the Department of Fisheries to better reflect the shift to IFM and the integration of commercial and recreational management of fish stocks.

• Ensure peak bodies are provided sufficient resources to adequately represent their constituents in the IFM process.

• Consult with the community extensively throughout the process.

• Continue with further development of training opportunities for all sector groups in building capacity for more active participation in fisheries management.

• Ensure the allocation processes within the IFM framework are transparent and provide the opportunity for the community, as well as the relevant sector interests, to have input into the decision making.

4. The Gallop Government will continue to work with the commercial fishing sector to ensure that the sector remains strong and viable into the future

Western Australia's commercial fishing industry generates significant wealth for the Western Australian community. Both industry and the Government recognise the necessity for sustainable management practices. The Gallop Government will continue to work with the commercial fishing sector to ensure that the sector remains strong and viable into the future. The Gallop Government will:

• Assist industry in meeting the Commonwealth Government's Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act requirements for export approval to facilitate reporting against sustainability criteria in the annual State of the Fisheries report.

• Undertake research and implement management practices that minimise interactions by the fishing industry with protected species.

• Introduce a unit licensing register to provide greater security to licence holders and security interests.

• Establish a departmental/industry working group to advise on improvements to make the commercial licensing and renewal system more user friendly and efficient.

• Maintain Development and Better Interest Fund funding to the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and sector bodies.

• Support the Management Advisory Committee processes to facilitate the management of the State's fisheries.

• Implement management plans for the west coast and Gascoyne wetline fisheries.

• Develop management plans for the Pilbara coast and south coast wetline fisheries.

• Progress consultation with industry with a view to reducing the minimum pot holding requirement for the Western Rock Lobster Managed Fishery.

• Support the Marine Stewardship Council's re-certification of the Western Rock Lobster Managed Fishery.

• Restructure the shark fisheries to ensure sustainability of these species.

• Support national industry initiatives to establish a marketing and promotion body for seafood products in Australia.

• Over the next 2 years, introduce Ministerial Policy Guidelines for the Western Rock Lobster Fishery, Shark Bay Prawn Fishery, Exmouth Gulf Prawn Fishery, Shark Bay Scallop Fishery, and Abalone Fisheries. The Guidelines will establish clear objectives and performance indicators for the sustainable management of these fisheries.

• Enhance the reporting of fisheries performance against sustainability, economic and social objectives to provide triple bottom line reporting to the community through the annual State of the Fisheries report.

• Continue to support the provisions of the Fishing and Related Industries Compensation (Marine Reserves) Act and provide amendments to that Act with respect to compensation that may be payable in relation to marine management areas established under the CALM Act and Fish Habitat Protection Areas under the Fish Resources Management Act.

• Retain the Minister for Fisheries' powers of concurrence with respect to the making and zoning of marine reserves.

• Ensure that the management and control of the Abrolhos Islands remains with the Minister for Fisheries.

• Review processes for the establishment of marine reserves and bioregional marine planning in consultation with all fisheries stakeholders and the wider community.

• Make strong representations to Food Standards Australia New Zealand to adopt a uniform Australian fish names list to educate consumers about fish species and reduce the instance of fish substitution.

• Make strong representations to the Commonwealth Government to initiate a FishBis program, based on the successful FarmBis program, that will provide specialised and targeted training for the commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors.

• Enter into discussions with the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council about the desirability of establishing a Management Advisory Committee for the minor commercial fisheries.

• Attribute a high priority to measures to improve occupational health, safety and welfare in the fishing industry.

5. The Gallop Government will continue to work with recreational fishers and the wider community to ensure that recreational fishing experiences can continue to be enjoyed by present and future generations of Western Australians

To ensure that recreational fishing can continue to be enjoyed by Western Australians, the Gallop Government will:

• Reaffirm its commitment not to introduce a licence fee for saltwater recreational line fishing.

• Reaffirm its commitment not to support bans on fishing at Rottnest Island.

• Work with the Rottnest Island Authority to improve signage for recreational fishers, particularly with respect to species identification, and size and bag limits.

• Retain the Minister for Fisheries' powers of concurrence in respect the making and zoning of marine reserves.

• Through the Marine Science Institution, significantly enhance the State's capacity to undertake research into fish species of importance to the recreational sector, such as Western Australian dhufish, rock lobster, tailor, herring, snapper, blue groper, blue manna crabs, abalone and marron.

• Ensure there are adequate funds to undertake recreational catch and effort research to support recreational fisheries management and IFM.

• Following on from the 2002 Coolangatta Fisheries Conference, explore the opportunities for applying "right to fish" principles contained in the Coolangatta Communique within the recreational fisheries and IFM context in Western Australia.

• Increase funding support for Recfishwest by $225,000 over 3 years.

• Provide $100,000 to Recfishwest to help that organisation run its highly professional community recreational fishing clinics.

• Conduct an independent review of recreational fisheries consultation arrangements to maximise the opportunities for more effective engagement of Recfishwest, the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee and the regional Recreational Advisory Committees concerning the delivery of recreational fishing outcomes.

• Enhance the capacity for community education in fisheries matters through the use of the new Centre for Fisheries Research and Community Education at Hillarys.

• Continue to provide better efficiencies in government delivery of marine compliance and education services.

• Use the new Centre for Fisheries Research and Community Education at Hillarys to support the northern suburbs Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officer (VFLO) campaign and programme.

• Restructure the VFLO program to increase its effectiveness and provide $45,000 to ensure that there are increased resources and adequate support available from regional offices.

• Provide $25,000 to support programs for fishers with disabilities.

• Establish a sub-committee of the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee - which will include Recfishwest - to advise the Government on funding priorities for recreational fishing education programs including publications and signage.

• Undertake a review of the West Coast Salmon Fishery in consultation with the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and Recfishwest.

• Continue to fund voluntary fisheries adjustment schemes with emphasis on herring, salmon, blue manna crabs and barramundi.

• Support the recreational gamefish sector in securing equitable access to gamefish stocks in Western Australian waters.

• Establish an additional two-person mobile Fisheries patrol for the metropolitan area.

• Use the provisions of the Fisheries Adjustment Schemes Act to phase out commercial fishing in the Swan and Canning Rivers.

• Increase recreational fishing patrols on the Swan and Canning Rivers.

• Continue to protect snapper breeding aggregations in Shark Bay and Cockburn Sound and prohibit commercial snapper fishing in Cockburn Sound.

• Promote recreational fishing, charter fishing and marine eco-tourism as key development opportunities for Western Australia regionally and internationally.

• Provide continuous support to recreational fishing and promote the importance of healthy outdoor activities such as recreational fishing in addressing youth, drug and social issues associated with increasing complexity of urbanisation.

• Undertake a feasibility study into the construction of a fish ladder at Lake Kununurra to allow barramundi to swim into and breed in the lake.

• Build a new boat ramp at a suitable site on the coast in the Fremantle area - but not at Rous Head where there is potential for serious congestion and injury from the interaction of cars with boat trailers and heavy haulage vehicles using the Rous Head Industrial Area.

• Allocate $20,000 to the WA Fish Foundation to assist with the Foundation's work in restocking Western Australia's native fish species of importance to the recreational fishing community.

• Review processes around the establishment of marine reserves and bioregional marine planning in consultation with all fisheries stakeholders and the wider community.

• Undertake a review of the netting rules for Leschenault Inlet, and in particular their impact on seniors.

6. The Gallop Government will conserve and enhance fish habitats and aquatic biodiversity in partnership with the Western Australian community

The Gallop Government recognises that healthy marine and aquatic ecosystems are a prerequisite for healthy fish stocks. To preserve these habitats, the Gallop Government will:

• Continue to plan and establish Fish Habitat Protection Areas in full consultation with local community groups.

• Ensure that the Abrolhos Islands and the waters of the Abrolhos Islands Fish Habitat Protection Area continue to be protected and managed under the provisions of the Fish Resources Management Act and in consultation with the wider community.

• Implement a conservation plan for the Abrolhos Islands.

• Shift marine park planning to a bioregional concept with better integration of fisheries management, marine park management and marine and coastal planning in a consistent overall government planning and natural resource management framework for the State's marine resources.

• Continue to work with local communities to identify and develop management plans for fish habitats in need of special protection.

• Work with the Commonwealth and other State jurisdictions to tackle the growing problem of introduced marine pests.

• Continue to encourage community stewardship of the marine environment through grants to assist community groups to undertake specific projects to protect fish and their habitats.

• Continue to support the Department of Fisheries in taking a lead role in shark hazard mitigation.

7. The Gallop Government will encourage further development of the aquaculture industry Aquaculture in Western Australia is at a critical stage of development and it is imperative that some of the many aquaculture licence holders establish profitable businesses. This is needed to not only give investors greater confidence to finance aquaculture ventures but to also support regional development in Western Australia.

The Gallop Government supports the continued development of a sustainable and profitable aquaculture industry. It will:

• Maintain funding for the aquaculture program within the Department of Fisheries

• Officially recognise the Aquaculture Council of WA as the peak sector body for the aquaculture industry.

• Maintain funding for the Aquaculture Council of Western Australia (ACWA).

• Undertake strategic aquaculture research for new aquaculture industries.

• Implement appropriate regulatory and planning guidelines for the development of the industry.

• Incorporate within the ADC an expertise-based Aquaculture Development Group to provide a stronger focus on industry development and investment attraction.

• Through the Department of Fisheries, assist individual project proponents to obtain commercial finance for projects based on individual project needs.

• Explore the possibility of establishing an Investment Innovation Fund for the purposes of providing appropriately structured financial assistance to aquaculturalists.

• Grant long term leases to aquaculture licensees.

• Continue to streamline and simplify the approvals process to minimise the time taken to secure licences/leases, and minimise the uncertainty relating to environmental and Indigenous issues.

• Encourage the full utilisation of aquaculture sites by introducing clear licence/lease performance criteria for all licences/leases issues.

• Place a high priority on the funding of fish health diagnostic and related research activities in line with industry needs.

8. The Gallop Government will introduce new guidelines to assist the long term development of the pearling industry

The pearling industry has been recognised by the Gallop Government as one of Western Australia's icons. It is based upon regulated access to the pristine waters of the State's Kimberley and Pilbara coasts and the aquaculture and seeding of the pinctada maxima pearl oyster that occurs naturally in Western Australia's northern waters. In 2003, the pearling industry generated an estimated $120 million export income for the State and is a significant employer in the State's north.

The Gallop Government will:

• Investigate, in collaboration with industry, the implementation of a quality grading system for the benefit of all Australian pearlers.

• Participate with industry in market research to facilitate more strategic branding for Australian South Sea produced pearls.

• Introduce new legislation to support modern practices in the pearling industry concurrent with improving the quality of Australian pearl production and expanded pearl production.

• Enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Northern Territory Government to develop complementary management arrangements in both jurisdictions.

• Review the licence and lease fee structure for the pearling industry.

9. The Gallop Government will assist the development of Indigenous fishing Fishing is a traditional activity for many Indigenous communities. The Gallop Government will encourage Indigenous people to participate in these traditional activities.

We will: Progress the Aboriginal Fishing Strategy to:

• Incorporate the concept of customary fishing into the Fish Resources Management Act and regulations. This will cover the rights of customary access to fisheries by Indigenous people.

• Identify and assist with economic development opportunities in the fishing industry, aquaculture and charter and aquatic ecotourism industries.

10. The Gallop Government will continue to support the aquatic and fishing charter industry and work with the industry to promote sustainability

The aquatic and fishing charter industry provides many in the community and visitors from interstate and overseas with the chance to enjoy the world class fishing and marine ecotourism attractions which Western Australia has to offer. The industry makes it possible for people to visit areas that may not be otherwise accessible and provides knowledge and interpretation about the environment, often with an historical and cultural perspective.

The Gallop Government supports a strong and regulated charter industry. It recognises the potential of the industry to generate additional tourism income to Western Australia from the Kimberley to the Great Australian Bight. The Gallop Government also understands that the industry must have practical rules that apply to fishing charters, and in particular extended stayfishing charters.

The Gallop Government will:

• Work with the charter industry and the Western Australian Tourism Commission to promote - both interstate and overseas - the world class charter fishing and aquatic ecotourism opportunities available in Western Australia.

• Work with the fishing charter industry to review the fishing rules for extended charters to ensure that they are practical and sustainable from both fisheries management and business management perspectives.

The original of this document, authorised by Bill Johnston, 79 Stirling Street, Perth WA 6000 is on the WA Labor Party's website as Labor's Plan for Fisheries (PDF file - opens in a new window)



This page last updated on 20 May 2007.