BLUE SWIMMER CRAB —
DISCUSSION PAPER
1063. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development's blue swimmer crab discussion
paper.
(1) What
mechanisms are in place to ensure the commercial fishing licence buyback scheme
in the Peel–Harvey estuary results in more crabs being made available
to recreational fishers?
(2) As part of the commercial
fishing licence buyback scheme, will a quota system be implemented?
(3) Could
Cockburn Sound, currently closed to protect blue swimmer crab breeding stock,
support a three-month summer recreational fishing period?
(4) How many
tonnes of blue swimmer crabs have been taken by commercial crab catchers in Western
Australian waters in the past 12 months?
(5) If the above information is not
yet available, when is it anticipated to be?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The Minister for Fisheries has provided the following information.
(1)–(2) A
decision on the most appropriate method to reallocate commercial catch to the
recreational sector will be made following the completion of the voluntary
fisheries adjustment scheme. All management options will be considered,
including the appropriateness of moving the commercial fishery to quota.
(3) The Cockburn
Sound blue swimmer crab stock remains in recovery. Current research indicates
that egg production and the number of juveniles within Cockburn Sound remain
below acceptable levels. Consequently, the Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development does not support any fishing in Cockburn Sound by either
the recreational or commercial sectors.
(4) Catch returns
for the past 12 months are still being verified. Based on preliminary
estimates, the statewide commercial catch of blue swimmer crabs is estimated to
be around 600 tonnes.
(5) Statewide
catches are reported every year in the department's ''Status
reports of the fisheries and aquatic resources of Western Australia'',
which is likely to be published by the end of the year.