PROHIBITION ON FISHING
(GREENS POOL) ORDER 2018
69. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the Prohibition on
Fishing (Greens Pool) Order 2018 published in the Government Gazette on
13 November 2018 and tabled in the Legislative Council on 20 November 2018
under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994.
(1) What
consultation with stakeholder groups, such as Recfishwest, Tourism WA, and the
Shire of Denmark, was undertaken before the decision to close Greens Pool from
fishing was reached?
(2) Has Tourism
WA and the Shire of Denmark assessed how many visitors to Greens Pool undertake
the activity of recreational fishing?
(3) Considering
recreational fishing is estimated to have an economic value of $569 million in Western
Australia, has the minister assessed the financial impact of his decision?
(4) Has the
minister considered a seasonal ban at Greens Pool rather than a permanent ban?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The Minister for Fisheries has provided the following answer.
(1) Consultation
was undertaken with Recfishwest, the Western Australian Fishing Industry
Council, the Shire of Denmark and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation
and Attractions.
(2) This question
should be directed to Tourism WA and the Shire of Denmark.
(3) The decision
to prohibit fishing at Greens Pool was made on a resource-sharing basis, noting
this location is highly popular for swimmers and for other non-extractive
activities. The economic value to the region as a consequence of visitors to
Greens Pool is significant, plus there are alternative safe and accessible
sites for recreational fishing in the vicinity.
(4) Yes.