WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER
FISHERY — CHARTER BOATS
1181. Hon JIM CHOWN to the minister representing the Minister
for Fisheries:
I refer to the minister's
press release of Wednesday, 2 October, titled ''A boost for rock lobster
tourism through charter boat changes''.
(1) Why did the minister not consult
with the Western Rock Lobster Council regarding these changes?
(2) These charter
operations are commercially driven operations and as profit-driven ventures,
why have they been issued units for free as opposed to purchasing units on the
open market?
(3) Will these increased catch
limits be applied only to currently registered rock lobster charter vessels?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
Gosh, member, when I was in
Geraldton there was certainly a lot of enthusiasm about this development in the
tourism community. The following information has been provided to me by the
Minister for Fisheries.
(1) The proposed
trial was discussed with the Western Rock Lobster Council between February and
May this year as part of a broader range of initiatives to increase domestic
lobster supply. The charter sector discussions
were referenced in two agreements on domestic supply reached with the Western
Rock Lobster Council. In addition, the charter industry is managed as
part of the recreational sector and the lobster caught through this trial will
be a part of the recreational allocation. The commercial catch is not affected.
(2) No units have been issued.
(3) Increased
boat limits will apply only to charter vessels that qualify for the trial.
It is a great
program.