Question Without Notice No. 709 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 October 2017 by Hon Robin Chapple
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
FISHERIES — COMMERCIAL GILLNET ZONE
709. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the minister representing the Minister for Fisheries:
(1) How large is the commercial gillnet exclusion zone around Derby?
(2) What impact has commercial gillnet fishing had on barramundi stocks in the region?
(3) Will the government consider reviewing the commercial gillnet exclusion zone to ensure that local recreational fishing and tourism businesses are able to meet clients' expectations?
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member. I have a particular interest in this issue. I remember this being the subject of my first parliamentary committee in my very first year in this place in 1993. The Minister for Fisheries has provided the following information.
(1) The exclusion zone around Derby covers a four-nautical-mile radius from the Derby jetty. Gillnet fishing is also prohibited in the nearby Fitzroy River south of 17 degrees 27 minutes latitude.
(2) Commercial gillnet fishing in the Kimberley has been formally managed since 1989. The Kimberley barramundi resource is considered sustainable and there is no evidence of a decline in barramundi stocks.
(3) I have requested that the fisheries division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development work with peak sector bodies, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council and Recfishwest to resolve this outstanding issue as a priority.