New group, Fish for All, formed in bid to convince State Government to pause its demersal fishing bans

A coalition of fishing-related businesses have banded together in a last-ditch bid to convince the State Government to pause its ban on demersal fishing while an independent stock assessment is carried out.

Fish for All is a group of fishing stores and restaurants which has been created to lobby the Government over its controversial legislation.

The State Government says stock levels of demersal species, including pink snapper and dhufish, are under “severe sustainability threat” and earlier this month announced a series of reforms.

From January 1, commercial demersal fishing in the West Coast region stretching from Augusta in the south to Kalbarri in the north will be permanently banned. Recreational demersal fishing will be banned until spring 2027. There will be a 50 per cent catch reduction in most other regions.

The Government has allocated $20 million to buyback the more than 40 commercial licences in the West Coast region. They maintain the moves are tough but necessary.

Stakeholders and the Opposition say the measures that blindsided the industry will lead to the sinking of many small businesses, higher prices and less choice for consumers.

Kalbarri fisher of 40 years Phil De Grauw told 7NEWS on Sunday: “It’s all just gone . . . 80 per cent of my income because we’re not fishing out of Kalbarri and they’re expecting me to last two years with no income.

“There’s not a lot of other work for commercial fishers at the moment and it doesn’t seem like the compensation packages made any allowances or any thought for retraining or any consideration really for any of those crew.”

Meanwhile, legal action has been launched to stop the legislation with Sea Harvest and Westmore Seafoods starting proceedings in the WA Supreme Court to cancel the State Government’s decision to ban all trawl fishing for demersal species in the Pilbara.