❓ Mrs Warr asks about the demersal fishing ban in WA, focusing on assessment methods, environmental changes, recreational fishing monitoring, bioregion boundaries, impact on regional towns, Traditional Owner inclusion, tackle availability, accidental catches, fishing rules, and compensation for commercial licence holders. The government provides brief answers, often referring to existing reports and ongoing monitoring.

I refer to the demersal fishing ban in WA and the West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource 2025 Assessment, and I ask:(a) The assessment acknowledges five methods of analysis, what are they and how are they each used;(b) Were the assessments completed where the environment is suitable for the species being surveyed;(c) Are locations relevant to particular demersal species targeted, If yes, would environmental changes, such as changes to water temperature, be factored in to the assessment;(d) How often is the monitoring of recreational fishing information done;(e) Are these completed in the same locations and same people for consistency;(f) How are the base line species numbers determined;(g) Is it reasonable to suggest that as the West Coast Bioregion has an ever increasing number of tropical and subtropical species, the environment and ecology is also changing and subsequent survey information needs to be aware of the changes so that these changes bring in research locations and information;(h) How are bioregions determined and can these change;(i) What consideration, if any, has the State Government made to changing the boundary of bioregions in WA in light of the demersal fishing ban;(j) How can the State Government ensure regional towns outside the West Coast bioregion do not become overwhelmed due to increased traffic as a result of fishers travelling to other zones to fish;(k) How have Traditional Owners been included as part of this ban;(l) Will the ban affect the types of tackle available to fishers;(m) What happens in the event a demersal fish in the West Coast bioregion is accidentally caught, by bycatch or otherwise;(n) Do the fishing rules in relation to the bioregion apply from where you fish or where you depart your vessel from, and how can Fisheries Officers ensure accuracy when it comes to this; and(o) When will the details of what each unit holder is entitled to be known to those involved?

(a)               The report referenced by the Member in her question outlines the Assessment methods and analysis used in Appendix One. (b)-(c) Yes. Fishery specific data, including environmental impacts, is outlined throughout Section Three of the report referenced by the Member in her question. (d)-(e) The statewide survey of boat-based recreational fishing occurs every 3 years and the methods used are outlined in Fisheries Research Report No. 352. (f)                A description of the model-based analyses used in the report referenced by the Member is described in Appendix One, with Appendix Two and Three showing modelling of data. (h)-(i) Fisheries bioregions are based on ecology and climate. The WA Government has committed to transitioning the Kalbarri management area of the West Coast into the Gascoyne Coast by 2028. (j)                The Department will continue to monitor the impact of all fishing activity on fish stocks across WA and will adjust management to support ongoing sustainability as required. (k)              Management measures to recover demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion apply to everyone. (l)                No. (m)            Any demersal species accidentally caught by boat in the West Coast Bioregion must be returned to the water as fast as possible. (n)              Recreational fishers in the West Coast Bioregion cannot be in possession of a demersal scalefish on a boat, regardless of where it was caught or where the vessel departed. (o)              Compensation negotiations with commercial licence holders are confidential. The Department has provided individual advice to each license holder directly.