❓ Mrs. Warr inquires about the number, location, relocation reasons, and compliance monitoring strategies of Fisheries Officers in WA. The Minister provides details on officer numbers, regional distribution, relocation policies, and compliance methods in areas without resident officers.

I refer to Fishing Officers in WA, and I ask:(a) How many Fisheries officers are currently working across the state;(b) Can a breakdown of where these officers are located be provided;(c) For what reasons would fisheries officers be relocated from one region to another;(d) In the event a fisheries officer is relocated, is there an expectation that another officer will take their place; and(e) For areas where there is no fisheries officer, how is compliance expected to be monitored?

a) There are 127 permanent full time equivalent Fisheries and Marine Officer (FMO) positions across the state. b) ·         Southern region – 17 ·         Metropolitan region – 38 ·         Midwest-Gascoyne region – 23 ·         Northern region – 36 ·         Specialised branches – 13. c)  FMOs are rarely relocated from one region to another, if so, it is generally due to a promotion or to fill a vacancy. d)  Yes. e)  Whilst FMOs are generally located in coastal towns across the state to align with regionally based population centres and fishing activities, they routinely patrol and conduct operations throughout the state. FMOs also use a range of intelligence sources, technology tools and specialist capabilities to monitor and ensure effective statewide compliance.