❓ Hon Rob Horstman questions the Minister for Fisheries on the scientific basis for reopening the demersal fishery to recreational fishers in two years, given the dhufish's long maturation period. The Minister defends the government's policy and contrasts it with the opposition's.
AnsweredQoN 324Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Demersal fishing ban
324. Hon Rob Horstman to
the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the
government's snap demersal fishing ban.
Given the
peak egg-laying fertility of dhufish is 15 years, how will the minister
guarantee that dhufish stocks in the west coast demersal fishery will have
recovered sufficiently when it is reopened to the recreational sector in less
than two years?
324. Hon Rob Horstman to
the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the
government's snap demersal fishing ban.
Given the
peak egg-laying fertility of dhufish is 15 years, how will the minister
guarantee that dhufish stocks in the west coast demersal fishery will have
recovered sufficiently when it is reopened to the recreational sector in less
than two years?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
As I announced on 3 December 2025, during the recovery
closure a policy on spatial and further temporary closures to protect spawning
fish will be finalised before the fishery reopens in September 2027 for the
spring season. Our policy stands in stark contrast to the opposition policy,
which continues to support an increased allocation of at-risk fish species to
the commercial sector at the expense of recreational fishers.
question.
As I announced on 3 December 2025, during the recovery
closure a policy on spatial and further temporary closures to protect spawning
fish will be finalised before the fishery reopens in September 2027 for the
spring season. Our policy stands in stark contrast to the opposition policy,
which continues to support an increased allocation of at-risk fish species to
the commercial sector at the expense of recreational fishers.
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