News Brief
Summary
A dispute has emerged in Western Australia over mandatory catch reporting for recreational fishers. The fishing industry head is frustrated the government ruled it out, while the recreational fishers’ group argues it’s unnecessary and unreliable. The government will honor its election commitment against broad mandatory reporting but is open to targeted reporting for threatened species if the recreational sector agrees.
Key Points
- Industry Position (WAFIC): Demands mandatory recreational catch reporting, calling it essential for effective fishery management. Considers the minister’s position “crazy” and “insane.”
- Recreational Position (Recfishwest): Opposes mandatory reporting, arguing existing state estimates are sufficient and that new systems would be unreliable and expensive. Believes focus should be on better management, not better counting.
- Government Stance: Will not introduce broad mandatory reporting, honoring a pre-election promise. Open to selective reporting for threatened species, but only with Recfishwest’s agreement.
- Fisher Status: Most demersal fish species in WA are assessed as being at high or severe sustainability risk.
- Commercial Fisher View: One business owner calls mandatory reporting a “no-brainer” and expresses willingness to accept catch reductions to protect the fishery’s future.
- Next Step: The state government is expected to announce new fishery management plans by the end of 2025.
新闻简报
总结
西澳大利亚州就是否对休闲渔民实施强制性渔获量报告出现争议。渔业负责人对政府排除该选项感到沮丧，而休闲渔民代表团体则认为此举不必要且不可靠。政府将遵守其反对广泛强制性报告的选举承诺，但如果休闲渔业部门同意，对特定受威胁物种进行针对性报告持开放态度。
关键点
- 行业立场 (WAFIC): 要求对休闲渔获进行强制性实时报告，称这对有效管理渔业至关重要。认为部长的立场”疯狂”且”荒谬”。
- 休闲渔业立场 (Recfishwest): 反对强制性报告，认为现有的国家估算已经足够，新系统将不可靠且成本高昂。认为重点应放在更好的管理，而非更好的计数上。
- 政府立场: 不会引入广泛的强制性报告，以遵守选前承诺。如果Recfishwest同意，对特定受威胁物种的选择性报告持开放态度。
- 鱼类资源状况: 西澳州大多数底栖鱼类被政府科学家评估为处于高度或严重的可持续性风险中。
- 商业渔民观点: 一位企业主称强制性报告是”明摆着的事”，并表示愿意接受渔获量减少以保护渔业的未来。
- 下一步: 州政府预计在2025年底前宣布新的渔业管理计划。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-21/wa-fishing-council-shocked-by-state-government-fishery-approach/105916462