Fishing e-petition on track for record number of signatures, as Geraldton prepares to host fishing forum

WA fishers have made their stance loud and clear, as a petition calling for a parliamentary inquiry is on track to become the most signed e-petition in the history of WA’s Legislative Council. More than 31,000 people have signed the petition amid the State Government’s decision to ban demersal fishing from Kalbarri to Augusta as of January 1 this year. The petition, started by Geraldton fisher Anthony Haygarth, is calling for a parliamentary inquiry and demanding the Government look into sustainable fishing plans, rather than imposing a blanket ban on commercial and recreational demersal fishing. This includes considering factors affecting fish stocks and access, and how the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is resourced. Following intense backlash over the bans, the Nationals WA is hosting a fishing forum in Geraldton on Thursday, February 5 at Towns Football Club. Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr said the forum was an opportunity to listen to fishers’ concerns. “This ban was sprung upon the fishing sector with no notice and no consultation, and this Government has made this decision due to poor mismanagement,” she said. “Our fishers have been blindsided, and the Cook Labor Government refuses to listen to genuine concerns from the community. “We’re here to listen to the community and to work with the sector to try and advocate for better outcomes.” WA Nationals leader Shane Love and shadow minister for agriculture Lachlan Hunter will also be present. Premier Roger Cook has previously said he had consulted the fishing industry, disputing vocal claims they were taken by surprise. “We undertook a significant process of consultation with the fishing community ahead of the announcements that we made towards the end of last year,” he said. “That included our fishing forum, where we had all the stakeholders in the one room in the Parliament House to talk about what is the future.” Several fishers in the Mid West-Gascoyne region have slammed the State Government’s decision to ban demersal fishing, expressing concerns about the impact it would have on their livelihoods. The snap ban has been met with several protests, with one local fisher chaining his boat to the Geraldton fisheries office earlier this month. In Perth, more than 100 disgruntled fishers staged a convoy and towed boats from Fremantle to the CBD just days later. Ms Warr said the ban affected people in her electorate significantly. “Shortly after the ban was announced, I met with a number of stakeholders in fishing in Geraldton, all of whom shared concerns about their industry going forward,” she said. “Livelihoods have been ended with less than a month’s notice, and our fishers deserve a seat at the table. “The State Government needs to be working with the sector in developing a long-term sustainable fishing plan, instead of imposing heavy-handed bans which impact regional communities heavily.” The deadline for the e-petition has been extended to February 17.