Demersal fishing ban: Anger at an all-time high as fisheries petition hooks a record 32,000 signatures

The WA fishing community is mad as hell and not going to take it any more. And the demand from thousands of disgruntled West Australians — for a parliamentary inquiry into the State’s fisheries — is now the most signed e-petition in Legislative Council’s history. The e-petition has now garnered more than 32,500 signatures, surpassing the 2024 petition over Firearm Act changes. And it is still open until February 17. While it predates the surprise December announcement of an 18-month ban on fishing demersal fish species from a zone stretching from Kalbarri to Augusta, it has since surged in signatures. The petition has been backed by the Liberal and National parties, as well as One Nation on the cross bench. Shadow fisheries minister Kirrilee Warr said the record number of signatures were a clear sign of community discontent. “It is heartening to see so many signatures, and we note the minister’s comments yesterday saying she would welcome an inquiry,” she said. “It tells us that this is a major issue which the community really cares about and the Government must properly address. “The Government needs to toe the line and come clean about the information it is sitting on and do the right thing by conducting a parliamentary inquiry.” On Thursday, Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis insisted the Government had nothing to hide. “That petition would be brought before Parliament, it will go to a parliamentary committee, I am comfortable if there is an inquiry, I have nothing to hide,” she said. “All of the science has been put forward, I noticed that the Opposition spokesperson for fisheries was on radio in the last few days claiming that there is an independent assessment report that I’m keeping hidden, that’s simply not the case.” It is not yet clear if Labor would back the calls for an inquiry. If not, it would require the Greens to support the motion.