Shark fishing
224. Hon Philip Scott to the Minister for Fisheries:
(1) Will the Cook Labor government consider relaxing restrictions on commercial fishing of non-endangered species of sharks given the significant increase in numbers?
(2) When can we expect action on this matter?
Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I acknowledge that this is Hon Philip Scott's first question in this place.
(1)–(2) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides an annual update on the state of fish stocks and other aquatic resources of Western Australia in the publication Status reports of the fisheries and aquatic resources of Western Australia (SRFAR). These annual updates use the ecosystem-based fisheries management framework, which recognises the social, economic and ecological values at a regional level to assess and ensure the sustainable management of all aquatic resources into the future. The SRFAR contains the latest assessment of breeding stock levels. Management of commercial fisheries is based upon the latest science, with management controls set out in the relevant management plans. Management plans are reviewed and updated periodically, with the latest data relating to sharks anticipated by the department in the second half of this year.
