Western Australia's Fisheries Minister, Jackie Jarvis, has stated she took "no joy" in the contentious decision to permanently ban the commercial angling of prized species like WA snapper and dhufish. As the acting premier, she remains steadfast that the drastic measure was necessary, despite a fierce backlash that has seen boats listed for sale and even shark heads dumped at her office door.
A Divisive Decision and Personal Fallout
Ms Jarvis revealed the personal toll of the policy, confirming that her husband Matt's business had been targeted online amid the growing anger. She described it as "probably the most divisive decision I've ever made", acknowledging the deep upset within the fishing community while asserting that dealing with such fallout is an unavoidable part of her ministerial role.
The emotional impact on industry workers is stark. Augusta deckhand Clinton Blight posted a desperate message on social media, stating he must pay rent next week and has no ability to use a computer beyond fishing or navigation devices. "I put my life on the line daily to bring seafood home," he wrote, encapsulating the human cost of the policy shift.
The Science and the Buyout Justification
During an interview in her West Perth office, Ms Jarvis argued that the alternative for the commercial sector was a slower demise without any financial support. The decision, she insists, was driven by data showing that even as fishing hours were cut in previous years, catches increased—a sign she interprets as fishers working harder, not evidence of recovering stocks.
The permanent closure of the West Coast bioregion to commercial fishing triggers a legislative mechanism for a compulsory buyout. Ms Jarvis revealed that compensation, based on offering three to four times a fisher's gross annual take, should begin flowing by the end of January 2026, with an initial advance payment of about a quarter of the total due.
She defended the $20 million commercial buyout component of the government's $36 million support package, noting the total gross value of the region's catch is only about $5 million. This package has been criticised as inadequate, especially when compared to a $185 million support scheme in Queensland during similar fishing restrictions.
Dismissing Fears of Shortages and Price Hikes
Addressing concerns from consumers and seafood businesses, Minister Jarvis played down predictions of soaring fish prices and major shortages. "It's been a little bit over egged as to the impact," she stated, suggesting that seasonal Christmas price rises were being conflated with the ban's effects.
She pointed out that most demersal fish supplied to the market comes from the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, where fishing continues. "In six months time, I don't think we'll see these huge shortages that people are talking about," she predicted. Meanwhile, recreational boat-based fishing for demersals is also banned from Kalbarri to Augusta until Spring 2027.
The political battle continues, with Shadow Fisheries Minister Kirrilee Warr arguing the government's compensation package doesn't "scratch the surface" of what is needed, as the legal and social ripples from the ban continue to spread across Western Australia's coastline.
