Representatives from Australia’s commercial fishing industry converged in Fremantle, WA to discuss the continued threats to the industry’s resource access, stemming from ongoing nationwide government intervention.
“We called today’s ‘Tipping Point’ meeting to discuss the widespread government interventions, reviews and reform processes bringing increased uncertainty to our industry, most prominent at the moment is the attack on the Western Rock Lobster Fishery” Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) CEO Jane Lovell said.
“What we have seen happen in Western Australia with regard to Western Rock Lobster and the McGowan Government’s move to issue licenses to itself, is unprecedented, we believe illegal and condemned by representatives at today’s meeting. This action dramatically devalues the local industry and has national consequences on property rights, not just within the seafood industry,” SIA CEO Jane Lovell said.
“Those present from fishing communities and families from throughout Australia clearly stated their support for the rock lobster fishers of WA in their battle against the unfair and unjust seizure of the fishery by the state of Western Australia. The result of that seizure would be to undermine sound fisheries management to the detriment of the whole Australian community,” Dr George Kailis, Executive Chair of the MG Kailis Group.
In an unprecedented showing of unity, industry leaders from every state and territory came together today and discussed pathways to address the constant erosion of our access to resources, and the devaluation and destabilisation of the commercial seafood industry around the nation. The meeting focused on establishing a long-term approach to provide greater security in access rights. The following resolutions were agreed upon:
- We support the WA Rock Lobster industry in their battle to reject the unprecedented, unfair and unjust proposal to steal fishing access rights.
- We reconfirm that security of fishing access rights is paramount to proper fisheries management, conservation and community benefit.
- We commit to working more closely with the Australian community.
- We will work to engage and educate our politicians for better community outcomes.
“Seafood Industry Australia was created to provide a united voice of the Australian seafood industry – to promote, protect and develop the industry,” said Lovell. “Today, we have just that. This tipping point meeting is the catalyst for the start of a unified industry approach for long-term, secure access rights for Australian fishing families and the Australian community at large.”