Fishermen and conservationists remain divided over looming fishing bans for five of WA’s popular fish species, with the Fisheries Minister due to announce today whether he will back away from the controversial reform package.

The previous government introduced measures this year to protect key fish stocks from overfishing, including bans due to take effect by October 15 on anglers taking pink snapper, dhufish, crimson or red snapper, baldchin groper and breaksea cod, but drafting of the regulations was not finished before the State election.

WA Fishing Industry Council chief executive Graeme Stewart said commercial fishermen had been banned from fishing in the metropolitan zone since late last year and subject to increased restrictions in other areas in order to maintain the sustainability of WA fisheries. “We would be disappointed if (the recreational bans) didn’t go ahead because it was part of the entire package that each fishery reduce their catch by half and if you don’t do that you are wasting your time,” he said.

The Wilderness Society WA has also warned urgent action is needed to protect the iconic species dubbed the “vulnerable five” while recreational fishing groups have claimed annual bans of up to four months over the popular summer fishing period would be too harsh.

JODIE THOMSON

Source: The West Australian