Aussie Firms Sue Western Australia Gov’t Over Demersal Fishing Ban

Two seafood companies are challenging the Western Australia (WA) government’s fishing reforms in the state’s Supreme Court, Briana Shepherd reported for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Measures include a permanent ban on commercial fishing of demersal species in the state’s West Coast zone and catch reductions of up to 50% in most other fisheries. (Photo: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) 

The companies argue that a ban on demersal trawling in the Pilbara will hurt regional jobs, local food supply, and long-standing investment in Australia’s fishing industry.

The matter is scheduled to be heard in the WA Supreme Court.

Opposition to WA’s new demersal fishing restrictions has intensified, with trawling companies in the state’s north launching legal action and a new advocacy group, Fish For All, campaigning for the legislation to be paused pending an independent stock assessment.

The lawsuit was filed by Sea Harvest Pty Ltd, an Australian subsidiary of South African fishing and food company Sea Harvest Group, alongside West Australian seafood company Seafresh Holdings Pty Ltd, which trades as Westmore Seafoods.

Earlier this month, the WA government announced a suite of reforms affecting both commercial and recreational fishing of demersal species in an effort to rebuild at-risk fish stocks.

Measures include a permanent ban on commercial fishing of demersal species in the state’s West Coast zone, stretching from Kalbarri to Augusta, and catch reductions of up to 50% in most other fisheries.

The reforms also include a permanent ban on demersal trawling in the Pilbara — the only zone in WA where the practice occurs.

Demersal fish, also known as groundfish, live and feed on or near the ocean floor and include popular species such as dhufish, pink snapper, and red emperor.