On January 1, fishers and fisheries advocates hit the streets of Margaret River. They were protesting against their own government’s new Western Australian demersal fishing restrictions. Fishermen like Mason Jones were left feeling unheard by regulators regarding the new prohibitive bans. In response, their demonstration was born to speak up for them. The event brought to the forefront a community’s increasing anger as leaders in the federal government continue to place harsh restrictions on recreational and commercial fishermen alike.
On December 3, the Western Australian government acted quickly by announcing an 18-month ban on recreational fishing. They further enacted an open-ended ban on all demersal commercial fishing. These rules apply across a 900-kilometer length of the West Coast, from Kalbarri to Augusta. As of December 16, recreational anglers may not target a single demersal fish. The commercial ban goes into effect January 1.
Protest Activities
The protest served as a testament of a courageous act. Shark heads reportedly dumped just outside WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis’s office. Two men have been arrested after dumping 200kg of shark heads. The heads were made from various shark species and were displayed beside a poem sewn into shark-themed fishing overalls. This legislation was designed to shine a spotlight on the struggles of fishermen impacted by the new rules.
Mr. Jones, in short, wasn’t pleased with his government’s ability to communicate. He stated, “She’s [Jackie Jarvis] dodged our phone calls and she’s dodged any answers that we want to get.” He reiterated throughout the protest that the day’s demonstration was just a beginning, with more actions planned for the future.
“The government has to come to the plate because we are uniting and people are realizing what you are doing and we’re not going to stand for it.” – Mason Jones
Participants at the protest Representatives from many sectors of the local community joined in the protest, including some sporting t-shirts proclaiming their support for local fishing operations. One guy had a shirt made that read, “Thank you for shopping local Roger.” As he looked out at the water, imagining the rich culture of fishing that would soon be wiped away.
Government Response
In reaction to the protests, WA Nationals Leader Shane Love condemned the action. Don’t get him wrong–he’s not defending the demonstrators’ behavior–but he does relate to their widespread frustration. “I can understand that people are feeling very frustrated and angry,” he said. The government maintains that the decision to enforce these restrictions followed “extensive, respectful and inclusive consultation with industry and the community,” according to a spokesperson for the Fisheries Minister.
Indeed, Minister Jackie Jarvis has shown her commendable intention that these reforms should safeguard our fish stocks for generations to come. “Everyone who has an interest in these fish stocks is being urged to play their part to save demersal fish for future generations,” the spokesperson added. As many drawers (fishermen who participate in the lottery) believe, they’ve been taken for granted.
Community Impact
The planned restrictions on demersal fishing have sparked outrage among local fishermen about the threat to their livelihoods. Mr. Jones commented on the impact these measures could have, stating, “Jackie Jarvis got a little package delivered to her just to start off the end of the year, to let her know how she ended the many careers of fishermen and small businesses.”
The ongoing debate around sustainable fishing practices and community interests highlights the critical balance between environmental conservation and economic viability for local fishers. Protests continue, and they are inspiring the increasing anger from their districts. Now, the ball is in the government’s court to see how they plan to act on it.
