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State-wide meetings to discuss fish laws
Date: Tuesday, 5 December 2006
Fisheries Minister Jon Ford has announced that a ministerial review committee will hold meetings across Western Australia to seek feedback on its draft report of proposed amendments to the Fish Resources Management Act (FRMA).
The Minister said the 1994 Act, which governs WA’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, was undergoing a major review and community consultation had been and would continue to be an important part of the process.
“The review committee, chaired by South-West MLC Matt Benson-Lidholm, is inquiring into the FRMA’s effectiveness,“ Mr Ford said.
“I join him in encouraging feedback to its draft report, particularly through public submissions which need to be lodged by February 16 next year.
“There were 35 submissions to the initial Department of Fisheries discussion paper, which have been considered and used in the development of the committee’s draft report.
“It is essential that our legislation meets the goals of conserving, developing and sharing the State’s fish resources and also in protecting fish habitats and aquatic biodiversity.”
Mr Benson-Lidholm said that in order to discuss the draft report and its proposals with stakeholders and the community, the committee would be holding evening meetings in Esperance on December 8, Broome on December 11, Kununurra on December 12 and Albany on December 18.
The committee would also hold a lunchtime meeting in Kojonup on December 18 and further meetings in Karratha, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Bunbury, and Perth in January.
Mr Benson-Lidholm said it was important that changes were made to the FRMA to address issues which had arisen since the WA Act came into force 12 years ago.
“The Carpenter Government is committed to ensuring we have robust and up to date legislation to maintain the sustainability of fish stocks and reflect the social and economic significance of our fisheries and aquaculture resources,” he said.
Copies of the ‘Proposed amendments to the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 – draft report of the Ministerial Review Committee’ can be downloaded from the Department of Fisheries’ website at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au. Print copies will soon be available for distribution.
Media contact: Robin Parsons 9213 7200
The Minister said the 1994 Act, which governs WA’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, was undergoing a major review and community consultation had been and would continue to be an important part of the process.
“The review committee, chaired by South-West MLC Matt Benson-Lidholm, is inquiring into the FRMA’s effectiveness,“ Mr Ford said.
“I join him in encouraging feedback to its draft report, particularly through public submissions which need to be lodged by February 16 next year.
“There were 35 submissions to the initial Department of Fisheries discussion paper, which have been considered and used in the development of the committee’s draft report.
“It is essential that our legislation meets the goals of conserving, developing and sharing the State’s fish resources and also in protecting fish habitats and aquatic biodiversity.”
Mr Benson-Lidholm said that in order to discuss the draft report and its proposals with stakeholders and the community, the committee would be holding evening meetings in Esperance on December 8, Broome on December 11, Kununurra on December 12 and Albany on December 18.
The committee would also hold a lunchtime meeting in Kojonup on December 18 and further meetings in Karratha, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Bunbury, and Perth in January.
Mr Benson-Lidholm said it was important that changes were made to the FRMA to address issues which had arisen since the WA Act came into force 12 years ago.
“The Carpenter Government is committed to ensuring we have robust and up to date legislation to maintain the sustainability of fish stocks and reflect the social and economic significance of our fisheries and aquaculture resources,” he said.
Copies of the ‘Proposed amendments to the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 – draft report of the Ministerial Review Committee’ can be downloaded from the Department of Fisheries’ website at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au. Print copies will soon be available for distribution.
Media contact: Robin Parsons 9213 7200
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