Policy for the Implementation of Ecologically Sustainable Development for Fisheries and Aquaculture Within WA
Minister's Foreword
The Western Australian Government has embraced the notion of Ecologically Sustainable Development ESD) and its guiding principles and is actively working to ensure that the philosophy of sustainability underpins government policies, activities and decision-making.
The policy outlined here is the first step towards fully implementing ESD principles in the management of the fisheries resources of Western Australia. It is likely to be revised several times in the next few years, as we blaze the trail that leads to its implementation across all fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
The production of this ESD policy for Western Australian fisheries represents a major achievement for the Department of Fisheries and the State, as it is one of the first policies of this kind to be completed in the world in any resource sector.
The policy covers the origins of the concepts of ESD, both nationally and internationally, and how they can be implemented within the fisheries context in general and, specifically, within WA. Due to recent changes in Commonwealth legislation, this version focuses on the environmental components of ESD required to complete the assessments that are necessary in order to retain export approval for our major commercial fisheries.
Future versions of this ESD fisheries policy will expand upon the social and economic components of ESD, especially how they relate to resource allocation issues. Ultimately, the ESD framework will be expanded for use within a regional marine planning context.
A Sustainable Policy Unit has been created within the Department of Premier and Cabinet and a primary role of the Unit is to coordinate the development of a State Sustainability Strategy, which will stimulate and support the pursuit of sustainability across government, industry and the community. The Sustainability Policy Unit has generally endorsed the ESD fisheries policy and confirmed the need for future versions to expand on the social and economic components of ESD.
The policy was based upon a number of national ESD projects promoted by the Standing Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture (now called the Marine and Coastal Committee of the Natural Resources Management Standing Committee) and funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Its development has involved consultation with the Department of Fisheries ESD Reference Group - which has members from the major commercial, recreational, conservation and indigenous sectors - along with representatives from the Department of Conservation, Department of Environment and the Auditor General.
This version has been amended following a formal review process involving the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council, Recfishwest, the Conservation Council of WA and the Sustainability Policy Unit of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
A number of ESD reports and their associated applications to Environment Australia have already been developed for our main commercial fisheries using the methods outlined in this policy. These will be available from the Department of Fisheries' website.
I hope the publication of this ESD fisheries policy on the Department of Fisheries' website will help raise the community's awareness about these important issues and assist in gaining support for the other activities that are likely to flow from its implementation.
Kim Chance
MLC MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
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