Processes for the Allocation, Reallocation and Governance of Resource Access in connection with a Framework for the Future Management of Fisheries in Western Australia

The Western Australian Government is committed to developing a new management approach for our fisheries that incorporates economic, social and environmental considerations. Within this broad context of ‘ecologically sustainable development', or ESD, the issue of how fish resources can be best shared between competing users requires consideration.

The Government believes an integrated management approach is essential to meet the growing pressures on our fish resources. This approach requires the determination of sustainable catch levels and the allocation of access shares to the various user groups.

An Independent Review Committee, chaired by former high court judge Justice Toohey, has been established to provide an expertise-based report on an integrated management framework for fisheries. The Integrated Fisheries Management Review Committee is due to report to the Minister for Fisheries in July 2002.

The following is a scoping paper that was developed to provide further information for consideration and use by that Committee. Its purpose is to outline the key issues that surround the shift from the current sectoral fisheries management approach in WA to a more integrated framework incorporating explicit allocation models. This includes detailing the justification for such an initiative, the historical background of previous allocation mechanisms within each sector and a review of the range of options that could be used to progress the situation.

The paper was prepared by the Department of Fisheries with significant input from key representatives from the commercial, recreational and conservation sectors. The information provided in the paper, unless specified explicitly, does not purport to represent the preferred option(s) of either the Department or any of the representatives/sectors involved in the drafting. Instead, this paper tries to ensure that options that could be used to progress this issue in WA are canvassed and can therefore be further explored by the committee.