The Western Australia Government is grappling with significant political fallout following its recent ban on demersal fishing, which excludes species such as dhufish and pink snapper from commercial harvesting. Announced on December 3, 2023, the ban is set to take effect on January 1, 2024, and aims to protect declining fish stocks. However, it has sparked outrage among local fishers and raised questions about the government’s commitment to regional representation.
Roger Cook, the state’s Minister for Health and Mental Health, acknowledged the political price Labor may pay for this decision. “The only winners out of this are the dhufish,” Cook stated, emphasizing the environmental benefits while recognizing the economic toll on local fishers. Despite the backlash, Labor achieved a landslide victory in the recent state election, an outcome that has complicated the political landscape.
The Nationals party capitalized on growing discontent in regional areas, doubling its seat count to six following noticeable swings against Labor in key regions. For example, there was a reported **23 percent** swing in Geraldton and a **17 percent** shift in Albany. These numbers underscore a disconnect between urban voters and regional concerns, as statewide results still favored Labor with a **12.5 percent** swing.
The government’s challenge now lies in addressing the perception that it is anti-regional. Fishers facing the ban find themselves in a situation reminiscent of sheep farmers who fought against Federal Labor’s ban on live exports. Although the “keep the sheep” campaign garnered attention, it failed to sway city voters, illustrating the difficulties regional issues face in broader political discourse.
Jackie Jarvis, WA’s Agriculture Minister, is navigating the fallout from the fishing ban. She described the decision as a “mercy killing,” arguing that extending the ban on commercial fishing for several years would be detrimental to the industry. “If I had just suspended fishing for commercials for two years, three years, 10 years, as recommended, those commercial fishers told me they couldn’t survive,” Jarvis explained. The ban, she claims, allows for a legal mechanism to offer compulsory buyouts to affected fishers.
While Cook, Jarvis, and others were on a holiday break, the acting premier faced tough questions about the ban. Jarvis ensured she was available for media inquiries but was limited in her ability to discuss other topics without being challenged on the fishing restrictions.
Warnings about declining fish stocks have not gone unheeded, as experts have raised concerns for over a decade. According to the **Department of Primary Industries**’ **2025 West Coast report**, model projections indicate that fish stocks are unlikely to recover to sustainable levels by **2030** if current catches are not significantly reduced. Industry groups are now calling for an independent assessment of the situation.
The government convened a fishing forum in October, which Cook described as a necessary consultation. “We had all the stakeholders in the one room,” he stated. Yet, the announcement of the ban left fishers with only **29 days** to adjust before it took effect, creating a sense of chaos and uncertainty in their livelihoods.
For many fishers, the government’s proposed **$2,000** payment has been criticized as insufficient, with some expressing despair over their lack of transferable skills. One Augusta deckhand shared his emotional struggle, stating he had no way to pay rent due to the impending ban.
The government faces mounting pressure to provide real compensation swiftly. Its **31-page Made in WA plan**, which appealed to urban voters in March, did not address the concerns of the fishing community. As the fishing ban looms, the state government must reconcile its environmental objectives with the economic realities faced by regional communities.
