On World Fisheries Day today, Western Australia can proudly celebrate being the foremost fishing state in Australia, as revealed in the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Index of Marine Industry earlier this year.
The AIMS index reported that Western Australia has the nation's leading commercial fishing jurisdiction, with rock lobsters, prawns, and abalone being the most valuable species, together accounting for 64 per cent of the economic output of all of Australia's wild-catch fisheries.
In collaboration with the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), the commercial sector is highly committed to delivering quality, sustainable seafood to local, national and international markets. The recreational fishing sector's peak body Recfishwest is also strongly dedicated to the sustainability of our State's fisheries to ensure great fishing experiences continue.
The strong management in place, underpinned by world-class fisheries science work conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, ensures long term sustainability of the State's aquatic resources.
WA has 11 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries, representing over 90 per cent of the total value of the State's commercial fisheries production.
The MSC tick of approval for a fishery is internationally regarded as the global gold standard in third party sustainability certification. The MSC's rigorous standards are based on three key elements - sustainable fish stocks, minimizing environmental impact and effective fisheries management.
As stated by Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
"As we mark World Fisheries Day today, we can be proud of both the economic success of our commercial fisheries and work of the recreational sector to ensure we will have fish for the future.
"The WA Government has proudly supported the MSC certification of 11 of the State's fisheries, recognising the economic return generated by sustainably managed fisheries.
"It is our healthy ecosystems and successful, sustainable management of WA's recreation and commercial fisheries that underpin this very success.
"2021 has been a great year for WA fisheries - with the annual Status Reports showing that 98 per cent of our State's fisheries are completely removed from any potential impact of fishing and WA being declared Australia's foremost fishing State - so we have plenty to celebrate today."
