PUBLIC consultation comment on proposed management options to help rebuild stocks of demersal scalefish, including pink snapper and dhufish, has been extended.
According to a statement released this morning Fisheries Minister Don Punch ordered the two-week extension after listening to feedback from industry stakeholders.
The statement said this would allow the McGowan Government to engage further with stakeholders on the science and the need for additional management to recover stocks.
In February, the government accepted the recommendations of the industry-led harvest strategy reference group, which includes representatives from the recreational and commercial fishing sectors, to reduce the total catch for demersal species by 50 per cent to meet 2030 recovery targets.
To enable stocks to recover by 2030, the total catch limit has been reduced to 375 tonnes.
The proposed management packages follow the 2021 scientific stock assessment, which showed West Coast demersal scalefish stocks were not recovering fast enough to ensure adequate recovery under the 2010-2030 recovery plan.
Members of the public will now have until Friday, September 30 to comment.
Visit https://yoursay.dpird.wa.gov.au/wcdemersal to have your say on the proposals.
The survey includes a text box where participants can make extra comments.
