Albany commercial fishers’ aquaculture development zone concerns heard as new fish boss hints at law change

A new committee is set to boost the voices of commercial fishers who say they were not adequately consulted on plans for a 1000ha aquaculture development zone in Albany waters. But changes to the State’s aquaculture laws might be needed to better protect commercial fishers into the future, says WA Fishing Industry Council’s newly appointed chief executive Darryl Hockey. Mr Hockey, who was raised in Mt Barker, started in his role as the head of WAFIC this week. Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley officially declared the first stage of the South Coast Aquaculture Development Zone — a 500ha section of Oyster Harbour — open to commercial-scale shellfish operators in August. Subject to negotiations with Southern Ports, a further 500ha are set to open in Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound. If approved, it would be the biggest shellfish production zone in Australia. The announcement left a group of Albany’s commercial fishers “blown away” by what they claimed to be a lack of consultation on the location of the zone and concerns for their ability to fish freely among operations set to be established within aquaculture leases. Last week, Albany commercial fishers met with Mr Hockey and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officials to discuss the possible impacts of the zone. Mr Hockey said he was “confident” that through the working group the interests of commercial fishers operating within the zone would be protected going forward. “WAFIC is a strong supporter of aquaculture development. We just want to make sure that it proceeds in the right places,” he said. “We have got the opportunity through this working group to ensure all of these issues are put on the table and we will be taking an active role. “We are going to work with government constructively and collaboratively to ensure that everybody’s interests are taken into account. “A number of fishing families have been fishing in that area regularly for over 100 years. “This is part of their lifeblood, this is their historical fishing grounds and therefore it is really important that their interests are taken into account. “We all agree with progress but it does not need to happen at the expense of the people that have been there in the past. “We want the right outcomes to be achieved. It's too important to fail.” Mr Hockey said the consultation process for the South Coast Aquaculture Development Zone had shown the need for changes to WA’s aquaculture management laws. “There are protective mechanisms in place for aquaculture proponents but there aren't protective mechanisms put in place for the traditional fishers,” he said. “The Oyster Harbour situation has certainly highlighted some deficiencies in the act. “We will be taking a closer look at these acts and taking some legal advice. We believe that there is the need to go back to government and to ask whether they might consider some appropriate amendments to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are adequately addressed. “Its not just Oyster Harbour, it’s not just Albany — there’s a big broader issue here. “In some ways, this could be a blessing in disguise for the rest of the State. “We have uncovered what appears to be a procedural deficiency — if we can fix up the anomaly that is just going to make it so much easier for the development of aquaculture elsewhere.” Mr Hockey said an affinity for the water and the communities it sustained would be a driving force in his new role. “I see the south coast as my heartland,” he said. “I have a deep and abiding commitment to the health of Australia’s coastlines. “We want to be seen as the custodians, defenders and protectors of the marine estate.”