It’s crunch time for cray men

FIVE professional fishing associations that represent fishermen in Zone C of the western rock lobster fishery will meet in East Fremantle today for a workshop to discuss their industry’s future.

The workshop is designed to give fishermen from Green Head to Augusta a say in future management and whether the fishery moves to a quota arrangement. It will also explore retraining options for those forced out.

Fishing Industry Women’s Association president Anna Goncalves said there was a lack of consultation between the State Government and fishermen.

“Everyone involved has a right to be part of the discussion about how we get out of this mess,” she said. “The rock lobster fishery has been plagued by scientific failure and poor management by the (State) Government.

“This has forced many to leave the industry and there is an uncertain future for those who remain.”

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore said he consulted the WA Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), the Rock Lobster Fishing Advisory Committee, the Western Rock Lobster Council, crayfish processors, the Department of Fisheries and individual fishermen before making decisions. “The current consultation process is in the process of transformation, and in future I will be more reliant on advice from WAFIC.

“I urge individual fishers from different sections of the fishing community to make their views known to their representatives on WAFIC and reach a consensus position before seeking a response from the (State) Government.”

However, Mrs Goncalves said WAFIC had voted to move the lobster fishery to quota without any consultation with lobster fishermen. “This is disgraceful. How can an organisation controlled by the pearl industry, the prawn fishery and other small fisheries make decisions for the lobster fishery?” she asked.

Mr Moore has accepted an invitation to attend today’s workshop.

“It is important the minister understand the depth of despair in the fishery and how important it is for (State) Government to work with the fishermen,” Mrs Goncalves said.

Mr Moore said there would always be people who “faced difficulties” but his goal was to manage the industry in an environmentally sustainable way.

What everyone else is thinking

gazza

18/03/2010

Reply to bignanna...i'm not sure if you are agreeing with me or not...and any fur the crays might eat would finish up in their intestinal tract, not their meat...and that tract through the tail should be removed prior to serving..
fur and feathers are the best bait of all...ask any professional...
The point i was making about occies is that they KILL every cray BEFORE they start eating...which leads to wicked waste....something the professionals are keen to avoid.

Bignanna

17/03/2010

gazza 16/3/10 ..... hocks were banned from professional pots, due to the fact Japanese consumers said they found hair in the cray fish, so no bait with fur, same as amateurs can't put in their pots, dead rabbits or anything with fur, as road kill was good bait, phewie. Now what you mean by crays being killed or traumatized by Mr Occie, found some crays stuck to the pot frozen in fright, also why does the occie always eat the biggest cray in the pot?

Emeritus Professor

It's their own fault that stocks are low. These multi-millionaire crayfishermen have stripped the ocean floor of good sized crayfish, not for their own consumption or for their fellow Australians, but to export our fish overseas for massive profits.
Stop the exports and we will have a viable fishing industry, unless the Government forces this country to have a population far in excess of its capacity. Any more than 20 Million is far too much for Australia, at 12 Million we were the Lucky Country.

16/03/2010

Dear Mr. Moore...did not the craymen tell you that it is necessary to have a bait in the pot that LASTS...if you want a two or three day pull...
Why were 'hocks' banned as a bait? Fishbait lasts less than 24 hours...after that time the trapped crays are subject to being slaughtered by octopus...you know of couse that 'okkies' kill every single cray before they start to feed...or are you only listening to the pearl farmers????

Bignana

Personally think Mr. Moore is screwing professionals and amateurs. Don't think he could honestly run a chook raffle let alone a multi million dollar crayfishing or fishing industry. The two month ban was a disgusting joke, amateurs couldn't fish as the experts say its the peak breeding time for the vulnerable dhuiefish, snapper, baldchin groper and a few other fish, yet the professionals could catch them in the two month ban. Very hypocritical to say the least. Have seen what pros brought in, in the two month ban, 18kg dhui's, snapper, big breeders for the future, Mr Moore who's future are you looking after, don't think you are looking after pro's or amateurs.