Media Release | 9 October 2025
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Fisheries
Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA has slammed Labor’s inability to act to solve WA’s impending fishing crisis, backing calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the sector.
On Thursday, Sustainable Seafood Australia called for a Select Committee to be established in order to find solutions for the sector.
Ms Warr agreed, saying the State Labor Government had let the sector down.
“WA Labor has had nine years to make change in this space but have been asleep at the wheel under it’s now third Minister to allow this issue to become a crisis,” she said.
“Sustainability for not only commercial fishing, but recreational fishing is essential to ensure WA can continue to fish for generations to come.”
“More information is needed to ensure WA fishers know exactly where the issues lie.
“The Government’s roundtable is set to focus on certain species, but we need to know the true nature of all of WA’s fishing stocks.
Ms Warr said the committee should examine the sector as a whole, rather than focus on specific aspects of fishing, and continue to include fishers as part of the conversation.
“Environmental, commercial, and economic factors must all be considered in this review,” she said.
“Collaboration with all stakeholders will be key in terms of finding solutions, and unfortunately Labor has a poor track record in this space.
“Having industry’s input in these discussions, instead of having these decisions made to them, is an important step to achieving long-term sustainability.”
Ms Warr said it was vital the Government invest properly in the science and management frameworks needed to tackle the issue effectively.
“We need a big-picture approach that delivers real, long-term solutions,” she said.
ENDS
