Media Release | 20 April 2026
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Fisheries
Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA is calling on the Cook Labor Government to boost funding to the Department of Fisheries in the upcoming State Budget, saying the agency must be properly resourced to carry out its responsibilities.
The National’s petition calling for an inquiry into WA’s fisheries — supported by more than 27,000 Western Australians — includes a key call to determine whether the Department is adequately resourced to meet its responsibilities.
Ms Warr said there was a growing view across the sector that the Department had been under-resourced for years, particularly since its integration into the larger Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
“Ahead of the budget, the Minister has the chance to show she is willing to work with fishers by ensuring the Department is properly resourced,” she said.
“Fishers tell me they have lost confidence in the management of the sector, and backing the Department with appropriate funding would be a strong step towards restoring that trust.”
Ms Warr said improved investment in technology, including real-time data, could significantly strengthen fisheries management and research.
“The Department staff are doing the best they can with the resources available to them, but much of the current process still relies on manually inputting handwritten data,” she said.
“Any move towards real-time information would be welcomed.”
Ms Warr said the call for greater transparency also remained critical, noting the Fisheries Minister had recently sought a third extension on Freedom of Information requests lodged by The Nationals WA.
ENDS
