Media Release | 15 May 2026
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Fisheries
Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA says the Cook Labor Government’s latest changes to demersal fishing bag limits raise even more questions about the credibility of the initial “science-led” ban introduced in December 2025.
Today, Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis announced further reductions to daily bag limits and sizes for demersal species in areas outside the West Coast Bioregion, including regions such as Denham and Windy Harbour, following months of increased fishing pressure caused by the Government’s senseless bans.
“This latest announcement is another example of a Government making rushed decisions, failing to properly consider the consequences, and then scrambling to deal with the fallout months later.
“The Cook Labor Government has overseen this fishery for nearly a decade, yet regional communities, recreational fishers and small businesses are now paying the price for years of poor management and uncertainty.”
Ms Warr said the Minister has repeatedly defended the bans and restrictions by claiming they were based on “robust science” and detailed scientific stock assessments.
“If the science the Minister relied upon six months ago was so robust and comprehensive, why are we seeing further changes?” she said.
“These latest reductions are also effectively an admission that the Government failed to properly consider the flow-on impacts its original decisions would have on regional communities and fisheries outside the West Coast Bioregion.”
Ms Warr said communities such as Denham and Windy Harbour had been warning for months that displaced fishing effort would place added pressure on their local waters, as recreational fishers travelled north and south to access areas still open to demersal fishing.
“Any relief for these communities will be welcomed, but reducing limits by one fish is unlikely to significantly change fisher behaviour,” she said.
Ms Warr also questioned how the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development intends to properly enforce additional restrictions when fisheries compliance officers are already stretched thin.
“The Department is already under-resourced, yet the Government continues layering on more rules and more complexity,” she said.
“The Opposition called on the Government to boost funding to the Department in the recent State Budget, but those calls were ignored.”
“Western Australians deserve confidence that these decisions are being properly managed, not rushed without the resources to back them up.”
Ms Warr also criticised the delayed rollout of the Government’s $50 tackle shop rebate scheme aimed at encouraging fishers to target alternative species.
“Tackle shop owners have been calling for support since these bans were first announced, yet many have spent months in limbo waiting for details,” she said.
“Some local businesses have already suffered enormously, and in some cases closed their doors, while the Government dragged its feet.
“This is another example of Labor announcing policy first and working out the details later.”
Ms Warr said concerns also remain around the Government’s lack of transparency, with Freedom of Information requests relating to the demersal decisions still outstanding months after being lodged.
“If the Minister is so confident in the science and process behind these decisions, why is the Government still failing to release key information to the public?” she said.
ENDS
