Veteran commercial fisherman Phil de Grauw is facing an unprecedented challenge. After more than four decades of supplying fresh fish to restaurants across Western Australia, his boat has barely left the harbor of Kalbarri in the past two months. This is due to a new ban that prohibits commercial fishers from catching and keeping demersal species in the West Coast fishery zone, an 800-kilometer stretch from Kalbarri to Augusta.
The Western Australian government asserts that the ban is crucial for rebuilding severely depleted fish stocks, with species like dhufish and pink snapper at risk. However, for de Grauw and many others in Kalbarri, the ban has had severe economic repercussions.
Economic Impact on Kalbarri
Phil de Grauw, a long-time resident of Kalbarri, describes the ban as having a domino effect on the town’s economy, which heavily relies on fishing. Local businesses, including restaurants, bait and ice suppliers, and freight companies, are experiencing significant downstream impacts. The temporary ban on boat-based recreational fishing until spring next year further exacerbates the situation, affecting tourist numbers.
“We knew there were going to be some major changes, but we didn’t envisage that the commercial fishing sector would be totally removed,” de Grauw lamented. “The financial crunch is starting to come.”
Family Businesses Under Strain
The ban has also hit family businesses hard. Steve Eley, who recently took ownership of a local tackle shop, was blindsided by the announcement. “That morning was an interesting one,” he recalled. “A few tears … to have that just ripped out from underneath you … it sinks us, that’s it, catch you later.”
Many fishers, including Eley, feel they are being punished for years of governmental mismanagement of Western Australia’s fisheries. A petition calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the situation has garnered 34,000 signatures. “Work with the industries. Don’t go against us because at the end of the day, if this is managed properly, I think there’s enough for everyone,” Eley urged.
Government Response and Future Prospects
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been engaging with tackle shops across WA to provide education materials and resources. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis has expressed openness to an inquiry into the state’s fisheries management but does not support pausing the ban as the opposition has suggested.
The government has pledged nearly $30 million in support, including $20 million to buy out commercial fisheries and about $3 million in rebates for tackle shops. However, not all operators have accepted the “act of grace” payments offered as compensation.
Ms. Jarvis stated, “There is a suspension of fishing for a very small number of species, deep, deep water species that are at risk.”
Meanwhile, businesses like Murchison Boat Hire, which rents boats to fishers, are struggling with canceled bookings and lack eligibility for government compensation. “We’re not sure what we’re going to do,” said Raelene Leatham, who runs the business with her husband Paul.
Community Resilience and Adaptation
Despite the challenges, some businesses are finding ways to adapt. The Eley family is pivoting towards promoting land-based and pelagic fishing products and diving gear. “You can trip over your bottom lip or you can just get on with it,” Steve Eley remarked. “At the end of the day, you fork out all this money on a business, you don’t just roll over, you go and have a crack.”
Kalbarri, still recovering from a destructive cyclone in 2021, is one of several towns facing immediate repercussions from the ban. As the community grapples with these changes, local forums and discussions are being organized to address concerns and explore solutions. ABC Radio Perth’s Nadia Mitsopoulos will host a Spotlight Forum on the demersal fishing ban, featuring Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis, to further discuss the issue.
As Kalbarri navigates this challenging period, the resilience and adaptability of its residents will be crucial in shaping the town’s future.
