Working across jurisdictional boundaries, the federal Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Anne Ruston, together with Western Australia Fisheries Minister, Joe Francis today unveiled an agreement between the Commonwealth and Western Australia realigning fisheries boundaries off Western Australia.
Minister Ruston said that the revised Offshore Constitutional Settlement (OCS) arrangement for the Commonwealth Western Deepwater Trawl and North West Slope Trawl fisheries was a practical solution that meets a number of key objectives for both the Commonwealth and WA governments, and importantly, both fishing industries.
"It is great to see federal and state governments working collaboratively to successfully resolve complex interjurisdictional issues," Minister Ruston said.
"Importantly, agreement will provide greater certainty in operating conditions for fishers both at a state and Commonwealth level."
Mr Francis said that stakeholder engagement had been pivotal to ensure an effective joint agreement.
"The views of interested parties were considered extensively throughout the process and the joint proposal was implemented following advice from stakeholders," Mr Francis said.
"In addition, part of the amended OCS arrangement involves fisheries management agencies working together to manage fishing impacts on any shared stocks through monitoring, research and management strategies."
For more information on the OCS, please visit afma.gov.au.
@Anne_Ruston
/AnneRuston