DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES ANNUAL REPORT TO THE ...

SUMMARy OF THE yEAR � FROM THE CHIEF ExECUTIvE OFFICER
Stuart Smith, Chief Executive Officer
of the Department of Fisheries
From the Chief executive Officer
Western Australians are fortunate that after
nearly two centuries of rural, urban and industrial
development in the State, the vast majority of its
marine environment remains in excellent shape
supporting healthy fisheries. Similarly, Western
Australia’s major river systems, while affected
by this development, still provide quality fishing
opportunities throughout the year.
However, these marine and riverine ecosystems have
been placed under stress in recent decades owing
to a growing population. During the last 30 years,
the State’s population has increased by almost one
million people to 2.25 million. This growth has put
significant pressures on the State’s fish resources
and their environments from related factors
including increasing coastal residential development,
discarded plastics, the emergence of new industries,
increased shipping, new port development, offshore
energy production, growing boat ownership and the
proliferation of affordable fish-finding technology such
as echo sounders and global positioning systems.
As a result, the management of the State’s
wildstock fisheries has become a more complex
task. With Western Australia’s population projected
to nearly double again over the next 40 years, the
complexity of this challenge is expected to increase
even more. This growth will lead to even greater
competition among users of the marine environment
for oil and gas production, port development and
expansion, marine reserves and aquaculture. The
environmental impacts of global population growth
and the related increasing consumption of renewable
and non-renewable resources are also likely to result
in increased local environmental pressures.
Against this background of accelerated social,
economic and environmental change, the year in
review was both challenging and rewarding, as the
Department worked with the community to ensure
the continuing sustainability of Western Australia’s
fish resources and their habitats.
Overall, the State’s fisheries remain in healthy
condition, with stock assessments undertaken
during the course of the year showing that 32 of
the 36 managed fisheries have breeding stocks
considered to be satisfactory. Of the other managed
fisheries, the Department is taking action in the
West Coast Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline
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