The Nationals WA: Jurien Bay Fishers Reel Under Labor's 'Reckless' Ban

Around 100 Jurien Bay residents attended a Nationals-led fishing forum on Wednesday evening in opposition to the Cook Labor Government's demersal fishing bans, with fishers, small businesses and community members warning the decision is hurting far more than just the fishing sector.

Commercial and recreational fishers, tourism operators, retailers and locals voiced their anger and frustration at the Government's last-minute bans, which they say are already taking a visible toll on the town.

Nationals WA Leader Shane Love MLA said the forum laid bare a government completely out of touch with regional communities and the realities they face.

"The Minister and the Premier owe these Western Australians answers. The Premier talks about making tough decisions, but there is nothing tough about imposing bans that defy science, logic and common sense," Mr Love said.

Mr Love said the impact was being felt right across the community - not just by fishers.

"At this time of year, Jurien Bay would normally be bustling, with hundreds of boats in town and local businesses thriving. Instead, there has been a noticeable downturn across accommodation providers, tackle shops, hospitality venues and tourism operators," he said.

"This is no longer just about fishing. It's about livelihoods, local jobs and the fabric of entire coastal communities that have been built around this industry for generations."

Mr Love said the social and emotional toll was also becoming increasingly clear.

"People who have lost their livelihood are under enormous strain, and even those who simply head out for a fish to unwind are feeling the impact. Fishing is part of daily life here - it's how people connect, de-stress and spend time with family."

"When you take that away overnight, you don't just hit an industry. You hit community wellbeing and mental health."

Mr Love said the conduct of Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis MLA had been particularly concerning, particularly regarding the transparency of the decision.

"She boasts about making a 'captain's call' as if destroying people's livelihoods is something to be proud of, while openly ignoring the advice of her own department," he said.

"That is not leadership. It is reckless and deeply out of touch with the people she is meant to represent."

Mr Love also rejected the Minister's claims about transparency.

"Minister Jarvis has told media she has provided 3,000 pages of documents to my office. That is simply untrue. We have not received a single page," he said.

"She has shut down one industry while ignoring other ocean users and denying fishers access to the information used to justify these decisions. That is not fair, it is not equitable, and it is not how a responsible government operates."