The Nationals WA: Largest ever Parliamentary Petition makes Inquiry Inevitable

Western Australia's largest ever e-petition has closed, putting renewed pressure on the Cook Labor Government to call an immediate inquiry into its baseless demersal fishing ban.

Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Kirrilee Warr MLA, says the e-petition, signed by more than 34,000 recreational and commercial fishers and businesses, follows the shock overnight ban on fishing announced just before Christmas.

Since then, the Nationals WA has joined forces with more than 750,000 fishers across the state to demand the release of all scientific evidence which led to the Cook Labor Government's decision.

"The request to Government is very simple and not a hard ask," says Ms Warr.

"Fishers simply want to understand the science that led to the decision and they want the opportunity to engage with the Government in genuine consultation.

"The only engagement that has taken place with the Fisheries Minister to date was a half-day forum held last October which was attended by a group of handpicked stakeholders. That was a presentation, not consultation."

Ms Warr says the Fisheries Minister, Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, has not responded to Freedom of Information requests for documentation which prompted the ban, and the 3000 pages of evidence the Minister says was provided to the Nationals has failed to materialise.

She says fishers have been blindsided by the decision and refused any kind of engagement.

This has left many without a job, without a business, without a pastime and suffering all the financial and mental health concerns that come with that.

"This petition seeks an Inquiry into Western Australia's fisheries to examine the need for a clear, long-term plan for sustainable fisheries that supports all fishing stakeholders."

"It must include an examination of the modern challenges that impact fishing such as marine parks, illegal fishing, and energy developments such as seismic testing and wind farm construction. The Government cannot be allowed to make decisions based on a hunch."

Ms Warr says the ban by the Fisheries Minister was, by her own admission, a "Captain's call" and the Premier has joked about the "only winners being the dhufish."

"What a totally amateur and inappropriate way to manage a primary industry and national pastime.

Ms Warr says the petition, which has the support of the Nationals and Liberal alliance, will be tabled in Parliament next week.

"We know from the many fishing forums and rallies we have organised that fishers are not going to go quietly on this issue. They are decent hardworking people who won't sit silently while their livelihoods are ripped away."