Commercial fishers frustrated with delays to compensation

Fishers in Western Australia are growing increasingly frustrated with the delays in receiving compensation following the government's shutdown of their demersal fishing industry along a 900-kilometre stretch of coast. Nine months after the closure, many affected fishers have yet to see any compensation, despite the government having earmarked $20 million to compensate or buy out the commercial operators.

Negotiations for the compensation have taken a new turn, with Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis taking over the role previously held by a Perth barrister. This change in responsibility has raised concerns among fishers about the speed of the process. Manue Daniels, the CEO of the WA Fishing Industry Council, expressed hope that the minister's involvement would expedite settlements, but she emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the fishers cannot afford any more delays.

Many of the impacted fishers have hired a Melbourne-based law firm to negotiate their share of the compensation package. Phil de Grauw, a fisher who has worked in the West Coast and Gascoyne demersal fisheries for 40 years, highlighted that about half of the displaced West Coast fishers have sought legal assistance. He expressed bitterness towards the setup of the compensation process and the lack of information provided to the affected fishers.

However, not all affected fishers will receive compensation. James Oliver, a former Dongara fisher who owns his own boat and leased fishing units, will not be entitled to any compensation due to his leasing arrangement. Oliver, who invested $33,000 in various fishing-related expenses, condemned the government's decision, calling it immoral. He emphasized that the government's inaction was unacceptable, especially considering the significant financial losses and hardships faced by the fishers.