Marine Scalefish Fishery

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries on marine scalefish fishery reform.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: In a recent Sunday Mail article regarding licence fee announcements for 2024-25 for the marine scalefish fisheries sector, the Minister for Primary Industries commented that, and I quote, for the marine scalefish fishery section:

The proposed changes would see those with greater quota, and therefore greater access to the resource, pay more than those with minimal or no quota entitlements for tier-one species.

My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister confirm that the same rules apply with respect to West Coast King George whiting fishers?

2. Do the King George whiting fishers on the West Coast pay the same base licence fee and amount per kilogram compared to those in Gulf St Vincent?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:31): I thank the honourable member for her question. The marine scalefish fishery reform, which commenced under the previous government and is nearing the end of its transition phase, changed the fisheries to individual transferable quota. The West Coast fishery was not part of that aspect of the change and therefore it doesn't have individual transferable quota. I think if the member would like to reflect on that, she might like to rephrase her question so that it is appropriate.