Bold statement: Western Australia’s demersal fishing ban is reshaping a coastal town’s entire way of life, hitting livelihoods, tourism, and community identity—and this controversy is far from over. But here’s where it gets controversial: the policy aims to revive severely depleted fish stocks, yet it leaves long-time fishers like Kalbarri’s Phil de Grauw in limbo with real financial strain and uncertain future plans.
Western Australia has barred commercial fishers from catching and keeping demersal species within the West Coast fishery zone, an expansive 800-kilometre stretch from Kalbarri to Augusta. The aim, officials say, is to restore stocks of dhufish and pink snapper among others. The result for veterans of the trade is abrupt: boats stay idle, refits go unfinished, and livelihoods hinge on a future that might relocate Kalbarri’s operations to the north in the Gascoyne zone where restrictions are lighter—though that shift isn’t expected before 2028.
For de Grauw, the shutdown is more than a policy note; it’s a personal setback after more than four decades on the water. A recent boat refit, meant to prepare for ongoing work, now sits in limbo as he weighs the odds of a government reversal against the reality of a livelihood without steady income. The ban’s ripple effects extend beyond the docks: restaurants, bait and ice suppliers, and freight companies in Kalbarri are feeling the pressure as demand contracts.
Tourism, too, is affected. A temporary pause on boat-based recreational fishing will extend until spring next year, nudging visitors away from a town whose economy already dances between fishing and sightseeing.
The ban’s emotional charge is evident in Kalbarri’s small businesses. Steve Eley, who took over a family tackle shop just hours before the ban's announcement, recalls a morning of tears and upheaval. He and others argue the policy reflects a broader pattern of government mismanagement, with 34,000 people signing a petition for a parliamentary inquiry. Scientists have warned that demersal stocks were not recovering and that dhufish populations had declined, raising questions about the timing and scope of restrictions—especially after prior policy changes in 2021 that lifted some protections.
Critics say communication gaps have worsened the pain, with tackle shops overwhelmed by questions about new rules. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development says it is engaging with retailers and providing online resources, but frustration remains.
From the government’s side, Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis has signaled openness to an inquiry into fisheries management but has resisted pausing the ban. The government has pledged about $30 million in support: roughly $20 million to buy out commercial fisheries and around $3 million in rebates for tackle shops, along with over $1 million in act-of-grace payments already disbursed. Yet for many locals, details about access to this assistance are still unclear.
The broader effect is tangible. Kalbarri businesses have reported cancellations, with some travelers having already faced the town’s cyclone-recovery scars from 2021. Boat hire operators and other service providers describe immediate losses and ongoing uncertainty about future bookings and compensation eligibility.
Community leaders emphasize resilience: the chamber of commerce notes Kalbarri’s plight is part of a pattern affecting several Mid West coastal towns. In the face of disruption, residents are urged to adapt—pivot toward land-based and pelagic fishing products, or explore new lines like diving gear—while hoping for policy adjustments that balance ecological goals with livelihood needs.
Event coverage notes: ABC Perth is hosting a Spotlight Forum on February 18 featuring Fisheries Minister Jarvis and other panelists to discuss the demersal ban. ABC Regional WA will broadcast a discussion from Geraldton on the same topic.
What do you think: should environmental restoration take priority even if it upends longstanding jobs, or should policies include stronger mechanisms to protect workers and communities during such transitions? How would you balance ecological sustainability with the economic realities of towns like Kalbarri?
