Fisheries inquiry e-petition due to be tabled in WA Parliament on same day as scheduled rally

A petition which originated in Geraldton calling for an inquiry into WA’s fisheries management will be tabled in WA Parliament on Thursday, as the Nationals WA hold a rally.

The e-petition to the Legislative Council was feted as the most signed in the history of the Legislative Council, but has dropped by more than 7000 signatures.

When the petition closed on February 17, the number of signatories was more than 34,000, making it the largest of its kind in the Upper House. However, the number dropped to 27,654 signatures after WA Parliament deleted duplicate signatures.

It is unclear whether the petition is still a record.

Created by Geraldton fisher Anthony Haygarth, the petition calls for the WA Parliament to examine sustainable fisheries plans and whether the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is adequately resourced.

Despite the drop in numbers, the e-petition has support from across WA and is due to be tabled in Parliament on Thursday, February 26 by shadow fisheries minister and Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr.

“Although the final tally is less than the running tally, due to a reconciliation of invalid submissions, the huge response is testament to the desire by hundreds of thousands of commercial and recreational fishers to conduct a full examination of WA’s fishing stocks with the need for a clear, long-term plan for sustainable fisheries that supports all fishers,” she said.

Ms Warr has been campaigning for an inquiry into the demersal fishing ban since it was announced at the start of December.

Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis denied the State Government was not being transparent about the science behind the ban on demersal fishing between Kalbarri and Augusta.

“The Opposition spokesperson for fisheries was given unprecedented access to meet with DPIRD scientists and provided hard copies of the science in September 2025,” Ms Jarvis said.

This week is the second sitting week of Parliament since the ban came into effect at the beginning of the year.

The controversial decision has introduced a two-year ban on recreational boat-based fishing and permanent closure of commercial fishing of demersal species, such as dhufish and pink snapper, along the west coast bioregion.

“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,” Ms Warr said.

Ms Jarvis said she was open to an inquiry, and that she had always been transparent about the consultation and decision-making process.

“The petition will be referred to a parliamentary committee. If the committee chooses to hold an inquiry I will co-operate fully, I have nothing to hide,” she said.

“These reforms were developed after consultation with industry and the community, including the State Government Fishing Forum and follow up meetings since.

“I actively engaged with all sectors of the fishing community once I received the science in August.”

The Nationals will be speaking at a rally to be held outside Parliament House on Thursday, the same day the e-petition will be tabled.