Western Australian Fishing Industry Council

25/06/2026

📢 Reminder: Sea Safe Webinar Tomorrow

Mental Health at Work – Looking After Your Mates

Looking out for your mates is part of staying safe at work. Join us tomorrow, Friday 26 June at 12:30pm AEST, for a practical Sea Safe webinar exploring how to recognise when someone may need support and how to start a conversation that could make a difference.

Hear from Peter Cheeseman, National Manager Safety Training and Inductions at Tassal, as he shares practical insights from industry on creating safer, more supportive workplaces.

Key takeaways:
✔ Recognise when a mate may need support
✔ Learn simple ways to start a wellbeing conversation
✔ Build confidence to check in with colleagues
✔ Understand the link between mental wellbeing and workplace safety

🎟 Register now: 0bf7f6b7-5b6b-4b98-b2ea-ef4cf4a7fe00@58656cb7-fcab-42ab-b30b-0cf37ca9a424" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0bf7f6b7-5b6b-4b98-b2ea-ef4cf4a7fe00@58656cb7-fcab-42ab-b30b-0cf37ca9a424

Stay Afloat support services are available in WA, QLD and SA, with resources available nationally at stayafloat.com.au.

24/06/2026

Public submissions are open for the Parliamentary Inquiry into the demersal fishing ban, giving commercial fishers, licence holders, and seafood businesses the chance to put their experiences on the record and help shape the future of fishing in WA.

The inquiry will examine the impact of the demersal ban, marine parks, renewable energy developments, and the need for a clear long-term plan that supports all fishing stakeholders.

WAFIC will be lodging our own submission on behalf of the industry, but the committee also needs to hear directly from the people affected. If the reforms have affected your livelihood, we strongly encourage you to participate in this important process.

Make your submission here: https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/(EvidenceOnly)/ED70E90C3700335D48258E1A0005E364?opendocument

23/06/2026

Workshops have begun on a proposed new management framework for WA's demersal fisheries, and last week WAFIC Interim CEO Manue Daniels travelled to Carnarvon for the first meeting.

During the workshop, Manue stressed that any new system must ensure that the West Coast scenario can never happen again. Her message was that any new system has to be economically viable, fit for purpose, and built on what already works. Several regions are operating well under quota, and there's no reason to reinvent those systems.

She also raised the pressure licence holders are under right now, being asked to take part in several consultation processes at once while some operational matters remain unresolved. Industry is asking for a proper consultation process that meets the requirements of the act, not a box-ticking exercise.

"The trip was a great opportunity to be amongst industry members, fishermen I do not often get to see, and to hear directly from them about their concerns, experiences and ideas," Manue said.

WAFIC will continue to update the industry as the issue progresses.

22/06/2026

It's with sadness that we share the news of Garry Bevan's passing last week. Garry was a familiar figure across Western Australia's fishing industry and ran Bevans WA right up until October last year.

The Bevan family have been part of Albany's fishing community from the early days. Garry's father Norman started the business in the early 1950s, and the family has long fished Peaceful Bay for herring and salmon.

Many in our industry will have known Garry or worked alongside the family over the years. His funeral details are below for anyone wishing to attend or pass on their condolences. All are welcome.

Bevan
A ceremony to honour the life of Garry Norman Bevan of
Albany will be conducted at the Princess Royal Sailing Club, 87 Chipana Drive Little Grove on Friday 26th June 2026 commencing at 1.30pm. The service is available to Livestream at https://bethanyfuneral.com.au/client/?nid=f164b253-f47d-4359-b5ed-2fb664d0fdd3

17/06/2026

This week is Men's Health Week.

Commercial fishing asks a lot of a person. Long hours, weeks away from home, physical work in conditions most people never see, and on top of that the financial and emotional weight of an industry going through tumultuous change. It wears on the body and it wears on the mind.

On average, men live four years less than women and are more likely to carry lifestyle-related health conditions. Men are also four times more likely to die by su***de. And research shows two thirds of men who are struggling don't feel able to reach out and ask for help.

So this Men's Health Week we're asking everyone in the industry to keep an eye on the blokes around them. A skipper, a deckhand, a mate at the co-op, your old man. The signs aren't always loud.

Things to watch for:
pulling away from people
big changes at home or at work
short fuse, or not quite thinking straight
losing interest in things they used to love
health starting to slide

If something feels off, trust your gut and ask if they're OK. Listen with an open mind, and ask what you can do to help. You don't have to have the answers. Sometimes asking the question is enough.

If you're doing it tough, there's support built for our industry. You can reach out to Steve and Mel from the Stay Afloat team at [email protected].

The Regional Men's Health Initiative is also there for regional folk. You can reach them on (08) 6314 1436.
And if things feel urgent, Lifeline is on 13 11 14, any time of day or night.

16/06/2026

Great job Tony!

A project aimed at promoting an underused, inexpensive fish to a dinner staple has claimed a State award, with the Albany producer behind it hoping it is just the beginning for the underrated product.

Read the story here:
http://dlvr.it/TT2t0S

15/06/2026

From 1 July, every restaurant, cafe, pub and takeaway in Australia has to tell you where their seafood comes from. Each dish will be marked Australian, Imported or Mixed.

It's a good change for our industry. Around 70% of the seafood eaten in WA is imported, and until now there's been no simple way to tell the local catch from the rest on a menu.

WA fishers meet some of the highest sustainability standards in the world, with more than 90% of the commercial catch independently certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in Australia & NZ. When you buy local, you are choosing seafood that meets the world's most rigorous environmental and stock-health standards.

Choosing local backs the families who fish our waters, the regional towns built around them, and a supply of fresh seafood that hasn't travelled across the world to reach you.

10/06/2026

Support for primary producers impacted by Cyclone Narelle 💼

A new recovery grant is available for primary producers in Exmouth, Carnarvon, Shark Bay, Ashburton or Upper Gascoyne.

Primary producers in these locations may be eligible to receive up to $40,000 to help with clean-up and reinstatement costs. This is in addition to existing support, including freight subsidies (up to 50%) and loan interest rate subsidies announced earlier.

09/06/2026

New labelling laws are coming to menus around the country next month, and they're good news for anyone who likes to know what they're eating.

From 1 July 2026, restaurants, pubs, cafes and takeaways across Australia will need to show where their seafood comes from. You'll see it marked as Australian, imported, or a mix of both, much like the labels already required at the supermarket and fishmonger.

In WA the rollout is being managed by Consumer Protection, with support from the Federal Government, so local hospitality businesses have time to get ready before the rules take effect.

If you run a food business and want to know what's involved, there's a simple FAQ and information pack here: www.business.gov.au/seafoodlabels

08/06/2026