Publication Date

5-2026

Series Number

FMP 313

ISSN

0819-4327

Publisher

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia

City

Perth

Abstract

Harvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012).

Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC; Marine Stewardship Council 2018). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objects of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA).

This Statewide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource Harvest Strategy (Harvest Strategy) has been developed in line with the Department’s Harvest Strategy Policy for Aquatic Resources (Department of Fisheries 2015; Fletcher et al. 2016) and is consistent with relevant national harvest strategy policies and guidelines (e.g. Sloan et al. 2014; Department of Agriculture and Water Resources 2018a, b). It establishes the specific set of decision rules that determine the appropriate harvest levels for sectors to meet the ecological, economic, and social objectives established for the resource.

The publication of this Harvest Strategy is intended to make the decision-making considerations and processes for the management of the Statewide Small Pelagic Scalefish Resource (SSPSR) transparent and provide a basis for informed dialogue on management actions with resource users and other stakeholders (Department of Fisheries 2015).

The Harvest Strategy provides guidance for decision-makers but does not derogate from or limit the exercise of discretion required for independent decision-making by the Minister for Fisheries, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DPIRD, or other delegated decision-makers in order to meet the objects of the FRMA.

Number of Pages

44

Keywords

Western Australia, harvest strategy, small pelagic scalefish

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Environmental Monitoring

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