WA police have confirmed two men are in custody, after 200 kilograms of shark heads were dumped outside the WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis’s office in protest of the upcoming ban on demersal fishing.
The heads of multiple shark species along with a message inscribed on fishing overalls were found outside the office in Margaret River, 270 kilometres south of Perth.
The demonstration comes just three days before the permanent ban of commercial demersal fishing comes into effect along 900 kilometres of the West Coast from Kalbarri to Augusta.
Overalls were also found outside the ministers office. (ABC South West WA: Madigan Landry )
Bunbury recreational fisher Mason Jones was one of the four people who organised the protest.
As well as carting in a mixture of bronze whaler, wobbegong, hammerhead and whiskery shark heads, he said the group brought wet weather clothing worn on commercial fishing boats as part of the demonstration.
“Jackie Jarvis got a little package delivered to her just to start off the end of the year, to let her know how she ended the many careers of fisherman and small businesses,” Mr Jones said.
“She left them quite dirty so, she was left quite dirty.
Mason Jones says he wanted to leave a “dirty” surprise for the WA Fisheries minister. (ABC South West WA : Jacqueline Lynch)
“We also left a set of overalls that were kindly donated from some commercial guys,” he said.
“On there we had written ‘to Jackie from all fishers’ and that’s just to let her know that we’re uniting.”
Jarvis defends decision
A spokesperson for the WA Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said the decision to ban commercial fishing of the species was not made lightly.
Minister for Fisheries Jackie Jarvis says the decision came after extensive consultation. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
“These reforms follow extensive, respectful and inclusive consultation with industry and the community, including the Fishing Futures Forum,” they said.
“Everyone who has an interest in these fish stocks is being urged to play their part to save demersal fish for future generations.
“The state government is also providing a $29.2 million Fisheries Support Package to assist the commercial and recreational sectors across the state.”
WA Police said inquires into the incident are ongoing.
Shark heads ‘just the start’
The restrictions, announced on December 3, placed an 18-month ban on recreational fishing and an indefinite ban on commercial fishing for all demersal species.
Mr Jones said the demonstration came about because fishers, like himself, felt ignored.
Mason Jones says he feels the WA government is not listening. (ABC South West WA: Jacqueline Lynch)
“She’s [Jackie Jarvis] dodged our phone calls and she’s dodged any answers that we want to get,” he said.
“The government has to come to the plate because we are uniting and people are realising what you are doing and we’re not going to stand for it.
“We know our oceans and we know what we’re doing.”
Recreational fishing for demersal fish has been banned since December 16 with the commercial ban comming into effect on January 1. (ABC South West: Madigan Landry)
Mr Jones said the shark head incident was just the start, with more protests planned for the future.
“We’ve been running protests in Bunbury and there’s been some Perth,” he said.
“If they don’t come to the party by the time parliament is back then [we] do intend to make our way up to Perth see where it goes from there.”
WA Nationals Leader Shane Love says he does not condone the actions of protesters. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
Police investigation underway
WA police have confirmed two men have been taken into custody but no charges have been laid.
Inquiries are continuing.
Despite being critical of the state government’s demersal fishing ban, WA Nationals Leader Shane Love said he did not support the actions of protesters.
“I don’t condone that sort of thing,” he said.
“But I can understand that people are feeling very frustrated and angry.”