Esperance Commercial Fisherman’s Association president David Gray processing sardines at his Chadwick premises last year.
Now that the South Coast Marine Park has been announced, Esperance commercial fishers say it has devalued their licences.
Esperance Commercial Fishermen’s Association chair David Gray said there would be a need for compensation.
“You are now operating in a park,” he said.
“Access can be changed any day of the week and the zoneage and boundaries can be changed within three months of announcing it.
“So it is not an asset you can sell because there is no long-term confidence in its value.”
Mr Gray said even if a licence could be sold, it would be devalued.
“How much are you willing to invest in something which can be taken away again?” he said.
“Each licence is tied to a certain area so it is not as though you can go to another area and fish.”
Mr Gray said they were very disappointed they were not invited to WA Environment minister Reece Whitby’s announcement of the park last week, or even notified he was coming to Esperance for the event.
“Very disappointed we were not invited or notified he was coming, to hear an announcement.
Mr Gray said they had met DBCA staff on Monday for a briefing after the announcement.
“The meeting was nothing really, no new info,” he said.
WA Fisheries minister Don Punch has been contacted for comment.
