West Australian commercial barramundi fishers have been left feeling disrespected after Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly imposed a ban on popular fishing ground King South without consultation.
The permanent closure of King Sound South is an attempt by Kelly to end a long-running dispute between locals and commercial operator “Big Blue Fishing” over access to rich barramundi stocks in the area.
Mark Ainsworth of Ainsworth Fishing first heard of the agreement from other fishers at the Derby boat ramp and said he felt plainly disrespected as a primary producer.