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Resource Sharing Arrangements in the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery
Discussions on resource sharing for the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery (WTBF) have been underway since 2001. The consultative process conducted by the Australian Government has been comprehensive, involving representatives from the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, individual fishers and the Western Australian Government.
Early in 2005, the Government engaged an independent facilitator to help stakeholders finalise options for resource sharing arrangements in the WTBF. Since then, the facilitator has proposed six options and a final recommended option to the Government, on which the final arrangement has been based (Final Options Report - Resource Sharing In The Western Tuna And Billfish Fishery 
PDF [2.3MB]).
The final WTBF resource sharing arrangements were announced on 13 October 2005 by the Minister for Fisheries and Conservation. These arrangements comprise a mix of spatial and temporal measures that will ensure the recreational and commercial fishing sectors in the WTBF have fair access to the WTBF fish resources. Note: Media releases and speeches by former Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries can be located at: Pandora - Australia's Web Archive
Resource sharing arrangements for the Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery:
The arrangements are described in a set of temporal maps available:
Arrangements will be reviewed in five years, taking in any new data or relevant information, to determine if they still meet the Government's objectives for resource sharing.
