Two months since the fishing ban and local fish and chips stores are seeking transparency and accountability

While the State Government’s ban on demersal fishing claims to safeguard fish populations for future generations, a Bunbury chippy fears their livelihood is on the line as the new restrictions start to bite. After 51 years of service, Bunbury’s most long-standing fish and chip shop — Wollaston Fish and Chips — say they are fighting to stay in business amid the chaos of navigating the changes. The permanent ban on demersal fishing from Kalbarri to Augusta has impacted heavily on the Bunbury business, according to owner Samuel Vial. “Now we have to look further north or further south for our fish supplies and even then the prices of the fish have increased so much,” he said. “It is now going to the highest bidder, which are usually big restaurants up in Perth. “It is sold for a ridiculous price that we can’t afford to sell it to our loyal customers.” Mr Vial said he feared the challenges would lead to job losses — not only for his business, but also for tackle shops, boating suppliers and bait suppliers. “We employ all local staff and we are lucky to have a really strong community behind us, but at the moment, it is very hard to tell what is going to happen,” he said. “The Government has not considered any downstream support for small businesses like ours. “Revenue wise, we stand to lose about $300,000 a year if the Government cannot come up with some sort of a transition package.” Mr Vial said he now has to travel beyond Augusta or Kalbarri to be able to procure the required supply of fish to serve his customer base — with no permanent solution in sight. “I already work 80 hours a week, we have to keep calling and trying options because if you find one now, they might not be able to supply the coming week and we have to find someone else,” Mr Vial said. “But again, we’re competing with high-end restaurants and fish markets.” With fish prices already on the rise, Mr Vial said it was only a matter of time until fish and chip prices start to climb. “We have not increased our prices yet, but we will soon have to while still maintaining affordable options,” Mr Vial said. “Our suppliers are also extremely frustrated as they were only given a three weeks’ notice and that is never enough when making such a drastic move.” Mr Vial said he was not arguing the science behind the ban, but he, and many other small business owners across WA need answers and more open communication from the State Government during the transition. “If we wait two years, all those shops and destinations that attract tourism, they might not be there, they won’t be able to sustain the ban,” he said. “We need government to provide assistance, transparency and accountability because the community is about to, if not already, lose their trust and that could have a massive impact in the next election.”