The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is to waive a range of licence and access fees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement the Department said it recognised that the pandemic had had significant economic impacts on the commercial fishing and aquaculture industry.
“In consultation with the WA Fishing Industry Council, a range of licence fees will be waived and access fee payments deferred to reduce cash flow burdens on the commercial seafood sector,” the Department said.
“These include licences for commercial fishing, aquaculture, processing, pearling and fishing tour operators.”
It noted the Federal Government had recently announced a $110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism.
“The WA Government is actively engaged with its Federal counterparts and airfreight coordinators to support air freight access for WA’s seafood exporters as part of this initiative,” the Department said.
“This will help to ensure business and supply chain continuity and maintain our hard-won position in increasingly competitive overseas markets.”
The Department said a COVID Hotline (13Covid or 13 26 843) had been established to help answer questions West Australians had on the current COVID-19 emergency.
“This hotline provides options for callers including pre-recorded information, direction to appropriate websites and direction to call centres for specific information,” the Department said.
