Western Australia’s scallop industry is undergoing a transformation as scientists, government, and the fishing sector unite to address climate pressures threatening marine ecosystems. A new initiative, Sea Change Australia, supported by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and the Australian Government, is focusing on the development of climate-resilient fisheries management, with WA scallops placed at the centre of the conversation.
At a recent workshop, industry leaders, fisheries managers, and marine scientists discussed how climate variability is reshaping the productivity and long-term sustainability of scallop stocks. With the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), CSIRO, and the University of Tasmania all contributing, the effort signals one of the most collaborative responses to marine change in recent years.
The Vulnerability of WA’s Scallop Resource
Scallops in Western Australia represent both cultural and economic value. Valued at $20.2 million in 2023, the resource is also among the most climate-sensitive. Marine heatwaves, which are increasing in frequency and intensity, pose direct threats to scallop reproduction, survival, and stock recovery.
Dr. Gary Jackson, a leading DPIRD scientist, emphasized that the workshops—first launched in July in Fremantle and Albany—are exposing just how fragile these stocks are under rising sea temperatures. “Scallops don’t adapt quickly to extreme heat events,” he explained. “Their life cycle and spawning success are tightly bound to water temperature stability, which makes them an early warning system for broader marine health.”
The project is not only looking at scallops in isolation but also their interconnectedness within the Abrolhos Island Mid-West Trawl Managed Fishery and the South Coast Scallop Managed Fishery. Understanding the links between these fisheries allows managers to explore shared risks and coordinated adaptation strategies.
Broader Lessons from Case Studies
The scallop initiative forms part of three case studies being run across WA, including South West Coast nearshore and estuarine species such as blue swimmer crab, black bream, yellowfin whiting, Australian herring, and salmon. By assessing a range of fisheries, the project aims to identify cross-cutting challenges and transferable solutions.
For example, the South West Coast study has already shown that estuarine systems are vulnerable to altered salinity levels, a knock-on effect of changing rainfall and river flows. Such findings offer insight into how estuary-dependent species might respond to climate stress, while also highlighting the ripple effect for recreational fishing and regional economies.
Climate Change and Marine Heatwaves
Australia’s west coast is no stranger to marine heatwaves. The 2010–2011 event, one of the most severe on record, devastated local fisheries and triggered long-term ecosystem changes. According to CSIRO, the likelihood of similar or worse events has doubled since then.
Scallops, with their short life span and reliance on consistent spawning seasons, remain particularly exposed. One poor spawning year can disrupt fishery yields for multiple seasons. In turn, this creates volatility in both markets and employment in fishing communities.
By integrating climate data into fisheries decision-making, managers aim to develop early-warning systems that can help predict and offset some of this volatility.
Adaptive Management as a Core Strategy
The workshops have emphasized one message repeatedly: flexible, adaptive management is the key to resilience. Rigid frameworks no longer suit a climate-driven environment. Instead, fisheries require mechanisms that can adjust quotas, shift open seasons, or temporarily close fisheries based on real-time climate and stock data.
This shift requires collaboration between industry and government. While scientists can provide predictive tools, fishers themselves often bring critical knowledge about on-the-water changes. The combination of traditional practice, modern monitoring, and policy alignment could form the backbone of a future-proofed scallop sector.
Policy and Regulation for Future Security
For adaptation to succeed, policy must keep pace with science. Dr. Jackson highlighted that “ensuring the policy and regulatory environment supports adaptation is essential to protecting WA fish stocks and food security.”
This includes:
- Regulatory Flexibility: Updating fisheries management acts to allow for dynamic quota changes.
- Cross-Fishery Coordination: Aligning management of interconnected fisheries to avoid creating vulnerabilities in one sector while protecting another.
- Climate Data Integration: Embedding climate indicators within fisheries management plans, ensuring decisions are forward-looking rather than reactive.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Maintaining dialogue with both commercial and recreational fishers, whose economic survival depends on sustainable stocks.
Economic and Community Implications
The economic implications extend beyond fisheries. A $20.2 million scallop industry supports processing plants, logistics operators, hospitality sectors, and export markets. Disruptions ripple across supply chains, affecting coastal communities dependent on marine income.
For recreational fishers, scallops also represent part of WA’s food culture. Healthy fisheries contribute to community wellbeing, tourism, and the state’s identity as a world-class seafood destination.
Failing to adapt would not only place these benefits at risk but also increase pressure on imports, raising concerns about food security and sustainability standards.
Opportunities Emerging from Adaptation
While the risks are real, the workshops have also identified opportunities. Emerging aquaculture technologies may provide a buffer against wild stock decline. For example, hatchery programs could help rebuild stocks after heatwaves or supply supplementary scallops to stabilise markets.
Additionally, partnerships with global research bodies could position WA as a leader in climate-adaptive fisheries. With other countries facing similar challenges, lessons learned in WA could be exported internationally, creating both reputational and commercial opportunities.
Toward a Climate-Resilient Future
Sea Change Australia’s scallop initiative is more than a single-species study. It represents a model for how fisheries must evolve under climate stress: integrated science, adaptive management, policy flexibility, and strong industry participation.
As workshops continue through 2025, the outcomes are expected to inform not just scallop fisheries but broader marine management across Australia. Ultimately, the project seeks to ensure WA remains a global leader in sustainable seafood, while protecting the communities, economies, and ecosystems tied to its waters.
By combining evidence-based science with pragmatic management and community input, Western Australia’s scallop industry could become one of the best examples of how climate resilience in fisheries can be achieved.
Conclusion
The $20.2 million WA scallop resource is at a crossroads. Without adaptation, climate change could erode its value and disrupt livelihoods. But with proactive measures, including flexible management, data-driven decision-making, and strong partnerships, the sector can not only survive but thrive in the decades ahead.
Sea Change Australia, supported by FRDC, DPIRD, CSIRO, and the University of Tasmania, is demonstrating that resilience is not just possible but essential. As Dr. Jackson noted, “future proofing our seafood industries” is not an option—it is the pathway to sustaining WA’s food security, economic strength, and cultural identity.
