- New
restrictions to prohibit shark fishing gear within 800m of shore from south of
Mandurah to Two Rocks, including all waters of the Swan-Canning Estuary
- Cook
Government continuing to work with local councils on shark hazard mitigation strategies
The Cook Government is extending restrictions to
stop shark fishing in all nearshore waters of the Perth metropolitan area to
address community concerns for public safety.
Fisheries Minister Don
Punch has approved restrictions to prohibit the use of wire trace, which is
essential to land sharks, within 800 metres of the shore at all Perth metropolitan
beaches.
The new
restrictions under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 will come into
effect on 3 November 2023 for all Perth metropolitan beaches - from Tim's
Thicket Beach (south of Mandurah) to 5kms north of Two Rocks Marina, including
the Swan Canning Estuary.
Similar restrictions were
successfully introduced in February last year for Port and Leighton beaches through
to South Cottesloe amid concerns that beach fishing attracted sharks close to the
popular swimming beaches.
The new regulations also
simplify the rules for recreational fishers, who are currently facing a variety
of complex rules which vary considerably between local government areas.
Fishing for other popular
species such as Tailor, Herring or Whiting will be unaffected by the new rules
as wire trace is not required to catch these fish.
Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development compliance officers will be
ensuring fishers adhere to the new wire trace restrictions, and existing bans on
the use of burley comprising mammal or bird products, such as blood and offal.
Regional locations
will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Cook Government is continuing to
work with regional local governments and local governments along the Swan River
on other mitigation strategies, including the installation of a beach enclosure
at Bicton Baths in the City of Melville.
Anyone who observes suspicious fishing activity in Western
Australian waters can report this to FishWatch 1800 815 507 or through an online
form on Crimestoppers.
Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
"Fishing for large sharks
from metropolitan swimming beaches is simply incompatible with community values
and community safety.
"This reform is simple,
effective, easy to understand and most importantly puts community safety first.
"I was increasingly
concerned that individual local governments were creating their own recreational
fishing regimes which were inconsistent with State Government fisheries
policies and confusing for recreational fishers to follow.
"There is now absolutely
no need for any local government to attempt to regulate this space and I call
on local governments to rescind their local laws aimed at doing so.
"I recognise a small
number of recreational fishers prefer to use wire trace for beach fishing for
species such as Tailor. I am satisfied with the availability of alternatives so
I would encourage anyone affected to visit their local tackle store to chat
about the variety of substitutes on offer.
"It is also very
important for anyone who sees a shark to report it immediately to Water Police
on 9442 8600."
