News Archive

Westport announcement – questions on potential “catastrophic impacts” on Cockburn Sound remain unanswered
Recfishwest continues to have serious concerns about the future of the environment, fish stocks and fishing in Cockburn Sound following the Government’s latest announcement on the final location and design for its…

The Westport development – far from sound planning in Cockburn Sound
Following the State Government’s announcement on the design and location for its Westport container port planned to be built in Kwinana in 2032, Recfishwest Operations Manager Leyland Campbell takes a closer look…

Metro cray fishers share concerns over Marmion Marine Park planning
Excitement is building for the annual whites run and the prospect of catching a cray for Christmas. Word is it’s imminent with a few soft-shelled crays already being taken off nearshore reefs by divers – so get…

Recfishwest’s Community Grant recipients for 2024 and their big plans for improving fishing across WA!
Whether it be fishing clubs or local businesses – community groups can easily tick off all their goals when they are backed in with adequate support and resources. That is why over the last 12 years Recfishwest…

Join our cast of thousands and stand up for fishing in the challenges that lie ahead
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland takes a look back at a year of intensive activity by the peak recfishing sector body and how we can meet the challenges ahead for fishing and reap the opportunities. “It’s…

This summer’s Metro abalone season dates announced!
The four dates for jumping in the drink to collect a feed of abalone this summer have been announced! Nearly 17,000 of WA’s licensed abalone recfishers will be able to gather Roe’s abalone between…

Pemberton Trout Festival – breaking trout stocking attendance records in just its second year
Thanks to a buzzing crowd of around 500 mums, dads and excited kids along with stunning weather, the second edition of Pemberton Trout Festival went down as our biggest family-friendly trout stocking event to date…

Whites run forecast overshadowed by Marmion Marine Park extension concerns
This year’s whites run has been forecast to happen in late November according to one of WA’s leading rock lobster scientists. However, the eager anticipation over this summer’s cray season is being overshadowed…

State Government’s Metro wire trace ban “goes too far”
Recfishwest believes Minister for Fisheries Don Punch’s decision to ban the use of wire trace 800m from shore between South of Mandurah to Two Rocks goes too far. We agree that fishing for large sharks in the…

Recfishwest on the road – highlights from October’s fishing clinics and kids fishing competitions across WA!
It’s been a very busy October for our Recfishwest crew and nearly 180 kids who had a crack at fishing in our Metro, Mid-West and Pilbara region’s fishing clinics and competitions! Recfishwest is…

State-wide FADs network gets Government backing as southern/Metro FADs deployment begins!
In a great win for fishers, following Recfishwest’s successful FADs trial program, the State Government has committed to maintaining a Statewide FADs network for the next three years with the north Metro FADs…

Dampier’s Mackerel 5000 sets new Fishing for Science record for most mackie samples donated in one day
The Accenture Mackerel 5000 held in Dampier by the Nickol Bay Sportsfishing Club in mid-October needs to take a bow, it just produced some of the most jaw-droppingly big Spanish mackerel ever seen in a West Aussie…

2023 Waroona Troutfest a roaring success, with scores of excited families celebrating our freshwater fishery
A lively crowd and lovely weather made for a fabulous seventh edition of Troutfest and a fitting celebration of the enjoyment our South-West freshwater fishery brings to thousands of West Aussies. More than 350…

Two great family-friendly trout stocking events return to celebrate WA’s fantastic freshwater fisheries
Recfishwest is excited to announce our two community trout stocking events have confirmed dates for 2023 – with Troutfest occurring this Saturday, 21 October at Drakesbrook Weir, Waroona and Pemberton Trout…

Happy 5th anniversary to Exmouth’s King Reef – a thriving fish habitat just five years after placement on the seabed
Five years ago, all that was there was the barren sandy seabed. Today, the area is teeming with vibrant colour, exotic coral and hundreds of marine species, including an array of fish species like trevally, coral…

Environment Minister acknowledges “critical” importance of seagrass meadows to marine life in Cockburn Sound
Recfishwest was pleased to hear Environment Minister Reece Whitby talk up the importance of Cockburn Sound and its seagrass habitat at a recent partnership agreement signing between Cockburn Power Boats Club (CPBC…

Esperance land-based comp shows exactly why fishing access must be maintained on the south coast
If you want a perfect example of why land-based fishing access and experiences need to be protected on the south coast – then the recent Esperance Land Based Fishing Club‘s Open Classic competition rang the…

Booming barra fishery in the East Kimberley draws biggest ever WA fishing competition
Barramundi mania took hold in Kununurra this past weekend with 1,125 anglers entering the East Kimberley town’s 25th annual Apex Barra Bash making it the biggest fishing tournament in WA history. It is the first…