News Archive

July 14, 2023

Keeping Gascoyne wilderness fishing gems pristine and industrial-free

With more than 150,000 tourists visiting Exmouth each year, you can guarantee that a majority of them are intent on wetting a line in Exmouth Gulf – and for good reason.   From bluewater speedsters –…

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July 06, 2023

Vale Ruth Sprague – a warm-hearted, much-loved member of the Recfishwest family

It is with great sadness we share with our members and supporters the news of the recent passing of much-loved former Recfishwest Events and Membership Officer Ruth Sprague. 

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July 04, 2023

Southern FADs back in for winter – northern FADs going out in the next few weeks

The metro and southern-based Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) have been brought back in for maintenance over the winter months, while more FADs are being prepared for deployment off Exmouth, Dampier and Broome. Once…

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July 04, 2023

Djiljid Dreaming film celebrates the paperbark people and their connection to the Swan-Canning system

At Recfishwest we recognise the inseparable connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have to country is central to their culture. To celebrate this, and as part of NAIDOC week this week, we are…

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July 04, 2023

Concerns mount over beach driving bans and dog exclusions in proposed south coast marine park

Being able to drive on the beach to your favourite fishing spot to wet a line is what makes living on the south coast so great. And for those with dogs, taking your canine friend along for the ride merely adds to…

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June 30, 2023

A gulf in class – Scott Coghlan on the magnificent wilderness fishing on offer in Exmouth Gulf

It’s one of WA’s great fishing destinations and if you truly want to sample wilderness fishing at its best without having to go too deep off the grid – head no further than Exmouth Gulf.    With its fish-rich…

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June 27, 2023

Fishing clinics program brings net benefits for socially at-risk young people

Young people who are doing it tough are enjoying the mental, well-being and physical net benefits fishing has to offer thanks to a partnership between “at risk” youth program Youth Futures and Recfishwest.   Funded…

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June 21, 2023

Charter tag allocation fiasco punishes young mum for having kids

Following the Government’s rushed decision in allocating zero tags to many charter operators in the West Coast Bioregion (WCB – from Kalbarri down to Augusta) from 1 July – dozens of family-run charter fishing…

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June 01, 2023

Recfishwest calls for Government fishery rethink with dozens of charter fishing businesses on the brink

Following Government fishery management changes, dozens of charter operators are facing the prospect of losing their businesses in the coming months with fishers aboard their vessels no longer able to fish for…

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May 31, 2023

Families flock to Denham to celebrate fishing in the Gascoyne at Shark Bay Fiesta

The hundreds of visitors from across WA and Australia, who ventured to Denham for the week-long Shark Bay Fiesta to celebrate all things fishing swelled the population of the coastal town by half!   For around 850…

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May 31, 2023

Marine park planning mess stokes fears of south coast social and economic fall-out

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction’s (DBCA’s) marine park on the south coast has been in the headlines recently for all the wrong reasons. From shire council presidents, to leading members…

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May 31, 2023

Fremantle Sailing Club saving money and potential lives with Recfishwest’s Community Grant

Recfishwest is proud to see one of the 16 recipient organisations receiving a Community Grant in 2023 – the Fremantle Sailing Club (FSC) – is saving money and potential lives by using a Recfishwest Community Grant…

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May 30, 2023

Spotting sharks on your sounder to help reduce bite-offs

“The taxman”, “the men in grey suits” or just plain old “bloody sharks.” Whatever you call them, sharks biting off your prized catch as you bring it into the boat can be the bane of many fishers’ fishing trips…

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May 05, 2023

West coast demersal $10m support package – a golden opportunity to support better decisions that cannot be missed

As the dust settles on the new fishing rules for west coast demersals, Recfishwest says the Government has got to get right the way $10 million of public money is spent on supporting the fishery. The Government…

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May 05, 2023

Scott’s south coast gems

The south coast is a delightful part of the world, especially at this time of year. Autumn truly is the time to enjoy everything it has to offer, with the best weather of the year featuring still, warm day days and…

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May 05, 2023

Jurien Bay FADs fire up, bringing great new fishing options to the Mid-West

The sportfishing action in Jurien Bay has cranked up since the deployment of four FADs off the coastline!  It is great to see fishers reap the benefits of catches from FADs across WA, with Recfishwest and local…

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May 04, 2023

A tale of two jetties

All too often, we see prized fishing jetties desperately needing TLC and restoration abandoned, left to rot or demolished as the red tape around who is responsible in managing and maintaining them puts them in the…

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May 04, 2023

Partners playing a huge role in helping us make fishing better in WA

Outside of our core funding contribution from recreational fishing licence fees via DPIRD, a growing range of valued partners are helping us do more for West Aussie fishers in 2023. Without additional support for…

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