Recfishwest welcomes today’s announcement by the Premier Mark McGowan and Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley of a multi-million-dollar package focused on fishing including three new artificial reefs, fish stocking programs and celebrating WA’s world-class fishing.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said today’s package would greatly improve fishing enjoyment, assist the recreational fishing sector get back on track with generating its $2.4 billion annual spend and see WA’s 750,000 fishers play a role in helping get our great State back on its feet.
“It’s great to see the Premier and the State Government recognise the importance of fishing and the key role it has in contributing to our economy, our lifestyle and the health and wellbeing of the one in three West Aussies who go fishing each year,” he said.
WATCH: Premier McGowan reveals recfishing package
“Artificial reefs installed along our coast over the past six years from Esperance to Exmouth have been brilliant for fishing.
“Underwater fishing playgrounds like the King Reef installed off Exmouth are bursting with marine life and create new fish habitat, increase fish productivity, are good for the environment, good for tourism, good for regional economies and, most importantly, provide more places to go fishing.
“To have three new reefs earmarked in this announcement over the next three years really is exciting news for fishers and the Albany community in particular will be buzzing with this news.”
Today’s announcement will also boost fish stocking programs over the next three years including the well-established and successful Lake Kununurra barramundi stocking program.
“This will see millions of fish released into WA waters and support existing fish stocking programs giving a huge boost to the popular barramundi stocking program in the Kimberley where the 850,000 fingerlings released into Lake Kununurra over the last seven years are now resulting in fish over a metre being caught on a regular basis,” Dr Rowland said.
Click here to view all the fish stocking programs we’ve done over the years!
“It will also allow us to develop exciting new innovative stocking programs releasing popular sportfish like yellowtail kingfish in metro waters.
“Well-managed fish stocking programs can play an important role in future-proofing our fish stocks by helping increase fish abundance, as well as creating great new fishing opportunities.
“We have great fishing here in WA and by delivering exciting fishing trails we can help fishers discover new adventures along the expansive 12,000km coastline in our own backyard.
“It’s great to see the Government getting behind fishing and we are already looking forward to hitting the ground running tomorrow and working with Government to turn these great initiatives into a reality and continuing to make fishing even better in WA for all West Aussies.”
