Carnarvon community’s hard-work opens much-needed fascine access

Carnarvon boat fishers should be cautiously optimistic today after the McGowan Government pledged $7 million to help solve ongoing boat access issues at the fascine as part of its WA Recovery Plan.

Carnarvon boat fishers during the “Free the Fascine” in February.

Access to the ocean from the fascine was blocked following a cyclone in 2017 and since then the Carnarvon community have been fighting to restores access even going so far as to buy their own dredge.

Today the State Government appears to have heard the calls of the community and committed $7 million to deliver a permanent solution that will provide permanent access to the ocean from the fascine.

The announcement marks a significant step forward for the aspirations of the Carnarvon community, who in February this year held a rally to highlight the need for the Government to “Free the Fascine”.

Recfishwest Operations Manager Leyland Campbell, alongside Nationals MP Vince Catania and Aussie cricketing legend Kim Hughes, joined fishers in Carnarvon at the rally to ratchet up the calls.

Leyland said improving accessibility at the fascine would allow Carnarvon fishers to easily, and safely, get among the terrific fishing – which includes mulloway and cobia – off the Gascoyne town once more.

“Recfishwest are proud to have supported the Carnarvon community and their fight to address the fascine issue,” he said.

“Solving the fascine problem will not only benefit Carnarvon’s recfishers, but also the many boat fishers from across the State that travel to the popular fishing town each year.”

The $7 million will go towards delivering a permanent access solution from options put forward by the Fascine Entryway Project Steering Committee.

Immediate measures will be implemented to improve boat fishers’ access including regularly moving channel markers to ensure boats can safely use the deepest water.

Specialised equipment will be installed next month to collect further data that can be used with recent hydrographic survey results.

Also, environmental approvals have been sought to finalise a plan for the fascine that provides year-round boat access to the waterway.

“Recfishers spend $2.4 billion on fishing annually,” Leyland said. “Keeping that in mind, this announcement ensures boat fishers have access to one of the best fishing destinations off WA’s coast.”

Cobia are a common catch off Carnarvon.

Continue Reading

September 27, 2023

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…

Read More

September 21, 2023

Recfishwest at the 2023 Perth Boat Show – the views, the issues and the most colourful lure designs you’ll ever see!

Recfishwest got the chance to catch up with hundreds of mad keen recfishers on the weekend (15-17 September) at the Perth Boat Show.  Our stand at the heart of the show’s fishing section was a hive of…

Read More

September 14, 2023

Greenlip abalone closure – necessary, but disappointing and avoidable

DPIRD has advised that from 1 October 2023, fishing will not be permitted for greenlip abalone between Busselton Jetty and Shoal Cape in the Stokes National Park, west of Esperance. In addition: These changes are…

Read More

September 07, 2023

Anglers donate big mack sample haul at Onslow Mack10k!

With 78 boats brimming with 266 competitors all hoping to catch the biggest Spanish mackerel at the recent MACK10K competition in Onslow – our Fishing for Science table was jam-packed with macks!   The annual…

Read More

September 07, 2023

Prepare to go into bat for our most valuable fishing spots on the north metro and south coasts

Recfishwest understands plans for both the new South Coast Marine Park and the extension to Marmion Marine Park are to be released for public comment as early as October.    And it’s going to be crucial for the…

Read More

September 07, 2023

Recfishwest condemns proposals to ban beach driving at popular fishing spots near to Lancelin, Ledge and Seabird

Recfishwest has written to the Shire of Gingin strongly objecting to its proposals to heavily restrict four-wheel-drive access to some of the best fishing beaches around Lancelin, Ledge and Seabird over the next…

Read More