Commonwealth Marine Park Review – Delivers a Mixed Bag for Fishers

Recfishwest support marine parks that are created for the purpose of recreation, science, education, conservation and enhanced visitor experiences. We believe marine park zoning must be underpinned by science and should be implemented using simple, practical management that is risk-based, transparent and subject to regular review.
Recfishwest believes that recreational fishing is largely compatible with the conservation objectives of marine parks and that it is an activity that must be recognised as a key value when formulating management plans.

This latest report following an independent review of the planned Commonwealth Marine Park Network marks 18 years since Australia made the initial commitment to develop a Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network (CMRN). Recfishwest have represented recreational fishing interests throughout the whole process and have invested a significant amount of time and effort to ensure the values of recreational fishers have been represented at every opportunity.

As part of this latest review Recfishwest met with the independent review Bioregional Advisory Panels and provided a submission identifying several significant areas of contention for the recreational fishing community.  Recfishwest believe that unless recreational fishing poses an identified risk to the conservation objectives of a marine reserve there is no logical rationale for excluding fishers from any area. Restrictions on recreational fishing should be avoided where possible and marine park management should aim to improve recreational fishing experiences with no net loss of amenity.

The outcomes of the latest review are a mixed bag. There are some very important wins for recreational fishing while other areas that we believe needed to be changed have remained untouched.Some of the most pleasing recommendations from the review include changes which will increase fishing access in important areas in Perth, Dampier and the Kimberley.

Perth Canyon:

Zoning before the review:

Independent Review zoning recommendations

 

The review recognised the Rottnest Trench as important game fishing and charter fishing area and Recfishwest is glad to see recommended zoning changes that would ensure access is maintained to this important game fishing location.

Dampier:

Zoning before the review:

Independent Review zoning recommendations

The review appeared to have listened to our concerns and have recommended the sanctuary zone be moved east where its impact on recreational fishing will be reduced and be replaced with a Benthic Protection Zone which will not significantly impact on fishing activities North of Legendre Island.

Kimberley:

Zoning before the review:

Recfishwest argued against the placement of the southern most sanctuary zone within this reserve as recreational fishing is common within 30nm of the coastline from Cape Leveque to Broome and within 90nm of Broome itself. Fishing in this area is likely to increase in popularity with the recent announcement of the sealing of the access road to Cape Leveque.

Some issues Recfishwest raised with the Independent Review Panel were not solved to Recfishwest’s satisfaction and represents a missed opportunity to minimise impacts on the fishing community while a number of other marine parks remain unchanged. The Independent Review has also recommended zoning changes for areas around Two Rocks, Geographe Bay, the South-west Capes region and Bremer Bay.

Two Rocks

Zoning before the review

Independent Review zoning recommendations

The review report has recommended the size of the sanctuary zone in this reserve be increased for the benefit of a few,  further restricting access to this popular fishing location on the door step of the metropolitan area.

Geographe Bay

Zoning before review

Independent Review zoning recommendations

The review has recommended straightening the boundary of the sanctuary zone to better align with state based marine parks however the rationale for maintaining two no fishing areas that contain similar habitat has not been justified.

The Capes Region

Zoning before the review

Independent Review zoning recommendations

In failing to recommend an alignment of the State and Commonwealth sanctuary zone in the Capes region the review has missed an opportunity to simplify management arrangements.

Bremer Bay

Zoning before the review

Independent Review zoning recommendations

This reserve is located in-between two popular tourist towns that both rely on recreational fishing tourism.  The review has recommended increasing the no fishing area within this reserve by 64%.

Recfishwest recognise some effort has been made to reduce the impact on recreational fishing by slightly increasing access to some of the important inshore areas that are regularly accessed by recreational fishers.

Recfishwest will be making a submission on this latest report and are hopeful that this long drawn out process will finally be able to move forward in the near future.

Continue Reading

December 01, 2023

Cockburn Sound seagrass growth success overshadowed by Westport dredging prospect

Seeds for Snapper volunteers are successfully seeding critical seagrass meadows in Cockburn Sound having dispersed seeds across the equivalent area of 12 Optus footy fields since it was launched five years ago…

Read More

November 29, 2023

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…

Read More

November 29, 2023

Spotlight on Westport – 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…

Read More

November 28, 2023

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…

Read More

November 17, 2023

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…

Read More

November 16, 2023

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…

Read More