Fishing access for South-West freshwater fishers could soon reach new heights, following the Government’s announcement for a feasibility study on an all-ability floating fishing platform at Pemberton’s Big Brook Dam.
Article snapshot:
- The State Government has announced a funding commitment to conduct a feasibility study to explore a floating jetty at Big Brook Dam in Pemberton.
- The floating platform is a much cheaper alternative to conventional fishing platforms and would extend from Big Brook Dam’s beach area.
- The platform would provide enhanced access for fishers targeting trout, redfin perch and marron species for people of all ages and abilities.
- In a positive development for the Western Australian freshwater fishing community, the State Government recently announced a $38,000 funding commitment for the study, which could result in a jetty (similar to the AI image below), providing greatly enhanced freshwater fishing opportunities for fishers of all abilities in the popular South-West fishery.
In a positive development for the Western Australian freshwater fishing community, the State Government recently announced a $38,000 funding commitment for the study, which could result in a jetty (similar to the AI image below), providing greatly enhanced freshwater fishing opportunities for fishers of all abilities in the popular South-West fishery.
Recfishwest’s new framework, funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), will complement the study to help streamline the planning and design of the jetty.
Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis, attending the fourth annual Southern Forests Trout Festival event on Sunday said, “I look forward to DPIRD, DBCA and Recfishwest working together to explore what opportunities there are to make Big Brook Dam more accessible for local anglers and visitors.”
“Recfishwest, along with nearly 10,000 licensed freshwater fishers, would love to see this platform come to fruition,” said Recfishwest Operations Lead Matt Gillett.
“The thought of walking out on this platform and easily landing big, healthy trout or redfin during the open season in the middle of Big Brook’s stunning waterway excites fishers. This floating platform would also be significantly cheaper to implement and maintain than a conventional ocean-based platform given its location in a calm, freshwater environment.”
The funding will aid Recfishwest, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) in progressing with the study.
Recfishwest is excited about the prospects of this initiative and its potential to further enrich the freshwater fishing experience, making it more inclusive and beneficial for everyone involved and its benefits to a growing $34 million in contribution to the WA economy.
We will keep you posted on the outcome of the study. For more information, click here to read the Fisheries Minister’s media release on this announcement.
