For residents of Derby, fishing for Barramundi is an institution. The iconic Fitzroy River empties into King Sound right on the town’s doorstep, creating the perfect estuarine environment in which to target Barramundi only minutes from the boat ramp. This type of fishing experience has provided local fishers with safe, accessible, sustainable and enjoyable fishing experiences for decades.
Traditionally, local fishers have maintained an excellent relationship with local commercial fishing operators who have chosen to fish further from town in order to maintain equity between commercial and recreational fishers. These types of agreements are pivotal to the harmony of small communities who rely on accessing shared resources, which is why it is disappointing to learn that gillnet fishing for Barramundi has recently started on the doorstep of Derby following the sale of the local commercial licence.
This has created a large amount of conflict in Derby, with local recreational fishers noticing a decline in fishing quality over recent months. Derby-based Mary Island Fishing Club have been attempting to negotiate a resource sharing outcome which would restore the agreement between the community and the previous licence holder. To date, these negotiations have been unsuccessful.
Recfishwest is assisting the club and their community in their endeavour to restore equitable resource sharing for Barramundi in King Sound.
Recfishwest exists to protect, promote and develop sustainable, accessible, enjoyable and safe fishing for the benefit of the community.
