For the 29th year running, the coastal town of Denham swelled in size for the hugely popular Shark Bay Fiesta that celebrates the fantastic fishing on offer in the Gascoyne region.
Recfishwest joined the Denham community for the cornerstone event of its social calendar, which offers not just plenty of excitement, but also a vital boost to local businesses as scores of visitors from all corners of our state and country join in the festivities.
What started in 1996 as a simple weekend fishing competition has since grown into a week-long extravaganza, brimming with top-notch fishing competitions for adults and kids, live music, bustling food stalls and, of course, incredible fish species turning up at the evening weigh-ins.
Recfishwest Operations Officers Sam Russell and Levi De Boni ran our annual SunSmart fishing clinic to teach local and visiting kids how to catch, handle, and release various species, with some cracking catches being landed off the jetty in the centre of town.
“Around 30 kids had an awesome time releasing close to 100 fish of at least 10 different species. Some of the standout catches included legal-sized tuskfish, some black snapper and an impressive longtom,” said Levi.
“This event is a standout in the Recfishwest fishing clinic calendar every year and it’s always one of the most energetic fishing clinics we run.”
The Fiesta’s major fishing competition saw over 40 boats and 120 competitors making the most of the great fishing opportunities Shark Bay has to offer, with its sheltered waters producing fantastic catches of black snapper, pinkies and golden trevally to name a few.
Numerous fishing teams aimed for renowned offshore fishing locations like Dirk Hartog Island and Steep Point, chasing some of the larger species the area is famed for such as Spanish mackerel, cobia, tuna, red emperor, Rankin cod and goldband snapper on the deeper reefs.
“It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm that surrounded the event from people of all ages, from kids as young as four in the fishing clinic to retirees enjoying the high tea and fishing competition,” added Levi.
“I’d like to give a big Recfishwest thanks to Jamie Burton, the Executive Officer and her team at the Shark Bay Community Resource Centre for their awesome job organising the event and the Denham community as a whole for their great hospitality and participation while we were in town. We’re looking forward to returning in 2025.”
Check out more highlights from the 2024 Shark Bay Fiesta here!