Recfishwest has joined growing calls for a full public environmental review of the AUKUS submarine development’s impacts on Cockburn Sound.
In an Australian Financial Review article earlier this month, Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland and our partners at Save Cockburn Sound (SCS) urged both Federal and State Governments to ensure maximum transparency and community involvement in decision-making around the project.
Acknowledging Cockburn Sound’s strategic defence importance, Andrew stressed that development must balance environmental protection with community access and fishing values.
READ THE FULL FINANCIAL REVIEW ARTICLE HERE
Andrew said, “Cockburn Sound’s safe, accessible waters are vital to tens of thousands of Perth fishers delivering outstanding family fishing and supporting crucial fish species, including the largest pink snapper spawning aggregations in the West Coast bioregion.
“We recognise the strategic defence role of HMAS Striling naval base in Cockburn Sound, however the AUKUS development must not come at the expense of the environment, public access, or community amenity.
“People care deeply about this place, and this project must be fully transparent, rigorously assessed, and shaped with genuine input from the local community and all stakeholders.”
The cast of thousands stand up for Cockburn Sound
The local passion for the Sound was on full display at our Snapper Guardians fish release event in February, where one thousand mums, dads, and kids came together at Woodman Point to release juvenile pink snapper back into this much-loved waterway.
Recfishwest has long led efforts to protect Cockburn Sound from creeping industrialisation and has recently joined forces with Save Cockburn Sound – a coalition of community groups and individuals who are passionate about the Sound and enjoy a range of recreational activities in it.
As an SCS spokesperson put it in the Financial Review:
“Cockburn Sound supports a huge range of family accessible recreational activities for fishers, sailors, boaties, divers, nature watchers and windsurfers right on Perth’s doorstep giving enormous enjoyment and relaxation for thousands of West Aussies.
“However, the environment and amenity that supports all these activities is under increasing pressure from a range of industrial developments including AUKUS, the planned Westport Outer Harbour development and an 18m-deep shipping channel to be dredged through the heart of the Sound.
“We have serious concerns about the ongoing industrialisation of the Sound and we call on State and Federal Governments, and all developers, to take responsibility to ensure these developments have minimal impact on the Sound’s environment and the activities we cherish.”
Recfishwest and Save Cockburn Sound will continue to stand up for the Sound – and we urge anyone who shares our concerns to join us in the fight for its future.
Join Recfishwest as a member here.
Sign up as a supporter of Save Cockburn Sound here to receive a free SCS bumper sticker!