Tag: carnarvon

WA’s latest artificial reef set to make waves off Carnarvon

Recfishwest has welcomed the announcement that WA’s largest artificial reef will be deployed off Carnarvon by the end of August, providing a significant boost for recreational fishers in the Gascoyne and across the State.

A total of 300 concrete reef modules will be lowered to the seabed 7km off Pelican Point, covering 90,000 square metres – an area larger than Optus Stadium. The reef will be easily accessible from the town’s boat ramp and provide structure and habitat for species such as pink snapper, mulloway, blue-lined emperor, cod, cobia, trevally and mackerel.

The announcement was made over the weekend at the Carnarvon Coral Bay Road Depot, with Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis, Carnarvon Shire President Eddie Smith, and Recfishwest Partnerships and Business Development Manager Tim Grose in attendance, alongside other key stakeholders.

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said the reef was the result of years of advocacy and collaboration by the local community and fishing groups.

“This is a great example of what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision for better fishing and this is exactly the kind of thing our fishing licence fees should be backing,” Andrew said.

“Artificial reefs are proven assets for supporting local fish populations and providing safe, reliable and enjoyable fishing opportunities. We’re proud to have played a role in helping make this happen for the people of Carnarvon.”

Working together to make fishing better 

The project has been delivered in partnership between the Shire of Carnarvon, Carnarvon Chamber of Commerce, Gascoyne Development Commission, DPIRD, and Recfishwest, with the reef modules manufactured locally by Cyan Marine.

Shire President Eddie Smith said the deployment would be a major boost for the town.

“The entire community is going to be pleased to see it going in the water,” he said.

“Every backyard in Carnarvon has a tinny in it and anyone will now be able to go out and catch a good eating fish – it’s going to increase everyone’s capacity to catch a fish.”

Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis said the reef would deliver important social and economic outcomes for the region.

“It’s fantastic to be in Carnarvon with the local fishing community to announce this major milestone,” Minister Jarvis said.

“Not only will the reef enhance the quality of fishing for locals and visitors, it also aligns with our commitment to invest in regional communities and marine habitat.”

Blue-lined emperor (left) and mulloway (right) are just two of many species that are expected to flourish around the artificial reef modules, with many others expected to make reels scream.

Artificial reefs supporting marine resilience

The Carnarvon reef is the first artificial reef to be deployed in WA since Ocean Reef in 2021, and will be the eighth in WA’s artificial reef network, joining those in Esperance, Exmouth, Dunsborough, Bunbury, Mandurah, Rottnest and Ocean Reef

Beyond the fishing benefits, artificial reefs like this one play an important role in enhancing marine biodiversity and resilience. Recent research from King Reef in Exmouth, conducted by Curtin University and the WA Museum, revealed diverse marine life – including species yet to be formally identified – thriving on the reef structures.

“As we face increasing pressures from climate change and habitat loss, building new reef infrastructure is one of the ways we can help support marine ecosystems and sustain fish populations for future generations,” Dr Rowland said.

The reef will begin deployment in coming weeks and is expected to become a key fishing destination for both Carnarvon locals and travelling fishers.

The Carnarvon Artificial Reef was made possible by the WA Government’s Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund and led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, with support from the Gascoyne Development Commission and Recfishwest.

Week-long Carnar-Fin celebration showcases the top Gascoyne fishing on offer

Carnarvon’s recent Carnar-Fin Fishing Competition has gone down as one of the biggest turnouts for the cherished Gascoyne event since its inception in 1992. 

More than 220 anglers in 70 boats hit the waters of Carnarvon to catch a wide range of species such as red emperor, coral trout, trevally, mackerel, tuna and many more.  

Recfishwest was there to lend a hand at the kids fishing clinic on the fascine, hosted by the Carnarvon Lions Footy Club, which saw 130 kids excitedly wetting a line with fish captures and beaming smiles galore. 

Thanks to local photographer Andrew Robertson from Gascoyne Media for sharing this great footage from this lively week-long event. 

Western Angler editor Scott Coghlan returned to MC the event, with daily leaderboard shake-ups during the evening weigh-ins keeping the large crowd on their toes in suspense.  

Local legend Liam Freeman, who took out this year’s Overall Champion Angler, also broke the flathead record in the process, catching a stonker 1.334kg specimen that pipped the previous mark set 18 years ago.  

Under Carnar-Fin rules, the main prize goes to the fish which is closest to the competition record and Liam’s flattie was the only one to beat the previous competition species best.  

Recfishwest believes this is a great way to go for community fishing competitions, with anyone catching even a whiting having a chance to take out the top honours for the competition.  

Other eyebrow-raising catches from this year’s competition included a 25.4kg cobia, a 5.36kg spangled emperor and 3.79kg tailor. 

“There were good numbers at the competition and a good mix of fishers, including a lot of local families,” said Scott. 

“It’s truly a family-friendly competition – with a couple of families claiming multiple prizes across the 18 categories. In the case of the Rudge family, Bailey took out the biggest mangrove jack, while his brother claimed best spangled emperor, with dad Bruce catching the best tuna at 20.35kg. 

“The competition is very much a highlight on the social calendar for the town and brings a nice little boost for the local economy with all the money spent on accommodation, bait and fuel. There was a great atmosphere, and it was a pleasure to be a part of it.” 

Congratulations to the Carnar-Fin committee who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver another memorable event. Check out more stunning snaps from Andrew Robertson below and click here to visit the Carnar-Fin Facebook page!  

Senior Police Sergeant says fishing safety angel ring saved man’s life at Quobba

A Carnarvon senior police officer at the centre of a risky rescue of a fisher washed off the rocks on our Mid-West coastline said the man would not be alive had he not been kept afloat by an angel ring – installed as part of Recfishwest’s Statewide safe fishing program. 

Senior Sergeant Paul Tolan said the emergency call was raised to Carnarvon Police earlier this month after two brothers fishing north of Carnarvon at Quobba had been washed off the rocks during precarious 3-4m swells.  

One of the fishers somehow managed to clamber back up the jagged rocks before hurling the angel ring installed at Camp Rock towards his 23-year-old brother, who was struggling to keep his head above water having not worn a lifejacket.  

The angel ring helped keep him afloat until a Rio Tinto vessel in the area could be scrambled to pull him from the water 300 metres from shore after he was swept out to sea.  

“If it wasn’t for that angel ring being positioned nearby and thrown out to this man’s aid, he would certainly have drowned in those conditions,” said Senior Sgt Tolan.  

“Safety precautions need to come first when fishing and we would like to see more of these angel rings deployed along the coast. Carnarvon police are frequently called out to rescue situations like this in rough conditions where no one should be fishing in the first place.” 

This angel ring located at Camp Rock/Quobba saved a young man’s life by keeping him afloat after he was washed off the rocks during dangerous conditions earlier this month on WA’s Mid-West coastline.

Rock fishing comes with many risks 

Recfishwest has installed 80 angel rings and deployed 174 loan lifejackets across WA to keep rock fishers safe as part of our WA safe fishing program and partners with the Bureau of Meteorology to share dangerous rock fishing alerts during the spring, summer and autumn months.  

Recfishwest’s Senior Operations and Safety Officer Sam Russell said fishing from rocks comes with many risks, particularly in poor weather conditions and high swell.  

“Even seasoned rock fishers can get caught out by so-called ‘rogue’ waves if not fully aware and prepared,” said Sam. “No fish is worth risking your life for – so unless you have plenty of experience, we recommend you keep the sand between your toes and fish off the beach. 

“However, if you choose to fish from the rocks, we advise you follow our rock fishing safety tips closely – check the weather and swell before you even consider going out, wear the right gear including a lifejacket and never go fishing alone.” 

READ ALL OF RECFISHWEST’S ROCK FISHING SAFETY TIPS HERE

Tim Meachan, owner of the popular land-based fishing spot of Quobba Station said there are loan lifejackets available to all fishers who wish to wet a line off the elevated cliff platforms. 

“All it takes is one rogue wave to come along and you’re in the water,” said Tim. “Given both of these men were wearing trackpants, heavy work boots and had no lifejackets on, if they both had remained in the water during those treacherous conditions this would have been a recovery mission of two bodies. 

“We are always happy to give out loan lifejackets to fishers at Quobba and you should always be wearing one when fishing off the rocks regardless of the conditions, but when the swell is this dangerous it’s not worth fishing off the rocks at all.”  

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OF THE FREE LOAN LIFEJACKET LOCATIONS ACROSS WA 

CLICK HERE TO READ POPULAR SOUTH COAST YOUTUBER CHRIS DIXON’S ARTICLE ON ROCK FISHING SAFETY 

Recfishwest led the charge to have more than 80 angel rings and 174 loan lifejackets deployed across WA to keep rock fishers safe, but fishing with a friend, wearing a lifejacket, analysing the conditions on arrival, tethering yourself to the rocks and wearing the right footwear should be the first safety measures when fishing off the rocks.

Gascoyne’s spectacular fishing on full display at Carnar-Fin Fishing Competition!

Hundreds of local community members and more than 250 fishers flocked to Carnarvon to experience the highly anticipated Carnar-Fin Fishing Competition. 

Since its inception in 1992, Carnar-Fin has become an annual spectacle in the Gascoyne region held over the June long weekend, with the fantastic fishing available on Carnarvon’s doorstep being the main star during the week-long event from 27 May – 2 June. 

Event coordinators were kept busy constantly updating the whiteboard with the biggest captures across more than a dozen species, with Spanish mackerel, red emperor, coral trout, cobia, trevally and many more species keeping rods bent, reels sizzling and cameras snapping.  

As you can see from the beaming smiles in the pictures below – Carnar-Fin helps bring the local community members and fishers from across WA together to have a yarn and celebrate all things fishing. 

Recfishwest was there to help out with the Carnar-Fin Kids Fishing Competition, which saw some spectacular species caught and released right on the doorstep of the town marina. 

Our Senior Operations Officer Sam Russell was on hand to help teach kids the importance of correct fish handling and releasing, which certainly kept him busy! 

“As you can see in the quality snaps, there were plenty of fish caught and it was great to see a lot of smiling youngsters and families wetting a line. The atmosphere here every year is always buzzing and it was great to see people come together for a laugh and friendly chat,” said Sam. 

“Captures that are brought in for weigh-in don’t go to waste either and are also kindly distributed around to community members, so there is a great social element to this event every year.” 

Big payday for lucky angler

The biggest prize of Carnar-Fin was a 4.6m tinnie valued at a whopping $30,000 up for grabs in the raffle, which saw mad fisher Kieran Pirini lost for words as the eventual winner, with proceeds from ticket sales being reinvested back into the community.  

A new $30,000, 4.6m Stessco Catcher 460 for lucky fisher Kieran Pirini! Who scored this beaut new ride courtesy of the Carnar-Fin raffle!

Western Angler’s Scott Coghlan had the pleasure of being MC for the event and didn’t want to miss out on the sensational fishing – even he towed his boat up and managed to reel in some impressive mulloway and trevally alongside his fishing mate Glenn Edwards.  

“Every day the crowd was excited to see the catches rolling in and there is a huge sense of positivity, connection and friendly banter between everyone who comes to Carnar-Fin each year. Fishing events like this form the fabric of coastal community towns like Carnarvon and they are crucially important for the social and mental wellbeing of everyone attending,” said Scott.  

Check out some of the amazing snaps and captures from Carnar-Fin below and click here to visit the event’s Facebook page!  

The past, present and future of WA’s artificial reefs and Recfishwest’s role!

Ever wanted to know the history of how artificial reefs became so successful around the world and the future reefs set to make a splash off our coastline?  

Recfishwest’s Programs Manager James Florisson also spoke with ABC Kimberley/Pilbara on the artificial reefs planned to be placed off the Broome and Carnarvon coasts along with FADs in our northern waters! Catch James’ radio interview by watching the video below!

Mark Pagano (DPIRD’s Aquatic Resource Management) also spoke to 6PR’s Glen Jakovich on artificial reef developments in the pipeline across WA, why certain reef materials are more productive, what species fishers can expect to catch and much more! You can catch Mark’s chat by clicking here. 

Want to know more about how Recfishwest is driving artificial reef deployments around WA? Click here.  

 

Restoring jetty fishing in Carnarvon – 150 metres down, 1,300 metres to go

While it is finally receiving a small part of the restoration it thoroughly deserves – Carnarvon’s One Mile Jetty repairs will sadly fall well short of reaching the water, dashing the hopes of local fishers to soon wet a line again off the historic structure.

The State Government recently announced they would restore the first 150 metres of the jetty to celebrate its contribution to the heritage of the Gascoyne region.

“While it is great to see the Government position the jetty as the centerpiece of Carnarvon’s heritage precinct and invest in a portion of its restoration, it is bittersweet news for Carnarvon locals,” said Recfishwest Operations Manager Leyland Campbell. “They have spent years waiting for another land-based structure to restore the great fishing opportunities the jetty used to provide.

“The definition of a jetty requires it to extend over water, so the current restoration of 150 metres essentially just makes it a boardwalk. It would be fantastic to see the jetty restoration extended further so it reaches the waterline and once again offer safe and accessible fishing opportunities to the Gascoyne community.”

Jetties are highly valued community assets; they offer everyone the opportunity to access deeper water and a wider variety of species than are available from shore.

A former land-based fishing gem

Ask any experienced local fisher in Carnarvon to share any great fishing memories from Carnarvon’s One Mile jetty and their tales would stretch longer than the 1,450-metre jetty once did.

The jetty was the beating heart of recreational fishing in Carnarvon, with Recfishwest running successful local fishing clinics on the structure for years that saw excited youngsters land species such as queenfish, trevally, fingermark, flathead and mulloway to name a few.

Extending out to sea from Babbage Island on the southern side of the Gascoyne River mouth, the lengthy jetty was a hotspot for fishers of all ages and abilities to catch a wide array of species for more than 120 years.

Although the much-loved fishing platform was closed in 2017, many fishers continued to access the jetty. In the lead up to the 2021 election, the State Government pledged $4.5 million to progress the redevelopment of the shore-based section of the jetty.

However, shortly after the election, Cyclone Seroja ripped through and devastated large sections of the remaining jetty along with hopes the original jetty would ever be restored.

These images taken by TJ Bice back in April 2021 shortly after Cyclone Seroja show the damage inflicted along Carnarvon’s One Mile Jetty, with the waterside section cherished by land-based fishers copping the worst of it.

Early last year the Department of Transport completed a $4.2 million deconstruction of the intertidal and waterside sections of the damaged jetty as it was creating a navigation hazard.

It is possible though, to pay homage to the history of a landmark while simultaneously improving fishing opportunities as has been proven on WA’s south coast.

“The Government need to look no further than Esperance to see how important and beneficial it can be to restore the values a jetty provides,” said Leyland.

How Esperance jetty got it right

Just like Carnarvon, Esperance faced the dilemma of choosing to either restore their much-loved Tanker jetty or build a new jetty.

In the end, both goals were accomplished with a portion of the original timber jetty restored and connected to a new $7.5 million, 415-metre-long concrete structure that is safe, spacious and provides excellent fishing opportunities.

Since the new Esperance jetty was opened in March of 2021, it has once again become the heart of the town as the prime land-based fishing location for locals and thousands of tourists, many of whom visit Esperance because it once again has a jetty.

The new Esperance jetty paid homage to the original timber Tanker jetty by connecting it to the new $7.5 million, 415-metre-long concrete jetty that has since restored the foundations of land-based fishing in the town.

“Esperance shows honouring the old while embracing the new is possible, the same can be done in Carnarvon.” said Leyland. “We’re continuing to call on the Government to restore the fishing opportunities that Carnarvon’s One Mile jetty provided. The fishing memories and health benefits that the One Mile jetty gave me and countless others for generations are too great to be overlooked,” said Leyland.

“To fully unlock the potential of the heritage precinct, a new jetty extending from the restored section of the old jetty must be a priority for Government. They are certainly taking steps in the right direction by restoring the first 150 metres, but they still have another 1,300 metres to go before they restore the true value the jetty provides.”

Recfishwest Operations Manager Leyland Campbell has lifelong childhood memories fishing from Carnarvon’s One Mile Jetty, pictured here on a family fishing trip in the 1980s.