Tag: Dampier FADs

New Fisheries Minister announces year-round FADs for Dampier, Point Samson and Broome!

FADs fishing fanatics in Dampier, Point Samson and Broome are soon to be able to target pelagic powerhouse fishlike billfish and dolphin all year round!

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland joined the new Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis and Kimberley MP Divina D’Anna to announce the introduction of eight new generation FADs off Broome, Dampier and Point Samson now being deployed all year round.

The new reinforced FADs will be deployed off Broome and Dampier in the next couple of weeks and have been re-engineered with more robust chain rigging and modelled to withstand cyclone conditions.

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “Recfishwest has been working with the Broome fishing clubs and the fishing clubs in Dampier to find good locations for these FADs. The Department and State Government have put the funding in to upgrade them for all year-round deployment which is a great opportunity to have sportfishing and game fishing for pelagic species throughout the year in those regions.

“So, it’s a great outcome and we’re really pleased to see the State Government continue to back this program in.”

Minister Jarvis added, “FADs help attract species that we know are in abundance based on scientific research and stock management, supporting sustainable recreational fishing across the State.”

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland joined the new Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis and Member for Kimberley Divina D’Anna to announce the introduction of eight new generation FADs off Broome, Dampier and Point Samson!

One of the Dampier FADs will also be used as a platform for a wave buoy, expanding WA’s network of buoys which provide real-time observations of wave conditions.

This live wave and temperature data will be available through wawaves.org allowing fishers to better plan their trips. The data will also be used by University of WA scientists to improve models of how or when the swell arrives in Dampier Port.

Recfishwest will update you with the coordinates once the FADs have been deployed – keep your eyes on our channels for more and check in on our FADs webpage!

Enhanced sport fishing opportunities for Dampier and Point Samson with four FADs deployed for the first time!

Pilbara boat fishers off Dampier and Point Samson now have enhanced sportfishing options available to them, with four Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) deployed off the Pilbara towns for the first time in WA’s history.

The latest FADs deployments include one device approximately 40km (22 nautical miles) north, north-west off Point Samson in a depth of 37m, with the other three FADs deployed around 50km (27 nautical miles) north-west of Dampier in depths of 40-46m.

GET THE NEW DAMPIER AND POINT SAMSON FADS COORDINATES HERE! 

The devices have been deployed off Dampier to attract mainly black marlin, sailfish and wahoo, while the Point Samson FAD is expected to attract the same species for sportfishers with dolphinfish also a welcome possibility.

Vince Amico from Adventure Sports in Karratha said the deployment location of the three Dampier FADs – coordinated by Recfishwest and DPIRD – are bang on the money for attracting larger pelagic predators in the coming weeks.

“Given their depths and the water temperatures, I think they will fire up brilliantly for pelagics and both Recfishwest and DPIRD have done a great job on researching where to put them to the greatest benefit of the community,” said Vince.

“These FADs are on the way to most of the trolling or bottom bouncing spots for locals and are relatively close together, so they have the option of fishing all FADs within one session which will help them save on fuel.

“The best tip I can give to anglers heading out there is make sure you are courteous to others and don’t anchor up directly on the FADs. It’s a first in, best dressed scenario, so if you turn up to fish a FAD and it’s already quite busy, there are thankfully other FADs close by.”

For tips on how to fish the FADs and FADS fishing etiquette, click here.

It is another feather in the cap of the State-wide FADs program, which is being run by DPIRD in partnership with Recfishwest.

Marlin, sailfish and wahoo catches could be a common occurrence next to the four FADs recently deployed off Dampier and Point Samson in our State’s Pilbara region, with three devices in the drink off Dampier and one device positioned north of Point Samson. Photo credit: Marco Fraschetti.

“FADs being deployed off this northern stretch of the WA coast for the first time is a big win for the Dampier and Pilbara region fishing community and it’s going to be exciting to see how catches coming off these FADs compare to other parts of the State where the devices have been rolled out,” said Recfishwest Operations Lead Matt Gillett.

With the State Government committed to funding a full-time and State-wide FADs program for at least the next three years, Recfishwest is hoping to develop more new sustainable fishing opportunities like these that can provide great fishing opportunities and better value to the WA fishing community.

Want to know more about FADs and their coordinates? Check out the Recfishwest FADs webpage.

The newly deployed FADs could fire up quickly for attracting larger sportfish, making them a potential hotspot for competitors in King Bay Game Fishing Club’s Dampier Classic between 18-21 August. Right photo credit: Marco Fraschetti.