Premier Mark McGowan and Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly have joined Recfishwest at Harvey Dam for a marron stocking event, announcing a trial stocking program that will see 300,000 marron released into South West dams in the next three years. Continue reading “A big step forward to year-round marroning”
Tag: dave kelly
Location of Exmouth Artificial Reef Announced
Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly – Media Statement
Fishing licence fees help create an Exmouth integrated artificial reef
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
– New artificial reef will enhance Exmouth fishing experience
– Funded by recreational fishing licence fees through the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund, and supported by BHP and National Energy Resource Australia
Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly today announced the location for Exmouth’s new Integrated Artificial Reef (IAR).
The new $1 million artificial reef will be one of Australia’s largest artificial reefs and will be located near the Exmouth Boat Harbour inside the Exmouth Gulf, providing the community with new safe and accessible fishing opportunities.
More than 27,000 cubic metres of concrete and steel structures will be installed on the sandy bottom of the Exmouth Gulf. The project brings together world-leading engineering solutions and science-based habitat enhancement, all to benefit recreational fishing.
Local WA company and world leaders in artificial reef architecture, Subcon International, received funding to develop the reef from last year’s round of the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund (RFIF).
The Exmouth reef differs in both size and design to WA’s other artificial reefs. A mixture of steel integrated with concrete will form the reef’s 58 modules, which will range in height from one metre to 10 metres and laid out across two acres on the ocean floor. Once deployed, the 27,000 cubic metres of reef volume will be equal to that of 11 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
25 per cent of recreational licence fees collected by the Government, goes to the RFIF for investment back into the sector. A further 15 per cent of licence fees goes towards funding for Recfishwest, with the balance of licence fee money supporting fisheries management through the department.
Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly:
“I am very pleased to announce the location of the Exmouth Integrated Artificial Reef, which will create a new, accessible, safe fishing location for recreational fishers.
“I look forward to seeing the artificial reef, which was partly funded by the State Government, effectively enhance the recreational fishing experience in WA.
“Thousands of people descend upon Exmouth for a fishing getaway but sometimes the winds and swell is unfavourable.
“This new reef will offer tourists and locals an alternative fishing in the safety of the gulf, which can only add to the appeal Exmouth has as an iconic WA fishing destination.
“The McGowan Government is delivering on its election commitment that ensures 25 per cent of recfishing licence fees are invested back into the sector through the RFIF.”
Minister’s office – 6552 6100
New Artificial Reef Coming to Perth’s Northern Suburbs
Fisheries Minister Media Release
Tuesday, 15 May 2018
– $1.9 million worth of new projects to put your fishing licence fees to work for you
– Since 2012, about $10 million from licence money has funded recfishing projects
– Perth’s northern metro waters will get an artificial reef to enhance fish habitats
A new artificial reef for Perth’s northern suburbs is one of 11 new recfishing projects worth almost $2 million that will be funded from recreational fishing licence money, through the latest round of the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund (RFIF).
The McGowan Government will decide the specific location of the $1 million artificial reef through consultation with the fishing community and other stakeholders.
The announcement of a new northern metropolitan reef, comes five years after the deployment of Western Australia’s first ever artificial reef for fishing in Bunbury. Once in the water, the northern metropolitan reef will become WA’s seventh purpose-built artificial reef.
Other projects funded through the RFIF will be announced in the coming months.
The McGowan Government has delivered on its election commitment to the RFIF that ensures 25 per cent of recreational fishing licence money is invested back into recfishing. Projects funded provide safe, sustainable, accessible and enjoyable recreational fishing experiences in Western Australia.
WA’s Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund has already provided more than $10 million for projects that benefit WA fishers, while having additional tangible outcomes for fish habitats, the environment and research.
For more information, visit https://recfishwest.org.au/rfif
Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly:
“In 2015, WA Labor stood side by side with Recfishwest to protect this important fund, when the former government tried to cut it.
“The McGowan Government is delivering on its election commitment that ensures 25 per cent of recfishing licence money is invested back into the sector through the RFIF.
“A further 15 per cent of licence fees goes towards funding for Recfishwest, with the balance of licence fee money supporting fisheries management through the department.
“We’ve asked WA fishers where they want their licence money spent and artificial reefs continually come out towards the top of the list.
“Artificial reefs can provide quality fishing opportunities to help fishers avoid having to travel excessive distances or venture into rough waters, and they can also mean a huge boost for localised tourism as well as a win for fish habitats.
“A new artificial reef will enhance the recfishing opportunities for the growing northern suburbs.
“The goal of the McGowan Government is to ensure Western Australians have safe, accessible, sustainable and enjoyable fishing experiences for years to come.”
Minister’s office – 6552 6100
WA’s new Fisheries Minister is a friend of fishing
Recfishwest is welcoming the appointment of Dave Kelly as the new Fisheries Minister. Continue reading “WA’s new Fisheries Minister is a friend of fishing”