Tag: Fremantle fishing

South Mole fishers with mobility issues celebrate return of vehicle access to their favourite fishing spots

Fishers with mobility issues are once again enjoying being able to drive to their favourite fishing spots on Fremantle’s South Mole – thanks to the fishing community banding together.  

Following a big reaction from the local fishing community to the Mole being closed to cars and mobility scooters, vehicle access was recently restored to the Mole.  

The reopening of vehicle access allowed senior fishers and those with mobility issues to once again wet a line off this iconic rock wall catching whiting, tailor, herring, snapper and squid alongside their friends and family.  

For around six months, the cherished land-based Freo fishing spot was only accessible on foot after Fremantle Ports were forced to ban vehicle access to South Mole due to illegal camping, vandalism and anti-social behaviour. 

Many, like Graeme French, who has fished there for decades, were concerned the closure could be permanent. However, strong support from hundreds of local fishers in a Fremantle Ports community survey helped reinstate vehicle access. 

“If we stop fishing we’re just sitting at home and it’s not good for your physical or mental health. To be able to access a place like this well into your 80s makes a huge difference to your longevity of life,” said Graeme.

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland added, “Easy access to this popular land-based metro fishing location is paramount and it’s great to see fishers like Graeme back here and able to drive along South Mole with a smile on their face. 

“Recfishwest extends a big thank you to everyone who spoke up to help overturn the decision, and we appreciate Fremantle Ports for conducting proper community consultation. They understood the importance of easy fishing access in supporting the mental, social, and physical wellbeing of so many in the community.”  

 

Vehicle access to be restored at South Mole following big fishing community response

In a great result for metro fishers, Recfishwest is delighted to announce that Fremantle Ports is to reopen vehicle access to South Mole in the coming weeks.

The cherished land-based fishing spot has only been accessible on foot for the past few months with Fremantle Ports’ decision to ban vehicle access to South Mole sparked by illegal camping, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

There were growing concerns from metro fishers – particularly senior fishers and those with mobility issues – that the vehicle closure could become permanent. As one of the safest, most accessible and popular land-based metro fishing locations, the vehicle closure meant walking hundreds of metres while carrying gear to favourite fishing spots from the base of South Mole, inadvertently excluding many fishers with mobility issues.

However, there was a fantastic response from hundreds of local fishers who responded to our call to have their say in Fremantle Ports’ online survey on the issue. To its credit, the port authority has taken on board the feedback from more than 800 survey responses and recognised the importance of South Mole’s fishing access for people of all ages and abilities fishing for much-loved species like pink snapper, herring, skippy and squid.

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “This is a great win for fishers and the port authority’s decision shows that when united, our collective voice can ensure positive outcomes that protect the social, mental and physical wellbeing benefits of fishing.”

Listen to what else Andrew had to say in this video.

 

Fremantle Ports has said vehicles will be allowed back once works are completed to prevent illegal camping, which will include implementing parking machines with the first three hours of parking free of charge as was previously the case on the mole. According to a recent Perth Now article, Fremantle Ports are hoping to restore vehicle access in August.

Andrew added, “While this is a great outcome, it won’t be our last battle that requires metro fishers to unite and have their say, with industrialisation developments in Cockburn Sound and the Marmion Marine Park proposals on the horizon.

“We urge you to have the chat with your friends and family on issues at hand and keep an eye on our media platforms for updates on what could impact your fishing experiences or access in the future.”

Since the vehicle closure was put in place back in March, fishers have had to walk up to 800m from the carpark to reach the lighthouse, a daunting task for fishers with mobility issues that unfortunately excluded many of them from wetting a line here. The restoration of vehicle access is a great win for easier access to this cherished fishing spot.