You appear to be using an outdated browser. Some features on this page will not function properly. Please consider upgrading your browser to improve your experience and your online security.
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.”
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.
Cherished land-based fishing spot South Mole in Fremantle is now open to foot-traffic only after having been closed in mid-March.
Recfishwest has requested Fremantle Ports restore vehicle access to South Mole and we strongly encourage all fishers to complete the survey from Fremantle Ports telling them the same thing.
Fremantle Port’s decision to close South Mole for seven weeks was sparked by illegal camping, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
As one of the safest, most accessible and popular Metro land-based fishing spots, many fishers across multiple ages and abilities are concerned the current vehicle closure could become permanent.
That is why Recfishwest is encouraging all fishers who have a strong attachment to South Mole to provide their feedback to Fremantle Ports before their survey closes on 6 June. Together we can make a strong case for vehicle access to South Mole to be restored.
Fremantle Ports have reopened South Mole but to foot traffic only – meaning fishers with mobility issues who usually transport fishing gear by car to the popular land-based fishing spot are paying the price.
Numerous fishers have expressed their disappointment to Recfishwest about the loss of vehicle access, with senior fisher Graeme French – one of many passionate South Mole fishers – now worried about where he and his mates can fish comfortably.
“I’m 70-years-old with mobility issues and South Mole was one place where I can easily get out of my car and fish. It’s good for my physical and mental health and I meet up regularly with old fishers there to swap stories, it’s a bit like a Men’s Shed for fishermen,” said Graeme.
“There are limited fishing options for people with disabilities. I have not seen any of my friends at South Mole since the (vehicle) closure, which has affected my mental health and I suspect theirs to some degree.”
Recfishwest Operations Manager Leyland Campbell commented, “South Mole offers great fishing for a range of popular species for fishers of all ages and abilities – now fishers are missing out because of the actions of some illegal campers.
“Maintaining vehicle access for less able-bodied fishers such as the elderly or people with disabilities to the Mole is extremely important. Fishers should have the right to drive with their fishing gear and park alongside their fishing spot on the mole and wet a line with ease.”
South Mole has been a cherished fishing hotspot for many decades and all fishers, particularly those with mobility issues, should be able to drive to their favourite fishing spot.
A strong connection to South Mole
South Mole has been a great spot to catch squid off the weed banks, bait-cast for tailor, burley up for herring and gardies or soak a bait for pink snapper for decades.
Since numerous parking tickets didn’t persuade campers to vacate South Mole, Recfishwest asked Fremantle Ports Communications Manager Neil Stanbury if more vigilant patrols of the area or towing away campers’ cars could be a more substantial deterrent.
“Let’s see what the public say. We certainly want the public to continue enjoying South Mole as they’ve done for decades, but Fremantle Ports also has to find a solution to the illegal camping and anti-social behaviour happening there,” said Neil.
Recfishwest’s partners in Fishability – who provide fishing services for people with disabilities – have been negotiating with Fremantle Ports to install platforms on South Mole to cater for more fishers with disabilities with Recfishwest supporting this initiative.
“North Mole currently possesses a disability platform and vehicle access and South Mole should be given the same amenities to better accommodate these fishers. We encourage all fishers to ask for this in their submissions and we’ll keep you posted on updates,” added Leyland.
Fishers have until 6 June to have their say on public access to South Mole and Recfishwest is encouraging fishers to ask for vehicle access to be restored.
