Tag: Offshore Wind Energy

Making fishing better in the year past and the year ahead for the Cast of Thousands

We recently held our 2024 Annual General Meeting and had time to reflect on what Recfishwest and the fishing community achieved in FY 2023/2024 – and on the challenges we face ahead to protect our fishing and make it better in the year ahead.  

Five top wins for fishing in 2023/2024  

Writing in his CEO’s Report for Recfishwest’s 2023/2024 Annual Report (read the full report here), Dr Andrew Rowland commented, “It’s been another huge and intensive year for Recfishwest as we’ve worked hard to ensure fishing in WA continues to be accessible, sustainable and enjoyable for the 750,000+ strong fishing community.  

“Thanks to the passionate support of our members and the broader fishing community, we’ve not only accomplished some great wins this year but have prepared ourselves and set our sights on future challenges that we will tackle together.  

“From a better outcome for fishers with the final South Coast Marine Parks plans, the long-awaited reopening of Cockburn Sound for crabbing and vehicle access being restored to South Mole – we have had a significant year of wins and progress, but there is still plenty of work to be done.”  

Join the Cast of Thousands as a Recfishwest member to help make fishing even better in 2025 and to meet the challenges ahead for the way of life we love.   

The reopening of crabbing in Cockburn Sound (top left), a better outcome for South Coast Marine Parks (top right), west coast demersal reallocation (bottom left) and vehicle access to South Mole being restored (bottom right) – just some of our wins this year!

Some key challenges ahead in 2025 

New and better infrastructure to create more places to fish 

We’ll be pushing for more fish habitat enhancement and restoration as well as ongoing improvement of fishing platforms and jetties around WA. It’s great to see the Government has already committed to funding projects like the new Ammo Jetty in Coogee, Mount Henry Jetty in the Swan River and a new oceanic fishing platform in Bunbury, each supporting enhanced fishing opportunities for mobility-impaired fishers. These facilities are critical for providing safe, accessible fishing spots, and we’ll continue advocating for more of them. 

Future marine parks  

Having achieved a more balanced outcome for South Coast Marine Parks, there are significant challenges ahead in protecting fishing access in the planned extension to Marmion Marine Parks and a new marine park planned for Exmouth Gulf. Once again, these marine parks will require a careful balance between conservation efforts and maintaining access to fishing spots that locals hold dear. We’ll continue to advocate strongly to ensure these parks don’t shut fishers out from the places they love.  

Tackling shark bite-off – a persistent blight on fishing 

Shark depredation remains an ongoing frustration for fishers in the northern half of the State. More research and investment in science-based solutions are needed, along with the development of effective deterrent devices to minimise this growing problem. Recfishwest will keep pushing for progress on this issue to reduce the impact sharks have on recreational fishing experiences. 

Protecting fishing ground and access in Offshore Wind Energy (OWE) developments 

We’re also closely engaged in the growing interest in offshore wind energy development. While we support renewable energy, it’s essential that these projects are carefully managed so that they don’t restrict fishing access or harm the local marine environment. We’ll continue working with both the Commonwealth and State governments to protect recreational fishing as these developments progress. 

Changing focus on South-West freshwater fishing and marroning in the face of a drying climate 

Our focus on South-West freshwater fishing and marroning is also sharpening, especially in the face of a drying climate. Water levels and temperatures in our favourite rivers throughout summer are taking a toll, particularly on trout. It is critical that the Government supports the development of a comprehensive strategy and plan to ensure we can continue to enjoy inland fisheries in the South-West. It’s clear that focus and efforts must shift towards enhancing dam-based fisheries, marron stock enhancement and trialling alternative species to trout. 

Recfishwest says “NO” to Offshore Wind Energy development in Geographe Bay’s critical fish habitat

Recfishwest has told the Commonwealth Government that important fish habitat and fishing grounds in Geographe Bay are strictly off limits for Offshore Wind Energy developments. 

In February, the Commonwealth Government released proposals for public comment on a massive 7,674 square kilometre area to be earmarked for potential offshore wind farm development off Geographe Bay, with its closest point only 20km from shore off Cape Naturaliste and Bunbury, and 36km from Busselton. 

Recfishwest Operations Manager Leyland Campbell said, “A significant proportion of this area contains critical fish habitat including seagrass meadows and large areas of coral and sponge gardens, which among other things support dhufish spawning aggregations, and includes popular fishing areas such as Naturaliste Reef and FAD grounds.”

Developments within the Government’s proposed South-West Offshore Wind Energy zone could have major negative consequences on seagrass meadows, coral grounds and dhufish spawning aggregations that sit within the earmarked area. Photo courtesy of Save Our Beloved Geographe Bay Facebook page.

To inform our submission, Recfishwest surveyed hundreds of local fishers who identified more than 400 important fishing areas within the proposed determination area. As expected, more than 95 per cent of recreational fishing activity within the proposed area occurs in water depths of less than 200 metres (see heat map below).  

It is for these reasons that Recfishwest, on behalf of our cast of 700,000 fishers, has recommended the eastern boundary of the proposed area is moved west to beyond the 200-metre depth line/isobar. This would remove areas of critical habitat and important fishing grounds from consideration, therefore protecting fishing experiences. 

As seen in this heat map generated by hundreds of responses from recfishers in our online survey, the most important fishing spots to the South-West community sit directly within a large proportion of the Commonwealth Government’s proposed Offshore Wind Energy development zone.

Strong opposition  

In addition, Recfishwest has criticised large gaps in the proposals and Commonwealth OWE policy that we have consistently been raising for months that remain unaddressed, including a clear position on potential exclusion zones being implemented around offshore wind infrastructure. 

“Recfishwest will not support any offshore energy projects that impose access restrictions,” added Leyland. “As a matter of priority, offshore wind energy projects must provide clarity as to their impacts on fishing access and must avoid important habitats such as spawning areas, nursery grounds and popular fishing locations.” 

What Recfishwest told the Commonwealth Government

Recfishwest’s recommendation to move the eastern boundary of the proposed determination west to the 200-metre isobar will:  

  • Reduce conflict with fishers and important fishing areas; 
  • Avoid all documented key ecological features; 
  • Avoid impacts on corals, seagrass, seaweed and sponge gardens; 
  • Avoid known dhufish aggregation areas
  • Retain the area of greatest wind speed and consistency for offshore energy projects; and 
  • Is large enough to allow the development of an offshore wind industry that can deliver the Government’s desired 20GW of energy.

In addition, it is recommended the Government provides greater transparency about the known impacts of offshore wind industry and resolve inconsistencies in Government policy.    

Recfishwest encourages all fishers to make a submission. Submissions on the proposed area can be made until 3 May 2024 through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) consultation hub , which also has more information on the proposal. 

Given the important fish habitat and crucial fishing grounds in Geographe Bay to the South-West community, Recfishwest stands firm that it is strictly off limits for Offshore Wind Energy developments.