Tag: spoilbank marina

Launch of Port Hedland’s new boat ramp unleashes fantastic year-round boat fishing opportunities

If you are part of the 80 per cent of Port Hedland residents who own a boat – start your engine, because you now have the opportunity to safely launch your boat year-round thanks to Spoilbank Marina’s new boat ramp!  

On 20 January, a crowd of excited Pilbara locals were thrilled to watch Marine Rescue Port Hedland launch the first vessel from the new and innovative four-lane Spoilbank Marina boat ramp, an important milestone for the development that gives fishers much better launching options with Port Hedland’s big tidal swings.  

Until now, boat fishers have only been able to launch their vessels from Port Hedland’s other two-lane ramps when the tidal conditions allowed it, often leading to long queues at the ramp with fishers wanting to get out and target the great Pilbara fish species on offer. 

Check out the awesome video from Marine Rescue Port Hedland below celebrating the launch of the new boat ramp!

Robbie Peck from the North West Spearfishing Club said it’s a game-changer for the coastal town, with many of Port Hedland’s 15,000-plus population being avid fishers.   

“Not only will this offset the pressure at the other boat ramps, but it is so much safer, and it has finally unlocked year-round launching which is very exciting news for the fishers up here given the FADs are coming soon and potentially artificial reefs,” said Robbie.  

“We will also soon have wash-down facilities available at the ramps and we have already seen proof that the marina rock wall itself is attracting some impressive fish species such as coral trout and mangrove jack, so as Port Hedland’s population grows this marina will serve boat boat and land-based fishers exceptionally well.”  

To compliment the new addition to the marina, Pilbara Ports Project Director John Freimanis said other developments are in the works so fishers can get the most out of the area. 

“There are multiple fish filleting and barbecue stations being developed close to the ramps so fishers will soon have the ability to duck out, catch a fish, fillet it with ease and even enjoy a cook up with friends and family at the marina if they wish to do so,” said John.  

Pilbara Ports placed fishing considerations at the fore of its ongoing construction of the Spoilbank Marina with Recfishwest’s input and given the difference between the low and high tide mark in Port Hedland is frequently around six metres, clever designs were implemented so both boat and land-based fishers could overcome this obstacle.   

Complimenting the new boat ramp is more pontoons allowing boats to be moored up, which sit directly across from the highly anticipated dual-level fishing platform that will soon be available to land-based fishers of all abilities. Image source: Pilbara Ports.

The innovative two-level fishing platform will soon allow fishers of all abilities to be adaptable and wet a line during either the low or high-tide mark and Pilbara Ports drew on Recfishwest’s artificial reef expertise to configure six reef balls underneath the platform to attract more species fishers love to target.  

“The mental, social and physical wellbeing benefits that fishing provides is crucial to so many community members in coastal towns like Port Hedland and it is great to see the Government’s input into this marina so fishers on the water and land can fully reap these rewards,” said Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland.  

“A big thanks to the Pilbara Ports team and all players involved in the vision for the Spoilbank Marina and for providing Recfishwest the opportunity to optimise it from a recfishing viewpoint. It’s quickly becoming one of the most adaptable, innovative and welcoming fishing marinas in the country and we want to see much more of this along the WA coast.”  

The Spoilbank Marina boat ramp will initially be available for daily use between 6am and 6pm due to environmental approval restrictions related to the construction phase. The Richardson Street boat ramp will remain open for use 24 hours per day.  

Recfishwest will continue to consult with Pilbara Ports on the ongoing Spoilbank Marina construction, with the land-based jetty expected to be opened to the public in mid-2024 and landside completion expected in late-2024.  

To keep up to date with the Spoilbank Marina project, check out the Pilbara Ports Facebook page.

Land-based fishing access for Port Hedland goes to the next level – literally!

Thanks to an innovative jetty design, Port Hedland’s new land-based fishing platform will adapt perfectly to the ever-changing conditions, so land-based fishers won’t have to!

What’s more, the Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) has safely deployed six mangrove jack, cod and coral trout-attracting reef balls, donated by Rio Tinto, under the smart-design jetty to further enhance fishing opportunities.

PPA placed fishing considerations at the fore of its ongoing construction of the Spoilbank Marina, with better flexibility to fish during Port Hedland’s large tidal swings implemented into the jetty’s design and build.

Given the difference between the low and high tide mark in Port Hedland is frequently around six metres, PPA constructed two levels on the platform that allows fishers the freedom to wet a line either during the low or high tide mark, with wheelchair accessibility included.

Drawing on our artificial reef expertise, Recfishwest assisted PPA in the configuration of the six reef balls, providing tips on how to maximise the effectiveness of the reef modules.

Six reef balls have been safely positioned under the innovative dual-level fishing platform and slightly off to either side to create an inviting habitat for fish and boost the abundance in species for land-based anglers.

The pylons of the jetty themselves will help provide shelter and structure for the settlement of marine flora, algae, crustaceans and bait fish, further encouraging multiple species that fishers love to target to congregate and move between the pylons and individual reef structures.

We have also advised PPA on deploying additional reef ball modules and other reef structures around the marina parallel to the breakwall on the inside of the marina.

By providing other areas of habitat enhancement within the marina, this will help reduce overcrowding on the fishing jetty upon its completion, while also increasing catches of sought-after species.

An artist’s impression of the Spoilbank Marina fishing platform being constructed by the Pilbara Ports Authority. The platform will give recreational fishers improved access to fishing the fluctuating low or high-tide mark in Port Hedland.

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “It’s great to see that the Pilbara Ports Authority have taken the interests of recreational fishers to heart in designing this marina and fishing platform – we’d like to see other Ports Authorities’ follow this example providing better access for land-based fishers.”

“Not only does the design take advantage of the fluctuating tides in this region, but the modules positioned in the marina will eventually house a wide range of species the community loves to catch.”

It’s good news for Port Hedland’s boat fishers too in the $187.5 million construction of the Spoilbank Marina project, funded by the State Government, Town of Port Hedland and BHP.

“Once complete, the marina will feature a four-lane boat ramp, 22 boat pens, fish cleaning stations and barbecue facilities,” said Pilbara Ports Authority General Manager Engineering and Infrastructure, Charles Kretzmann.

“The Spoilbank Marina will improve safe access to deep water by providing a separate entrance channel for recreational boaters and fishers to use away from large commercial bulk carriers navigating in and out of the port,” added Charles.

Recfishwest will continue to consult with PPA on the ongoing Spoilbank Marina construction, which is expected to be operational by late 2023, with landside completion expected in early 2024.

If you wish to keep up to date on the Spoilbank Marina project, check out the Spoilbank Marina Facebook Page.

Port Hedland has always been an attractive land-based fishing destination for many anglers given the wide range of species on offer and the new Spoilbank Marina development by the Pilbara Ports Authority aims to enhance fishing accessibility in this region.