Friday, March 29, 2024
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Recreational fishing hooks new benefits from WA Recovery Plan

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Image: Patrick Linehan

THE WA government has unveiled a $6 million package to support the state’s recreational fishing industry as part of its WA Recovery Plan.

The package, developed with Recfishwest, includes new artificial reefs, a boost to finfish stocks to increase fishing opportunities in the metropolitan area, and a new state-wide marketing campaign to drive more locals and tourists to WA’s iconic fishing locations.

As part of the package, a shallow water reef will be installed off Albany and additional structures will be deployed to create safe fishing areas off two other regional towns.

The plan will also deliver a boost to fish stocks in Perth metropolitan waters.

The stocking of finfish species, such as yellowtail kingfish, will support new fishing opportunities on new North Metro Reef to create a drawcard for tourism and support the 50 fishing tour vessels operating off the Perth coast.

The Cockburn Sound “Snapper Guardians” program will also be extended, and an additional one million barramundi will be released annually into Lake Kununurra.

Recreational fishing – which contributes an estimated $2.4 billion to the state’s economy each year – complements regional tourism in WA.

The WA annual salmon run alone is worth more than $331 million to regional areas, particularly in the South-West and Great Southern.

Premier Mark McGowan said: “The WA Recovery Plan recognises the importance of both social and economic recovery across WA, and recreational fishing is a strong element in our social fabric.

“By developing these new fishing opportunities we aim to encourage Western Australians to holiday within the state and produce wider community benefits under WA’s Recovery Plan.”

View the full statement here.

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