Fish bites: WA fishers get say in Abrolhos Islands’ future

The Abrolhos Islands, a site more infamously known for the shipwreck of the Batavia, is a group of more than 200 islands, reefs and rocks about 60 kilometres off the WA coastline.

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park covers about 97 per cent of the area.

Tourists are not allowed to camp in the island group and must notify the government that they intend to travel there. The island network forms an important recreational fishery for snapper, grouper and other reef species, as well as deep-water fishing.

Recreational boats mostly launched out of Geraldton make up around four out of every five vessels making trips to the island group, taking advantage of 38 public moorings scattered throughout it. 

It’s also a key area for commercial rock lobster fishers and charter operators. Seasonal camps are set up in a number of places, but only commercial fishers are permitted to stay there.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s draft management plan suggests that camping should be re-opened to visitors, although under strict guidelines.

Have your say on the draft strategy here.

Boaters in northern NSW and Queensland have been urged to be cautious about heading out on the water this weekend as high rainfalls and extensive flooding continues to wreak havoc on the coastline.

Minor to moderate flooding in northern NSW has prompted Marine Rescue NSW to ask recreational boaters to stay off flooded rivers due to unpredictable currents and floating debris.

“Channels and sand and mud banks may move,” it said. “Navigation markers may be submerged or damaged. Ingress and egress points such as boat ramps may be affected by debris, or underwater.

“Please delay your journey until conditions ease.” 

Meanwhile, southern Queensland is subject to a number of major and moderate flood warnings after intense rainfall sparked flash flooding in several regions.