More FADs for the West
Recfishwest applauds the sensible use of licence fees to promote fishingPerth has just received a huge boost, with two newly-designed world class fish aggregating devices (FADs) deployed west of Rottnest Island recently, allowing year-round fishing opportunities.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said he was excited at seeing yet another project developed using recreational fishers' license fees which will be used to enhance recreational fishing in the state.
"These new FADs will provide greater fishing opportunities for pelagic species such as dolphin fish, Spanish mackerel and various tuna species, and will complement the existing Perth Game Fishing Club FADs program which has greatly improved fishing experiences in the waters west of Rotto for many years," Dr Rowland said.
The FADs are made from a lightweight fibre-reinforced plastic and are designed by Okabe Co Ltd who are world leaders in FAD design. "Having state-of-the-art recreational fishing technology in metro waters that is so accessible to local fishers is fantastic and vital in increasing people's fishing experiences," Dr Rowland said.
The FADs were deployed by WA company Subcon, with one subsurface FAD suspended approximately 23m below the surface and the other is floating on the surface, clearly visible to boats. GPS locations of these FADs are freely available on the Recfishwest website at www.recfishwest.org.au
This project has approval from the commonwealth and state governments and will see a further six FADs deployed in early 2015 in what Recfishwest hopes is the start of a state-wide FAD program to increase fishing opportunities across some of WA’s most accessible fishing waters.
The project was funded by the Recreational Fishing Initiative Fund (RFIF) and adds to a growing number of projects aimed at enhancing fishing for all West Australians. Since the RFIF was established in 2011, more than $6.5 million of recreational fishing licence money has been invested into projects to make fishing better. RFIF projects are supported by Recfishwest and the Department of Fisheries.
Recfishwest believes WA rec fishers should have access to enjoyable, safe and sustainable fishing while maintaining the economic, social and wellbeing value that recreational fishing provides to our community. For more on Recfishwest funding and projects, click here.
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