The State Government has unveiled a $6 million package to support Western Australia’s booming recreational fishing industry as part of the 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 special shallow water reef will be installed off Albany and additional state-of-the-art structures will be deployed to create safe fishing meccas off two other regional towns.
The plan will deliver a significant 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.
In continuing to support and enhance the still water barramundi fishery in the East Kimberley, there is an opportunity for indigenous economic development through direct employment in fishing tours.
The State Government is also working with Recfishwest, WA’s peak recreational fishing body, to develop a State-wide marketing campaign for iconic WA fishing experiences, destinations and businesses to help create new jobs and strengthen the recovery.
New promotions to feature in the marketing campaign will include the development of a WA Fishing Trails and Calendar to not only promote salmon in the south but also showcase barramundi in the north.
WA has led the nation in easing restrictions, opening up local economies faster and getting Western Australians back to work and out to enjoy themselves in a COVID-safe way.
Recreational fishing – which contributes an estimated $2.4 billion to the State’s economy each year – complements regional tourism in WA.
The annual salmon run alone is worth more than $331 million to regional areas, particularly in the South-West and Great Southern.