Fishing ban on cards for popular spot in Perth's south
Cockburn council has thrown support behind a councillor who wants all fishing banned around an artificial reef off North Coogee due to fears the practice will attract sharks to the snorkeller's paradise.
Cr Pheobe Corke said a rise in spearfishing at the reef off C.Y. O'Connor Beach is what encouraged her to pursue a blanket ban on fishing within 50m of the man-made reef.
'The artificial reef is fast becoming a popular snorkelling spot,' she said.
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'There are swimmers snorkelling every day and school parties are visiting regularly. Councillor Pheobe Corke said the rise in spearfishing at C.Y. O'Connor Beach is what encouraged her to pursue a blanket ban on fishing within 50m of the artificial reef. Credit: City of Cockburn
'Recently people have been seen spearfishing there, and the number of spearfishers appears to be rising rapidly, this is creating a dangerous situation as gidgees and blood in the water can attract sharks.
'This destination is only going to become more popular with snorkellers and therefore swift action is required to ensure visitors to the artificial reef have the same protections as those visiting the Omeo Dive Trail.'
The grounds for her request, which was endorsed this month by Cockburn council, are that the site is an important fish habitat area and a blanket no-fishing zone would help the City of Cockburn manage aquatic resource sharing issues at the site.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development granted a no-fishing zone on the same grounds around the Coogee Maritime Trail, one of Perth's most popular spots featuring the wreck of the Omeo. Cockburn council has thrown support behind a councillor who wants all fishing banned around an artificial reef off North Coogee. Credit: supplied
However, approval of and any subsequent enforcement of the city's proposed rules by DPIRD were contingent on support from Recfishwest and the WA Fishing Industry Council. Recfishwest and WAFIC said they don't see why fishers and swimmers can't co-exist at the artificial reef.
'There is no reason why fishers and other water users can't peacefully co-exist, which is the norm along our coastline,' a Recfishwest spokesperson said.
'The nearby Ammo Jetty in Cockburn Sound is a great example of this where fishers, divers and swimmers all enjoy the amenity the jetty provides as a public asset — there would be no reason we can see why the C.Y. O'Connor artificial reef would be any different.'
Similarly, a WAFIC spokesperson said: 'WAFIC is committed to co-existence in the marine environment and will seek to support a mutually agreeable solution that doesn't unnecessarily impact commercial fishers.'
The City of Cockburn, in partnership with global marine and subsea services company MMA Offshore, doubled the reef's 135 concrete bombora modules to 270 late last year.
The swimming spot has continued to attract an array of fish, marine invertebrates and marine flora, with a recent survey revealing 68 fish species in the area, a 134 per cent increase from the 29 species recorded before the reef's existence.
The WA Undersea Club president Matthew Johnson told PerthNow despite no hard evidence showing an increase in the number of spearfishers at the artificial reef, he doesn't doubt it's true. The WA Undersea Club president Matthew Johnson told PerthNow despite no hard evidence showing an increase in the number of spearfishers at the C.Y. O'Connor artificial reef, he doesn't doubt it's true. Credit: fish_arms_mattyj
'Common sense says it has to be true,' Mr Johnson said.
'Spearfishing has grown in popularity in the last five years in particular, and if they have built an artificial reef there it would make sense.
'It's a ridiculous thing to say that more people are spearfishing so we should ban it, wouldn't you say more people are spearfishing so let's build another reef and continue to bring more people to our beach, it's just so backwards.'
Mr Johnson was disappointed to hear spearfishing concerns was at the crux of Cr Corke's argument.
'The thing is sharks are in the water anyway. They exist, they are there, there's no kidding ourselves with that, any form of fishing attracts sharks,' he said.
'Spearfishing is by far the most sustainable form of fishing, there's no bycatch, you select what you catch, you don't shoot undersize fish, your not leaving hooks, fishing line or tackle in the water, it literally is the most sustainable form of fishing.
'It's this idea of hunting with a gun that seems to upset people, this attitude that it is some sort of barbaric blood-thirsty thing is so wrong.'
Mr Johnson said the reef presented a unique opportunity for amateur spearfishers in Perth to learn and he thinks authorities should harness the rarity of it.
'The WA coast is spoilt for fishing, but the issue is all our reef structure is quite a distance off the coast so you really need a boat to get out to that sort of ground,' he said.
'There's next to no opportunity for spearfishers from the shore on the metro coast.
'To me that location really represents an entry-level spot for people to dabble in spearfishing — it's a positive thing that should be supported by local government.
'Fishing and outdoor activities, particularly at a shore-based location like that will attract young people and families, any real serious fishermen will be out on a boat somewhere, the council should be promoting young people getting outside and being active.'
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