Fisheries’ compliance checks to step-up this weekend

Fisheries and Marine Officers will be out in force this weekend, targeting metropolitan boat
ramps; to make sure people are complying with fisheries laws and marine safety rules.
The warmer weather attracts more fishing and boating activity off the Perth coast and the
Department of Fisheries is calling on boat users to keep safety in mind at all times and reminding
fishers to be aware of the fishing laws.

South Metropolitan Region Compliance Manager John Breeden said Fisheries and Marine
Officers would be at boat ramps and out on the water constantly during summer.
“We have a very important role in monitoring marine safety rules and also to check fishers are
doing the right thing by not exceeding bag and size limits or breaching other fishing rules,” Mr
Breeden said.

“Boat ramp checks will be done at different times of the day, so, if people are heading out on the
water, we will be checking whether they have the appropriate marine safety equipment on board
and, if they are returning, we will check the catch that fishers have brought back with them as
well their safety equipment.”

Anyone wanting more information about boating safety can find out more from the Department
for Planning and Infrastructure website at www.dpi.wa.gov.au/marine. Details on fishing rules
are available online at www.fish.wa.gov.au. Click on the recreational fishing tab at the top left of
the home page and follow the links to your area of interest.
Mr Breeden said fishing rules were designed to protect the sustainability of stocks and ensure
that there would be fish for the future.

“At this time of year there is a lot of interest in rock lobster fishing, which is one of our fisheries
that requires a licence, so fishers should make sure they have a receipted licence or the official
licence card from the Department of Fisheries,” he said.
“As well as boat ramp and on the water patrols, Fisheries and Marine officers also have vehicles
and boats, with high tech communications, capable of targeting remote or hard to reach
locations.

“Of course, the bottom line is that the community expects us to deal with those people who
ignore or breach the rules and we encourage fishers and other members of the public that see
suspicious activity to report it to FishWatch on 1800 815 507.”