Fishing could be banned at one of WA’s best beaches after fears swimmers could be snared by hooks and tackle.
  
Fisheries Minister Norman Moore will decide whether to ban fishing at Green’s Pool in William Bay near Denmark after long-standing tensions between swimmers and recreational fishermen.
  
The sheltered natural swimming pool in William Bay National Park attracts between 140,000 and 200,000 visitors a year and is listed by Tourism WA as one of the State’s best swimming spots.
  
The Department of Fisheries has proposed banning line, net and spear fishing over 600m of beach and headland in the area after receiving several requests.
  
There are concerns fishing hooks and tackle left behind are a hazard to swimmers and snorkelers.
  
Fisheries regional manager Phil Shaw said there were several options to regulate fishing at the beach, including time restrictions.
  
“It’s been used for swimming lessons for local kids for a long time,” he said. He urged people to make a submission before the May 29 closing date.
  
Recreational fishermen are concerned about the proposed ban and said common sense should prevail.
  
Denmark angler John Taylor runs a charter fishing business — not at Green’s Pool — and said it was one of the few spots it was safe to take children fishing off the rocks.
  
“I’ve got young kids and I take them there,” he said. “In the past there probably has been conflict between people fishing and swimmers, normally during summer time. I’ve never witnessed any animosity but I have had swimmers swim past when I’ve got a line in. But there’s plenty of room for us to coexist.”
  
Shire of Denmark chief executive Dale Stewart has called for warning signs rather than a ban.
  
“Typically, the presence of a large number of swimmers and snorkelers discourages fishers from fishing at Green’s Pool,” he said in an April 21 report to the council. “There apparently recently was an incident where a swimmer did receive a hook in the hand or finger … the concern may — if based on this incident alone — be an over reaction.”

GEORGIA LONEY

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