Mobile patrols give Fisheries staff a colourful presence on State's beaches
Fisheries Minister Norman Moore today unveiled the new 4WD fleet used by mobile compliance patrols that began operating in the middle of this year.
Six new land-based mobile patrol units were deployed in July as part of Western Australia’s revised recreational fishing management arrangements.
“The State Government has effectively quadrupled the number of mobile compliance units available across WA to monitor recreational fishing activity,” Mr Moore said.
“These mobile patrols will now have four-wheel-drives, equipped with high-tech communications equipment, to assist Fisheries and Marine Officers (FMOs) in general monitoring work.
“They will also help officers respond quickly to illegal fishing reports.”
Adding six mobile compliance patrols to the two already operating was a significant step, the Minister said.
“Government funding has enabled us to establish more mobile patrols and also to employ a further 13 FMOs this year,” he said.
“Some of the new FMOs are working on the eight dedicated mobile patrols that will operate across WA, from Kununurra to Esperance.”
In addition to reaching remote locations along WA’s coast or inland fisheries to check on activity, the mobile patrols would have a role in educating fishers about sustainability rules and reinforcing the fish for the future message.
“Both education and enforcement are important to help recreational fishers understand their impact on the marine environment and the balance needed to ensure WA’s fish stocks are protected for the enjoyment of future generations,” Mr Moore said.
“FMOs from the mobile patrols will check fishers have the appropriate licence and that they are fishing safely and not breaking any sustainability rules, like bag and boat limits, closed areas and more.
“About 72,500 new Recreational Fishing from Boat licences have been issued, since they were introduced on March 2 this year - which confirms that rec-fishers are contributing more to recreational fishing initiatives and better management of WA’s precious fish resources.”
Fishing licences are available through Australia Post or from the Department of Fisheries’ website and offices. There is more information at http://www.fishforthefuture.com.au. Details on the fishing rules that apply around the State are also online at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au
Minister's office - 9422 3000
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pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Good!!! They are reaping in
Good!!!
They are reaping in over 2 million bucks from boat fishing licenses alone.
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
We were fishing on a
beach north of Leeman and two fisheries officers came in with quad bikes last year, may be they were a trial for 4x4 patrols.
Also had the Jurien Bay FO's on the beach in their 4x4.
Ginger Tablets Rock
buschy
Posts: 626
Date Joined: 27/11/09
Great to see. A step in the
Great to see. A step in the right direction.
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Be nice
If they spent more money on more Officers instead of blowing $1000's on toys. At least it's a step in the right direction.
Proof will be in the pudding though
Captain Sensible
Posts: 7
Date Joined: 26/11/09
More Officers
Yep, could have got an extra four Officers for a year for those dollars, and they could have jogged down to the beach, then maybe swum out to check a few boaties catches.