The Rottnest Island Authority has proposed a closure.

West Australian fishermen are looking down the barrel of a proposed fishing closure of the West’s most popular family/fishing playground.

The Rottnest Island Authority has proposed a closure of popular family fishing beaches and the prime LBG west end of the island.

Rottnest Island Draft Management Plan for the next five years, 2002-2007.
Proposes massive closures of prime recreational fishing territory around the island.

Needless to say WA fisherman are devastated by such proposals and distressed to think that future generations may not be able to fish the spots previous generations have fished for many years.

The worst part is that there is not one shred of evidence supporting the proposed closures in terms of sound fish stock management. The RIA are presenting this plan of closures because they do not know what impact fishing is having on the island.

So just to be safe they are proposing a complete fishing ban on these areas. The Premier of WA Geoff Gallop has made a statement that only CALM can enact such laws to the marine parks and that the RIA would have little or no authority in this area.

Yet the proposal still stands and fisherman Australia wide need to support each other before the cancer of reclamation without research continues.

I support responsible fishing and good management of our fish stocks. I supported the temporary closure of the shark bay eastern gulf and already we have seen a marked improvement of snapper fish stocks.

But until I see a proper study carried out on Rottnest then I cannot support something that is based on ignorance and takes away the basic rights of the average Aussie family to catch a few herring and enjoy a few days off.

If you want to support us then please visit

www.clearwateraustralasia.com.au/rotto

John Bowie

Concerned recreational fisherman and family man.