Recreational Mid West and Gascoyne fishers commended on adhering to fishing laws

Recreational fishers across the Mid West and Gascoyne have been commended by the State Government on their ability to follow WA’s fishing laws.

Two checkpoints were set up by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) over the Easter school holidays.

DPIRD officers along with WA police inspected travellers’ fishing hauls on the Brand Highway in Dongara and at the Overlander Roadhouse on the North West Coastal Highway on April 12 and 13.

DPIRD supervising fisheries and marine officer Matt Clarke said there were some notices handed out among the 142 vehicles searched on the North West Coastal Highway.

“It was great to see the vast majority of people doing the right thing,” Mr Clarke said.

“However, there were three warnings and four infringements issued to people for exceeding possession limits or for possession of totally protected fish, with one individual charged after being found to be 3.35kg in excess of his initial 10kg finfish possession limit.

“The public is reminded that when travelling, their possession limit consists of 10kg of fillets from any finfish species, plus 10kg of fillets of large pelagic finfish such as mackerel, tuna and shark which must have skin attached for identification purposes.”

More than 750 vehicles passed through the Dongara for inspection, with only two warnings issued.

The checks are held around the State each year and are part of DPIRD’s method of monitoring fishing law compliance.

Anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to report concerns to FishWatch on 1800 815 507.