Western Australia: $300,000 surveillance project
The Western Australian Government is spending $300,000 on a surveillance project to assess the sustainability of shore-based fishing along the Perth coast.
Department of Fisheries supervising scientist, Dr Dan Gaughan, said that an understanding of how and where people are fishing is essential in order to effectively manage popular fishing species.
“A considerable number of people fish from the shore. They not only get out there to catch a feed, but also to enjoy the social and recreational aspects of beach fishing and it is important that we maintain that opportunity for future generations,” Dr Gaughan said.
Aerial surveys of beach fishing are now complete, and a more conventional land-based survey strategy is underway. The Department of Fisheries said it would assess which of these techniques is the most cost-effective option for ongoing surveillance.