Council requests a ban on shark fishing with a wire trace at the Busselton Jetty

Published on Thursday, 18 April 2024 at 10:32:24 AM

Following consultation with the local community, Council has made the decision to write to the Minister of Fisheries to advise of their support for a ban on shark fishing with a wire trace at the Busselton Jetty. 

The City received 1,695 responses during the consultation period, with 1,277 (75.3%) in support of a ban at the iconic Busselton Jetty location. The main concerns raised by the community related to the conflict of uses at the jetty, with large numbers of locals and tourists swimming, snorkelling and diving in the area each year. While other areas within the City were submitted for consideration by some respondents, the decision only relates to the waters around the Busselton Jetty. 

Mayor Cronin said that the City has already engaged with Minister Don Punch MLA, Minister for Fisheries to discuss the possibility of a ban at the Busselton Jetty. 

“Following a State Government ban on shark fishing with a wire trace at various beaches in the Perth metro area, the Minister indicated he was prepared to consider a ban in other locations around the State. Our consultation process has helped us better understand issues and concerns within our local community and ascertain if there was support for such a ban at the Busselton Jetty and surrounds,” said Mayor Cronin. 

Mayor Cronin added, “The next step is for the City to write to the Minister to confirm its support for a ban at the Busselton Jetty and to request that the Minister includes the Busselton Jetty and surrounds in the State Government’s Prohibition on Fishing (Wire Trace) Order 2022. The proposed exclusion area supported by Council extends 800m east of the Jetty and approximately 2000m west of the Jetty, up to the eastern edge of the Vasse Diversion Drain.” 

Should the Minister agree to a ban at the Busselton Jetty and surrounds, monitoring and compliance will be the responsibility of the State Government through the Department of Fisheries. 

Objectives outlined in this statement are aligned with the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (2021 - 2031) Key Themes Environment: An environment that is valued, conserved and enjoyed by current and future generations.

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