The West Australian Government will effectively ban shark fishing at two of the state’s most popular jetties, including one where dead and decapitated sharks were dumped.
Wire trace fishing gear, used to catch sharks, will be banned at Busselton and Esperance jetties from October.
Both local councils had formally requested the state government do something to address community concerns about shark fishing at the jetties.
The move follows a similar ban at all Perth beaches off the back of shark attacks in the metropolitan area.
A decapitated shark resting on an underwater sculpture below Busselton jetty. (Supplied)
Bad behaviour at the jetties
City of Busselton Mayor Phil Cronin said there had been a string of bad behaviour at the town’s local jetty.
“People were, and had witnessed people, throwing in burley and animal products to attract sharks to that area,” he said.
“There were some fairly graphical images of shark heads and animals lying dead at the bottom of the jetty.”
He said council was forced to “step in” to address the safety risks.
“There was one time where some swimmers had literally had dead fish being thrown in the water near them,” he said.
“There was too much conflict for the safety of the community there.”
Shire President Ron Chambers says the Esperance jetty ban was needed. (ABC News: Hayden Smith)
In Esperance, Shire President Ron Chambers said numerous requests had been lodged to ban shark fishing off the town’s jetty after it opened in 2021.
“It is a recreational fishing jetty, but it’s also a tourism icon,” he said.
“Council agreed that fishing for sharks off that particular piece of infrastructure probably wasn’t really conducive to it.
“If people want to fish for sharks they should head off to the beaches — which we’ve got plenty of — away from town.”
The wire trace ban will not extend to other beaches in Esperance and Busselton.
Peak body says outright ban ‘excessive’
In a statement, WA’s peak body for recreational fishers, RecFish West, said the ban went too far.
“We understand concerns on this issue and agree that fishing for large sharks in popular swimming areas does not meet the community’s expectations around responsible fishing behaviour,” a spokesperson said.
“However, an outright wire trace ban is excessive, negatively impacting on fishers targeting species such as tailor and mackerel.”
Busselton’s jetty and foreshore attracts thousands of visitors each year. (ABC South West: Anthony Pancia)
The group had instead been pushing for limits on hook sizes and wire trace diameters to restrict shark fishing.
“[We] do not understand why it was not accepted,” the spokesperson said.
“We are concerned anglers making an honest mistake fishing for species such as tailor or mackerel may be unreasonably penalised or fined, which is not consistent with this rule’s intent.”
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