DAWESVILLE MLA, Dr Kim Hames, welcomed the announcement by Fisheries Minister, Troy Buswell, that an artificial reef will be constructed off Mandurah.
Dr Hames said that he was delighted that $430,000 from the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund (RFIF) will be used to build the reef.
“One of the reasons fishing licences were introduced was to place licence fees paid into a dedicated fund for the purpose of making recreational fishing more sustainable into the future,” he said.
“This artificial reef is one of the initiatives the RFIF will fund so that a growing Mandurah population will benefit from.”
Dr Hames said he is also working with the Government, Western Australian Fishing Foundation and Challenger TAFE to establish a local and viable fish restocking program in to the Mandurah and Dawesville area.
“Earlier this year I had the privilege of participating in the restocking of 1400 bred mulloway in Mandurah and I am very hopeful that the breeding program will be expanded to include endemic species such as snapper and dhufish,” he said.
“Artificial reefs and fish breeding programs go hand in hand and I would like to see more artificial reefs deployed off Mandurah.”
Dr Hames also said the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club and the Port Bouvard Recreation and Sporting Club have been fantastic in the support they have provided to identify potential sites.
“I understand that an area has been identified about 5 miles offshore in 23-28metres of water and which is equidistant from the Dawesville Cut and the Mandurah Estuary entrance.”
It is expected the artificial reef will be placed in May 2014 after a suitable site has been found and a sample module will be available for viewing at the Mandurah Boat Show on October 12/13.
