A new purpose-built boat based in Mandurah will give people with a disability the chance to experience the joy of fishing with the guidance and support of WA community organisation Fishability.
The 8.5m twin pontoon boat, officially named and launched on Friday at the Mandurah Offshore Sailing Club, is fitted out to be accessible to people in wheelchairs and will provide an exciting new addition to the Fishability Mandurah program.
From September, the vessel will be running regular trips out into the Peel-Harvey Estuary with room for up to nine fishers and their carers, along with Fishability volunteers helping the fishers try their luck for whiting, crabs, flathead, tailor, herring and a host of other fun-to-catch recreational fishing species.
The boat, proudly built by local boat builder Port Bouvard Marine, has been supported by recreational fishing licence fees through the State Government's Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund (RFIF), the Commonwealth Stronger Communities Program, PEACH (Personnel Employed at ALCOA Charitable Help), the AWA Alliance Bank, the City of Mandurah and the State Government's Small Election Commitments Program for Mandurah.
Fishability chairperson Mike Donnelly said support for the project from the local and fishing community including partners Recfishwest and all tiers of government had been outstanding.
"...we have to give a special mention and thanks to Bouvard Marine owner Simon Dummett whose financial and in-kind support in getting the boat ship-shape and good to go for the Fishability program has been exceptional," Mr Donnelly said.
"This boat will help give even more people with disabilities in the Peel region the opportunity to safely get out on the water, wet a line and enjoy what fishing has to offer. It's not just about the fishing, though, it's also about breaking down the isolation and bringing people undertaking these activities together."
Recfishwest chief Dr Andrew Rowland said fishing was a "treasured part of the WA lifestyle" and everyone should be able to have access to it.
"Our partner Fishability continues to do great work and help ensure fishing can continue to be truly inclusive giving everyone in our community the chance to enjoy the mental health and wellbeing benefits fishing provides," Dr Rowland.
Daniela Cooper
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
