Long-time fisherman calls for netting restrictions

Long-time Bunbury fisherman Bruce Olsen is calling for more restrictions to be placed on commercial fisherman and recreational netting in the area.

Mr Olsen said areas closed to net fishing had not changed since the 1970s despite substantial growth in populations within the area during that time.

He said a proposal sent to Recfishwest that would see netting prohibited within 400m of the shoreline from Hastie Street in the south to just north of Belvidere Beach had received no response.

“I’ve sent through photos of the commercial netting right at the Dolphin Discovery Centre and in front of Vat2 and heard nothing back,” he said.

“I’ve started to question whether Bunbury even exists, I’m quite saddened because commercial and recreational netting shouldn’t happen right there.

“People with rods can have a lot more fun for a longer time but any schools that come in are netted before they get a chance to.”

He said he thought restricting netting and commercial fishing further would encourage more families to enjoy fishing together.

“Most people start off beach fishing, then they might go to a ramp and see someone with a big catch from a boat and then progress,” he said.

“The other night I was out fishing and there was two cars of one family that came along to have some fun fishing.

“That’s the sort of thing I like to see – my wife and I were there together and our kids are off our hands but we both said to each other how good it was to see that.”

Mr Olsen said he also wanted to try to speak to people about organising access and infrastructure to fish near the power station groyne.

“That’s got a concrete platform – maybe that will be a better place to put a jetty,” he said.

“I just want to get some ideas out there to see what the community thinks.”