RECFISHWEST has deployed four FADs off Cape Naturaliste following the State Government’s green light for an ongoing Statewide FADs program
The new program follows a successful three-year FADs trial initiated and run by Recfishwest using Recreational Fishing Initative Fund money from recreational fishing licences.
More FADs are to follow in the metro, Albany, Cape Naturaliste, Geraldton, Jurien Bay and Mandurah regions.
Recfishwest is pleased to have put in place four fish aggregating devices (FADs) off Cape Naturaliste in WA’s South-West after the State Government gave the green light for an ongoing Statewide FADs program.
Additional pelagic fish attracting FADs in the Perth Metro are set to be installed in the next couple of weeks with more to come elsewhere around the southern half of the State to ensure sport-fishers can make the most of the FADs this summer and autumn.
Recfishwest initiated and ran a successful three-year FADs program between 2019 and early 2022 proving to be highly popular with boat fishers targeting hard-fighting and abundant pelagic species like dolphinfish (mahi mahi), tuna and mackerel.
On the back of the trial, in May 2022, Recfishwest submitted a comprehensive report and a funding request to DPIRD to fund the program going forward.
Since receiving approval to proceed in late December, Recfishwest has pushed ahead as fast as it can to ensure sport-fishers can make the most of the FADs this summer of autumn.
Another eight metro FADs will again be deployed between Rockingham and Two Rocks in water depths of between 130-350m to complement the six existing annual FADs already deployed by the Perth Game Fishing Club (PGFC), located west of Rottnest.
Recfishwest is also planning to deploy FADs off Mandurah and Jurien Bay, to add to the already successful Albany, Cape Naturaliste, Rockingham, Perth and Geraldton deployments in the south of the State.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “Despite the disappointment at the Government’s recent west coast demersal decision, we are pleased to see a commitment to an expanded WA FADs program as part of its package to support recreational fishing.
“Having an established Statewide FADs program is a first for WA – and is a direct result from all the hard work put into the FADs pilot program by Recfishwest and local fishing champions as well as expertise from Perth Game Fishing Club (PGFC).
“We look forward to hearing DPIRD’s plans for expanding the program in the north of the State and going forward Statewide.”
Recfishwest is in talks with the Government over the FADs program roll-out for the northern parts of the State.
Once settled, fishers can again expect FADs in the traditional locations of Exmouth and Broome, with plans to drop FADs for the first time off the coast of Port Hedland.
FADs locactions and information are available at recfishwest.org.au/fads
