City of Busselton Council has announced it will write to the WA Minister of Fisheries to advise of its support for a ban on shark fishing with a wire trace at the Busselton Jetty.
The Council says it received 1,695 responses during the consultation period, with 1,277 (75.3%) in support of a ban at the iconic Busselton Jetty location.
Council says the main concerns raised by the community related to the conflict of uses at the jetty, with large numbers of locals and tourists swimming, snorkelling and diving in the area each year.
Mayor, Phill Cronin said Council has already engaged with Minister Don Punch to discuss the possibility of a ban at the Busselton Jetty.
“Following a State Government ban on shark fishing with a wire trace at various beaches in the Perth metro area, the Minister indicated he was prepared to consider a ban in other locations around the State,” said Mayor Cronin.
“Our consultation process has helped us better understand issues and concerns within our local community and ascertain if there was support for such a ban at the Busselton Jetty and surrounds.
“The next step is for the City to write to the Minister to confirm its support for a ban at the Busselton Jetty and to request that the Minister includes the Busselton Jetty and surrounds in the State Government’s Prohibition on Fishing (Wire Trace) Order 2022.”
The proposed exclusion area supported by Council extends 800m east of the Jetty and approximately 2000m west of the Jetty, up to the eastern edge of the Vasse Diversion Drain.
Should the Minister agree to a ban at the Busselton Jetty and surrounds, monitoring and compliance will be the responsibility of the State Government through the Department of Fisheries, the Mayor said.
