Cockburn prohibited shark fishing methods reminder

The City of Cockburn's response to PerthNow Cockburn on 28 January 2022, about a reminder of prohibited shark fishing methods in Cockburn

Question: Does the City enforce fines on people who are caught fishing for sharks?
Answer: Shark fishing is a prohibited activity under the City’s Local Laws, however there is currently no penalty attached to the offence for infringements to be issued. It is difficult to prove that fishers are targeting sharks. However if the City receives a report of a suspected prohibited activity, the City’s Officers attend and advise fishers of prohibited shark fishing methods.

Question: If so, how many fines have been issued in 2021, 2020 and 2019?
Answer: No fines have been issued by the City of Cockburn during the period listed. The process adopted by City Officers when dealing with these complaints is to provide education, and should compliance not be achieved, then this is escalated to the Department of Fisheries.

Question: Has there been an increase in people being caught fishing for sharks over the past three years?
Answer: 2019: 9 illegal fishing complaints. 2020: 5. 2021: 3. Please note these are general complaints of illegal fishing. It can be difficult to prove whether prohibited shark fishing methods are in use.

Question: Anything else you’d like to add?
Answer: Until recently, the minority of people doing the wrong thing were able to avoid the Rangers by fishing outside of the Ranger’s operating hours. Now that the City has authorised CoSafe officers operating 24 hours a day, anyone doing the wrong thing should expect to be caught. The City has an array of CCTV along the coast that cover popular fishing spots and adjacent carparks to obtain registration plates for further follow up. We have a close relationship with the Department of Fisheries, and share information to ensure our patrols are targeted to areas prone to illegal shark fishing.