Proposed no fishing zone at C.Y. O'Connor Beach artificial reef

The City of Cockburn's response to 6PR about a proposed no fishing zone at the C.Y. O'Connor Beach artificial reef 22.05.25

At its 13 May Ordinary Council Meeting, Cockburn Council voted to advertise the City’s intent to approach the State Government to establish a no fishing zone around the artificial reef at C.Y. O’Connor Beach, and will seek public comment on the proposal.
 
The City will also contact Recfishwest and the WA Fishing Industries Council (WAFIC) seeking feedback and support for the establishment of a no fishing zone around the artificial reef at C.Y. O’Connor Beach.
  
Subject to the City being able to demonstrate it can address any concerns raised by Recfishwest, WAFIC and the general public, the City will then request the State Government pursue a blanket ban on fishing within 50m of the reef.
 
This is in response to concerns the reef, which is fast becoming a popular snorkelling spot with regular visits from swimmers and school groups, has had increased observations of people spearfishing and creating a dangerous situation as gidgees and blood in the water could attract sharks.
 
This would ensure visitors to the artificial reef have the same protections as those visiting the Coogee Maritime Trail and Omeo wreck.  The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Fisheries) declared that popular area a no fishing zone in September 2017.
 
The grounds for the request are that the site is an important fish habitat area and a blanket no fishing zone would help the City manage aquatic resource sharing issues at the site.
 
A recent fish survey at the site identified 68 fish species, meaning that since the deployment of the engineered fringing reef, fish diversity at the site has risen 134 per cent, an increase from the 29 species recorded prior to the reef’s installation.
The total number of species recorded at the site post-installation (i.e. from both 2023 and 2025 surveys) now stands at 81.