The City of Cockburn will act on the wishes of its community and request the Fisheries Minister establish a 50m no fishing zone around the engineered fringing reef at C. Y. O’Connor Beach.
Following extensive community consultation, 68 per cent of 364 submissions received from the public supported a no fishing zone surrounding the reef and extending to the shoreline.
Common reasons for support of the no fishing zone included:
- Increased safety, by removing the risk of accidental harm from fishing hooks or spear guns and reducing the perceived risk of shark attraction
- Protection for marine habitat, allowing it to thrive
- An enhanced snorkelling and diving experience due to an increase in marine habitat.
Thirty one per cent of consultation submissions did not support the establishment of a no fishing zone, citing:
- The reef was publicly funded and should be shared and accessible for all
- Reduced fishing location options
- Impact on teaching children how to fish and/or spearfish
- Loss of recreational enjoyment.
The Minister for Fisheries Jackie Jarvis and the state Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will be the final decision-makers on the proposal.
Mayor Logan Howlett said the no fishing zone was proposed to protect users of the reef for passive recreational purposes, making it safe and sustainable for current and future generations.
“We want to create a ‘fringing reef sanctuary’ by extending the no fishing zone to the shoreline to resolve any potential confusion about the zone’s boundaries,” Mayor Howlett said.
“This modification will allow for signage to be installed on the beach to mark the beginning and end of the sanctuary.
“This zone would be consistent with the Omeo Dive Trail at Port Coogee which has undertaken the same process to protect swimmers, divers and snorkellers.”
Both the WA Fishing Industries Council and Recfishwest were sought for feedback to the proposal, with only the latter providing a submission, against the proposal.
Mayor Howlett said a habitat report commissioned by the City observed 57 species of fish now inhabiting the reef compared to 29 species before the reef was installed, plus 56 species of non-fish such as molluscs, starfish, sea urchins, sea anemones and jellyfish.
“The reef also attracts mammals with pods of dolphins observed at the reef most days before 9am and sea lions also observed. There are also numerous rays and octopuses found amongst the reef,” Mayor Howlett said.
“Although the primary purpose of the installation of the reef may have been for the purpose of ameliorating coastal erosion, another reason the reef was established was to trial how well it mimics nature and to what extent biodiversity around the reef can flourish.”
Cockburn Council resolved to submit the request to the Fisheries Minister, at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 14 July.