Cockburn locals may have to reel in their fishing activities as a popular local beach could be hit with a fishing ban.
Following clear public feedback, councillors unanimously voted to ask State Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis to establish a 50m no fishing zone around the engineered fringing reef at C.Y. O’Connor Beach.
Community consultation over the past few months revealed 68 per cent of 364 submissions supported the proposed zone, which will surround the reef and extend to the shoreline.
The artificial reef was created after C.Y. O’Connor Beach became known as an “erosion hot spot” after losing more than 50m of shoreline since 2012. Alongside global marine company MMA Offshore, the city created the reef in March 2022 to reduce erosion.
The reef resulted in additional benefits of increased marine biodiversity, and the area has since become popular with snorkellers and divers.
Camera IconThe 50m no fishing zone would surround the artificial reef installed off C.Y. O’Connor Beach, and stretch to the shoreline. Credit: supplied
An officer’s report stated the no fishing zone was proposed in the interest of protecting users of the reef for “passive recreational purposes” and making it safe.
The majority of survey responders believed the zone would increase swimmer safety by reducing the risk of them being injured by fishing hooks and spear guns, and boost the marine habitat.
But local fishing organisation Recfishwest said this was not the intention of creating the artificial reef, and it wasn’t fair to ban “responsible recreational fishing” without clear evidence of a problem.
“Recfishwest is disappointed by the City of Cockburn’s decision, as we do not believe excluding fishing is justified, given the reef was originally installed primarily to address coastal erosion, not to become an exclusive snorkelling area,” a spokesperson told PerthNow.
The not-for-profit fishing body represents the interests of about 750,000 West Australians who participate in fishing.
It put a submission to the city arguing against the proposal, stating any claims over fishing bans resulting in improved fish populations in the erosion reef were “unsubstantiated and unrealistically optimistic”.
“There is no evidence fishing-related conflicts at the C.Y. O’Connor erosion reef pose higher risks than at other mixed-use coastal sites throughout WA,” the submission said.
“Potential safety concerns whether real or perceived can be effectively addressed through education, spatial or temporal separation of activities or signage, rather than exclusion.”
The nearby Coogee Maritime Trial has upheld a fishing exclusion zone since 2017, which Recfishwest did not oppose.
“That trail was expressly designed for diving, swimming and snorkelling. In contrast, the erosion reef at C.Y. O’Connor Beach was conceived, promoted and funded as a coastal-erosion mitigation project rather than as a dive-exclusive attraction,” it said.
A Recfishwest spokesperson said the organisation wanted to work with the city towards a co-designed alternative.
“As we outlined in our submission to the city, fishing and other activities can and should safely coexist at this location, and we had hoped to work constructively with the city to find a balanced solution, allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of this safe and accessible reef,” they said.
“Particularly during the colder winter months and school holidays, not everyone visiting the area will want to snorkel, and we believe the community should be able to enjoy the reef and all of the many activities it hosts.”
The 31 per cent of survey respondents who objected to the no fishing zone cited similar reasoning, adding the reef was publicly funded and should be accessible for everyone, including recreational fishers.
However, councillors voted in line with the public majority to create a “fringing reef sanctuary” for marine life and swimmers.
Camera IconThe reef has resulted in an increase in marine biodiversity, including fish and no-fish species. Credit: supplied
Mayor Logan Howlett said despite the reef not being designed for biodiversity reasons, the new data suggested the marine environment should be protected.
“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,” he said.
The reef is also known to attract pods of dolphins, sea lions, rays and octopi.
The request for a no fishing zone at C.Y. O’Connor Beach will now be submitted for Ms Jarvis’s approval.
Local fishers are still able to cast out from the Port Coogee accessible fishing jetty in North Coogee, Port Coogee marina external breakwaters – excluding the Coogee Maritime Trail – and the breakwaters and groynes around Woodman Point and the Woodman Point boat ramp.