Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) carried out a targeted compliance operation in the north of the state last week targeting illegal barrumundi fishing.
Operation River Pond used vehicles and vessels for both covert and overt inspections of catches of more than 150 fishers in an area which included the Derby boat ramp and adjacent rivers, including the Fitzroy, Logue, May and Yeeda rivers.
Covert observations by the officers resulted in a boat being intercepted with a gill net onboard around 10.30pm Sunday evening and investigations are continuing.
Overall, most fishers were cooperative, compliant, and welcomed the operation.
October historically has higher than average barramundi catches, and in past years high levels of illegal fishing by non-permitted means have been detected in the Derby region by Kimberley-based Fisheries officers.
Of the fishers inspected, 133 were fishing for barramundi, while others were targeting cherabin, threadfin salmon, baitfish, and mud crabs. Offences detected included taking more than the bag limit of cherabin, possession of undersize barramundi, which are totally protected fish, or having no current recreational fishing licence.
Details on WA’s fishing rules are available on Fisheries website home page, where you can find a link to help you if are planning on going fishing: WA’s recreational fishing rules.
This is where you can search by a specific species or location, or alternatively you can download or scroll through the recreational_fishing_guide.pdf to find out more.
DPIRD Acting Director Regional Compliance North Dean Clarke said operations like this do find offenders, but it’s also good for our officers to be out and about engaging with recreational fishers.
“The majority of recreational fishers follow the rules and support sustainable fishing practices,” Mr Clarke said.
“Several items were seized during the Operation River Pond, including fish that were over bag limits and protected fish (like the undersize barramundi), but the gill net and fish trap that officers confiscated are also concerning.
“For last Saturday and Sunday, Derby Detectives joined our Fisheries officers for a joint operation across the weekend to conduct their own compliance checks.
“The collaboration highlighted the capabilities and effectiveness of the joint agency work with WA Police Force, and it’s a relationship that DPIRD highly values.”