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Nicola loves life as a Mandurah Fisheries and Marine Officer
Date: Thursday, 10 September 2009
Nicola Roxburgh has traded walking the beat in Scotland for the sunny waters of Mandurah.
The former Scottish police officer is a fairly new recruit with the Department of Fisheries and so far loves her new life.
“My role as a Fisheries and Marine Officer means I combine my previous compliance expertise with a fantastic opportunity to spend more time outdoors and on the ocean,” Nicola said.
Based at the department’s new Marine Operations Centre in Mandurah, Nicola said she still has to sometimes pinch herself about the great opportunities she has living and working on the ocean.
“I have also been a police diver for three years in Scotland and whilst we have some stunning coastline there, it certainly is cold,” she said.
“Having only been in my current role since April, it has been a steep learning curve and I would hate to be stuck in the office and love the fact this is such a varied routine.
“Everyday work is different.
“We have a very varied role. Sometimes we are out on patrol looking for offences such as fishers being involved in illegal catches.
“We also have an educational role to play and regularly talk to recreational fisherman about fishing restrictions, bag limits and marine safety.
“With the new recreational fishing regulations soon to be introduced it is important that the broader community is aware of the new rules.”
The new recreational fishing regulations include:
“Australians are incredibly fortunate to have kilometres of amazing coastline, warm weather and access to the ocean and what it offers. Everyone has a responsibility to protect the ocean and our fish stocks and that is what the new regulations are about,” she said.
“My job involves working with the community to further educate them about the need to protect fish stocks and liaising with other government agencies, including police, to ensure that compliance rules are followed.”
“Becoming an FMO has already been an exciting experience for me and I enjoy interacting with a wide range of people and want to continue to contribute to the management of Western Australia’s valuable fisheries and aquatic environment.”
The former Scottish police officer is a fairly new recruit with the Department of Fisheries and so far loves her new life.
“My role as a Fisheries and Marine Officer means I combine my previous compliance expertise with a fantastic opportunity to spend more time outdoors and on the ocean,” Nicola said.
Based at the department’s new Marine Operations Centre in Mandurah, Nicola said she still has to sometimes pinch herself about the great opportunities she has living and working on the ocean.
“I have also been a police diver for three years in Scotland and whilst we have some stunning coastline there, it certainly is cold,” she said.
“Having only been in my current role since April, it has been a steep learning curve and I would hate to be stuck in the office and love the fact this is such a varied routine.
“Everyday work is different.
“We have a very varied role. Sometimes we are out on patrol looking for offences such as fishers being involved in illegal catches.
“We also have an educational role to play and regularly talk to recreational fisherman about fishing restrictions, bag limits and marine safety.
“With the new recreational fishing regulations soon to be introduced it is important that the broader community is aware of the new rules.”
The new recreational fishing regulations include:
- Introduction of two new licence categories:
- a state-wide Recreational Boat Fishing licence, and;
- a West Coast Demersal Scalefish licence;
- Removal of the recreational “umbrella” licence;
- Changes to existing recreational fishing licence fees;
- A two month seasonal closure (15 October to 15 December inclusive) to the take of demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion by recreational fishers; and
- Bag limit changes to medium risk and lower risk species.
“Australians are incredibly fortunate to have kilometres of amazing coastline, warm weather and access to the ocean and what it offers. Everyone has a responsibility to protect the ocean and our fish stocks and that is what the new regulations are about,” she said.
“My job involves working with the community to further educate them about the need to protect fish stocks and liaising with other government agencies, including police, to ensure that compliance rules are followed.”
“Becoming an FMO has already been an exciting experience for me and I enjoy interacting with a wide range of people and want to continue to contribute to the management of Western Australia’s valuable fisheries and aquatic environment.”
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