We’re reminding fishers heading to the Gascoyne Coast for the school holidays to ensure they are aware of the recreational fishing rules that apply in the Ningaloo Marine Park.
The Marine Park, stretching for 300 kilometres along the Gascoyne coast, consists of five zones, including 16 Sanctuary Areas where vessels, including motorboats, are permitted but all fishing and collecting activities are prohibited.
For detailed information about what activities are permitted where in the park, see our Ningaloo Marine Park web page.
Recfishwest’s recreational fishing app now includes rules information about all marine parks and there is also the Parks and Wildlife Service's Marine Parks WA app – both great, downloadable tools for anyone wanting to enjoy recreational activities in this special part of the world.
The zone system has different areas and conditions for crabbing, line fishing, mollusc fishing, spearfishing, netting including throw netting for bait and the use of motorised vessels.
Some of the zones are designated no-take sanctuary zones, low water special purpose zones, special purpose zones for shore-based activities, recreation zones and a general use zone.
These are areas that have important habitats to help conserve marine biodiversity, which are also valuable for scientific research and monitoring. These are ‘look but don’t take areas’, where any type of fishing and collecting activities are not allowed.
Offences in the Sanctuary Areas can result in fines of up to $5,000 for a first offence and an additional penalty of 10 times the prescribed value of the catch.
Anyone with information about suspected illegal fishing activity can make a confidential report to the Department’s FishWatch hotline 1800 815 507.
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