The City has issued a reminder to people fishing from local beaches and Ammunition Jetty at Woodman Point that some practices used to fish for large sharks are banned in Cockburn.
Under the City of Cockburn’s Local laws, the practise of using or setting buoyed lines using blood or any other lure for the purpose of attracting sharks is prohibited at local reserves, foreshores, beaches and Ammunition Jetty at Woodman Point.
City of Cockburn Head of Community Safety and Ranger Services Mike Emery said the laws were motivated by concern for the safety of all beach users.
“There is a community concern that fishers setting balloon lines and dumping berley in waters close to where people regularly swim and recreate, could attract sharks closer to shore,” Mr Emery said.
“Berley that contains mammal or bird products cannot be used in WA waters. Mammal or bird products means blood, flesh, offal or skin from a mammal or bird.
“We understand that some fishers at Ammo Jetty attach balloons to their fishing lines so the baited hooks are carried into deeper waters on currents or with offshore breezes.
“Some also use kayaks and canoes to dump berley, carcasses and other blood and guts further offshore to attract fish. This is a potentially dangerous practice and also pollutes the water.
“We also know balloon litter is commonly ingested by marine life, causing discomfort and ultimately death.
“Those who say they are fishing for other fish, and not sharks, are still employing methods that attract sharks, which is against our Local Law, and could still attract a fine.”
The Local Law can be accessed below in the related documents section, with the shark fishing information on page 21, Section III, Division 2 (Prohibited Areas and Activities), point 3.3.
Rangers from the City and Fisheries Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will conduct regular patrols of popular fishing areas in the City.
Find out more about shark fishing rules in the City of Cockburn
here, and find out where you can fish in Cockburn
here.