More time to drop a line in WA

Indigenous fishers off Western Australia’s northern coast will have more time to drop a line with eight new generation fish aggregating devices now being deployed all year round.

FADs consist of buoys or floats that are moored to the ocean floor using an anchor system.

The devices act as an aggregation point for baitfish, attracting large sport fishing species and providing increased recreational fishing opportunities.

“Our local fishers and communities have been asking for access to FADs that can withstand the peak cyclone season and we have delivered on that,” Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna said.

“Fishing is a hugely popular pastime in Broome, and these FADs will enhance the experience for locals and visitors to our region.”

The new reinforced FADs will be deployed off Broome and Dampier this month and have been re-engineered with more robust chain rigging and modelled to withstand cyclone conditions.

These strengthen features will allow the FADs to stay anchored in the water year-round, extending the region’s sport fishing season.

One of the Dampier FADs will also be used as a platform for a wave buoy, expanding WA’s network of buoys which provide real-time observations of wave conditions.

This live wave and temperature data will be available through wawaves.org, allowing fishers to better plan their trips. The data will also be used by The University of Western Australia scientists to improve models of how or when the swell arrives in Dampier Port.

The Cook Government has invested $1.5 million to expand the State’s FAD program to help anglers target large species like tuna, mahi mahi, marlin, sailfish, wahoo and Spanish mackerel.