During a visit to the Pilbara region this week, Fisheries Minister Jon Ford said local fisheries volunteers were doing outstanding work in spreading the ‘fish for the future’ message with the help of a new community education trailer.
Mr Ford said the recent inland tour to Pannawonica, Paraburdoo and Tom Price, where fisheries volunteers visited schools and shopping centres, was a good example of how the trailer could be used on an ongoing basis.
“The volunteers and fisheries staff who took part in the tour, said the trailer attracted a lot of interest from people keen to learn more about fishing in a sustainable way,” he said.
“Thanks to Rio Tinto, who sponsored the purchase of the trailer, as well as the Pilbara Regional Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee which helped with the purchase of electronic equipment, this has proved to be a highly successful community initiative.
“The trailer has display technology to show people important messages about fishing in a responsible way, and understanding the importance of the marine environment both now and for the future.”
Next on the program for the Pilbara fisheries volunteers is to take the new trailer to the popular festivals that are coming up across the region in July and August.
The custom-built off-road trailer will be displayed at the Spinifex festival in Port Hedland on July 26, the FeNaCl festival in Karratha on August 2 and 3, and at the Nameless Festival in Tom Price on August 8.
The Minister said the festivals would give the volunteers an excellent opportunity to continue their valuable work of informing people about sustainable fishing practices.
“In order to continue to enjoy the lifestyle, people have come to expect while they are out fishing in Pilbara waters, we also have to let people know that we should fish for the future so generations to come can also enjoy the experience,” he said.
“The various fishing clinics and presentations conducted by the fisheries volunteers help to get that message across.”
The Minister said the Government was investing in quality research to help monitor fish stocks across WA and guide decision-making that would balance the social value of recreational fishing with the need to ensure the State’s fish stocks were managed sustainably.
Minister's office - 9213 7200 
