Shire of Augusta-Margaret River seeks spear fishing ban at key locations across district

The future of spearfishing at some of the South West’s prime locations could be up in the air after one local council backed a major community effort to ban the contentious practice last week.

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillor David Binks received unanimous backing to push for the ban after being he said he was moved to tears by the senseless death of a tame Blue groper killed by visiting fishers earlier this year.

The proposal – which would be subject to community consultation and face a hard uphill battle against State Government regulators – would ban spear gun and hand spear fishing in Cowaramup Bay, Hamelin Bay, the Margaret River Special Purpose zone which includes Gnarabup, and Flinders Bay and Rivermouth in Augusta.

Cr Binks said he and fellow members of Gracetown’s Red Rockers swimming group were distraught at the Blue groper’s death and saw it as a pivotal moment amid more far reaching concerns about the killing of marine life in key coastal bays as well as safety fears after swimmers saw spear guns accidentally discharged or barbed spears left on the sand.

“This motion is giving our community a voice about banning spear fishing within our iconic bays,” Cr Binks said.

“These areas are particularly attractive to swimmers who come to admire and observe the marine life which comes into those bays.”

Cr Binks said sheltered bays were also a lure for spear fishers, but the clash between user activities could no longer be supported.

Cr Binks and Gracetown’s Laurie Keen spoke on the concerns for protecting marine life in those zones, with the wide ban proposed to avoid fishers hunting creatures just outside of the boundaries as was alleged to be already widely practised.

It also sought to protect iconic stingrays at other coastal locations.

“We should only be shooting them and other beautiful creatures with a camera, not a spear gun,” Cr Binks said.

Mr Keene said Gracetown residents backed an even more comprehensive ban.

“We’re all protective about our sea life and don’t want to see any of it on the end of a spear,” he said.

Mr Keene said hunters had many other options for spear fishing in the region.

A 2018 push to ban spear fishing at Gnarabup and Cowaramup Bay, as well as dangerous jetskis, ultimately failed because the State committee which oversees local laws didn’t support it.

Cr Ian Earl, who was involved in that past effort, said he didn’t hold high hopes for the proposed spear fishing ban he felt was too broad.

The Times understands any change would require changes to the Ngari Capes Marine Park managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and was likely to be opposed by fishing groups.