Recfishwest teams up with the Bureau of Meteorology for a dangerous-conditions rock-fishing alerts initiative

A new initiative between the Bureau of Meteorology and Recfishwest will help anglers make informed decisions and reconsider fishing in hazardous conditions.

Rocky coastline and unpredictable conditions make rock fishing on the south coast hazardous, with Salmon Holes a notorious trouble spot near Albany.

The initiative has been developed by Recfishwest and the BOM with input from south coast fishing experts.

BOM alerts to be sent to Recfishwest will include details about the timing, duration and locations of the forecast dangerous swell conditions.

These will then be broadcast through Recfishwest’s social media channels.

Orange alerts will be used for hazardous conditions and red for extremely hazardous.

The initiative will be implemented from March to June 1 and then from October 1-June 1, 2024.

Recfishwest chief executive Dr Andrew Rowland said fishing from rock platforms in big swells was inherently risky.

“Inexperienced fishers should keep the sand between their toes and fish from the beach,” he said.

“Even experienced rock fishers can get caught out if they are unaware of big swells.

“We want everyone to come home safe from a day’s fishing and it’s really important to be aware of the conditions before deciding whether to go out and fish.

“These alerts will help fishers make better-informed decisions.

“It’s great to be working with the Bureau of Meteorology in this way to provide what has already proven to be a valuable service when trialled last year.

BOM WA manager James Ashley said the bureau was pleased to be able to collaborate with Recfishwest.

“Pairing up our expertise with Recfishwest’s reach with the fishing community could potentially save fishers’ lives through these alerts,” he said.

“We appreciate fishing is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of West Australians every year and we want to do what we can to ensure they can enjoy it safely.”

This latest initiative follows a pilot program which ran last autumn.