Officials in Western Australia are warning that the only northern region left untouched by new fishing restrictions may soon face a wave of anglers heading north, raising concerns about whether the area can handle the pressure.
Recreational fishing for species such as dhufish, red emperor and pink snapper has been banned for 21 months from Kalbarri to Augusta. Commercial demersal fishing has also been shut down across the West Coast bioregion, and catch limits have been cut in every region except the Gascoyne.
Yinggarda custodian and tour operator Rennee Turner fears the Gascoyne is not prepared for the sudden influx. Her concerns echo those raised in Windy Harbour on the south coast, another area outside the restricted zone.
Turner urged authorities to install more signage around culturally and environmentally sensitive sites, stressing that it must be done in partnership with First Nations communities. The Gascoyne includes two UNESCO World Heritage treasures, Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay, the latter home to the world’s largest seagrass bank.
She warned that the threat extends beyond marine life. “It’s not just the seagrass we need to be concerned about, it is the dune systems themselves. You’re going to have caravans and four wheel drives in the dunes,” she said.
As a tour operator, Turner supports responsible tourism, but she believes the region is not ready for heavy visitor impact.
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